G7 BR2 Ballistic Laser Rangefinder Review

[Tiff]

A couple of months back Gary Costello of March Scopes UK mentioned in passing the G7 BR2 Ballistic Laser Rangefinder and Kestrel 4500 Applied Ballistics wind meter. Having never handled either of them and always interested in new technology that could potentially make long range shooting just that little bit easier, Gary offered to send them down for a few weeks of field testing.

 

Upon arrival, both devices require a couple of hours to read the instruction manual, input data and generally familiarise yourself with the units. Here I'll focus on the rangefinder, with a subsequent review of the Kestrel to follow in the next few days. The G7 BR2 Ballistic Laser Rangefinder uses the same four sensibly located buttons to operate and enter / save the data (muzzle velocity, B.C., zero range, scope height etc.) for up to five different rounds. Obviously the quality of this data is key to the units success, with rubbish in equaling rubbish out...The rangefinder can be easily programmed to function simply as an 'old fashioned' rangefinder or provide both range and subsequently elevation/windage correction in MOA, adjustment for BDC turrets or inches. It also has the option to select/ignore nearest or furthest target (i.e. close scrub or distance hillside) or continuously scan for targets. The readout also has four levels of brightness that can be quickly changed depending on the light and different reticule options. Obviously the pictures that follow only give an indication and in reality the image viewed through the rangefinder is significantly better.

 

 

 

Upon pressing the rangefinders "Fire" button at your intended target, the unit provides the line of sight range to target while processing the real time ballistic answer; combining the current air pressure, air temperature and angle of shot with the data previously entered for the profile of the round. This real time elevation correction is displayed within a couple of seconds and full value windage adjustments are accessible from 5 to 50 mph via the two smaller forward buttons. Ballistic firing solutions are provided for ranges out to 1,400 yards and the unit itself I had ranging to over 2,450 yards in reasonably bright sunshine on low scrubby moorland terrain. The construction of the unit is very good with a 'substantial feel' to it and the Gor-Tex membrane designed to allow station pressure readings to be taken was evidently nothing to be concerned about, since despite the often adverse moorland weather conditions the unit never missed a beat.

 

 

 

 

I'll freely admit I was sceptical at first about the functionality of the device, but the unit really does work very well in the field! I had to 'true' the ballistic output slightly by adjusting the b.c. & m.v. of the bullet, to match the field data/drops collected, but this is no different to any other ballistic program I've used to date. Once the input data was adjusted to a bullets 'real b.c' and not the manufactures enthusiastic figures, the rangefinder delivered firing solutions over varying moorland terrain to within 1/2 MOA or better well past 1,000 yards.

 

http://youtu.be/b1tgprA7cZA

 

http://youtu.be/rrorqGV76jg

(Set resolution to full HD for best viewing)

 

After a couple of times using the rangefinder it became very instinctive to operate when varminting, steel plate shooting and even deer stalking at much closer ranges; offering a very compact solution to the problem of accounting and adjusting for the bullets trajectory when time is a key factor in making the shot. With it's 7x magnification the glass quality is also surprising good, offering an exceptionally clear picture on par with the Swarovski and Vectronix PLRF's. The aiming reticule in the G7 BR2 is of a similar size to the Swarovski pocket guide, matching it comfortably in performance on various distance reflective and non-reflective targets and surpassing the Swarovski on maximum range by around 500 yards. The only thing that takes some adjusting to, is the G7's requirement to sometimes hold the "Fire" button down for up to 5 seconds when ranging a hard to read target at significant distance. Using the unit prone off elbows, resting on a hedge/tree or utilising the camera tripod thread on the underside of the unit however makes this much less of an issue in use.

 

 

In conclusion after many weeks use in often harsh conditions, the only real criticism of the unit I have, is the cheap carry strap it is supplied with, since this broke on its first use. Considering the complexity of the unit itself, for this to be the only flaw I could find speaks volumes for the quality of the unit and its functionality.

 

Thanks for reading,

 

Tiff

 

N.B. I will add as a footnote, this review is entirely my own thoughts and I have not been paid/sponsored in any way for this review by the importers March Scopes UK - indeed they have not even seen this review before publishing.

[247sniper]

Sounds and looks a pretty goo unit matey?

 

what sort of price are retailing at?

 

Steve.

[Bangbangman]

Thanks for the thorough write-up, Tiff.

 

What's the battery-life like and which batteries does it take?

[gaz6br]

Sure looks good

 

Gaz

[Gandy]

Good write up Tiff, that rock much now becoming more of a boulder.

 

The acid test, do you have one on order?

[Dr.T.]

