Bushnell Cabela's VLR II User manual

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Literature #: 98-1258/07-08
by
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Your CABELA’S VLR II by BUSHNELL®is a precision instrument designed to provide many years of
enjoyment. This booklet will help you achieve optimum performance by explaining its adjustments
and features as well as how to care for this precise laser rangefinding instrument. To ensure optimal
performance and longevity, please read these instructions before using your Cabela’s VLR II.
The Cabela’s VLR II by Bushnell features ARC (Angle Range Compensation) which compensates for
extreme up and down angle, providing bow-hunters true distance range from 5-99 yards. The vertical
unit is small enough to fit in your hand and in a shirt pocket and delivers instantaneous distance readings
from 5 yard minimum all the way to 999 yards on reflective objects (300 yards on deer sized animals
and 600 yards to trees) with extreme +/- One yard accuracy.
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HOW IT WORKS
The Cabela’s VLR II by Bushnell emits invisible, eye safe, infrared energy pulses. The Advanced Digital
microprocessor and ASIC chip (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) results in instantaneous and
accurate readings every time. Sophisticated digital technology instantaneously calculates distances by
measuring the time it takes for each pulse to travel from the rangefinder, to the target, and back.
RANGING ACCURACY
The ranging accuracy of the VLR II is plus or minus one yard / meter under most circumstances. The
maximum range of the instrument depends on the reflectivity of the target. The maximum distance for
most objects is 600 yards / 549 meters while for highly reflective objects the maximum is 999 yards /
914 meters. Note: You will get both longer and shorter maximum distances depending on the reflective
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properties of the particular target and the environmental conditions at the time the distance of an object
is being measured.
The color, surface finish, size and shape of the target all affect reflectivity and range. The brighter the
color, the longer the range. White is highly reflective, for example, and allows longer ranges than the
color black, which is the least reflective color. A shiny finish provides more range than a dull one. A small
target is more difficult to range than a larger target. The angle to the target also has an effect. Shooting to
a target at a 90 degree angle (where the target surface is perpendicular to the flight path of the emitted
energy pulses) provides good range while a steep angle on the other hand, provides limited ranging. In
addition, lighting conditions (e.g. the amount of sunlight) will affect the ranging capabilities of the unit.
The less light (e.g. overcast skies) the farther the unit’s maximum range will be. Conversely, very sunny
days will decrease the unit’s maximum range.
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GETTING STARTED
INSERTING THE BATTERY
Remove the battery cap with a coin by rotating the cap counter clockwise and insert a 3-volt lithium
battery into the compartment positive end first, then replace the battery cap.
NOTE: It is recommended that the battery be replaced at least once every 12 months.
Low Battery Indicator: If the “ ” is displayed within the in-view readout, this means “low battery” or
battery charge is getting low and the 3-volt lithium battery should be replaced.
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OPEN
ClOsE
WidE ENd Of BattEry CaP
NarrOW ENd Of BattEry CaP
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ADJUSTING THE EYEPIECE
Your VLR II is constructed with an adjustable eyepiece (+/- 2 Diopter Adjustment) that allows one to focus
the LCD display relative to the image. For users without eyeglasses, simply rotate the eyepiece until the
reticle and object distanced to are in focus to your eye. If you wear glasses, place the eyepiece up to
your glasses and rotate the eyepiece until the reticle and object distanced to are in focus to your eye.
OPERATIONAL SUMMARY
While looking through the 5x eyepiece, depress the power button once to activate the in-view Liquid
Crystal Display (LCD). Place the aiming circle (located in the center of the field of view) upon a target at
least 5 yards away, depress and hold the power button down until the range reading is displayed near
the bottom of the in-view display. Crosshairs surrounding the aiming circle indicate that the laser is
being transmitted. Once a range has been acquired, you can release the power button. The crosshairs
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surrounding the aiming circle will disappear once the power button has been released (i.e. the laser is no
longer being transmitted). Note: Once activated, the LCD will remain active and display the last distance
measurement for 30 seconds. You can depress the power button again at any time to distance to a new
target. As with any laser device, it is not recommended to directly view the emissions for long periods of
time with magnified lenses. The maximum time the laser is transmitted (fired) is 10 seconds. To re-fire,
press the button down again.
OPTICAL DESIGN
Magnification and Coatings
The VLR II features 5x magnification and fully coated optics. A liquid crystal display (LCD) is mounted
within the optical system and when activated, displays a reticle for targeting and a yards indicator.
Inherent in the manufacturing process are small black spots that appear in the optical system. These are
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a natural characteristic of the LCD and cannot be fully eliminated in the manufacturing process. They
do not affect the distancing performance of the unit.
LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY (LCD) INDICATORS
Your VLR II LCD incorporates illuminated indicators that advise the user unit of measure, when the laser
is actively firing, when a target has been acquired, BullsEye™ targeting mode, and Bow mode.
A summary of these features is presented below:
UNIT OF MEASURE OPTIONS
The VLR II provides distance in yards (indicated within the LCD to right of the main distance readout
as Y).
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ACTIVE LASER
Crosshairs surrounding the aiming circle indicate that the laser is being
transmitted. Once a range has been acquired, you can release the power
button. The crosshairs surrounding the circle will disappear once the power
button has been released (i.e. the laser is no longer being transmitted).
BullsEye™ (LCD Indicator - )
The VLR II was especially designed with hunters in mind and will always function with BullsEye mode on.
This advanced mode allows easy acquisition of small targets and game without inadvertently getting
distances to background targets that have stronger signal strength. When
more than one object has been acquired, distance of the closer object will be
displayed and a crosshair will surround the BullsEye™ indicator informing the
user that distance to the closer object is being displayed in the LCD.
