Leica Rangemaster 2800.com

One of my greatest epiphanies was becoming aware of compact, hand-held laser rangefinders (LRF) and what they could offer me, which finally prodded me into buying one. I got a secondhand Leica 900 LRF monocular; it served me well and, as time passed, I moved up through their various models, including their excellent 8x56 Geovid rangefinder binoculars (BRF). This brings me on to their latest LRF the Rangemaster 2800.COM. Compared to my earlier 900 and 1200 SCAN models, it’s 2/3rds smaller and lighter and a whole lot smarter, being packed with a lot more functions and features. This smaller and more compact version appeared about 12-years ago and has set the style for all future models. The 2800.Com is the latest and their first to incorporate Bluetooth connectivity to link with an app, so making it possible to do a lot more than before, as to what more technical shooters might require.

Simple as ABC

Leica’s ABC ballistics package calculates the individual ballistic output values based on calibre, bullet type, trajectory and weight, and comes up with the exact ballistic distance and holdover correction, adjusting for temperature, wind speed/angle, air pressure and angle too. All of which can be programmed by the app to your smart phone. It will also link to Applied Ballistics software via a Kestrel weather meter, if you chose to go that route. All this is done in seconds and the relevant drop values, angle correction etc is displayed in the view, so that you can apply it to your scope in either hold-over or dialled-in click values. Space does not permit a full description; suffice to say, read the manual, where it will tell you all.

Size matters

The Rangemaster is really small and light and fits in the palm of your hand. Weighing just 6.5oz and measuring 75 x 34 x 113mm, it hangs from your neck unobtrusively and will fit into a small pocket or pouch easily. I tend to mainly use rangefinder binoculars, which I find more accurate and stable than a monocular, but the lack of weight and quality of a decent LRF is all you need at times. And as might be expected optical quality is superb. Built to be used vertically, it shows a cast Magnesium body with a carbon fibre and re-enforced plastic casing with soft coat finish and a lanyard. The spec is 7 x 24, and the viewing lens/tube is on top and the laser emitter below, at the rear is a fast focus eyepiece with rubber, fold-down eye cup. Exterior glass surfaces are HDC and Aqua-Dura (water repellent) coated. Power is from a Lithium 3V CRS cell in the lower/rear of the casing.

Controls consist of two buttons, the firing switch (raised at the rear) and a secondary (flush-mounted) in the concave middle section with a red dot. The latter allows access to menus and functions along with selecting various parameters etc. But let’s first look at the basics.

Point and shoot

Basic operation is simple, you look at the target and press the main button once and a segmented circle appears, which is your aiming mark. When that is centred, press again and the distance comes back very quickly, certainly faster than some other LRFs I have tested. There’s also a scan mode (automatically ranging whatever it pings), which is good for multiple or moving targets.

This is accomplished by holding down the main button, where it captures the surroundings every 0.3 seconds. Field of view (FOV) is good too, given the 24mm objective lens. It’s also possible to select the aiming points brightness, or let it automatically adjust for the ambient light at the time.

The ballistics packages allow you to use a series of pre-determined, ballistic curves that should match your ammunition. Conversely, you can also select from a library of factory calibres, as well as select your zero range and click or hold-over values. All of these functions can be accessed through the Leica Hunting App, which is available for Android and IOS devices at Google Play Store (Android) or Apple App Store (IOS). This must first be switched on via the 2800.COM and, when it is, the Bluetooth icon appears in the view. Once connected, you can change, alter and set up the menus and functions to your personal needs.

Measure for measure

It must be understood that any LRF device is subject to a number of parameters, as aspects like target colour, reflectivity, size and shape, range and weather conditions will all have an affect on accuracy. Monoculars, being small and light, are harder to hold steady on target, so easy to range over or under unknowingly, I’d advise taking multiple readings (pings) to get an average distance. I dug out my, now old, Leica BRF 8x56s as a control and, what struck me first, was their size and weight compared to the 2800.COM. Also, they just measure the distance, with no angle shot adjustment or ballistics package etc, things have come a long way in a short time. However, it’s the Bluetooth connectivity that separates the 2800.COM from the rest of this family.

Leica’s rep for optical quality is a given and the Rangemaster’s was comparable with my BRFs and, when using both devices supported, they came, generally within a yard of each other. Obviously, as the range increases, accuracy of measurement will decrease. Leica quotes a maximum effective viewing range of 2500m, an angle measurement/compensation of 1100m, with ballistic output values out to 800m. That’s still a long way to shoot regardless. There’s a lot on offer, so read the manual and understand how it all works and you will be impressed by what’s it can do for you.

If your shooting requirements need all this output in a compact package, then the Rangemaster 2800.COM is for you, as it pretty much does it all. Price-wise, a CRF 2000-B, which has a similar ballistics package and functions, but no Bluetooth, has a maximum range of 1800m costs around £550, the 2800 near doubles that at £950-ish. But you pays for what you get!