Nice review Tiff,

 

These rangefinders are used a lot on 'long range pursuits' hunting channel (google search 'gunwerks vimeo'- the hunting series is really good). They looked great but it was difficult to know how much was advertisement hype - especially when the main characters also make the g7 rangefinder!

 

Nice to know they work in real life too and thanks again. I think they're about 1500 dollars but you never know how that will translate...

[Tiff]

I believe they are selling over here through March Scopes UK for £1,650:

https://www.marchscopes.co.uk/index.php/en/march-accessories/84-march-accessories/147-g7-br2-rangefinder

 

The unit runs on a CR123A battery and its functional life must be good, since I used it a fair bit over the weeks and it never needed replacing.

 

Had a vectronix unit not come along at a sensible price, I would certainly have upgraded my Swarovski to the G7 BR2. Instead for now, I have purchased the Kestrel 4500NV Applied Ballistics bluetooth wind meter, which complements my PLRF15C rather well for shooting things way out there...Review to follow when time permits. However in a year or two when funds allow, I will certainly be getting the G7 BR2 as it makes sense for varminting/foxing and stalking - excellent glass for spotting and good fast ballistic data all in one unit, so no messing around with different kit when the quarry can present limited time to make the shot. As for the rock, it's certainly getting lighter...

 

Edit: Just going through my SD cards and found this short video of a first round IPSC 'head shot' hit from 500 yards, while using the G7 BR2 LRF ballistic correction:

http://youtu.be/K8XDH9fcJ7A

[sako 75 .243]

Nice write up Tiff....

 

I will stick with my leopold RX-111 & kestrel 4000nv.. ..as you know having 5 kids that are always wanting new shoes ,its a bit out of my price range!

But it does Look a nice bit of kit !

 

See you soon buddy

 

Glenn.

[247sniper]

I believe they are selling over here through March Scopes UK for £1,650:

 

Bloody hell, so what do they do that my Bushnell fusions ARC don't do, that are also half the price, and they also have the ballistic calculations in them too.

 

I'm sure the G7 is good but I wouldn't pay twice as much for them!

 

(for comparison purposes only)

[Tiff]

Bloody hell, so what do they do that my Bushnell fusions ARC don't do, that are also half the price, and they also have the ballistic calculations in them too.

 

I'm sure the G7 is good but I wouldn't pay twice as much for them!

 

(for comparison purposes only)

 

I'm not that familiar with the Bushnell LRF's, but from what I've read here ( http://precisionrifleblog.com/tag/bushnell-fusion-1-mile/ ) the G7 BR2 is a very different rangefinder. The ballistic output on the G7 goes out to 1,400 yards (ranges roughly 1,100y further in ideal conditions) and most importantly can be tailored to your actual rifles B.C. & M.V. - plus taking into account atmospheric pressure & temperature when calculating the firing solution.

I will however add the beam divergence on the G7 BR2 is quite large, but this did not seem to affect its accuracy over the terrain I tested it on - it's not exactly flat down here in the south-west!

[brown dog]

Bloody hell, so what do they do that my Bushnell fusions ARC don't do,

 

Using built-in sensors, the G7 BR2 measures and includes air temp and air pressure in its G7 calculation - so it's giving you an actual firing solution for the environmental variables on the day. I believe the Bushnell gives you 'fixed' environmental conditions.

 

I also believe setting the G7 up involves inputting real eqpt values and the ability to 'true' data (as described by Tiff) whereas the Bushnell requires you to pick a similarish bullet at a similarish mv from a list.

 

So, if I'm right, the answer is:

 

The G7 BR2 is giving you firing solutions for your real modelled system on the real environmental conditions of the day (ie 'Precise')

The Bushnell is giving you 'nearest bullet, nearest mv' approximate solutions under theoretical (ie fixed) environmental conditions. (ie 'Close')

[jcampbellsmith]

Tiff

 

Have you tried one of these? http://uk.leica-camera.com/Sport-Optics/Rangefinders/Leica-Geovid/Details-HD-B-42

 

Regards

 

JCS

[247sniper]

Using built-in sensors, the G7 BR2 measures and includes air temp and air pressure in its G7 calculation - so it's giving you an actual firing solution for the environmental variables on the day. I believe the Bushnell gives you 'fixed' environmental conditions.

 

I also believe setting the G7 up involves inputting real eqpt values and the ability to 'true' data (as described by Tiff) whereas the Bushnell requires you to pick a similarish bullet at a similarish mv from a list.

