Last Updated on March 21, 2021
A Rangefinder is a cool device used for distance measuring from the observer to a target. It gives hunters and shooters the distance data needed to make accurate shots. When you’re looking for a lightweight, durable and reliable rangefinder, then the Vortex Rangefinder 1500 review is for you. It was designed mainly for hunters and long-range shooters. It’s a great laser rangefinder model for deer hunting, a quality ranger for bow-hunting, golfing, and other sporting activities where accurate ranges are important.
Vortex Optics is a well-known company that produces most of the optical items for shooters, hunters, and wildlife observers. Vortex Rangefinder 1500 is a powerful, long-range optic that replaces Vortex Rangefinder 1000. You can easily range targets between 9 yards to 1500 yards through it. Its Horizontal Component Distance shortly HCD is the primary mode that provides you with a reading of compensated distance with angle. Due to its great performance, it’s a little bit pricy.
- The Ranger 1500 rangefinder is easy to use and features a clean, illuminated display and highly intuitive menu. The Ranger 1500 is capable of ranging up to 1,500 yards.
- The primary HCD mode displays an angle compensated distance that is ideal for the majority of hunters and shooters. An advanced LOS mode provides you the option to calculate long distance, high angle shots with increased precision.
- A scan feature gives continuous range readings as you pan across a landscape or track a moving target. Three brightness settings allow the display to stay visible in various light conditions.
- Fully multi-coated lenses deliver optimal light transmission. Textured rubber armor provides a secure, non-slip grip. Water and fogproof performance keep the system operating in the harshest conditions.
- The included neck lanyard and removable utility clip make the Ranger easy to pack and keep handy.
Vortex Rangefinder 1500 Review
Hunters and shooters need exact distance calculations to make accurate shots. Vortex optics ranger 1500 is easy to use with a clean display and highly intuitive menu. It’s equipped with a 6x magnified optic like the red dot. It provides you crystal clear pictures through a multi-coated set of lenses. Because of its lightweight, you can easily handle it during target ranging. We’re going to discuss its structural design, accuracy, durability, distance capabilities, how it performs in low light, then its pros cons, and finally how much it costs. Let’s dig deep!
Construction Details of Vortex Ranger 1500
Vortex Rangefinder 1500 construction design is simple. It’s pretty small in size. The rangefinder is 3.9 inches long, 3 inches wide, and weighs only 7.7 ounces. There’re two buttons on its body named a menu button and a measure button. The battery compartment holds the battery. There are lanyard attachment sockets for hanging it to your neck. The utility clip is for carrying it in the pocket. This rangefinder’s objective lens diameter is 22 millimeters. The adjustable focus with eyecup helps to make a nice picture.
So, let’s learn about the features in detail!
Measure Button
After turning on your battery if you press the measure button once then it will be activated. If you hit the measure button once more it will give you basic measurement. The rangefinder also has scan mode. Firstly, turn it on then hold the measure button. It will scan everything its light hits and continuously scan distances.
Menu Button
The button furthest from your eye is the menu button. What you’ve to do is hold it for 4 seconds to start the menu mode. There’re three options that you can change. The first thing that can be changed is Yards to Meters or vice versa. Secondly, you can change the HCD mode or LOS mode. The third thing you can do is just change the brightness of the display and there are three options low, medium, and high display brightness. One important thing is that you’ve to use a measure button to toggle through each mode selection.
LOS Mode
LOS or Line of Sight is simply the linear distance between you and the target, regardless of elevation slope or angle. This is primarily used by shooters who are using bullet drop compensation data (cards, apps, etc.) and shooting at distances more than 500 yards at inclinations greater than plus-minus 15 degrees. This mode does not compute ballistic correction for slope.
HCD Mode
The ranger 1500’s Horizontal Component Distance or HCD range display is intended for level ground (any range), slopes less than 15 degrees (up to 800 yards), and slopes from 15-30 degrees (up to 400 yards). It is used for most rifle and bow hunters in general.
