Laser Rangefinding Riflescopes

[wardog]

Why the lack of laser rangefinding riflescopes? IIRC Swarovski has or had one back when laser rangefinders were still very expensive. You can now get a small Leica rangefinder for around $400 and there are several other lesser brands for much less than that. Why haven't scope manufacturers put this technology into their riflescopes?

Put the velocity and bullet weight into the unit to get started. Then aim at the target and hit a button. Scope finds distance to target and adjusts accordingly. Hold dead on and pull the trigger. (assuming no wind) Just that easy.

I would be willing to have a slightly bulkier scope and pay an additional $400 for this feature.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

 

[Badbunny]

I've got a casio g-shock. Used to destroy several watches per year before that. Haven't been able to break this one, no matter how hard I've tried.

 

[Blue Line]

I don't like to point the gun at something less I intend to shoot it. I use the bino's to glass, don't have a laser rangefinder.

 

[schromf]

There is also the small problem that in many states it is illegal to use such a device for hunting purposes. From my states game reg's:

" In any hunt, including any-weapon seasons, it is unlawful to pursue or kill big game animals:

1. With any electronic device attached to, or incorporated on, the firearm or scope. "

So while it might be a neat idea, from a marketing point of view, you have immediatly reduced who would want to buy it. Would you be willing to buy an expensive scope that needed a "not legal for hunting sign or warning"

There is some good news, the scope makers have legally addressed this with recticles. Shepard was the pioneer in this, I know Leupold makes a rangefinding hunting reticle, which makes me assume others do as well.

Notice in my state is illegal to use a illuminated reticle. I am not sure but a lot of out of state hunters, and poachers are finding out that violations of our game rules are felony offenses. I know siezure of your firearms, and truck are almost automatic. How much worse it gets from there I don't know. If your a hunter I would check your states hunting reg's.

 

[wardog]

Schromf, Good point about narrowing the field of potential buyers.

I would still want one though since I don't hunt. I would also think there would be enough target shooters/military/LEO interested in it to make it feasible. There seem to be a lot of Nightforce/Leupold MK4/US Optics scopes sold for lots of $$ that are probably not used for hunting. Rangefinding can be done with many different reticles but I know (for me at least) the laser would be more accurate.

What state are you in? Does the law specifically mention illuminated reticles or does that fall in to the "electronic device attached to...." part of the law?

 

[schromf]

I'm from Idaho. Yes the electronic device.....covers it. Basically anything that takes a battery.

There has been pressure on the Fish and Game to get the illumiinated reticles legal. But it has been going on for a couple of years and no change, and it might not change at all. Their argument is legal hunting hours are pretty much sunup to sunset ( 1/2 hr off ) and why do you need illuminated reticles to hunt in the legal daylight hours? I am not holding my breath on when this reg will change.

Yes there are target/law enforcement uses. Manufacturers are very hesitant to develop anything for law enforcement. Frankly they are bad customers that having purchasing departments that want everything below cost. Not a concrete rule but they have that reputation.

Developing it for the target community would be the most attractive, that way the manufacturer could recoop the R&D they put into the effort. But one question would remain: Would a target shooter care? They pretty much know the range, its the wind they care about. A scope that could replace a wind flag would sell like hotcakes, range I'm not so sure.

If the military showed an interest it would have the most chance of success.

 

[wardog]

Found the details on the Swarovski

http://www.gunaccessories.com/Swarovski/LaserRangefindingScope/index.asp

Four grand is a little steep though. Marry the Leupold MK 4 scope (around $800 with the Leica rangefinder (around $400) and sell it for $1200. I'd bet there would be takers. I would probably buy one.

 

[ClarkEMyers]

adjusting for the actual trajectory isn't easy either

adjusting for the actual trajectory isn't easy either - the best market I've seen for the Swarovski is as a gun/load/scope combination - would the scope carry a ballistics program or a look-up table for all combinations and the shooter picks one?

I suppose it could be sighted in for a variety of ranges but that gets harder and harder to do - even picking center of group at 400 yards standing gets interesting. Be a real pity to be programmed for a .270 Winchester and shoot a .270 Weatherby.

Many years ago I watched over sheep at night in Idaho with what might have been electric aids but by understanding/ pre-arrangement with local law enforcement weren't. Absolutely nothing with tags or limits involved.

I'm not suggesting folks would pay thousands of dollars to freeze - in fact I suspect the batteries would be too cold to work.

 

[wardog]

ClarkEMyers,

I think, ideally, that you would be able to program in your bullet weight, and muzzle velocity (maybe bullet type too?) and the computer would do the rest. Perhaps a mini number pad like on one of those calculator watches on the scope itself, or maybe a small jack for a usb cable like on a digi cam or MP3 player. Have the ability to have 10 or more presets, for example a setting for 147 gr, 168 gr, etc...

 

[wardog]

Thought I'd revive this old thread. Maybe Burris was listening. It's probably not perfect, but it's a start.

http://www.burrisoptics.com/laserscope.html

$853 at riflescopes.com

Anyone have any thoughts?