Experiences with the Leupold Vendetta RangeFinder

[chicago]

Quick summary, once you buy the picatinny adapter, and fight with the Leupold side of the mounting, it works great! I luv it. If you are wondering about the fight, read the longer version below. You should come in around $260 total if you shop around. Amazon without the additional picatinny mount was $259 Leupold's list price is $379!.


Long version:
Here's exactly what I did. The Leupold Vendetta (which I purchased on e-bay from a 100% rated seller - big archery place - lowest price was $208 shipped), only comes with, what everyone will know as a long bow, not a crossbow mount or picatinny mount . I've seen a lot of video with them mount on crossbows and was hoping that maybe I was wrong, they included it; but, I was game to try a gludge if there wasn't a mount like that included.

They do show them mounted to crossbows and even have warning in their manual (yes an actual manual!) about the safety precautions on mounting the range finder too close to the crossbow safety!

Well, as my luck would have it, the anodizing (in my opinion) was too thick and the bow mount parts would not even mount to each other. I always dry fit all the parts once before mounting. OCD I guess.

So, I went online at leupold to see technical manuals and supposed mounting videos. None of those links worked. So, I sent them a nice email (not a nasty "you don't know what you are doing email.") And asked for help; let them know their website links in the ops manual didn't work anymore; did they have a recall cause their own parts didn't seem to fit together properly in their recommended configuration; and, where could I buy this elusive picatinny mount for/from Leupold. No response. Sent another query again after no response (another a week later just in case my email works with everyone but Leupold - in this case I used their on line technical support embedded email query tool).

About two weeks later, I learned they had a facebook site. Everything there was "glowing." So, I simply asked leupold why they weren't responding to my inquiries. And, was there a different email I could use to tell them my problem. Well it was maybe another two weeks and I got a facebook message saying "that wasn't the proper place to ask support questions that they did not appreciate a negative response about their products or service." and, they gave me their standard 1-800 number as I recall. I haven't gone back to their facebook page; but, I'll bet they deleted my less than "glowing" post!

I only tell you all this because the many reviews of the Leupold Vendetta I read on multiple sites always had one or two complaints. The users seem to love the products esp. the Vendetta; but, there was no technical support. One guy said he broke his mount trying to get it on and they wouldn't even sell him a replacement.

So, I quickly jumped on line and purchased the additional picatinny mount for $50 shipped. It still didn't mount easily (not the picatinny part) the piece that seems somehow permanently attached to the rangefinder piece. So used one of their screws and slowly and gently forced the mouth open a little and then slid it down over the picatinny mount. It worked great. Vendetta is still fully adjustable in any direction. Would highly recommend getting what they call the "crossbow" mount.

Now with the vendetta mounted, I just aim thru my sight, push the remote (wired) button and the correct yardage appears (used and 240 foot outdoor tape measure to verify distances). I luv it.

[mercenary]

Thanks for the intel!

Do you have some pics?

[chicago]

Not real good ones, but here's one of it mounted:

Front view:


Side view:


Back. Shooter's view:

[trinity]

I think it would be helpful to have a link to the place where you ordered the picatinny rail and a catalog or description so someone can order the correct part.

[chicago]

Fuddlebuck's : stores.ebay.com/fuddlebucks-Putting-You-on-Target?_rdc=1 is where I got the Leupold Vendetta.

S10-mayhem is where I got the picatinny part : www.ebay.com/sch/s-10mayhem/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=25&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2654

Don't know if there are exact part numbers from this people.

Edit:
I did find the part number for the actual vendetta: leupold.com/hunting-shooting/rangefinders/vendetta-bow-rangefinder/vendetta-archery-rangefinder/

[mercenary]

Thanks!

A few Questions:

It say there: Maximum Range: 70 yd / 64 m

Can you tell me if this is correct? Is it not to short for the Longrange shots?

Does it work properly in bright conditions? When the Target is in sunlight for example?

[chicago]

To be honest, I have just gotten mine too. So, I don't have years, not even months of experience. As far as sun, I'm sure the infrared beams work the same on most rangefinders else golfers would be really upset on bright days.

What I got it for was the huge LED (light emitting diode display) and the fact that it wasn't a separate device to carry and have to see thru my mask (the small displays and eye reliefs that most range finders have). I look thru my scope, squeeze the rangefinder, and adjust my optimizer. Now, that's where my first strike round is going (unless there's a giant gust of wind - which has happened to me, you can actually see the round through your scope curve away at the last moment before impact).

This is cutting edge stuff for paintball players and at the high end. I just answered someone over on the Tiberius forum about eoTechs. He was hoping for something under $100. It all depends on your play and what you want and without sounding boastful, your skill level.

