Post by waltlongmire on Mar 13, 2017 7:46:01 GMT -8
Good morning all,
Friday late afternoon my X-Sight II 5-20 and my LaserBallistic 1000 LRF arrived, just in time for me to play with them for the weekend.
Sadly - the weekend play time did NOT involve getting to toy around at the range, just with the two items themselves with initial setup, firmware update, etc. I did test out the mount so I could begin entereing ballistic data in preparation for going to the range soon (I hope) and feel like my poor scope is sitting REALLY HIGH on my rifle (3.065" from bore center to center of the scope front lens). I am DEFINITELY going to have to buy a big cheek riser for this thing!
First off... a little introduction to what I'm shooting that is - from what I can tell on here, as well as some weapon specific web sites, and YouTube - perhaps a first for public acknowledgement of intent of use of this optic: a, ney, MY Springfield Armory M1A Scout Squad 7.62x51/.308 18" barrel 1:11 RH twist, "upgraded" with a beautiful (not well shown in this picture) vintage tiger stripe birch stock, which fits the gun better / cleaner than the synthetic stock she came with as far as clearances and tolerances go:
She is now fitted with a GDI G1-OSM scope mount - which is a fairly special design (I think only this one and one other MFG offers it) that allows for ACOG / very rear setting mount over the rear iron sight (you'll have to excuse their crappy photoshop job there - my mount has nothing that ridiculous imprinted or painted on it):
Weighing in at approx 9lbs unloaded and unburdened she'll come in closer to 13lbs with a fully loaded 20 round magazine & the scope is mounted for good.
Anyway - I'll start with the LB1000:
Brand new in the box smell... le sigh... it took me a good 5 minutes to figure out why I couldn't get the thing to work! I was about to freak out I got a dud...
Then I realized, the battery the thing came with was wrapped in plastic a form fitting plastic that covered the + contact point completely!
UUUUUGH. Sometimes the genetics work against me in ways that must make the universe laugh a deep chuckle indeed!
So yeah, it is a pretty little device. Compact, light, easy to use. That is the best thing I can say in just toying with it for a few minutes...
Delving deeper - I will note that I purchased the 1000yard version of this - so as you can see on the side of the box there are a number of stats on it that will probably differ from the 1500 version - but since I don't have the 1500 I can't really give you a 1:1 comparison on those.
The quick start manual that was included did real well to get me going. I converted it from meters to yards without trouble, then I took it to the park around the block to start testing. It works FLAWLESSLY on ranging different objects quickly, and based on my pacing things out as best I could, incredibly accurately. Next I downloaded the ATN Ballistics app. Why would I do that when I have the X-Sight II and wouldn't need this? Because odds are everyone I go hunting with won't be using the X-Sight, just me, so I'll be a nice guy and let them use the app for their traditional optics, and I'll manually enter the LB1000's data into my X-Sight II.
It is a really cool app though... it will actually tell you the manual adjustment you need on your scope based on your ranging:
The other really nice thing I found about the LB1000 + the app is that it auto-connected without me needing to pair up or such. Just power up the LB1000, open the app, and POW! Good to go to start ranging, super fast, super clean.
Sadly I have not played with this more than that and toying with ranging stuff here at work today to see how the app reacts, ranging stuff in the parking lot, ranging planes as they land on the strip right outside my work window (I can't range the control tower - it is actually more than 1000 yards away
)... I will post more as I, or more likely my son plays with the app functionality once we get his rifle in for his birthday soon and he gets his traditional optic. I am excited to see how the X-sight II's ballistic calculator compares to the range finder's calculator with such things as environmental conditions. I would presume they are based on the same calculator tech, so I'd hope we'll both be pretty dead on all things considered. I might connect it to the X-Sight II eventually, just to test it, if I can ever get out to a range that is +100 yards... see if I can get it to do rapid adjustment for going from like a 100 to a 500 to a 800, back down to a 200 target 1 x 1 x 1 shooting. Maybe have my son range it, while I look through the optic to see just how fast it works and how fast I can follow through with the dead bang shots.
Now to the X-Sight II... I did not get any screen caps of this yet, but I will when I do a more thorough review and get her to the range... but here are my first impressions:
0. I guess I am lucky in that I did a factory reset to make sure it was clean, then did the .747 firmware update with no problems at all off a freshly formatted FAT32 32GB MicroSD card.
1. I am SOOOOOO glad I posed the question to ATN on Cabela's web site (because when I sent them an email about it they didn't seem to want to reply) about needing an ACOG mount on the M1A because of where it sits vs where your eye relief will need to be. I would have been screwed had I not checked that first.
