Mullins Farms In Valley Springs

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.

[source]

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.