Laser Rangefinder Review

The Bushnell rangefinder series has seen some major changes to its lineup with old models like the Elite 1500, Legend 1200, Sport 600, and Sport 450 no longer appearing on the Bushnell website or literature. However, new additions like the Elite 1600, G-Force 1300, and Sport 850 have been added to the Bushnell range finder line. Below is a description of some common Bushnell rangefinder features, this is followed by a comparison chart of current production rangefinders, and finally there is section that contains a brief overview of each rangefinder.

ARC – Some Bushnell rangefinders are equipped with ARC (Angle Range Compensation) technology which is capable of factoring in the angle of the shot. Within the ARC feature there are two sub modes: Bow and Rifle. It is important to note that some rangefinders like the Bushnell Bowhunter only have one sub feature, in the Bowhunter’s case only a Bow mode is offered.
Bow Mode - Bushnell rangefinders that use the ARC technology and are equipped with the Bow mode display: a line of sight measurement in yards, the angle of the shot in degrees, and angle compensated reading in yards. It is important to note that angle compensate reading in Bow mode are limited to 99 yards, and while this isn’t really an issue when archery hunting it does pretty much eliminate using the unit in this mode for angle compensated readings when hunting with a centerfire rifle. See below why this is an issue.
Rifle Mode - Bushnell rangefinders equipped with the Rifle sub mode feature ballistic charts that match many popular hunting cartridge loads. The user selects one of these charts and then the rangefinder will give the user a line of sight yardage reading, the angle of the shot in degrees, and angle compensated distance is calculated and returned as holdover in inches. It is important to note that no angle compensate yardage distance is given in Rifle mode, you could use the unit in Bow mode to get an angle compensated reading in yards, but that will only work out to 99 yards.
VSI – Variable Sight In is an added feature in the Rifle Mode of some but not all Bushnell rangefinders. The VSI feature also consists of ballistic charts to choose a trajectory that best matches your hunting cartridge; however, it also allows the user top select from one the following sight in distances: 100 yds, 150 yds, 200 yds, or 300 yds.

Target Priority – Sometimes while using a rangefinder the laser will hit and return the distance of two objects, say a deer and the tree behind it. What distance if any displays is dependent on how the manufacture set the rangefinder to deal with this situation. Some Bushnell rangefinders are equipped with selectable target priority modes which Bushnell calls Brush and Bullseye.
Brush – When a Bushnell rangefinder with target priority modes is set to the Brush mode the rangefinder will display the reading to the farther of two objects reported. For example, if the rangefinder reads a branch at 15 yards and a deer at 125 yards it will report the object at 125 yards. Brush mode is frequently favored by archery hunters who are often hunting from a treestand or dense cover.
Bullseye – When a rangefinder is set in Bullseye mode it will do just the opposite of the Brush mode; the Bullseye mode will return the closer of two objects. For example if the rangefinder gets a reading on an antelope at 173 yards and a rock behind it at 235 yards it will return the closer of the two, the antelope in this case.

Bushnell Rangefinder Comparison Chart

Model	Elite 1600 ARC	G-Force 1300 ARC	Scout 1000 ARC	Sport 850	Bowhunter Chuck Adams
Picture
Estimated Price	$479	$409 - Black $429 - Camo	$299 - Black $319 - Camo	$199	$179
Mag.	7x	6x	5x	4x	4x
Weight	12.1oz	8oz	6.8oz	5.3oz	5.3oz
L x W x H	5.1 x 1.7 x3.7	4 x 1.3 x 2.9	4.3 x 1.7 x 2.9	3.8 x 1.4 x 2.9	3.8 x 1.4 x 2.9
Reflective	1600 yds	1300 yds	1000 yds	850 yds	850 yds
Tree	1000 yds	900 yds	650 yds	600 yds	600 yds
Deer	500 yds	600 yds	325 yds	200 yds	200 yds
ARC	Y	Y	Y	N	Y

Bushnell Rangefinders Overview
Bushnell Elite 1600 – The Elite 1600 rangefinder is a newer addition to the Bushnell rangefinder line and appears to be the replacement for the popular Bushnell Elite 1500 series. The Bushnell Elite 1600 has almost every feature available on a Bushnell rangefinder, the ARC mode on this rangefinder has both the Bow and Rifle modes, and the Rifle mode is equipped with the VSI feature. The Elite 1600 has the Brush and Bullseye target priority modes as well as a scan feature. This newer rangefinder also features Bushnell’s latest VDT (Vivid Display Technology) display which features a manually adjustable red display readout. Finally the Elite 1600 features the Bushnell RainGuard HD lens coating, and the unit is rated as waterproof.

Bushnell G-Force 1300 (New) – The G-Force 1300 appears to be filling the gap left in the lineup by the dropping of the Bushnell Legend 1200 series; however, the G-Force 1300 appears to be of a brand new design and not just an updated version of a previous model. Like the Bushnell Elite 1600 the new G-Force 1300 has basically all the features possible on a Bushnell rangefinder including the addition of a new E.S.P. (Extreme Speed Precision) feature which is capable of 1/2 yards accuracy as compared to the 1 yard accuracy of most Bushnell rangefinders. Also, new for the Bushnell G-Force is a metal housing which is rubber coated for a better grip.

Bushnell Scout 1000 – Falling in the middle of the Bushnell rangefinder line, the Scout 1000 has been around for awhile and is popular with both rifle hunters and archers. The Scout 1000 has both the Bow and Rifle mode, as well as the Brush and Bullseye mode. While it doesn’t have all of the features found on the Elite 1600 and G-Force 1300, the Scout 1000 has found success in those looking for an affordable rangefinder that is suitable for use with either bow or rifle.

Bushnell Sport 850 – The 2012 Bushnell catalog and website show no Bushnell Sport 450 or Sport 600, so it looks like the Sport 850 will be Bushnell’s main entry into the budget level rangefinder category. The Sport 850 appears to be about as basic of a rangefinder as Bushnell could make, it features virtually none of Bushnell’s special features, and gives line of sight yardage only and does not have a scan mode.

Bushnell Bowhunter- The Bowhunter was introduced a few years ago, and got off to a bumpy start, it was originally offered in a camouflage model. However; it is now available in a dark green version, and it appears to be very similar to the Sport 850 except the Bowhunter has the ARC technology and the Bow mode, it does not have the Rifle mode. Besides that Bow mode the Bowhunter does not have much in the way of Bushnell specific rangefinder technology.

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