Visit the SWFA.com site to check out our current specials. |
rangefinder vs binocular |
Post Reply |
Author | |
scavaleru
Optics GrassHopper Joined: October/11/2009 Status: Offline Points: 18 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Posted: October/15/2009 at 17:06 |
My question is if I buy a rangefinder this can be enough to not buy a binocular?Or I need both ?
|
|
Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
As far as I know Leica, Leupold and Swarovski all make a full binocular with laser rangefinder. I use Bushnell 1500's and don't have a problem. I haven't carried my binocular in a while.
|
|
Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
|
trigger29
Optics Master Extraordinaire X = 180 Y = 90 (X+Pyro)+(Y-Pyro) = ? Joined: September/29/2007 Location: South Dakota Status: Offline Points: 4353 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I would say it depends on the ranges which you use your binoculars. Most rangefinders that I'm aware of are 7x. If that is enough power, then you are probably good with the rangefinder. It may not be as bright as a good bino though. I prefer 10x bino's so I went with a Leica rangefinding binocular, and absolutely love them........now that they're paid for.
|
|
"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." |
|
Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
The one's I mentioned all have FULL binocular and higher powers... of course, they also carry a pretty hefty pricetag.
|
|
Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
|
scavaleru
Optics GrassHopper Joined: October/11/2009 Status: Offline Points: 18 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
How important is a rangefinder?It is "a must"?Because a good rangefinder is almost like a scope(6-700 $).
|
|
trigger29
Optics Master Extraordinaire X = 180 Y = 90 (X+Pyro)+(Y-Pyro) = ? Joined: September/29/2007 Location: South Dakota Status: Offline Points: 4353 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
|
"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." |
|
Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Roger that, Trigger. Quality technology is expensive... |
|
Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
|
trigger29
Optics Master Extraordinaire X = 180 Y = 90 (X+Pyro)+(Y-Pyro) = ? Joined: September/29/2007 Location: South Dakota Status: Offline Points: 4353 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
|
"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." |
|
biggreen747
Optics Journeyman Joined: October/16/2009 Location: Colorado Status: Offline Points: 470 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I wouldn't be without either one... As stated before most rangefinders are limited to 6x or 7x magnification which is sufficient but they do not have much of an objective lens (and are of course a monocular) and therefore are not all that suitable in the early morning or late evening hours to judge game at a distance. A binocular raised to your face also feels much more natural that a rangefinder brought to one eye and I find it much easier to scan for extended periods with a good binoc. I wish I could afford some of the above mentioned binoc/rangefinder combos but they are prohibitively expensive. Since you can buy a good rangefinder and good 8x or 10x binocs for 1/3 to 1/2 of the combos I would stick with that option..
|
|
We measure it with a micrometer, mark it with a crayon, and cut it with a chainsaw.
|
|
lucytuma
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: November/25/2007 Location: Wisconsin Status: Offline Points: 5389 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
The range finding technology has been changing so fast, that I'd have a hard time spending the $2000.00+ on a range finding bino. I won't feel so bad when I have to replace my $300.00 range finder with a new and improved model. |
|
"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson
|
|
jonoMT
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: November/13/2008 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 4853 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
It depends. I have the Swaro w/8X monocular. If I'm traveling light and really want the RF it's alright for limited glassing. The glass is excellent but only a 30 mm objective and using a monocular is uncomfortable. IMO, at current prices the Swaro is overpriced ($1K) vs. the Zeiss ($650 w/rebate). Of course the Zeiss has an even smaller 26mm objective. But if you check prices on RF bins, it seems better to have both separate...like a $650 Zeiss and a pair of Zen-Rays should make most people very happy hunting.
|
|
Reaction time is a factor...
|
|
Terry Lamb
Optics Apprentice Joined: January/19/2009 Location: Sagle, Idaho Status: Offline Points: 150 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Everyone is different. I am an old and conservative hunter, but I hunt abolutely everything, including birds, with my binos around my neck. I add my rangefinder for bowhunting (WOW is range critical in THAT endeavor!). My rifle carries a Leupold M8 straight 4x and is sighted and deadly to 300 yards. Beyond that the drop begins to occur in a substantial way, and my old Leupold acts as a defacto rangefinder in that it becomes increasingly difficult to hold on deer-sized animals and little ones like antelope at longer ranges.
I guess if my rifles had scopes that let you read the US Mint designation on a dime at 1000 yards, I would need to determine what the real range was by guestimate, some sort of visual calculation, grids in the scope, specialized software, or, of course, the rangefinder. Since the more inexpensive rangefinders ( which I own) begin to fizzle out at about 400 yards, I now do not even carry it big-game hunting any more, as my scope, my rangefinder, and my ability all seem to dissipate at the same range.
Thus I am suspicious that, at least for most big-game hunting, fascination with the technology available has overrun the field a bit. I suspect that unless you have no budgetary limit, a combination bino/rangefinder will be a poor solution for most hunters, a compromise having been made either with the bino or the finder portion.
I recommend getting excellent binoculars, and whatever rangefinder separately.
|
|
Terry Lamb
|
|
scavaleru
Optics GrassHopper Joined: October/11/2009 Status: Offline Points: 18 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
After all my decision is to buy a good bino and to not buy a rangefinder.Because Here in Ontario the distances to shot is short and I don't thing I wiill shot over 300 yards.So,the bullet trajectory will be almost the same and I don't need rangefinder.Thank you for all information.
|
|
jonoMT
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: November/13/2008 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 4853 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Sounds like you won't go wrong. The only thing I use a rangefinder for under 300 yards is setting up targets when I go somewhere else than an established range.
|
|
Reaction time is a factor...
|
|
scavaleru
Optics GrassHopper Joined: October/11/2009 Status: Offline Points: 18 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
On the short distances is very easy to evaluate.Is not be necessary to be very precised because in this range the bullet has almost a right direction,special the magnum.Am I wright?
|
|
September Hunter
Optics GrassHopper Joined: November/23/2009 Location: China Status: Offline Points: 1 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Yes it's ture ! i think you can take two of them.
Rangefinder is called like laser rangefinder monocular and binocular.while telescope is called like binoculars. the biggest difference between them is like some people said up to the ranges and the magnifications you want. because normally the rangefinder are always in 7x and 10x but i can tell you the rangefinder have no good adjustment as compared with binoculars.
like if you use rangefinder to view some people standing on a hill in 800meters. maybe you can see the hill clearly and also can see the people. but if you want to see the people more clearly you have no choice but to use binoculars. haha. that's why ?
|
|
what you see is what you get!
|
|
gr8plmbr
Optics GrassHopper Joined: December/10/2009 Location: wisconsin Status: Offline Points: 30 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
it depends on what type of hunting bow not with out my rangefinder gun sometimes both sometimes just binos deer hunting in wisconsin is sometimes trickey one year seen a deer i thought had horns looked with nikon binos no horns good thing
|
|
Post Reply | |
Tweet
|
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |