First Impressions

The device itself is a little bigger than my old Leica LRF. The built in tripod mount on the bottom sticks down another 5/8� or so and has a dovetail built into for ??? The eyepiece is comfortable and easy to focus- easiest I have yet used in fact.
There are 4 buttons on top to operate it. The instruction manual is quite a volume and was somewhat confusing and redundant. I tried to set some of the features up using the manual and was totally lost. I found it easier to trial and error the thing.
I input a ballistic profile into it which requires using the 4 buttons in varying sequences. I erased my profile five or six times before I figured it out. I could do it again much faster now. This would certainly be easier with a computer linked to it!
I only had part of a day to play with it today so I drove to the edge of town where I could overlook a desert area. It was 2:00pm and bright sunlight. According to the manual, it can read out to 2500 yards and give you a ballistic solution out to 1400.
I was able to range out to 1616 yard on a white pipe gate. The gate was approximately with the sun at my back. I stood on top of my tool box and used shooting sticks to stabilize it. This proved to be very stable. I was able to get a ballistic solution out to 1229 yards on a horse trailer. I could not get a ballistic solution beyond 1229 yards.
I had no problem ranging a rider on a horse at 318 yards, saguaro cactus out to 700. I ranged a scrubby palo verde tree at 1466 but got no solution.
At one point I was ranging various things and it inexplicably quit giving me ranges. I couldn�t even get a large tree at 150 yards. I figured it was done. I waited a minute for it to time out and started over. I began working again just fine.
I tried several times to get a large while water tank which proved to be 1229 yards away. I had to put it in �Far� mode before I could get this. I was not able to get a large pile of asphalt millings behind it.
I thought that the bright sun was keeping it from working. Up to this point, all my ranging had been with the sun predominantly to my back. I spun around and ranged to within 20 degrees of the afternoon sun. I was able to get street signs out to 1185 and a tin roof at 1065. I was impressed that it could do this in bright sun!
I tried to range a number of items at longer ranges but the 1616 yard gate was the most distant thing I got a reading on. I tried to range a Robinson R22 flying towards me. I would not give me a reading, even when it passed within 200 yards of me. I guess it doesn�t like moving targets.

I haven�t compared the ballistic solutions that I got to my known dope yet but that is next. I would like to get out again next week and use it where I can find more intermediate (1000-1400 yards) targets to see where the ballistic solution part of this rangefinder really cuts out. I was to see how it does in poor light too!
At this point I am reserving judgment but I don�t like how complicated it is and the fact that it just quit working at one point bothered me. It reaches out better than any other range finder I have tested here but I didn�t get anywhere near the 2000 yd readings that Joel did.


I took some photos of the stuff I ranged and will get them added to this a little later.

What power is the glass?

Kinda neat it was working good looking into the sun.

That tripod adapter is a outdoorsmans. I added it. It has a standard thread which I beloved is 1/4 20 thread.

Oh,OK, that makes more sense. I thought maybe it was some proprietary thing that G7 had.

Here are some photos.

This first one is the gate I was able to range at 1600 yards. It is the white metal gate center and toward the top (my version of photoshop has no line tools- sorry)





On the top of this photo is the white tank with the millings pile behind it. I had a hard time getting this range. It was 1229 but took quite a few tries to get it. I was never able to get a range on the millings.





This is looking to the west northwest I ranged those trailers on the right; 914 yard and the tin roof is 1065. This was impressive only from the standpoint that I was not too far from looking towards the sun.






This is just the camera set in normal format with no zoom to show how far this stuff looked to unaided eye. I am guessing the optics are 8X in this thing. This is the same as the top photo with the gate.

Not that it matters but I think the optics are 7x.

You are correct, it is 7X.

Is that Red Mountain I spy in the background of one of those pics?
Just a bit north from Falcon right?

Yep

My cousin lives near there... east side of the mountain.
It seems strange that it wouldn't range the millings. I would have thought a darker target would have helped some with such bright sunlight.

I couldn't get a reading on them in 20 tries.

My best guess is that the black target you are trying to read absorbs the laser instead of bouncing it off. Kinda like any black surface absorbs heat etc. I just dont think that black is a great reflective target. Just a wild guess. Dennis has any of your other rangefinders picked up on the millings. Also will it read them if you get closer to them. Like I said it is just a wild guess.

OK, had to test some Berger hybrids today and took the G7. I was able to range large rocks (3'-4') at 1033 yds in bright sunlight I was able to range bushes out to 1600 yards. I found some dark brown rocky ridges and was able to start ranging them and then drive further. I got my last reading at 1957 yards. This was at high noon!

Just ranging a grassy covered hillside didn't give the best results. It was much better to find a specific target that was darker than the rest of the hill. Almost all our fauna is evergreen so there was always something to range.

When setting up the target, the Leica CRF1200 ranged it at 297-298, the BR2 at 300 even. Not sure which one was right but was surprised that they were as much as 9 feet different at 300 yards. Both claim to be more accurate than this.

As an aside, the new 140 Berger Hybrids were pretty forgiving on seating depth and shot about 10% better than my Amax loads.

Thanks Dennis,
That sounds like pretty good performance really. Maybe just a bit finicky on the target its ranging perhaps.
Its interesting to hear about the difference in measure between the Leica and the G7 though. Really makes me wonder which one had the accurate range there. I would be really interested to see how those two compare at longer ranges i.e. does the difference go from an inconsecquential 9ft at 300yd to a potentially consesquential 18ft at 600yd... or does it remain steady?

I didn't check with the Leica. I got to caught up in shooting and then just used the BR2. Never ranged anything further than 500 yards with the Leica today. This BR2 is about 4 times the size of the Leica but not a lot heavier.

I am going to compare them at longer distances maybe tomorrow night- have to work in the AM.

Wonder how they got away with using the name "BR2" without violating CCI's copy write on the the primers???

1957 in bright sunlight is pretty impressive. Not many many can range that far in those conditions. Thanks for keeping us posted..

So far the BR2 is better than a Swaro LG.......how????

It is better in three ways; it can range further under any condition that I have seen, it can provide a ballistic solution at the press of a button for long range shooting and it actually has a display that you can see without it fading in and out.

The Swarovski has a couple of advantages; smaller, cheaper.

Have you compared or used any the PLRF series at all from Vectronixs ?

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3020962#Post3020962

Have you done any further testing with the ballistic solutions it gives you to see if it is accurate with your trajectory? What is the farthest distance you have tested the 'shoot to' solution so far?

I got a shooting solution at 1260 yesterday. I also shot at 520. I used my Shooter app on my droid which gave me 5.0 MOA elevation. The BR2 told me to put in 4.2 MOA. I needed 4.75. I guess in this case, the Shooter app was more accurate.

I am going to try and shoot further today. Yesterday I couldn't shoot any further.

Also, I was able to range the same rock at 2138 yards that I could only get 1900 and change during brighter sunlight. I could not get any readings beyond this. Maybe a house or something more geometric would yield longer readings.?

Was it off at 1260? Im assuming the 4.2 Moa was the dope for 520? Have you checked your scope to see if the click values are true 1/4moa? I had a Nightforce and a USO both be a little off from their stated 1/4 moa adjustments. What do you think the reason for your 1/2 moa error was at 520? Do you think it was the rangefinder itself?

I have played with g7 ballistics calculator on the Gunwerks website and it was right on with my shooter app. The only time i noticed a difference was when i had the Shooter app setup for a scope that wasn't true moa.

Ok, I used it a bunch today. I set up to shoot at 800 yards. I used the BR2 to measure this distance. The Leica told me it was 797. I then looked to a ballistic solution. The BR2 told me I needed 11.7 MOA and my Shooter program told me 13.4 (I think). I had two targets up so I shot one with each. The 11.7 MOA was not nearly enough. The 13.4 was just a little high.

I finally decided to double check all my inputs and found that I had put in the velocity of the 130 grain load but the BC of the new 140 Hybrid. When I corrected the velocity, they both matched to the decimal !

They were the same at least to 1200 yards so I am convinced it has as good an algorithm as any.

I have not tried the Vectronix. When someone sends me one, I will do so and report. I do not know anyone who has one nor have I seen and handled one that is under $20,000. The one I played with was very heavy. I played with them at the SHOT a couple of times.

The BR2 is bulky but light.

When the unit is set up to provide a ballistic solution, you only get to see the range momentarily. I have no idea if what I am seeing is the horizontal distance or true line of sight distance. The instruction book is as thick as my bible so I only read it once

It ranges further than anything I have ever used or tested (can't count units I have played with indoors at shows) and it provides instant ballistic solutions, ostensibly, out to 1400 yards. That is pretty impressive.

The down side is that it is quite bulky and would probably have to be carried in a pack. It doesn't feel very robust but I didn't break it so who knows?? It has a great focus and great eye relief. I don't see the need for the tripod mount, I have no problem steadying it and getting readings as far as 2100+ yards. I just used shooting sticks most of the time. I used fence posts, windows, edge of truck door, tree branch etc. I was able to range my target at 800 today just using it off-hand but it took a few tries. I could not do it with the Leica- too small. I had to use the fence post for it!

I have to admit, it does what it says it can and apparently, does it well.

Thanks a bunch Dennis. Basically your review copies the one I did in the optics forum. The only difference is you have A LOT more open spaces to test it out in AZ. I am in Indiana and am very very limited to how far I could range. I was extremely puzzled why your ballistic solutions were not matching up at first but you figured it out and got the same results as me. As with all new products there are room for improvements but G7 is definently on the right track. Maybe I will send Aaron at G7 a copy of this page and let him chime in here and answer some more questions you guys might have. Thanks.

Thanks for the review. It sounds like this unit could work for my use, though it also sounds like it would be right out to the edge of it's practical capability in less than ideal conditions.