2. OMG the features on this thing are INCREDIBLE (presuming they work in the field). The ballistics calculator seems to cover absolutely everything you could possible need to compensate for - save MAYBE Coriolis effect variables (and I just learned what that was weeks ago watching youtube videos about the longest sniper shots ever) - but given I will never dare to shoot an animal at a range that would be a factor (I hope) I cannot say this thing won't have me covered 100% so long as I have either some sort of connection with my phone to get weather info, or I have my handy Krestrel 3000 Pocket Handheld Weather, Wind Anemometer with me. I might not have a PRECISE elevation reading if I don't have some phone access, but thanks to topographical maps, I should be able to get petty close going into wherever I'm going to hunt in advance.
3. Ballistics Profiles: I haven't even gone out to the range yet - but I pre-set 6 profiles for me to have ready to go:... 1 for my XM80 FMJ ball ammo / plinking stuff... 1 for my 150gr "zeroing test" ammo that I'll use to do the initial zero.... then come my hunting rounds I need to test out in the gun to determine which is most accurate in my gun (M1As apparently are very picky sometimes). They vary from 165 to 168 gr, all lead free rounds "tipped" with a polymer tip to help ballistic coefficient rating, with about a 250fps variable between the 5 different ones (I even re-calculated for the 18" barrel per a previous question here) and entered all that data in, including that 3.065" distance from bore center to scope center. Since I could only enter 4, I'll scrub my zeroing ammo profile in favor of the 5th after I get it set. Now that said - I found that trying to enter the profiles in via the scope itself to be quite tedious. Using the Obsidian App was INCREDIBLY easy (save getting initially connected).
4. The "widescreen picture" vs traditional optic: Okay, I know it is a problem for some people to move from a traditional optic to this, given it isn't really a "scope" but more of a high tech digital camera with a computer attached (I kid, I know it is much more than that, but when trying to explain it to a neophyte old school traditionalist it usually gets the point across quicker that it is a technology unlike anything they've seen)... but to me this seems a non-issue. There is a lot of information in the viewfinder yes, but we're pretty used to this kind of information in the corners with cell phones, tickers on new programs, etc. This really isn't anything different.
5. When you put the sun shade cover on + the Butler Creek peep hole cover --- that thing looks MASSIVE... like freak of nature massive! I am just not sure I am going to cut the foam in my case for it with that on, or leave it off.
That's it for now... time to actually do some work today. I hope to post a LOT more as time goes on these first few weeks with the devices.
Friday late afternoon my X-Sight II 5-20 and my LaserBallistic 1000 LRF arrived, just in time for me to play with them for the weekend.
Sadly - the weekend play time did NOT involve getting to toy around at the range, just with the two items themselves with initial setup, firmware update, etc. I did test out the mount so I could begin entereing ballistic data in preparation for going to the range soon (I hope) and feel like my poor scope is sitting REALLY HIGH on my rifle (3.065" from bore center to center of the scope front lens). I am DEFINITELY going to have to buy a big cheek riser for this thing!
First off... a little introduction to what I'm shooting that is - from what I can tell on here, as well as some weapon specific web sites, and YouTube - perhaps a first for public acknowledgement of intent of use of this optic: a, ney, MY Springfield Armory M1A Scout Squad 7.62x51/.308 18" barrel 1:11 RH twist, "upgraded" with a beautiful (not well shown in this picture) vintage tiger stripe birch stock, which fits the gun better / cleaner than the synthetic stock she came with as far as clearances and tolerances go:
She is now fitted with a GDI G1-OSM scope mount - which is a fairly special design (I think only this one and one other MFG offers it) that allows for ACOG / very rear setting mount over the rear iron sight (you'll have to excuse their crappy photoshop job there - my mount has nothing that ridiculous imprinted or painted on it):
Weighing in at approx 9lbs unloaded and unburdened she'll come in closer to 13lbs with a fully loaded 20 round magazine & the scope is mounted for good.
Anyway - I'll start with the LB1000:
Brand new in the box smell... le sigh... it took me a good 5 minutes to figure out why I couldn't get the thing to work! I was about to freak out I got a dud...
Then I realized, the battery the thing came with was wrapped in plastic a form fitting plastic that covered the + contact point completely!
UUUUUGH. Sometimes the genetics work against me in ways that must make the universe laugh a deep chuckle indeed!
So yeah, it is a pretty little device. Compact, light, easy to use. That is the best thing I can say in just toying with it for a few minutes...
Delving deeper - I will note that I purchased the 1000yard version of this - so as you can see on the side of the box there are a number of stats on it that will probably differ from the 1500 version - but since I don't have the 1500 I can't really give you a 1:1 comparison on those.
