Vortex Ranger 1000 User manual

1
The Vortex Ranger 1000 is an extremely effective angle-
compensated laser rangefinder intended for both archer and
rifle shooter. Using the primary HCD (Horizontal Component
Distance) mode, the Ranger 1000 provides the key angle
compensated range information required by the vast majority
of rifle and bow shooters in a simple, quick to read display.
The Ranger 1000 also provides
LOS (Line of Sight) mode and
Scan feature along with
adjustments for reading in
yards or meters and setting
the brightness of the display.
THE RANGER 1000 RANGEFINDER
Please be sure to read entire manual prior to using the Ranger 1000.
1

2 3
2 3
Loop Lanyard
through Attachment
Sockets
Measure Button
Adjust
Focus with
Eyecup
Battery
Compartment
Utility Clip
(Attaches to Either Side)
Menu Button
BASIC OPERATION
Install Battery
Open the battery
compartment and
install the CR2 battery
included with the
Ranger 1000.
Power Up
With the battery installed, the Ranger 1000 is in a Ready
Condition—the normal power-off condition when not ranging. To
power up the Ranger 1000 from Ready Condition
and prepare for ranging, press and release the
Measure button. The HCD or LOS ranging
screen will display. The Ranger 1000 will power
down automatically after ten seconds of non-use.
Turn the eyecup in or out until image is sharp.
Tripod
Socket
Battery
Power Indicator
Remove battery
compartment cover.
Install battery with
positive side facing
outwards.
+
–
Focus

4 5
Mode Selection
Ranger is factory set to HCD mode, yard, and
medium brightness. For most users, these will
be the preferred settings.
To change modes, after the Ranger is powered
up activate the Mode Selection by pressing and
holding the Menu button for at least four seconds. This must
be done when the crosshair is not displayed on the screen.
Once the Mode Selection screen displays, release the button.
As you progress through Mode Selection, you may exit at
any time and save your
settings by pressing
and holding the Menu
button for at least four
seconds—the Ranger will
then return to power-up
condition.
4 5
Set and Save Mode Selections in 3 Steps
Step 1 — Choose between the HCD and LOS Modes
After activating the Mode
Selection, press the Measure
button to toggle between the
HCD and LOS displays. Press
the Menu button to save your
desired choice and move to the
Yards/Meters selection screen.
Step 2 — Choose betweenYards and Meters Display
Press the Measure button
to toggle between the Yards
and Meters display. Press the
Menu button to save your
desired choice and move
to the Brightness selection
screen.
Mode Selection
Display
Use the Measure
button to toggle
through each
Mode Selection
option.
Use the Menu
button to activate
the Mode
Selection displays.
Choose Between HCD and LOS
Choose Between Yards and Meters

6 7
Ranging
With the Ranger 1000 powered up, activate Ranging by pressing and
releasing the Measure button—a crosshair will appear in the display.
Position the crosshair on the target object and press and release the
Measure button again to get the distance measurement. If the laser
is not able to range due to the reflectivity of the target, you will see
a display similar to that shown here. To
range a new target, simply re-aim and
press the Measure button again.
Scan Ranging
With the Ranger powered up, activate Scan Ranging by pressing
and holding the Measure button down.
A blinking crosshair indicates Scan
Ranging is activated. By keeping the
button depressed, the Ranger will now
continuously measure distance as you pan
the crosshair back and forth across target
objects. Releasing Measure button will
return laser to the Power Up Condition.
Step 3 — Choose the Brightness Setting
The Ranger 1000 provides three illumination settings. Press
the Measure button to toggle through the three Brightness
settings. Press the Menu button to save your desired setting
and move back to HCD/LOS selection screen.
Set and Save Mode Selections in 3 Steps
To exit Mode Selection and save settings, press and hold
the Menu button for four seconds. Settings will also save
when Ranger powers down automatically.
Choose Between One of Three Brightness Settings
No
Reflectivity
Displayed
HCD
DISPLAY
LOS
DISPLAY

The displayed HCD yardage number is corrected for shot angle
and needs no extra user input; shooters simply use the appropriate
level ground bullet drop and
wind adjustment for the
range displayed and shoot.
Archers use the appropriate
level ground sight pin for the
range displayed and shoot.
HCD Mode
The Ranger 1000 provides two range modes: HCD (Horizontal
Component Distance) and LOS (Line of Sight). Both modes
offer a Scan feature.
Using the HCD Mode
Use the HCD range mode in the following situations:
• Rifle shooting on level ground at any range.
• Rifle shooting out to ranges of 800 yards with mild slopes
(less than 15 degrees).
• Rifle shooting out to ranges of 400 yards with moderate
slopes (15 to 30 degrees).
• For all archery shooting.
RANGING MODE EXPLANATIONS
8 9
500 Yard Line of Sight
Horizontal Component Distance
385 Yards
The Ranger 1000’s HCD range display is intended to be the
primary mode—used for most all rifle and archery shooting
conditions. The yardage number displayed is the critical
horizontal component distance.
Use 525 yard level
ground drop data to
make shot.
Note: See LOS mode, page 13, for method of reading slope degree.