 

So, if I'm right, the answer is:

 

The G7 BR2 is giving you firing solutions for your real modelled system on the real environmental conditions of the day (ie 'Precise')

The Bushnell is giving you 'nearest bullet, nearest mv' approximate solutions under theoretical (ie fixed) environmental conditions. (ie 'Close')

Great, excellent thanks for that Brown Dog, I can see where the money goes into the unit now matey. ;-)

 

I still IMO wouldn't spend that much on the G7 unit, again yes it is I'm sure a great bit of kit, but you still have to measure wind values etc with a wind meter and enter that into the equation, my Kestrel measures that along with temp and barometric pressure etc etc the G7 can't measure wind speed so you will still need a wind meter to measure that anyway. I then use my field data recorded from weather meter to input in my ballistic program and get spot on results.

 

I'm sure they are better then the Bushnells in a few ways but they should be at twice the price, if I was going to get far better results from the G7 unit then yes it would be something I would consider, however at twice the price and basically the same performance and identical end result to the Bushnellsi, I don't think IMO it's justifiable to me.

 

Like I've said, I'm sure they would be a great bit of kit and I'm sure anyone who buys them will find the very very good. I'm just putting my own opinion and experiences across. ;-)

 

Cheers guys

 

Steve.

[brown dog]

the same performance and identical end result to the Bushnellsi,

 

 

That's pretty much the opposite of what I said.

[247sniper]

That's pretty much the opposite of what I said.

 

I meant in terms of weather info, ranging and ballsitic programming, dialing in a precise long range shot, the G7 would offer me no advantage. My kestrel, bushnells and ballistic programme would give me the same results at nearly half the cost.

[Ballistic Hamster]

Hi l am thinking of getting a G7BR2 from Gary,

Has anyone got any updates and results of there own unit .pro's and con's if any

seem most of them on youpube.

Thanks BH

[jcampbellsmith]

Hi l am thinking of getting a G7BR2 from Gary,

Has anyone got any updates and results of there own unit .pro's and con's if any

seem most of them on youpube.

Thanks BH

 

I much prefer to have range finding binoculars. One less device to carry about. Regards JCS

[Ballistic Hamster]

Tiff

 

Have you tried one of these? http://uk.leica-camera.com/Sport-Optics/Rangefinders/Leica-Geovid/Details-HD-B-42

 

Regards

 

JCS

Hi did you get a pair of the link how do you rate them ?

[jcampbellsmith]

Hi did you get a pair of the link how do you rate them ?

 

No, I got the less complicated and cheaper version - LEICA GEOVID 8 x 42 HD-R, yard version

 

http://uk.leica-camera.com/Sport-Optics/Rangefinders/Leica-Geovid/Geovid-Range

 

I am very pleased with them.

 

Regards

 

JCS

[srvet]

Tiff

 

Have you tried one of these? http://uk.leica-camera.com/Sport-Optics/Rangefinders/Leica-Geovid/Details-HD-B-42

 

Regards

 

JCS

 

 

I dont know if you chaps are aware but there is a great deal on these Leica rangefinders at the moment. Basically you trade in any pair of binoculars and receive a £500 rebate. Interestingly the HD-B has an onboard ballistic computer that appears to be powered by G7 and incorporates temperature, barometric pressure and inclination adjustment in the ballistic solution. I have just ordered a pair of 10x42 HDB and am trading in an old shabby pair of bins and will hopefully have them next week if I'm lucky. The cost will end up being cheaper than this G7 rangefinder and I get a free pair of leica binoculars...BARGAIN!!

[M99]

 

Tiff

 

Have you tried one of these? http://uk.leica-camera.com/Sport-Optics/Rangefinders/Leica-Geovid/Details-HD-B-42

 

Regards

 

JCS

 

 

I dont know if you chaps are aware but there is a great deal on these Leica rangefinders at the moment. Basically you trade in any pair of binoculars and receive a £500 rebate. Interestingly the HD-B has an onboard ballistic computer that appears to be powered by G7 and incorporates temperature, barometric pressure and inclination adjustment in the ballistic solution. I have just ordered a pair of 10x42 HDB and am trading in an old shabby pair of bins and will hopefully have them next week if I'm lucky. The cost will end up being cheaper than this G7 rangefinder and I get a free pair of leica binoculars...BARGAIN!!

 

I had the chance to try out the HD-B his week on a Leica press/dealer day.

 

They easily facilitated first round hits at 300 and 700m they also have the ability to use a micro sd card to exactly tailor the ballistic solution to your rifle/load combo. Simply change the sd card for different rifle/ammo combos.

 

I also have a pair coming as a result of this week's trial.

[srvet]

That sounds great Mike

 

What size targets were you engaging at 700?

 

Cheers

 

Simon