Bushnell Fusion 1600 ARC Laser Rangefinder Binocular 12 x 50 Reviews
The Bushnell Fusion 1600 ARC Laser Rangefinder Binocular has been getting a lot of press lately and for good reason; it’s pretty awesome for the price and you get binoculars and a rangefinder in one unit. That’s one less thing to lug around and fumble with on a fast paced hunt!
Bushnell Fusion 1600 ARC 12×50 mm Laser Rangefinder Binoculars
First, let’s talk a little about why Bushnell laser rangefinders are an excellent addition to their binoculars in general.
Not only are Bushnell laser rangefinders fast and easy to use, with everything you need displayed on a built-in through-the-lens LCD, but they also use an invisible, eye-safe Class 1 laser beam that bounces off distant objects with the press of a button.
…the rangefinder’s high-speed digital clock measures the time it takes for the laser beam to reach the target and return to the unit. Next, using advanced digital electronics, the rangefinder instantly calculates the distance within +/- 1 yard and shows the range in either yards or meters on a through-the-lens LCD display. [source]
And it literally all happens in less than a second!
Note: The display can be a bit hard to read in bright light ( typically during midday), early morning and dusk it’s easiest to see the display..
Another positive element of Bushnell laser rangefinders is the variety of Targeting Modes and bonus features they offer:
Brush™ – Ignores what is in the foreground, like boulders, brush and tree branches; provides distances on the LCD display to only background objects.
Bullseye™ – Ideal for close-range use; measures the distances of game and small targets without measuring background target distances in the process; if more than one object is measured, the closest one is shown on the LCD display.
Scan – Allows you to scan the area while the LCD display is continuously updating the distance between you and your target.
Rain – Exclusive to Bushnell optics, the Anti Fog RainGuard® HD is a patented water-repellent coating that scatters water droplets from rain, sleet, snow; leaving you with a clear view of your target and an accurate measurement of the distance through rain or snow.
Reflector – Increases the maximum measurement range for most highly reflective objects; comes standard in all models of Bushnell rangefinders.
Angle Range Compensation (ARC) – Accounts for the angle when calculating distance in an instant, so you know precisely where to shoot.
Vivid Display Technology (VDT) – Dramatically improves the contrast, clarity and light transmission; quickly provides you with a positive identification in all lighting conditions.
Variable Sight-In (VSI) – Allows you to set your holdover/bullet-drop information for your rifle’s zero – select between 100, 150, 200 and 300-yard sight-in distances for perfectly accurate information at the push of a button. Measurements can be displayed in MOA or inches; also provides shot angle information from -90° to +90°.
As for the Fusion 1600 ARC in particular, it’s powered by a CR123 3-volt battery, which is included, and offers range accuracy to within plus or minus 1 yd./1 meter out to 1,600 yards/1,463 meters on highly reflective objects. Keep in mind that target reflectivity, color, shape, and size as well as environmental conditions, influence true ranging effectiveness. Real-world distances will be less – about 1,000 yards/914 meters for most objects.
Setup of the Fusion is simple. Once powered…depressing the similarly colored mode button—on the top left side of the binocular—for three seconds puts the Fusion into “Setup,” and a subsequent push enables toggling between “Bow,” “Rifle,” or “REG” modes. The power button then confirms the selection. Following this, the user chooses a unit of measure (yards or meters), Variable Sight-In (VSI)…measurement units of hold-over/bullet…and the final option, display brightness…
When using the ARC system in rifle mode, once the unit is powered, depressing the power button for approximately two seconds—while maintaining the aiming circle on-target—then letting off, the display will show the line-of-sight distance, and immediately right of it is the unit of measurement. Below those, the degree of angle will be shown for approximately one and a half seconds before the unit reveals the bullet drop/holdover—the most important number. The latter two measurements will toggle back and forth for five seconds before the unit shuts off.
Combine all this with binoculars and you’ve got the Bushnell Fusion 1600 ARC Laser Rangefinder Binocular – a perfect addition to your hunting accessories!
