Leica 1600B

bedrok

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I'm trying to figure out what the Leica 1600B does that the regular 1600 doesn't. The explanation on Leicas website is written for first graders but I kind of got the impression that you can program trajectories into it so it calculates your drop. It also mentioned barometric pressure but doesn't begin to explain if the unit has a sensor or just a way to enter air density, measured with another source, into the equation. If any of you guys have one, I'd like to know. Thanks
 
Unless something has changed, the 1600-b isn't expected to hit stores until next month.
 
Lecia's e-mailed response....

"We're pleased to announce the NEW Leica Rangemaster 1600-B. This represents the next innovation in our 20 year history as the leader in laser rangefinding products. Like its predecessor the CRF 1600, the CRF1600-B will determine ranges out to 1600 yards. However, it differs in a few dramatic ways.
The Leica CRF 1600-B features our newly developed ballistic function ABC™ (Advanced Ballistic Compensation), accounts for air pressure, temperature, and angle of inclination to offer holdover values displayed in one of three output modes:
1 - provides linear holdover value in inches (or centimeters)
2 – provides true horizontal distance equivalent to target in yards (or meters)
3 – provides holdover in ¼ M.O.A (or mil radian)
We utilize the same 12 pre-programmed ballistics curves as the CRF 1600, but holdover values will now be given from 100 yards to a full 880 yards (compared to only 500 yards on the CRF 1600).
Other functions, performance specifications, size, weight, dimensions, and price will be the same as in the existing CRF 1600. Expected shipping of the NEW Leica Rangemaster CRF 1600-B is anticipated to begin in June."
 
Thanks for the info. They're in stores now. When they say it "accounts for pressure and temperature",nn does it mean the unit reads it, or do you have to enter it and then it compensates? I can't believe they can add an air density sensor for the same price as the old one. Oh, and while I'm critiquing a product I don't fully understand, I might as well ask why they don't plot those pre- programmed trajectories to 1500 yds. Or better yet, let you enter your own?
 
I've kinda been showing my ignorance here. I just found out that even the ORIGINAL 1600 measured temp/pressure. Now I'm about to spring for one (1600B) instead of the G7. It seems in the G7s favor you have increased range, especially in the programmed trajectory (close to 2000 yds vs. 880) and completely customizable trajectories vs picking one that's close. As for the 1600B, it costs barely over half the price and it fits in a shirt pocket, which makes a big diff. when you're covering many miles a day. Am I missing anything?
 
My biggest problem, if there is one, is that the barometric pressure reads in PSI instead of Inches of Mercury. So where I expect a reading of say 29.96 ihg is get 14.2 PSI. Looks like they would have made it to show either/or. It shows another reading but it's so weird I don't even know what it is.
 
My biggest problem, if there is one, is that the barometric pressure reads in PSI instead of Inches of Mercury. So where I expect a reading of say 29.96 ihg is get 14.2 PSI. Looks like they would have made it to show either/or. It shows another reading but it's so weird I don't even know what it is.

I was hoping that they would change that issue when the 1600 B came out. Too bad.

Scot E.
 
I've kinda been showing my ignorance here. I just found out that even the ORIGINAL 1600 measured temp/pressure. Now I'm about to spring for one (1600B) instead of the G7. It seems in the G7s favor you have increased range, especially in the programmed trajectory (close to 2000 yds vs. 880) and completely customizable trajectories vs picking one that's close. As for the 1600B, it costs barely over half the price and it fits in a shirt pocket, which makes a big diff. when you're covering many miles a day. Am I missing anything?

The main drawback to the 1600 and 1600-B when comparing them to the G7 unit is the ballistic curve calculations. Both Leica's use preset ballistic curves based on commonly used BC curves whereas the G7 can be uniquely tailored to your exact drops from your specific rifle/load combination. If you are shooting out to 6-800 yards, and you are lucky enough to find 1 of the 12 curves that fit your setup then it shouldn't be much of an issue but beyond that they are useless.

I would personally try to find a deal on the 1600, there were some sweet deals about a month ago, and pass on the 1600-B. If you really want a do-all rangefinder the G7 is as good as it gets right now IMO.

Scot E.
 
Does the 1600 take angle into account when determining range, or is that strictly a function of the 1600-B? I don't care about the ballistic curve, but want to know if the distance reading alone accounts for angle (incline and decline).
 
Does the 1600 take angle into account when determining range, or is that strictly a function of the 1600-B? I don't care about the ballistic curve, but want to know if the distance reading alone accounts for angle (incline and decline).

The 1600 will give the angle of incline/decline in degrees but this must be accessed by pressing the secondary button after the line of sight distance measurement has been given. It does not adjust the distance reading with the angle and give the corrected distance. If you have set the device up to use the ballistic curves then it will adjust the hold or click values by temp., pressure and angle.

I believe the 1600-B has a setting that will do what you describe but I haven't been able to verify that for certain.

Scot E.
 
The Sportsmans Warehouse guy in this video actually does a pretty good job explaining the new 1600B. The fact that it give true horizontal distance to target is sweet. i have use a 1200 and have been very impressed with it, but not horizontal distance. At half the price of the G7 this seems like a very good option for those of use with smaller checkbooks.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMYmiI7DRII]Sportsman's News Product Review: Leica 1600B Rangefinder - YouTube[/ame]
 
I just got my 1600-B and took it out for some testing. It does adjust the distance reading with the angle and give the corrected distance. The initial reading gives line of sight and about 2 seconds later, it gives you adjusted distance corrected for angle.
I found it interesting that at some uphill readings at 980 yards, I got no adjustment for angle. I tried hitting the secondary button to see the angle in degrees and it gave me a reading of 8 degrees. I guess that angle didn't affect true horizontal distance?

I got readings of 1540 yards on stands of fir trees on a ridgetop if I ranged the shade under the canopy of the trees. 1350 and in, piece of cake.
 
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