Leica Press Release - CRF-1600

[elkaholic]

I think it will tough to find a good marriage of a quality LRF, waterproof +warranty service + decent customer support, with a top notch ballistics computer & software program. If someone does marry two quality units together, I'm afraid it will either be an overly "busy" device to operate, or sorely lacking the capability of a separate PC and ballistics software program.

Therefore I'll purchase a Leica 1600 if they range as far as the Swaro and plan on an independent, and separate, pocket computer with ballistics software. If the Leica provides reliable atmospheric pressures and temperatures, I may at least be able to leave the Kestrel behind.

I'll either hang on to the Swaro for back up, or sell it after proving satisfaction with the Leica in the field.

Probably a good plan. At least I know the Swaro always works and at a distance.

 

[KQguy]

Personally,I would be a little hesitant about putting that much faith into one piece of eqipment.I would be afraid of leaving all of my other stuff behind(kestral,pda,ACD etc.),then if this thing fails out in the field,you are screwed!just my opinion.

 

[bigbuck]

Does anyone know if the drop will be in MOA adjustment ? or what it will be ? I think I would still bring along the kestrel and pc but this is looking real nice

Bigbuck

 

[captbilly]

Phorwath, did you find the beam devergence? I hope it was not increased in size to read larger numbers like the swaro's.

Jeff

Perhaps I am not understanding your comment but... All of these laser range finders are limited in the amount of power they can put into the laser beam so the only way to increase range (everything else being equal) is to narrow the divergence of the beam. The Swarovski uses a very narrow beam in order to get longer range, not a wider beam. There are other things the engineer can do such as lower noise in the amplifiers and light sensors, increased magnification and sharpness of the receiving end of the laser sensor system, larger receiving lens to gather more light, etc. but at some point you get to a signal to noise ratio that is just too low to reliably pick up. In addition if you widen the beam you also greatly increase the chances that you are not actually reading the range of the object of interest.

 

[Rustystud]

All the hoopla about the Leica 1600 CRF and little to none are currently available. I have had one ordered that is back ordered since the 9th of July 2010. I have my name on the waiting list at three different vendors. I have called Leica directly and they tell me one thing. All three vendors tell me something else. It seems stupid that a company would spend large sums of money to market a product they can't get to market. I shure hope the product is better than their sales and service.

Nat Lambeth

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Nat,
That is odd as we have received three shipments already, filled all back orders, have had inventory (until yesterday) and another shipment of them is on the way to us and will arrive by the end of this week.
Would you like one?

 

[jett]

Nat,
I ordered a Leica 1600 from Doug at Cameraland last week and recieved it in two days. I used it for several days ranging deer in mile long ag fields in eastern NC. Previously we had had a very difficult time ranging deer on this flat ground w/ no backdrops with my Swaro. The Leica performed so exceptionally well on these small targets on flat ground that the Swaro stayed in the pack for the rest of the week. It just could not compete. The processing time for the Swaro took forever, while the Leica response time was instantaneous. The small target box on the Leica made target acquisition and ranging much easier than the large round faded circle of the Swaro. I was able to routinely range individual deer in groups at 1125 yds. Further opportunities on deer did not present themselves, however trees, etc. were ranged at 1600+ yds.
Dan Glover is currently fabricating a mount to securely attach the Leica to a tripod and this addition will clearly make a great product even better. The only ranging difficulties I experienced was when sun light was directly shining into the face of the range finder and also on a black bear for some odd reason. All this being said, I still find myself wanting a PLRF 10. I have concluded it does no good to have an expensive long range rig if you are not able to confidently range your target. Small distant targets on flat with no reference points makes for very difficult ranging.

Hope this helps. I too, thought there were no 1600s available.

Jett

 

[captainemil]

Had one on back order for 2 months, seems the gyro was broke on the first bach, so were still waiting, may be the leupold rx iv will work.

 

[royinidaho]

Nat,
Previously we had had a very difficult time ranging deer on this flat ground w/ no backdrops with my Swaro. The Leica performed so exceptionally well on these small targets on flat ground that the Swaro stayed in the pack for the rest of the week. It just could not compete. The processing time for the Swaro took forever, while the Leica response time was instantaneous. The small target box on the Leica made target acquisition and ranging much easier than the large round faded circle of the Swaro. I was able to routinely range individual deer in groups at 1125 yds. Further opportunities on deer did not present themselves, however trees, etc. were ranged at 1600+ yds.

All this being said, I still find myself wanting a PLRF 10. I have concluded it does no good to have an expensive long range rig if you are not able to confidently range your target. Small distant targets on flat with no reference points makes for very difficult ranging.

Jett

Good post Jett. I'm in your position.

The 1600 is perfect for my 338 RUM and 270 AM for serious hunting. However it falls quite a bit short for the 375 AM. (Tear drops here)

The Leica I could pack myself. I'd tend to want to pack the PLRF on a goat. Which could be a deal breaker. Just the thought if it gives me the vapors.

I WILL get one or the other, sold my 1200 in anticipation. Any one wanna share on a winning lottery ticket?

 

[Rustystud]

Got a call from euro optics today and the Leica 1600 is on it's way. My order with them had only been back ordered about 2 weeks. The other two vendors have had my order since July 9, 2010 and August 24, 2010. Can't say enough nice things about Jason at euro optics.

Nat Lambeth

 

[elkaholic]

Just got back from a Montana hunt with my 1600 and am quite disappointed! I have to call Leica to make sure I'm not doing something wrong, but I can't imagine what it would be. Quite often, I cannot range anything past 500 or 600 hungred yards unless I hold the button down for continuos ranging? On one occasion, I couldn't range anything past 100 yds? When I hold the button down, I can usually range out to 1300 yds or more. Anybody else had this problem? On the up side, I did shoot a 6x5 elk and a 4x4 mulie.......Rich

 

[Pdvdh]

elkaholic,
Let us know what Leica says? Other's are reporting longer yardages ranged fairly consistently. I think you may have gotten a factory reject.

 

[elkaholic]

It's a reject alright! I will let you know what I find out.......Rich

 

[gr8fuldoug]

We have received another delivery of the Leica CRF-1600's So if you've been looking for one or waiting patiently for more to arrive, we've got them in stock again.