10 11
LOS Mode
The Ranger 1000’s LOS (Line of Sight)
mode is specialized for rifle shooters who
are using slope correcting ballistic drop data
cards, ballistic cell phone applications, or
PDAs with ballistic programs and who are
shooting at distances beyond 500 yards and
with slopes greater than 15 degrees (INC
readings of 97 or less). Most shooters and archers will not need to
use LOS mode.
The range number displayed in LOS mode is the actual
line of sight range with no ballistic correction for slope.
Most of the commonly used ballistic devices can provide
independent slope correction for bullet drop data and require
actual line of sight range input. Using the LOS range when
calculating bullet wind drifts under these steep slope/long
range conditions will provide a higher degree of accuracy
than using the HCD range.
To use, simply input the LOS range number into the electronic
device or use the LOS range when referencing ballistic drop
cards with slope correction.
LRBC Field Card
Slope Drop
Columns
Ruger 77 .300 Win Mag / BH 190 HPBT
Ballistic Coefficient: 0.27
Muzzle Velocity: 2950
5000 / 59
Incline 0 10 20 30 40
100
200
300
400
500
550
600
650
700
750
800
850
900
950
1000
0.5
1.0
1.6
2.2
2.8
3.1
3.5
3.8
4.1
4.5
4.9
5.3
5.7
6.1
6.5
1.3
0.0
2.0
4.3
6.9
8.3
9.7
11.2
12.7
14.3
16.0
17.8
19.6
21.6
23.6
1.4
0.1
1.9
4.2
6.7
8.1
9.5
10.9
12.5
14.1
15.7
17.5
19.3
21.2
23.2
1.5
0.2
1.6
3.8
6.2
7.5
8.8
10.2
11.7
13.2
14.8
16.4
18.2
20.0
21.9
1.6
0.5
1.2
3.2
5.4
6.5
7.8
9.1
10.4
11.8
13.3
14.8
16.4
18.1
19.8
1.8
1.0
0.5
2.3
4.2
5.3
6.3
7.5
8.7
9.9
11.2
12.5
14.0
15.4
17.0
w d d d d d
*Powered by GSeven.com
w = Wind
d = Drop
LOS Range
INC
You can generate your
own slope-correcting drop
data card for your favorite
rifle and load. Go to the
free Long Range Ballistic
Calculator (LRBC) on
vortexoptics.com .

12 13
When in LOS mode, an additional number
is displayed below the yardage number.
This number is an incline (INC) percentage
correction number based on angle cosine.
If the ballistic program, cellphone application,
or drop data card being used to calculate bullet drop does not
correct drop data for slope angle, the INC number can be used to
adjust bullet drop data—compensating this data for slope angle.
To do this, shooters will need to reference their level ground
bullet drop data for the LOS range displayed, and then multiply
that drop data number by the incline percentage number (INC)
to get the actual holdover for the angled shot.
Reading the Slope Angle
If an actual slope angle in
degrees is desired, use the
included Ranger 1000 Field
Reference Card to cross-
reference INC readings to slope
angles. Slope degrees are listed
on the bottom of the card.
Using the INC drop data adjustment technique will provide
acceptable hunting accuracy at these ranges:
• Out to 900 yards with slopes less than 30 degrees
(INC reading greater than 87).
• Out to 500 yards with slopes in excess of 30 degrees
(INC reading less than 87).
For demanding shooters, this technique provides a higher degree
of accuracy for long distance/steep slope shots than simply using
the HCD range and applicable bullet drop number.
Level Ground Drop Data x INC Percentage = Sloped Ground Drop Data
A two-sided (MOA or MRAD) Field Reference Card to help with these
calculations is included with the Ranger 1000. Due to space limitations
on the card, some INC Readings and Drop Data increments will fall
between the listed increments—some interpolation may be required.
INC Percentage
87.4
LOS Mode – Using the INC Number

