Customer Reviews

Bushnell Scout 1000 ARC Laser Range Finder

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Overall the product was great. I was buying it for bowhunting, gunhunting, range shooting and golf. The different modes for bows and guns are super cool. Before the lovefest (see below) I will start with the semi negative things I would have liked to know before buying:

A few caveats:

1. I wear both glasses and contacts and it works well with each, but I definitely prefer putting it all the way up to my eye with or without contacts. There is a much larger field of view that way. Glasses wearers, be aware of that.

2. I can't quite figure out the design of the neckstrap. Hooking it up to the unit is like any other lanyard, but the head hole itself has another two loop design, and I can't find anything about it online. Small gripe; I may just be stupid, and I can still use the strap.

3. It only gives readouts in whole yards. I have seen other range finders that give it to tenths of yards. This doesn't make a difference to me, but I was expecting the decimal.

4. The 1000 yard range is somewhat optimistic. Bow mode only goes out to 99 yards (understandably). However, to get a range beyond 800 yards in the other modes, the target must be highly reflective. In central and eastern Kentucky, we don't have many 1000 yard patches of flat space around, so it isn't a big deal, but again I would like to know that.

Regardless of these things, I gave it 5 stars for a reason:

You get a three way readout with line-of-sight distance from lens to target, the angle of that line of sight (+/- x degrees), and in bow mode you get a compensated distance (the target is 30 yards away, but given the angle you should aim as if it were 25 yards to be right on it) and in gun mode it gives you bullet drop (aim 25 inches high). The gun mode accounts for distance, angle and the type of bullet you are shooting. There is a list available on the disk in the box with the rangefinder where you find the exact round you are firing, including brand, caliber, type, and grain and it tells you which preset it corresponds to (A-J). This includes muzzleloader settings as well. There are thousands of rounds available on this list. If you buy your ammo at a sporting goods store or department, you can find it on the list. There is also a regular mode without any angle readout, but aren't you buying the ARC version of the scout for a reason? :)

Additionally, you can toggle between two settings where you can scan across an area, and the Scout will only range the farthest object you hit or the closest. Example: there is a deer you can see through a tree branch, but you cannot get the sight only on the deer and keep hitting the tree--in this mode you just scan along the body of the deer and although your laser also hits the tree branch, the Scout knows only to give you the range of the farthest object. Conversely, at a distance if you see a deer in front of a backdrop of trees or land, but the deer is too small to keep the aim on, you can scan on the deer and even if you slip off of it, only the range of the closest object (the deer) will be reported.

The optics are very clear. The 5x magnification is a good distance, and the focus control works nicely. The ranging works even better in low light than in brighter conditions. You can easily switch to meters (and centimeters in bullet drop) for all the metric fans out there. I grew up using yards, so despite the logic of the metric system, I keep using it when shooting.

All of this met my needs, and at a price of USD$240, I don't think you can beat it.

bought it as a range finder for bow hunting and golf and I have used it for both and have had great results. Easy to use, light weight and perfect range everytime.

I tried to compare this item to a nikon 440 I already own. Beyond 250 yards in brushy terrain there is no comparison. Bushnell wins hands down. In good light it will accurately range hard objects out to 850 yards.

accurate, easy to use, still on the same batteries (after a year of use)
WIll buy it again if I lose the one I have !!

This is my first year out bowhunting (Elk in the Rockies) and I wanted a range finder for it. After doing some research I thought I had it narrowed down to the Nikon Archers Choice or the Bushnell BowHunter "Chuck Adams" edition. I went into the local Bass Pro Shop to get my hands on them and to my surprise both were complete crap compared to the Scout 1000 Arc. I could sit here and go through all the reasons why the Scout 1000 is a better choice but you'd be better off doing your own hands-on comparison. I got a killer deal on it too $230.00 shipped to my door. Bass Pro Shop had it for $249.00 + tax after mail-in $50 rebate. Just checked today and the seller I bought it from raised the price to $274.00 go figure?

Do your research then put your hands on them before you buy, you'll be glad you did.

This thing is pretty sweet. I got a great deal with mine on sale and with a rebate. It is perfect for both bow and gun applications. The settings are pretty easy to change once you read the manual quick. I recently used in South Dakota's flat grasslands and was able to get a reading on dog towns out to about 460 yards. (There isn't much for the laser to hit and bounce back off out there). I plan to use in WI deer hunting this fall.

Unit is good in daylight hours only. At dusk and dawn cannot read the display. It would be better if disply was lighted.

Only problem i can see with this rangefinder is the screen lighting. Anything else would be nick picking for the price.

The rangefinder is small enough for 1 hand operation but a little unsteady so I try to use 2 hands. The readout is a little dim in low light conditions but will work.
Satisfied over all and would probably recomend.

2 new batteries in one month. Bow season has started here in Missouri and went to use mine and yes again it is dead. Can not trust this one again. Guess I missed out on sending it in also. Can not give me a refund. Recieved July28th from Amazon.com. Bad batch? I don't care! When u pay the price u want to work when needed. This one is a failure. Would buy again.. Have a Nikon I have had for years. Wife likes it still. Anybody want to buy a junk Bushnell Arc 1000?