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Rudolph 8x42 1800m BRFs

Rudolph 8x42 1800m BRFs

The modern, hand-held laser rangefinder (LRF) is a real boon for hunting and longer range shooting. I started off years ago with Leica’s LRF 900, which was probably the ‘don’ in its day! The flat, rectangular shape proved easy to hold two-handed; certainly for a monocular. Which is the trick, as stability on target is all; if you hope to get accurate and consistent readings, equally target shape, surface, colour and of course distance! With their 7x lens, the Leica’s gave a reasonable amount of magnification and to a degree dispensed with the need to carry binoculars too. However, they could not compare to a set of 8x42 binos in terms of target ID and visual acuity, but more to carry in the field too.

Two barrels

Over the years, I have used and tested many LRF monoculars and most have been more than capable, regardless of price, with their spec really dictating ability. Speaking primarily as a hunter, I just want to know the distance to my quarry, which will allow me to decide whether I shoot it or wait till it gets closer. Secondary, is the ability to spot animals at longer ranges, to determine gender and what they are doing. Here, I generally find that a 6x or 7x monocular, with a 24mm objective lens is a bit pushed.

So, the releveation came when I tested a set of Leica Geovid BRF (binocular rangefinder) 8x56 binos. Not cheap but awesome and best of all combining the needs of an LRF mono with the ability of quality binoculars and good unsupported stability.

Boxes ticked!

Optics Warehouse has made quite a splash this year with a number of new products, not the least of which is Rudolph! Made in Japan with quality glass, the scopes are good, but when I saw their 8×42 1800m Laser Rangefinder Binoculars, I got really excited. Here was a product that appeared to tick most of my boxes for a BRF and at a price not that much more than a quality LRF monocular!

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In keeping with other Rudolph optics, the build is simple and robust. The sand/green body is thickly, rubber-armoured, which does make them feel a tad bulky and heavy, as they weigh a not inconsiderable 2.52 lbs. By comparison, my Swarovski 10x42 EL Range BRFs weigh 2.08 lbs and are slimmer. They come in a semi-rigid case with strap, and you also get front and rear lens protectors and a padded neck strap, a CR2-3V battery comes ready-fitted!

Keeping it simple

Unlike most other BRFs that offer ballistic packages and angle adjustment etc. the Rudolph keeps it simple, which I liked, as 99% of the time I just want the distance to target and I’ve never been a fan of ballistic packages, as there are too many variables to confuse things. On top of the right hand barrel are two moulded buttons; nearest is range/scan and behind M (yards to meters). The deep and rubber chequered focus drum is positioned at the rear of the long, one piece hinge/bridge, so strength is not an issue at this critical juncture!

Each barrel has individual dipotric adjuster (+/-) rings and typically the eye cups screw up and down to suit all types of eye sight. Below the left-hand barrel is an integral cover; opening this reveals the screw off cap to the battery compartment, all very belt & braces. Lenses are fully multi-coated but what I did not like was their objective caps! The rear cap is a one-piece moulding that covers both eyepieces and loops through the neck strap, but the front ones just push on and are easily lost! Some sort of retaining loop would not have been hard to produce I’m sure!

In use

I compared the Rudolph’s to my Leica Geovid 8x56 BRF and Swarovski 10x42 EL Range. At all distances the readings were within 2m, if not less, of each other. Crispness of focus and colour rendition were better on the control binos, though not by much. Unusually, the black aiming circle of the Rudolph’s is etched onto the glass in the R/H barrel, so is focus-sensitive, but still easily seen and placed regardless. Compared to a full electronic display, this doubtless keeps things simpler and increases battery life. Equally, the readout does not appear under the reticle, but in a strip at 6 o’clock, which is not quite so instinctive to view, as you have to drop your eyes to it, but again no big deal. On a personal note, the range button is on the right, whereas both the Leica’s and Swarovski’s are on the left, which I do prefer. I’m right-handed and am used to using my left to range targets, with my right just controlling the binos; though in truth it was no hardship!

The maximum quoted range is 1800m, if you need to see that far. I took them out to 1000m with no real problems given that I held them still. At normal hunting ranges, 50-400m, they performed very well indeed, though the range button needs a double press to active the display then fire the laser. But for me the clincher is the price, as it’s just £845. OK, optical quality is not that of the top end makes, but not far off to worry about. On average, the Swarovski 8x42 EL Range is £2490 and the modern Leica Geovid 8x56 HD-R £2380, what’s not to like as the Rudolph BRFs do what it says on the tin and are around 60% cheaper!

  • Rudolph 8x42 1800m BRFs - image {image:count}

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  • Rudolph 8x42 1800m BRFs - image {image:count}

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  • Rudolph 8x42 1800m BRFs - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Rudolph 8x42 1800m BRFs - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Rudolph 8x42 1800m BRFs - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

  • Rudolph 8x42 1800m BRFs - image {image:count}

    click on image to enlarge

gun
features

  • Name: Rudolph 8×42 1800m BRFs
  • FOV: @ 1000 meters 122m
  • Eye relief : 16 mm
  • Nearest Focus : 5m
  • Lenses : Fully Multi-Coated
  • Weight : 2.52 lbs
  • Scan mode : Y
  • Water, Fog & Shockproof : Y
  • Nitrogen Filled : Y
  • Power : 1 x CR2-3V battery
  • Carry case, strap and lens covers : Y
  • Price : £845
  • Contact : Optics Warehouse; www.opticswarehouse.co.uk
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