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Press the POWER button to turn the unit on. Next, align the aiming circle
onto the object (i.e. deer) that you want distance to. Next, press and hold
the POWER button and move the laser slowly over the deer until crosshairs
surround the BullsEye indicator. If the laser beam recognized more than one
object (i.e. deer and background trees), distance of the closer object (i.e.
deer) will be displayed and crosshairs will surround the BullsEye indicator
informing the user that distance to the closer object is being displayed in the
LCD (Figure 1). There may be times when only the laser beam only sees one
object in its path. In this case, the distance will be displayed, but because
more than one object was not acquired, crosshairs will not surround the
BullsEye indicator. Figure 1
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TIP: While pressing the POWER button, you can move (SCAN) the device slowly from object to object
and intentionally force the laser to hit multiple objects to ensure that you are only displaying the closest
of the objects recognized by the laser.
ARC Angle Range Compensation): In addition to all of the features described above, the VLR II is an
advanced premium laser rangefinder featuring a built-in accelerometer-based inclinometer that digitally
displays the exact angle from -60 to +60 degrees of elevation and is +/- 1.0 degree accurate.
The Cabela’s VLR II by Bushnell®solves a problem bow-hunters have been faced with for years. The
problem: Bow-hunters have struggled with extreme uphill and downhill angles because of how these
angles alter true horizontal distance to your target. The Solution: VLR II’s integrated inclinometer provides
elevation angle to allow for distance compensation when targeting objects that are either uphill or
downhill.
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Bow Mode ( ): Displays line of sight distance, degree of elevation, and true distance range from
5-99 yards / meters and a maximum inclination of +/- 60°.
Once the range is displayed, continue to hold the POWER button down for approximately 2 seconds
while holding the aiming circle on the object and keeping the unit as steady as possible so as to allow the
inclinometer enough time to measure angle. Then release the POWER button. Once you have released
the power button, a degree of angle and compensated range will be displayed beneath the line of sight
distance as seen in the images below.
BOW MODE EXAMPLE
Line of sight is 32 yards, angle is -44 degrees, and the Angle Range Compensated distance is 23 yards.
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The “ ” means “play” or “shoot as,” so instead of shooting as 32 yards, shoot as 23 yards. If you were
to shoot as if 32 yards, you would shoot over the top of the deer because of the severe angle.
The line of sight distance will display in the primary numeric display and the inclination and horizontal
distance will display in the secondary numeric displays. Bushnell determined through extensive testing and
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interviews with high-profile bow hunting experts that multiple bow ballistic groups were not necessary.
Bow-hunters want to know true horizontal distance because that is how they practice shooting, and once
they confidently know that, they can make any necessary adjustments. Giving the bow-hunter anything
else other than horizontal distance creates additional confusion and uncertainty.
Many people mistakenly believe that uphill shots perform differently from downhill shots because of
gravity. However, it is not due to gravity, but more of an aberration of the sighting system used on bows.
The sighting pin on a bow resides several inches above the mechanical axis of the arrow. For example,
when one is aiming 23 degrees up an incline, the arrow is at a different angle.
NOTE: We simply took the most commonly used features and included them all in a simple to use, one
button operation device. This laser rangefinder always functions in yards unit of measure, BullsEye™
Targeting Mode, and Bow mode.
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SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions: Pocket Size Vertical Design, measuring 2.8 x 4.2 x 1.5 inches
Weight: 6.6 oz.
Accuracy: +/- 1 yard
Magnification: 5x
Built-In Inclinometer
VLR II Technology provides bow-hunters ANGLE RANGE COMPENSATION from 5-99 yards
Power Source: 3- volt lithium battery included
FOV: 320 ft. @ 1000 yards
Total Eye Relief: 21mm
Exit Pupil: 4 mm
Water resistant
BullsEye Mode
5-yard minimum, 999 yards to a reflective target, 300 yards to a deer, 600 yards to a tree
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CLEANING
Gently blow away any dust or debris on the lenses (or use a soft lens brush). To remove dirt or fingerprints,
clean with a soft cotton cloth, rubbing in a circular motion. Use of a coarse cloth or unnecessary rubbing
may scratch the lens surface and eventually cause permanent damage. For a more thorough cleaning,
photographic lens tissue and photographic-type lens cleaning fluid or isopropyl alcohol may be used.
Always apply the fluid to the cleaning cloth - never directly on the lens.
TROUBLE SHOOTING TABLE
If unit does not turn on - LCD does not illuminate:
• DepressPOWERbutton.
• Checkandifnecessary,replacebattery.
If unit powers down (display goes blank when attempting to power the laser):
•Thebatteryiseitherweakorlowquality.Replacethebatterywithagoodquality
3 -volt lithium battery.
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If target range cannot be obtained:
•MakesureLCDisilluminated.
•Makesurethatthepowerbuttonisbeingdepressed.
•Makesurethatnothing,suchasyourhandornger,isblockingtheobjectivelenses(lensesclosestto
the target) that emit and receive the laser pulses.
•Makesureunitisheldsteadywhiledepressingpowerbutton.
NOTE:The last range reading does not need to be cleared before ranging another target. Simply aim at the
new target using the LCD’s reticle, depress the power button and hold until new range reading is displayed.
Specifications, instructions, and the operation of these products are subject to change without notice.
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FCC NOTE
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant
to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful
interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency
energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference
to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which
can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorientorrelocatethereceivingantenna.
• Increasetheseparationbetweentheequipmentandreceiver.
• Connecttheequipmentintoanoutletonacircuitdifferentfromthattowhichthereceiver
is connected.
• Consultthedealeroranexperiencedradio/TVtechnicianforhelp.
Shielded interface cable must be used with the equipment in order to comply with the limits for a
digital device pursuant to Subpart B of Part 15 of FCC Rules.
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