Main Menu
One of my pet-peeves with rangefinders has always been that the manufacturers are always trying to cram more features and options into them, and all they ever seem to accomplish is to make them more aggravating and difficult to use. Trying to remember how to change this or adjust that in the field is next to impossible when the menu system isn’t intuitive and user friendly. Sadly the RX800i/TBR falls into this category – as do most other higher end rangefinders these days.
The menu system is a hassle – plain and simple. We all know that it’s impossible to have a Apple-worthy user interface when you only have two buttons and a limited display area to work in, but on a unit with this many different features and options it really needs more than two buttons and more descriptive display icons.
As it is, you will probably have to go through the RX800i/TBR’s various menus and settings several times to properly set everything up the way you want it. Once you get it configured it stays that way, but do not lose the owner’s manual. You will need it when bow season ends and you want to switch it over to rifle mode, or when your electronically challenged hunting buddy tries to figure it out and scrambles all your settings, or when it’s time to replace the battery and you have to reset everything.
Simply put, one shouldn’t need to take a refresher course every time they want to adjust the features and settings on their rangefinder.
Once configured however the RX-800i/TBR is an accurate and easy to use rangefinder for a long-range hunter or marksman. It proved to be extremely accurate at all distances tested within the range it’s rated for, and its ‘point and shoot’ interface is incredibly easy to use once you get it set up.
The RX-800i/TBR’s high magnification and small exit pupil mean that it takes a hair longer to line up on target than a lower-magnification rangefinder, but these fairly minor drawbacks seem to be worth it when you’re lasing something at 600-800 yards. If you haven’t done much rangefinding, it can be surprising just how far 600 yards is.
If you need a rangefinder that gets the job done in rain or shine out to 800 yards, can compensate for uphill and downhill shooting, and an overly complex and cryptic menu system don’t scare you then the RX-800i/TBR is highly recommended. Even with the burdensome menu it’s still a highly functional unit at a very reasonable price.
Rate this article