The quick start manual that was included did real well to get me going. I converted it from meters to yards without trouble, then I took it to the park around the block to start testing. It works FLAWLESSLY on ranging different objects quickly, and based on my pacing things out as best I could, incredibly accurately. Next I downloaded the ATN Ballistics app. Why would I do that when I have the X-Sight II and wouldn't need this? Because odds are everyone I go hunting with won't be using the X-Sight, just me, so I'll be a nice guy and let them use the app for their traditional optics, and I'll manually enter the LB1000's data into my X-Sight II.
It is a really cool app though... it will actually tell you the manual adjustment you need on your scope based on your ranging:The other really nice thing I found about the LB1000 + the app is that it auto-connected without me needing to pair up or such. Just power up the LB1000, open the app, and POW! Good to go to start ranging, super fast, super clean.
Sadly I have not played with this more than that and toying with ranging stuff here at work today to see how the app reacts, ranging stuff in the parking lot, ranging planes as they land on the strip right outside my work window (I can't range the control tower - it is actually more than 1000 yards away
)... I will post more as I, or more likely my son plays with the app functionality once we get his rifle in for his birthday soon and he gets his traditional optic. I am excited to see how the X-sight II's ballistic calculator compares to the range finder's calculator with such things as environmental conditions. I would presume they are based on the same calculator tech, so I'd hope we'll both be pretty dead on all things considered. I might connect it to the X-Sight II eventually, just to test it, if I can ever get out to a range that is +100 yards... see if I can get it to do rapid adjustment for going from like a 100 to a 500 to a 800, back down to a 200 target 1 x 1 x 1 shooting. Maybe have my son range it, while I look through the optic to see just how fast it works and how fast I can follow through with the dead bang shots.Now to the X-Sight II... I did not get any screen caps of this yet, but I will when I do a more thorough review and get her to the range... but here are my first impressions:
0. I guess I am lucky in that I did a factory reset to make sure it was clean, then did the .747 firmware update with no problems at all off a freshly formatted FAT32 32GB MicroSD card.
1. I am SOOOOOO glad I posed the question to ATN on Cabela's web site (because when I sent them an email about it they didn't seem to want to reply) about needing an ACOG mount on the M1A because of where it sits vs where your eye relief will need to be. I would have been screwed had I not checked that first.
2. OMG the features on this thing are INCREDIBLE (presuming they work in the field). The ballistics calculator seems to cover absolutely everything you could possible need to compensate for - save MAYBE Coriolis effect variables (and I just learned what that was weeks ago watching youtube videos about the longest sniper shots ever) - but given I will never dare to shoot an animal at a range that would be a factor (I hope) I cannot say this thing won't have me covered 100% so long as I have either some sort of connection with my phone to get weather info, or I have my handy Krestrel 3000 Pocket Handheld Weather, Wind Anemometer with me. I might not have a PRECISE elevation reading if I don't have some phone access, but thanks to topographical maps, I should be able to get petty close going into wherever I'm going to hunt in advance.
3. Ballistics Profiles: I haven't even gone out to the range yet - but I pre-set 6 profiles for me to have ready to go:... 1 for my XM80 FMJ ball ammo / plinking stuff... 1 for my 150gr "zeroing test" ammo that I'll use to do the initial zero.... then come my hunting rounds I need to test out in the gun to determine which is most accurate in my gun (M1As apparently are very picky sometimes). They vary from 165 to 168 gr, all lead free rounds "tipped" with a polymer tip to help ballistic coefficient rating, with about a 250fps variable between the 5 different ones (I even re-calculated for the 18" barrel per a previous question here) and entered all that data in, including that 3.065" distance from bore center to scope center. Since I could only enter 4, I'll scrub my zeroing ammo profile in favor of the 5th after I get it set. Now that said - I found that trying to enter the profiles in via the scope itself to be quite tedious. Using the Obsidian App was INCREDIBLY easy (save getting initially connected).
4. The "widescreen picture" vs traditional optic: Okay, I know it is a problem for some people to move from a traditional optic to this, given it isn't really a "scope" but more of a high tech digital camera with a computer attached (I kid, I know it is much more than that, but when trying to explain it to a neophyte old school traditionalist it usually gets the point across quicker that it is a technology unlike anything they've seen)... but to me this seems a non-issue. There is a lot of information in the viewfinder yes, but we're pretty used to this kind of information in the corners with cell phones, tickers on new programs, etc. This really isn't anything different.
5. When you put the sun shade cover on + the Butler Creek peep hole cover --- that thing looks MASSIVE... like freak of nature massive! I am just not sure I am going to cut the foam in my case for it with that on, or leave it off.
That's it for now... time to actually do some work today. I hope to post a LOT more as time goes on these first few weeks with the devices.