600 Yard Line of Sight
Scan Feature
The Scan feature can be used to range moving targets or help
range smaller targets on uniform backgrounds in either HCD
or LOS modes. Once powered up, press and hold the Measure
button and scan laser back and forth, watching for changes in the
yardage number as crosshairs move across the target object. A
blinking crosshair indicates Scan Ranging is activated.
14 15
Using the INC
LOS/INC Drop Data Adjustment Technique Example
You have a shot at a ram on a ledge. In LOS mode, you range him
at 600 yards with an INC reading of 93 (22 degree slope). You
know the bullet in your .300 WinMag cartridge will drop 10 MOA
at 600 yards on level ground. To compensate for this angled shot,
use the formula below or consult your Field Reference Card.
Example:
10 MOA x 93% (.93) = 9 1/4 MOA
To make this angled 600 yard shot, use a drop adjust of 9 1/4 MOA.
Scanning to get range:
Scan back and forth, watching for yardage to display.

16 17
RANGEFINDING T IPS
Laser Performance Tips
Laser rangefinders work by emitting a brief pulse of light aimed
at a target object. Distance is determined by the amount of
time taken for the light to emit and return to the laser’s internal
receiver. A laser’s ability to read range can be affected by many
things—mostly relating to the target objects. Under ideal
conditions, the Ranger can be expected to range a large reflective
object out to 1000 yards and deer-sized game out to 500 yards.
Using a tripod to steady the rangefinder can increase your ability
to range small targets at longer distances. If the Ranger 1000 is
used on a tripod, the reticle may appear tilted—depending on
tripod level.
Tripod Use for Ranging
• Light colors will usually reflect the laser pulse better than dark
ones. An exception would be snow, which can be difficult to range.
• Shiny, reflective surfaces will usually reflect the laser pulse better
than dull, textured surfaces. Animal hair will not reflect as well as a
hard surface.
• Ranging while under cloud cover can improve laser performance
compared to ranging while under bright sunny conditions.
• Solid objects, such as rock piles, will reflect the laser pulse better
than less dense items such as bushes.
• Flat surfaces perpendicular to the laser pulse will reflect better
than curved surfaces or surfaces angled in relation to laser pulse.
• Ranging over water can sometimes cause false reflections and
readings.
• At longer distances, larger objects will be easier to range than
small objects.
• The Ranger 1000’s laser pulse is emitted in an oval pattern
which is oriented vertically. If you are having trouble ranging an
object which is more wide than tall, try rotating Ranger 90 degrees
and range again.
• If you are having difficulty ranging an animal or object, try
ranging a different nearby object or use the Scan feature to pan
back and forth while watching for changes in range number.

SAFETY AND PRECAUTIONS MAINTENANCE
• Use lens brush to remove dust or grit from lenses.
• Use a clean lens cloth or tissue to remove smudges or smears
from lenses.
• Store rangefinder in a dry location away from direct sunlight.
• Do not look at sun.
• Do not activate Menu or Measure buttons while aiming at
eye or looking into objective lens.
• Use the correct battery (CR2) and proper battery
orientation.
• Do not disassemble.
• Do not allow children to play with unit.
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RANGER 1000 SPECIFICATIONS
Range Reflective: 11–1000 yards (10–914 meters)
Range Deer: 11–500 yards (10–457 meters)
Accuracy: + /- 3 yards @ 1000 yards
Maximum Angle Reading: +/- 60 degrees (INC 50)
Measuring Time: 1 second
Battery Life: 2000 single range minimum
Magnification: 6x
Objective Lens: 22 mm
Eye Relief: 17 mm
Diopter: +/- 3 diopters
Do not stare into beam or view directly without laser
eye protection. Staring continuously into beam for
prolonged periods of time could cause harm to your
eyes. If used properly, this device is safe for your eyes
and laser eye protection is not needed.

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VORTEX OPTICS W ARRANTY
Vortex Optics
2120 West Greenview Drive
Middleton, WI 53562
[email protected]
Visit vortexoptics.com for more information. Canadian customers
may visit vortexcanada.net for customer service information.
Vortex Optics offers a lifetime limited warranty against
manufacturer defects in materials and
workmanship for the life of the product.
Rest assured, if your Ranger 1000
rangefinder should ever require repair, all
you need do is contact Vortex for service.
Call Vortex Optics at 800-426-0048 or
e-mail [email protected].
© Vortex Optics usa
RRF-101-12A