Distance & Accuracy
Vortex rangefinder 1500 has a maximum non-reflective range at 750 yards and a reflective range of 1500 yards with an accuracy variant of +/- three yards at 1,000 yards. It works at angles of extreme as plus-minus 60-degrees.
Vortex ranger 1500 rangefinder ranges between 9 to 1500 yards accurately as we told before. If your targets located less than 9 yards or more than 1500 yards you can’t target them by it.
Price
You can’t beat this range finder for the quality and price. If you compare it to other brand rangefinders, you’ll find this price and quality unmatched. Its lifetime VIP warranty and after-sales service are great to mention. It’s a great choice like other Vortex products i.e. Vortex Venom or Vortex Razor HD.
Vortex Rangefinder 1500 may seem expensive to many since it really costs more than other rangefinders. If this is the case for you or you are on a tight budget you can check some quality rangefinders under $200 and try one from them. But as always, you will get what you pay for. In the case of optics, investing in a better model is wise.
How does Vortex Rangefinder 1500 work?
You need to install the CR2 battery in the compartment first that comes with the product. After that, the range finder is ready to use but in a power-off mode. For powering up the device and getting the distance measured, you need to press the measure button. For scanning, you need to press the measure button again. HCD or LOS mode in meters or yards will be displayed. You can change into different modes through the menu button. I hope you got the right distance!
If LOS distance is 18 yards (-29o) then 15 yards in HCD mode. When LOS is 11yards (-56o) then HCD mode doesn’t show any distance. Because, if you do the math then the distance would have come in under 10 yards in HCD. And, the rangefinder can’t measure less than 10 yards. If the LOS distance is 517 yards (-2o) then the display will show you 517 yards in HCD. When you see targets 1435 yards (0O) in LOS it means you are looking at 1435 yards away in HCD.
Maintenance and Precautions
- Use lens brush to remove dust or sand from lenses
- Use a clean lens fabric or tissue to remove smudges or smears from lenses
- Keep rangefinder in a dry location away from direct sunlight
- Don’t gaze into the beam or view directly without laser eye protection
- Children aren’t allowed to play with it
- Don’t look at the sun through it
- Don’t activate Menu or Measure buttons while aiming at the eye or looking into the objective lens
- Use the right battery (CR2) and proper battery orientation
- Don’t disassemble
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Make ranging easy
- Compact & lightweight
- Waterproof and fog-proof
- Fully multi-coated lens
- Intuitive display
- Textured rubber armor
- Anti-reflective lens coatings
- Automatic shut off after 10 seconds of inactivity
- 6x magnification
- Continuous scan mode
- CR2 lithium battery
- HCD & LOS measuring
- Neck lanyard & Utility Clip
- Rugged design
- Tripod socket
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Pricey
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Does the HCD technology not compensate for height changes?
Answer: It compensates for elevation out to 500 yards.
- How does it work in low light, rain, or fog?
Answer: It works really well in low light and has red illuminated ranges that have adjustable brightness. As far as rain or fog it works well with some diffraction.
- Can I use this for archery hunting out of a tree stand?
Answer: Absolutely, it’s excellent for deer hunting from a stand. You can also try the Vortex HD LH for hunting and shooting.
Final Verdicts
We’re not claiming that Vortex Ranger 1500 is the only top-quality long-range rangefinder. But we can assure you that its features won’t disappoint you. It’s a powerful and long-range optic that produces an amazing degree of accuracy. This’s a great handy rangefinder for archery hunters.
You can easily use and carry this. This is ergonomically designed for hunting over rough ground, and up and downhills. I hope, this review helps you a lot. Order now this great rangefinder!
Kalman is a hunting expert who has a vast experience with wild game hunting. Though night time hunting is his favorite, he masters the art of daytime hunting and shooting. Being a nature lover and outdoor enthusiast, he wants to pass the knowledge acquired over time to the next generation.
