Contents
Package
This model has anti-reflective lens coating on each of its lenses which provides you with those bright views even in dim light conditions. The package will include an utility clip along with a neck lanyard for hanging it around your neck. You will also get a soft carry case as well as the CR2 battery to power the gadget.
It has a rugged construction without having much weight, and the design is very compact. The rubber armor is very durable and allows you to grip this one tightly, plus it is also compatible with a tripod adapter with which you can use it on a car window mount or a tripod as well.
Features Of The Vortex Optics Ranger 1500 Rangefinder
The Vortex Optics Ranger 1500 comes with O-ring seals that make it resistant to water or moisture, as well as debris and dust and makes it withstand any harsh condition. I would not submerge it, though! It is equipped with a diopter that ensures precise focus on objects. You can also change the ranging format from yards to meters. Apart from that you can choose between HCD (Horizontal Component Distance) mode and LOS (Line of Sight) mode. There is a scan mode as well which provides you with continuous distance measurements when you pan across the landscape.
Slopes/Angles
The maximum angle reading you can get from this model 1500 is +/- 60 degrees while it provides a 6 degrees angular field of view as well. So with the HCD mode you get angle compensation, which is a good thing if you are standing in a tree stand or if you are hunting down- or uphill.
Display
The display has three different brightness settings that are complimented by the multi-coated lenses. These features allow you to get the maximum light transmission. That’s why the display is very easy to view even in low light conditions.
When using the Vortex Optics Ranger 1500, you can position the crosshair on a particular object to find its distance. Just press the measure button once (the button that is closer to you on the top of the rangefinder) and voila. There you have it.
For changing the mode from HCD to LOS, you need to press and hold the menu button (the button that is on the far end at the top of it) for four seconds. A menu will be displayed, and you can choose LOS by using the measure button. To use the scan feature, you will have to keep the measure button pressed and an “S” will show at the bottom of the screen. Now the display will show the continuous readings of the distances as you pan across the landscape.
Size
The device itself only weighs 7.7 ounces while its length is 3.9 inches and its width is 3 inches. This makes it just as compact as all the other models out there, which is a good thing for hunting or golfing alike.
Automatic Shut-Off
This model shuts itself off after 10 seconds of inactivity. This saves battery life. The timeframe might be a bit short if you have to go for a very tiny target like a flag or something like that, but it should be doable. Even if your ands are not that steady.
Magnification/Objective Lens
The Vortex Optics Ranger 1500 is equipped with a 22 mm diameter objective lens and a fixed 6x magnification. Eye relief is 17 mm, so hunters wearing eye glasses should be able to use it without any problems.
Function
You just need to install the CR2 battery in the compartment that comes with the product. After that, the range finder is ready to use and is in a power-off mode. For powering up the device and start measuring, you need to press the measure button, and HCD or LOS mode will be displayed. You can select the mode desired via the menu button. For scan mode you have to press and hold the measure button.
Uses Of The Vortex Optics Ranger 1500 Rangefinder
Bow hunting / Hunting
The Vortex Optics Ranger 1500 was designed for bowhunters and rifle hunters. Deer should be doable up to 750 yards. The given maximum range of 1500 yards only works with highly reflective objects, though. But that’s not surprising. Non-reflective targets are just harder to get – every model out there has these limitations. Just saying.
The integrated elevation compensation (HCD mode) is a good feature for bowhunters or rifle hunters. Imagine hunting down from a tree stand or a rock or something. Without angle compensation, there mit be a bit of guesswork involved.
Golfing
Golfers can use this one as well, of course. Just keep in mind that it has no flag locking technology integrated. If there is a distracting object behind the flag, you might want to use a target near the flag to compensate for that. Just measure a tree or a bunker or a grass field near the green and go from there. Scan mode is an option, if the flag is moving in the wind all the time.
Price
For around 430 bucks you will get a well made, high quality model. The price might be a bit steep but the product has a lot of features and it is very durable, which means it will take quite some beating in the field. It also does come with a no-questions asked VIP lifetime warranty, so in case you got any problems, you should be on the safe side.
Summary
The Vortex Optics Ranger 1500 Rangefinder is a great model to have when you are looking for a reliable and durable unit for bowhunting, hunting or golfing. The product has multiple features that are on par with the best in the market.
It is not a cheap thing to have, to be honest, so you have to decide for yourself if you are willing to spend that much for a range finder or not. Bowhunters can get away with lower priced models for sure, as they don’t need to have accurate measurements up to 700 yards. For rifle hunters, this might be a different thing, though.
Thanks for reading and shoot straight!
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