2011 NRA GOLDEN BULLSEYE OPTIC OF THE YEAR – Read the article here.
Binocular Specs | ||
---|---|---|
Model: | 201250 | |
Magnification X Obj. Lens: | 12x 50 | |
Size Class: | Standard | |
Focus System: | Center | |
Prism System: | Roof | |
Prism Glass: | BaK-4 | |
PC-3 Phase Coating: | Yes | |
RainGuard HD: | Yes | |
Field of View ft.@1000yds. / m@1000m: | 252 / 77 | |
Close Focus (ft. / m): | 10.5 / 3.2 | |
Exit Pupil (mm): | 4.2 | |
Eye Relief (mm): | 16 | |
Eyecups: | Twist-Up | |
Water/Fog Proof: | Yes | |
Rangefinder Specs | ||
Model: | 201250 | |
Range (yds.): | 10-1600 | |
Magnification: | 12x | |
Weight (oz. / g): | 32.7 / 927 | |
Battery Type: | 3-volt CR 123 (incl.) | |
Targeting Modes | ||
Scan: | Yes | |
Bullseye: | Yes | |
Brush: | Yes | |
ARC Modes | ||
Bow: | Yes | |
Rifle: | Yes | |
Ranging Performance | ||
Rflctv. (yds.): | 1600 | |
Tree (yds.): | 1000 | |
Deer (yds.): | 500 | |
Accuracy (yds.): | +/- 1 |
Features of Bushnell Fusion 1600 ARC Binocular:
- XTR technology for ultimate light transmission
- BaK-4 prisms with PC-3 phase corrective coating for superior resolution and clarity
- RainGuard HD water-repellent lens coating
- 100% waterproof
- VDT (Vivid Display Technology) enhances display readout in all lighting conditions
- Carrying case battery and neck strap included
Features of Bushnell Fusion 1600 ARC Rangefinder:
- 10-1600 yards ranging performance
- ARC (Angle Range Compensations) from -90° to +90°
- Bow Mode – provides line-of-sight, angle, and true horizontal distance from 10-99 yards/meters
- Rifle Mode – provides line-of-sight, angle, and bullet-drop/ holdover up to 199 inches
- VSI (Variable Sight-In) – allows sight-in distance options of 100, 150, 200, or 300 yards sight-in distance when in Rifle mode
- Selective Targeting System – Automatic SCAN, BullsEye & Brush modes
- +/- one yard accuracy
- Posi-Thread battery door
Package Contents:
- Bushnell Fusion 1600 ARC 12x50mm Black Rangefinder Binoculars 201250
- Carrying Case
- 3-volt CR 123 battery
- Neck strap
Bushnell also offer a bulletproof 100% money back guarantee. If, for any reason, you’re not completely satisfied with your Bushnell product, return it with no questions asked for a full refund of the purchase price.
The Experts Weigh In:
Brought together by their state-of-the-art techniques and knowledge, three top snipers – U.S. Marine sniper Steve Reichert, credited with the longest kill in Iraq using a .50 BMG, U.S. Army sniper Jim Gilliland, who bested an Iraqi insurgent sniper with the farthest confirmed 7.62×51 mm NATO kill in Iraq or Afghanistan, and Canadian, Robert Furlong, the .50 BMG world-record holder for his sniper work in Afghanistan – and retired U.S. Major John Plaster joined forces to film an instructional DVD for Paladin Press called “Ultimate Sniper III.”
Peering across a wooded valley near Lake Superior, I strained my eyes to discern five metallic targets through early morning fog. The closest target laser-ranged at 744 yards through my Bushnell Fusion binocular, with the farthest nearly twice that distance. Most riflemen would stand little chance of scoring hits at such ranges. But with me were three of the finest combat snipers in the world, each a record-setting veteran of Iraq or Afghanistan. And each, like me, was firing a long-range precision rifle.
As the first to fire, I started by lasing the range. I then consulted my 3×5-inch ballistic notecard, and mentally adjusted for wind drift, ambient temperature and up/down angle to fine-tune my target knobs. My first shot struck solidly, demonstrating that classic ballistic computations remain true and trustworthy.