Got my VectronixPLRF05 Terrapin and compared my Swaro Lrf!

[elmerdeer]

I just recieved the Terrapin rangefinder from my Distributor that I had ordered a few weeks ago, so I couldnt wait and had to test it out against my Swaro rangefinder, so I started ranging buildings, lamps on posts about 3'x3' at the airport and the radar (looks like a big golf ball) Ok the lamps I was ranging were from 1500m to 2500m the biuldings were 1200m-2500m and the radar golf ball was 3275meters, guess what the Terrapin ranged everything without a hitch I pointed and it gave me a reading and did it consistently and repeatedly, my Swaro on the hand could not pick up the lamps at 1600yards but did get a few buildings at about 1900yards, but on small objects and distance the terrapin just blew the swaro away. There was no comparison.
The glass is great at 5x, it has an illuminated reticle cross hair with mil graduations with a super small aiming circle.
I thought the 5x zoom would be a little weak as far as power goes compared to the Swaro 8x but actually the glass is so good I dont think it makes a difference.
Tommorow and this weekend i will be testing both units out on deer at 1000yards and will post my results.
So far this unit is probably the best rangefinder for longrange hunting without going much over 2k.
Elmer

 

[eddybo]

How much is the 05 costing? I just got the 15C and have been really amazed with it. I cannot normally get a off hand reading on my 16 inch steel target that I have at 600 yards. It is no problem with the vectronix. I have gotten off hand readings on tree lines at 2400. It blows the leica 1600 and the swaro away, readings are instantaneous. It is pretty neat to pair the range finder with my shooting computer via a cable and my wind meter via blue tooth and have FFS automatically update drops and windage everytime I get range an object.

 

[bigngreen]

WOW, things just got interesting!!!!!!!! Really looking forward to live animal test!

 

[elmerdeer]

How much is the 05 costing? I just got the 15C and have been really amazed with it. I cannot normally get a off hand reading on my 16 inch steel target that I have at 600 yards. It is no problem with the vectronix. I have gotten off hand readings on tree lines at 2400. It blows the leica 1600 and the swaro away, readings are instantaneous. It is pretty neat to pair the range finder with my shooting computer via a cable and my wind meter via blue tooth and have FFS automatically update drops and windage everytime I get range an object.

The 05 cost me $2200 canadian, readings were instantanious I was shocked to see what I could range!
Elmer

 

[eddybo]

I was unaware of the 05 when I got my 15C I doubt that the bells and whistles of the 15c are worth the extra cost, but that 05 if it ranges as well as the 15c would be worth every penny.
I had a miserable time in NM a few weeks back because I had sold both my swaros and was left only with a malfunctioning Leica 1600. I could have filled my tag several times if I could have gotten reliable ranges on animals in a timely manner. A good rangefinder can save a hunt.

 

[elmerdeer]

I was unaware of the 05 when I got my 15C I doubt that the bells and whistles of the 15c are worth the extra cost, but that 05 if it ranges as well as the 15c would be worth every penny.
I had a miserable time in NM a few weeks back because I had sold both my swaros and was left only with a malfunctioning Leica 1600. I could have filled my tag several times if I could have gotten reliable ranges on animals in a timely manner. A good rangefinder can save a hunt.

It just got released I think I am probably the first guy to get one in canada if not North America.
A dependable rangefinder is a must, I missed a big buck on flat ground in waist high bushes in Sask last year because my swaro picked up the bushes about 50 yards before the buck at about 850yards, Swaros beam is to big for flat ground after about 6-700yards, on hills or tree lines its fine but on flat ground its weak.
Elmer

 

[Oliveralan]

elmerdeer,

same experience here, missed an antelope dope at 850ish due to swaro hitting grass at around 813 in wyoming last week. My buddy and i simultaneously shot at two right next to each other, and both missed, in a near zero wind condition!
We practice extensively out past 1000 yards... and we were (as we should be) absolutely expecting to see both lopes hit the dirt. Only error we came up with was ranging.
While the swaro is a big step up from my previous rangefinder, i have lost a lot of confidence in it's "in the field" ability.

I'm having trouble findering any vendors with these in stock? wondering what the street price on one is.

 

[bigngreen]

elmerdeer,

same experience here, missed an antelope dope at 850ish due to swaro hitting grass at around 813 in wyoming last week. My buddy and i simultaneously shot at two right next to each other, and both missed, in a near zero wind condition!
We practice extensively out past 1000 yards... and we were (as we should be) absolutely expecting to see both lopes hit the dirt. Only error we came up with was ranging.
While the swaro is a big step up from my previous rangefinder, i have lost a lot of confidence in it's "in the field" ability.

I'm having trouble findering any vendors with these in stock? wondering what the street price on one is.

Sorry to hear about the range issues but welcome to the club, kinda takes the wind right out of ya to not see them just get smoked!! Last years antelope sealed the deal that I will have a Vextronics but this PLFR05 would certainly happen sooner financially.

 

[youngbuck]

I'm glad it worked out. I still want to see if I can get my hands on a "good crf1600". If I can't I'll be saving my pennies for one of these.

 

[captacademy]

Where did you get the PLRF 05 Terrapin?

 

[elmerdeer]

Where did you get the PLRF 05 Terrapin?

I got my unit from the Canadian distributor of Vectronix in Ontario, he told me that the U.S. distributors came back to the U.S. last week from Switzerland with a few units in hand, try Vectronix USA.
Elmer

 

[elmerdeer]

Well I was out ranging today in on off rainy conditions, T-storms were moving in and out of my hunting spots. So I was driving around looking for deer to range that were farther than 500yards, found a few at 800yards and started to range them with my 2 rangefinders. As far as ranging goes the Terrapin is very good at what it does, I was ranging deer with ease at 800yards as long as I had a little support on my elbows(all ranging was done from my car seat).
I did not find any deer at 1000yards but from what I've seen from this unit it wont have a problem with that.
The Swaro held its own but that aiming circle is way to big compared to the
Terrapin and it takes longer to give the reading, also the flat ground gave me false readings a few times cause the beam was hitting things on its way there.
As far as how far the 2 units ranged the swaro because of the rainy conditions would not give me ranges on treelines that were more that 1700yards, usually I could and have gotten 1995yards on treelines at dusk.
The Terrapin gave a treeline reading at 3575yards consistently and it varied depending on where in the treeline I aimed at, also on homes over 2400yards NP, and on tops of pine trees 1950yards. I also ranged earth mounds that were dark in colour there was one in particular that was 989 yards away its size is about 3ft high and 3-4ft wide the Swaro could not pick that up no matter how many times I tried, the Terrapin was picking them up Np, it would aslo pick up the bigger earth mounds at much farther distances.
All in all I am very happy with the way this unit performs its quick, has good glass,and ranges further than I will probably ever need!
Elmer

 

[turbo3428]

Is the unit called the Vectronix Terrapin? I couldn't find the PLRF05 numbers on it anywhere. Do they offer this unit in Yards as well as meters? Thanks!

 

[Eaglet]

A place to keep in mind... * Out of stock

VECTRONIX PLRF05 TERRAPIN RANGE FINDER COYOTE BROWN