BushnellEngage Hunting Laser Rangefinder

This review is on the Bushnell ENGAGE LE1300SBL Laser Rangefinder, which is the NEW version - mine was made in May 2019. If you look elsewhere, or for reviews, you will probably find the Bushnell PRIME LP1300SBL 1300 Laser Rangefinder --which is the older model. I did not find many differences..The optics appear as they claim to my eyes: very bright and very sharp. The LCD information screen is typical: under most situations readable and fine, but in shadowed areas a little hard to see--but usable..The accuracy is significantly better than my 4 YO Leupold TBR Laser Rangefinder (expensive), but that may be to better technology. This rangefinder gives you consistently accurate readings while in the ARC Mode (angle range compensation), which is on the LCD screen just below the line of sight distance, out to the 40 yards I have verified (that I know the angular distance from Stands and the line-of-sight distance. I also checked it against measured targets at 15 yards, 25 yards, 30 yards, 40 yards, 220 yards, and 470 yards (that have been ranged by multiple devices and different people). This range finder was dead on, and never misread the distance as long as the "bulls eye" or "brush" setting was correct--very nice job here. I assume that it will work great out to their "claimed" 600 yards for deer (See Picture Diagram)..It is all black, but dull, excepting the 2 front lenses--I added camo the wrap to the front. It is smaller than other rangefinders I have used, but fits comfortably in your hand--nice job with that. It had only 2 buttons, so once it is setup, it's fast to use..However, setting it up is an issue. Ditto with the "instructions.".The only usable instructions were how to attach the lanyard, and the FTC statement. There was NO user manual. The 2 pages of paper had only this information in several languages. The small "user" card was basically an advertisement of features. This must be a sick joke . . ..I found a Bushnell manual online for the older model (Bushnell Prime LP1300SBL) and was able to put together enough information to set up the menus. This PDF Bushnell manual is confusing; poorly organized; and, had images / captions in poor relationships. They really need to have a Technical Writer overhaul their manuals and put some emphasis on "logical and clarity". . . ..The 2 PRIMARY settings you'll need to adjust are marked with the Red and Green Boxes in my Picture..If you can manage to get these settings the way you want them, you'll be good to go for most bow hunting and rifle-hunting situations:.Angle Range Compensation Modes : • Bow Mode • Rifle Mode.Targeting Modes: • BullsEye Mode • Brush Mode.Overall, this was a good purchase. I looked at all of the Rangefinders under $200 (including the Vortex Optics Impact 850--and I really like Vortex optics), and I think I made a good choice. The Optics and Technology is there in this Newer Bushnell Rangefinder, but user-friendly instruction is sorely missing. . . It will be a pleasure to use in the field.______________If you want to use their Ballistic-table values, the list of calibers is minimal:Bushnell's list of Popular Caliber & Load Combinations:Federal Cartridge.224 dia. 22-250 Rem, 55 gr. Bear Claw at 3600 fps GFederal Cartridge.224 dia. 22-250 Rem, 60 gr. Partition at 3500 fps FRemington Arms .224 dia. 22-250 Remington Arms , 50 gr. V-Max at 3725 FPS HRemington Arms .224 dia. 22-250 Remington Arms , 55 gr. PSP at 3680 FPS GWinchester .224 dia. 22-250 Rem, 55 gr. Ballistic Silvertip at 3680 FPS HWinchester .224 dia. 22-250 Rem, 55 gr. PSP at 3680 FPS GFederal Cartridge .277 dia. 270 Win, 150 gr. Ballistic Tip at 3060 fps FFederal Cartridge .277 dia. 270 Win, 150 gr. Partition at 3000 fps FRemington Arms .277 dia. 270 Win, 140 gr. PSPCL Ultra at 2925 FPS ERemington Arms .277 dia. 270 Win, 150 gr. SPCL at 2850 FPS DWinchester .277 dia. 270 Win, 150 gr. Partition Gold at 2930 FPS EWinchester .277 dia. 270 Win, 150 gr. PP-Plus at 2950 FPS EFederal Cartridge .308 dia. 30-06 Spring, 180 gr. AccuBond at 2700 FPS DFederal Cartridge .308 dia. 30-06 Spring, 180 gr. Bear Claw at 2700 FPS DRemington Arms .308 dia. 30-06 Springfield, 180 gr. A-Frame at 2700 FPS DRemington Arms .308 dia. 30-06 Springfield, 180 gr. BRPT at 2700 FPS DWinchester .308 dia. 30-06 Sprg, 180 gr. FailSafe at 2700 FPS DWinchester .308 dia. 30-06 Sprg, 180 gr. Partition Gold at 2750 FPS DFederal Cartridge.308 dia. 300 WSM, 180 gr. AccuBond at 2960 fps FFederal Cartridge.308 dia. 300 WSM, 180 gr. Bear Claw at 3025 fps FWinchester .308 dia. 300 WSM, 180 gr. Ballistic Silver Tip at 3010 FPS FWinchester .308 dia. 300 WSM, 180 gr. Fail Safe at 2970 FPS FRemington Arms .308 dia. 300 R.S.A.U.M., 180 gr. PSPCL Ultra at 2960 FPS ERemington Arms .308 dia. 300 Wby Mag, 180 gr. PSPCL at 3120 FPS F

I wish I had taken the plunge years ago! This thing is amazing!The optics are crisp and clear, the information easy to read in all light conditions. Push one button to turn it on, sight on something, push and release the power button to get your reading. Press the other button to reset for another target. It doesn't get any easier to use.It's feather light, and fits perfectly in the inlcuded pouch.I have used it at both 20F and 60F and not noticed any issues with the optics.Definitely worth the money.

Used to range targets and was AccuWeather. Used on one hunting trip for antelope so far and it proved reliable.

Love this range finder, i take it too the woods with me and unlike other rangefinders I’ve had before this one doesn’t get false reading when in thick brush or woods. I can still see through it when it is hitting dark hours. Love this product! Great value for the price, it’s also not too big and easy to tote around.

Nice and good value

Easy to use, good optics.

This is a great range finder for the cost! It is very clear. I did not have any issues seeing the text. I didn't experience any issues others have expressed. The range accuracy is better than +/- <2yds out to 60 yards. This is great for any bow hunter. I haven't been able to confirm any long distance, but my confidence is high! Very bright image at dawn and dusk. The angle compensation is fantastic for the terrain I hunt. I would recommend to good friends.

Some of my neighbors have been concerned about trees potentially falling and hitting their house. But these are very tall trees, so it's difficult to estimate whether a tree could potentially hit or not. I used this to measure the tree from the base to the top, and then measured the distance from the base to the nearest house. That gives me definitive answers. Previously I have used a laser-based ruler, which is very accurate. But this rangefinder goes in huge steps of 1m or 1 yard, depending on which camp you're in. It's good enough for measuring tall trees.