Remember, the total range of a first strike is like 178 yards. So, this rangefinder is like 100 yard (roughly 100 meters short of max.). But, between you and me, there aren't that many shots at that distance and there are even less hits! This kinda covers my paintball playing and most players paintball range. Mine said in the manual 75 yards and the HHA optimizer that preciously raises/tilts my scope is only good to 80. So, I think I got most play covered. That's when you bring in the adjustable riser if you got one you can trust (I like the old killjoys).

[avengingangel]

Oh Chicago!

[chicago]

Finally, got around to setting up the leupold to the manufacturer's spec. In a previous CCM post I mentioned maybe two days ago that the Leupold didn't register after 40 yards but, I'd never zeroed it so it. well yesterday, in the freezing cold, I had their special target with the grid on where the laser should hit. Setup at 20 yards (as instructed). now it works out to at least 60 yards. I know that because of tape measurements and I was also trying the set up the optimizer (which instructs me to setup at 60. And, I used the range finder at that distance and now it too said 61!

BTW, the tiny red dot laser the Vendetta uses to align, well, it is a small dot at hand length away but become a big blurry distorted thing at 20 yards on target. But, it got the job done.

[mercenary]

Can you do me a favor? Can you test if the rangefinder will correctly work on different surfaces as f.e. Trees, Rocks, grass and so on...

Thanks

[chicago]

I've done it on trees, lightly painted walls, and a person wearing a hoodie so far (in extremely bright light to dim light. Next time I'm out, I'll do rocks and grass for you. Oh, I did a shed and a fence post (rail fence) too. All the stuff I mentioned so far worked fine.

BTW, it doesn't work at ranges closer than 10 yards that's why all my pix of this beast only show two bars across the display. Think of that whole display with crisp numbers! Just is awesome.

If you are looking for any draw backs, I seen only one thing you have to fight with. The rangefinder can move in any direction which is good and bad for sighting in. Because if you watch after you've got it where you want it and tighten it; it tends to move as you tighten it down. So you need to recheck and possible rezero it. We had to do it about four or five times to get it aligned and tightened properly! Plus the laser that is only used to align it is either terrible focused, intentional, or I got something on its lens!

[mercenary]

sounds GOOD!

[chicago]

Sorry, Mercenary, I took the beast out yesterday (it wasn't raining and had poked above the freezing mark), to fine adjust the velocity and then my optimiser. But, I forgot to check the rocks and grass...will do it soon. So, "what's in the post for me" you say. Well, I'll tell you.

I appears that with all my moving things and adjusting things, that the Vendetta held zero. I had bumped it a couple of time and one time the marker fail over on it. One time I even used it as leverage trying to pry something else loose.

If you'll remember, in the beginning, I wasn't getting a read out past 40 meters for objects in my sight before I followed Leupold's instructions on zeroing the rangefinder with your cross hairs. Yesterday, I went out to 60 yards and it held true still. So, that concern seems out of the way!

So, that's another good thing to report (oh! and it works on Black targets with white backgrounds at that distance. I use the kinda of target that shows a hit in orange so I can keep shooting and adjusting without moving up to the target every shot to figure out where it hit exactly).

[chicago]

Took out the SR1 again today, with the vendetta. The rangefinder worked on rocks, that was a question raised and it kinda worked on grass. That is to say, point down at grass doesn't seem to be an exact science. The tree said it was 37 yards away; then pointed at the grass in front of it thru my scope and it said it was 35, then as I moved a little, it said it was 37, then 36. It's kinda of hard when all you can see thru your scope is grass. You don't know exactly where you are pointing. i hope this made some sense.

However, everything else is still dead on accurate and I've given up using a tape measure to verify it.

[chicago]

ABORT, ABORT! Giant thunderstorm over me right now and on Doppler, it looks like Millington where Fox River Games is too. So Chicago will be a no show today. And, I'm not going to put my new SR1 setup through the rain and lightning. Although I'd like to know what the rangefinder will do!

Sounds like the thunder and lightning is right overhead. And cue the heavy down pour! May loose power at any moment!

edit:

Call me a pussy, but I don't play in a hailstorm.

[avengingangel]

Damn, the sun is starting to come out again. R U sure you won't make the field today? I'll check with my dad and see if he wants to go out now.

[DJmatt123]

What's wrong with playing in a hail storm? I get that feeling when ever I try to take on a whole group of guys while I'm laying in the open with no cover and they can't seem to hear me yelling out "hit" over the sound of their loud ***, 20 bps guns......