Nikon Forestry PRO II Rangefinder Review

 Today I'll share my impressions of a rangefinder I've been using for a few months. It's the Nikon Forestry PRO II, and it retails for €599 (including VAT), with the option (on the Nikon Store) of paying in convenient, interest-free installments (10-20 months). It's suitable for a variety of uses: hunting, sport shooting, golf, forestry, surveying, and more.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

 

The laser rangefinder Nikon Forestry Pro II It is lightweight and compact. The 21mm achromatic objective lens provides six times magnification and six degrees of field. The lenses are optimized with an excellent multi-layer coating, while the diopter adjustment and good eye relief allow use even by eyeglass wearers. This laser rangefinder has been designed to be used even in the most difficult weather conditions; in fact, it withstands immersion up to one meter deep for ten minutes. It is filled with nitrogen to prevent internal fogging, while the battery compartment can withstand rain for an entire day. The protection classes are equivalent to JIS/IEC class 4 (IPX4). The operating temperature range is between -10 and +50°C.

Compared to the previous model, the second version has benefited from significant improvements. The measuring range is now extended, between 7.5 meters and 1600 meters, and the "hyper read" reading system allows details on the display to be perceived in about three seconds.

The external display, with three levels of backlighting, is larger than the one in the previous model (5.3 cm versus 4.3 cm). Of course, the internal display in the eyepiece is a must. It goes without saying that the results can be read simultaneously on both LCD displays.

The Nikon Forestry Pro II It is powered by a CR2 battery. Another plus is the ability to quickly record up to 250 measurements, which can be stored and accessed in the built-in memory.

The heart of the measurement system, in addition to providing very rapid estimates, allows continuous measurement to be activated for up to eight seconds.

VARIOUS MEASUREMENT METHODS

In addition to measuring horizontal distance, the Nikon Forestry Pro II It also works with a clinometer (or inclinometer). It provides height, angle, and vertical separation measurements (i.e., the difference in height between two targets). Thanks to its three-point measurement system, it displays the height between two points even if the base or top is obscured. This makes it possible, for example, to estimate the distance between trees, but also, quite separately and quickly, the distance between the trunk and the crown.

The “Target Priority Switch” function allows you to measure overlapping objects. “First Target Priority” mode displays the distance to the closest target, while “Distant Target Priority” displays the distance to the farthest target. This is a very useful feature in forestry.

Let's take a closer look at all the technical features declared by Nikon and available on the official website of Nital, the official Italian distributor.

 

• • Measuring range (effective distance) (m)
  • Distance:
    10-500
    Angle: ± 89°
  • Distance display (increment) (m)
  • [Internal screen]
    Actual Distance (Act):
    every 0.5 (less than 100 m)
    every 1 (100 m and above)
    Horizontal distance (Hor) and Height (Hgt):
    every 0.2, 0.5 (less than 100 m)
    every 1 (100 m and above) 
    Angle (Ang):
    every 0.1° (less than 10°)
    every 1st (10th and above)
    *Downward angle from horizontal line: with screen “-“
    
    [External Screen]
    Effective distance (Act): every 0.5
    Horizontal distance (Hor) and Height (Hgt):
    every 0.2 
    Angle (Ang): every 0.1°
  • Accuracy (effective distance) (m)1
  • ± 1 (less than 300 m)
    ± 0.6% (300 m and above)
  • Magnification (x)
  • 6
  • Effective lens diameter (mm)
  • 21
  • Effective field of view (°)
  • 6,0
  • Exit pupil (mm)
  • 3,5
  • Eye accommodation distance (mm)
  • 18,2
  • Dimensions (W x H x D) (mm)
  • 130 x 69 x 45
  • Weight (excluding battery) (g)
  • 210
  • Diet
  • One CR2 lithium battery (3V DC)
    Auto power off function (after 30 seconds)
  • Laser classification
  • IEC60825-1: Class 1M laser product
    FDA/21 CFR Part 1040.10: Class I laser product
  • Electromagnetic compatibility
  • FCC Part 15 Subpart B Class B, EU: EMC Directive, AS/NZS, VCCI Class B, CU TR 020
  • Environment
  • RoHS, WEEE

 

IMPRESSIONS ON THE FIELD

I have mainly used Nikon Forestry Pro II To check the targets framed with binoculars and spotting scopes during the Binomania tests or to perceive the true distance of the subjects framed with the thermal imaging cameras I'm testing. It's compact, ergonomic, rugged, waterproof, and can be operated with one hand, including the buttons. It's a very useful tool, even for seeing the true depth of field of an optical instrument, even though it can measure beyond 7.5 meters. The deviation above 1000 meters is identical to the declared value. The problem, in reality, lies in the hand tremor, which prevents the perfect aiming of the framed area. In this case, it's useful to perform the tests with a camera tripod. I noticed a slight uncertainty in the laser echo only during pouring rain, but this is nothing to complain about in light drizzle.

As already mentioned, the measurements are really very fast, similar to those of higher-priced products, with good accuracy even on slightly difficult and poorly reflective details. I also found the side LCD display very useful, much more convenient than the one in the eyepiece. Furthermore, the display brightness is perfect, and the choice of yellow color, which significantly increases contrast, is also perfect. The battery hasn't run out yet after dozens of measurements and even easily withstood a downpour during a couple of field trips searching for birds of prey nests.

PROS AND CONS

MERITS

 

• Optical quality of the achromatic lens, with multilayer coating
• 6X magnification
• Excellent quality of the side LCD
• Measurement speed
  Robustness, ergonomics and waterproofing
• Multiple estimation methods, especially three-point measurement.
• Excellent operating temperature range

 

DEFECTS

• Minimum measuring distance
• I understand that the yellow color is more visible, but since I have also used it to estimate the distance of birds of prey nests, I would have preferred a less flashy version.

 

IN SUMMARY

I believe that the Nikon Forestry PRO II It's an effective rangefinder (in its price range) not only for hunting and target shooting, but also for forestry (excellent, for example, for safely felling trees) and surveying (for estimating the slope of ridges). As you've probably guessed, it's also suitable for many other uses, including golf.

THANKS

Thanks as always Nital for providing this specimen, allowing me to impartially quote my impressions.

DISCLAIMER

Binomania is an online magazine that reviews sports and astronomical optical products. The products reviewed are not for sale. For more information on the instrument being tested and to learn about any promotions, please click on the banner below. This will take you to the distributor's official website, which can provide you with all the necessary information.