The ballistic algorithms are the same in the online ballistic calculator at www.gseven.com and in the G7 BR2 rangefinder, so you can calculate online and check out your corrections before inputting and using the RF.

Remember it will calculate a Shoot To range or the MOA correction, it measures LOS distance, Shot Angle, Pressure and Temperature to calculate the solution.

When you are in MOA mode, one button press will display the LOS range for 1.5 seconds, then flash to the MOA correction.

Vertical surfaces will reflect the laser better. The field results seem to show that.

Hey there Aaron thanks for showing up. Maybe you can answer some of these guys questions.

Aaron

Does the BR2 rangefinder accept G7 BC's or just G1? Does it automatically degrade the G1 BC or is it based off an average G1 BC?

Dennis

Thanks for the answers in field testing. Have you tested the ballistic solutions to it's max effective range, or close to it, to see if it matches your actual dope (i.e. longer than 800yds)?

The reason i ask is, using a G1 BC at longer ranges, the G1 drag profile algorithms usually don't match the actual drag of most VLD bullets. I have found that the G7 profile is more accurate, or stepping the G1 bc's over different velocities (like in the NF Exbal program entering multiple bc's). Some newer programs use an algorithm that automatically degrades the G1 bc's and these also are very accurate (more so than using an average G1 bc).

I'll post some exchanges I had with Aaron concerning the technicals for the BR2. I don't think he will mind because it helps everyone interested to understand the functions of the BR2 and why the BR2 functions the way it does. I am still on the fence between the BR2 and the group buy on the PLRF05.

My question:

Does the BR2 compensate for multiple BC's, Coriolis, or spin drift?? If not, do you plan to add this??

Is there a return policy if I buy it and it doesn't work for my shooting style??

Reply:

The unit can use G7 or G1 drag model based ballistic coefficients. Multiple BCs is an old school way of solving the problem. Try calculating your data at www.gseven.com, and use the trajectory validation feature to fit your data. The rf uses the same calculator.

Research how the unit works before you make the purchase, then you will have no question about whether it will fit your shooting style. Please call me directly if you have any questions.

We do not comp for coriolis or spin.

My next question:

Thanks for the reply. How can you not account for Coriolis and spin drift if you are going to be accurate > ~800 yards?? I played around with the G7 Ballistics program and that looks pretty good but at 1000 yards, I might be 12 " off in a zero wind situation simply because of spin drift and Coriolis. At 1400 yards, this error appears to be ~ 20 inches according to my Ballistics programs (2900fps Sierra 142, .264, 1-9 twist, 39deg North, Az = 355deg) . That is the only weak link I see in the BR2, beam divergence isn't that bad, otherwise, it is probably a "buy"

Answer:

For a round that is delivering enough velocity to be effective terminally at 1000 yards, zeroing your gun north or south only puts you off a couple inches vertically at 1000 yards. Same applies for spindrift. I zero my rifle at 600 to 800 yards, and have no concerns about compensating for drift to 1000.

If you are shooting a 308 win, different rules apply...

I'm still not sure I want to carry a rangefinder, iPhone (with Shooter or the Ballistic Field Tactical app, and a Kestral) Having the BR2 and the Kestral is plenty... ???

by the way.....this is my first post on this forum, Cheers shooters !!

I used the G7 BCs as supplied by Brian Litz and in the most recent case, as printed on the box of Berger bullets since the 140 Hybrid is not in Brian's book (not even on the market yet). The BC is .317. This proved to be pretty accurate in my limited testing. I had somewhat of a head wind component and that is tough to figure.

Can you input one profile at a time?

Yes you can. It will store up to 5 profiles. Just scroll to the one you want and use it.

Five is enough to make a hunt, but just enough to make me mad. I shoot to much stuff.

Is there a port of some type to tether it to a computer? If you could create a library of profiles and only load the five you want at a time that would be okay.

It is all done on the unit itself. No computer needed. Unless you hunt with 5 different rifles at a time 5 profiles is plenty. One profile covers all the varibles for one cartridge.

Actually I would think one profile would cover all the variables for one load. Am I mistaken there?

WHy would five profiles be plenty? I often thake more than five rifles to my longrange spot to shoot.

One profile one load. Profiles are easily edited and can be done in the field in a few minutes. It stores 5 but you can edit them all day ling if you wish.

If you are going somewhere that you can take 5 rifles, you can take your laptop or whatever else.

The beauty of this system is that it does it all for you in about 1.5 seconds. You don't have to enter anything one a profile is in.

It is not convenient to change profiles every time you shoot as you have to scroll through the alphabet plus special characters to spell out just the name of your profile. The rest of the changes are a snap.

I realized that I put the wrong velocity in and it took me about 10 seconds to fix that problem. I only put one profile in it.

If the batteries die do you have to re-enter the information or does it save your ballistic profiles?

I think i need one of these.

If you batteries die it still saves your profiles.

It is all saved so that you can safely change batteries. It doesn't take much juice to save the memory. It uses a CR123 which is a pretty stout battery. This one has lasted quite a few pulses!