Able to account for wind and effective out past 1,600 yards, the Leupold RX-2800 TBR/W more than goes the distance.
How The Leupold RX-2800 TBR/W Gets You On Target:
- OLED display delivers more light and extremely bright display.
- Continuous range updates in Scan Mode.
- Takes into account the angle of shot and rifle's ballistics.
- Capable of account for wind out to distances of 800 yards.
- Alpha IQ ranging engine makes ranging smaller targets quicker than ever.
Leupold & Stevens has upped their game … there’s no denying that fact. A simple look at the VX-5HD and VX-6HD riflescopes will confirm that. But they aren’t just concentrating on their scopes; the new Leupold RX-2800 TBR/W rangefinder is a wonderful little tool, and their recent efforts are equally apparent here as well. It’s a rangefinder worthy of anyone’s range bag or hunting pack.
Many rangefinders, like our riflescopes, seem to be growing in size as the features become more complex. Not so with the RX-2800 — in fact, it’s not much bigger than a pack of cigarettes, and I appreciate good, concise, lightweight gear. It has a 7x magnification range, and that’s extremely helpful. I’ve been frustrated with low magnification rangefinders giving a reading on unintended objects because I couldn’t accurately see what I was aiming at. Not so with the RX-2800. Additionally, the unit features the OLED display, which is bright red, crisp and customizable. You can easily switch between three choices of reticle, and the Scan Mode will allow you to get updated distance readings as an animal moves, or as you move the unit along a treeline or the like.
More Long-Range Gear:
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The RX-2800 is 100 percent waterproof, which I love. I use many different electronic items in the wet Northeast fields and woods, and not all stand up to the conditions. I’ve taken the RX-2800 out for a while, and even in a pouring rain, there were no issues. The aluminum housing is coated in a rubber armor, which both protects the unit and affords a solid grip, even with wet hands. Leupold has also provided a threaded insert at the base of the unit, which allows me to instantly and easily attach it to my Primos Trigger Sticks. This radically steadies the unit, and it allows for precise ranging at truly long ranges. Were I guiding hunters, I’d have an extra base attached to the RX-2800, giving me the option for a quick change from shooting sticks to rangefinder in a matter of seconds.
The RX-2800 comes with Leupold’s True Ballistic Range, with Wind (hence the TBR/W moniker) which takes into account the shot angle, wind deflection and comes with a multitude of presets so you can choose your trajectory — and allow the unit to display holdover and wind deflection for distant shots. All this in a package that measures 4½x3x1½ inches, which is perfect for backcountry hunts and the deerstand as well. It runs on a single CR123A battery, supplied with the unit.
I’m a land surveyor by day, so I have the ability to measure distances down to 1/16th-inch, for over a mile. I took the RX-2800 to work, as we ran some long survey baseline. At each station, I’d check the precise survey distance with the readings from the RX-2800; at distances out to 675 yards, it checked within 1 yard of the survey reading. I can live with that level of precision.
I also wanted to check the way the unit worked in varying weather conditions. I live on the west shore of the Hudson River, with a good view of the distant east shore. I could range the houses on the opposite shore — out past 1,600 yards — with no issue, no matter if it was bright sunshine, overcast or raining. In the thick woods of the Northeast, it handled the vegetation with no problem, with the precise electronics and aiming system allowing me to accurately range trees and passing deer instead of limbs and leaves. Leupold has this nailed down tight.
With an MSRP of $649.99, the Leupold RX-2800 TBR/W offers more features than any hunter will probably need, and more is better. It’s simple to use, wonderful to carry and rugged as you’d want. Our hunting/shooting technology continues to improve, and if you feel it’s time for a rangefinder upgrade, look no further than the RX-2800 TBR/W.
For more information on the Leupold RX-2800 TBR/W, please visit: www.leupold.com/.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the November 2018 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
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