Vortex Anarch Rangefinder Review

A couple other notes, I do think the optics are some of the best I've used. It certainly feels premium in hand compared to some other units. I do think the magnet could be a little stronger, though I never had any issues with it falling off the cart.

For the testers, what do you think about navigating the menu on the unit? Pretty easy? Any issues?
 
A couple other notes, I do think the optics are some of the best I've used. It certainly feels premium in hand compared to some other units. I do think the magnet could be a little stronger, though I never had any issues with it falling off the cart.

For the testers, what do you think about navigating the menu on the unit? Pretty easy? Any issues?
I was really concerned about the magnet at first because of the terrain and ups and downs on the courses I tend to play...but I haven't had a single issue so far - not even sliding or moving at all.

As far as navigating the menu - I was able to get through the settings for slope and reticle preferences without even looking at the manual, so it must be easy. :ROFLMAO:
 
Good test for the week?
Before I gave my other rangefinder to one of my sons I definitely shot flags, back to back, using the Anarch and my previous rangefinder and it was a struggle in that situation. I think I could eventually get used to going away from it again, but I believe it would take some time to readjust to no imagine stabilization. I wouldn't say I'm dependent on the image stabilization, but I think it's fair to say I've already found myself leaning into that feature a great deal.
 
For the testers, what do you think about navigating the menu on the unit? Pretty easy? Any issues?
No issues navigating the menu. Feels pretty intuitive, but simple instructions being included in the box is never a bad thing. So far, so good.
 
No issues navigating the menu. Feels pretty intuitive, but simple instructions being included in the box is never a bad thing. So far, so good.
You read instructions? Who does that? :ROFLMAO:
 
You read instructions? Who does that? :ROFLMAO:
Yep! Whether I need them or not, lol. I'm the weirdo that will read through everything in the box.
 
I do think the magnet could be a little stronger, though I never had any issues with it falling off the cart.

I was really concerned about the magnet at first because of the terrain and ups and downs on the courses I tend to play...but I haven't had a single issue so far - not even sliding or moving at all.
This is an area about which I was a bit nervous. One of my two courses doesn't have paved cart paths and they can be really rough in places. I've had the magnet turn loose and the unit fall to the ground on one occasion after hitting what felt like a sink hole. Initially, I found myself reaching up and grabbing the rangefinder when I knew I was about to drive over rough terrain, but I have seen enough from the magnet to trust it in most situations at this point. I've also used it on my Nitron push cart without any magnet issues.
 
Yep! Whether I need them or not, lol. I'm the weirdo that will read through everything in the box.
I did not do that and once I figured it out its easy enough. I kept changing the brightness then going back to reticle.
 
I kept changing the brightness then going back to reticle.
Definitely could be easy to get "stuck" in a bit of a loop between those two settings.
 
This is an area about which I was a bit nervous. One of my two courses doesn't have paved cart paths and they can be really rough in places. I've had the magnet turn loose and the unit fall to the ground on one occasion after hitting what felt like a sink hole. Initially, I found myself reaching up and grabbing the rangefinder when I knew I was about to drive over rough terrain, but I have seen enough from the magnet to trust it in most situations at this point. I've also used it on my Nitron push cart without any magnet issues.
That leads me to one aspect that we've sort of understated so far - the incredible durability these rangefinders appear to have...and they're backed up with the best warranty in the product space.
 
That leads me to one aspect that we've sort of understated so far - the incredible durability these rangefinders appear to have...and they're backed up with the best warranty in the product space.
Excellent point. I happened to knock mine off the cart twice last weekend and it took a pretty good tumble. If it was any other rangefinder I might have been a bit concerned.
 
Before I gave my other rangefinder to one of my sons I definitely shot flags, back to back
So I'm not the only one...lol. He doesn't even know it yet, but my Voice Caddie rangefinder is included in his birthday mystery box that he should receive today.
 
Excellent point. I happened to knock mine off the cart twice last weekend and it took a pretty good tumble. If it was any other rangefinder I might have been a bit concerned.
I did the same thing once, not even a mark - my Voice Caddie Laser Fit would have probably been destroyed...lol

Again, not knocking the Voice Caddie one, because it's been awesome - but you get what you pay for, and they definitely trimmed the fat on the durability of that model.
 
So I'm not the only one...lol. He doesn't even know it yet, but my Voice Caddie rangefinder is included in his birthday mystery box that he should receive today.
Nope! After my second round with the Anarch I passed on my other to him. My initial experience was positive enough that I didn't hesitate.
 
Nope! After my second round with the Anarch I passed on my other to him. My initial experience was positive enough that I didn't hesitate.
That's exactly how I felt. I used it for one more round just for comparisons and then in the box it went.

I think between both of my sons, pretty much their entire bags have been handed down from me...lol.
 
One thing I'm a bit excited for:

Where I live there are only two courses, located in neighboring rural communities 20-miles apart, and no other courses closer than 30 miles away. Due to the minimal number of trees in the area, most pins I shoot with my rangefinder have little more than open space behind them. On Sunday I'll get to a play a new-to-me course in Dallas and look forward to testing out the Anarch in a different setting. I've experience none of the issues locking on to my intended target that some have, so I'm anxious to see how (if at all) the change in landscape affects my results.
 
One thing I'm a bit excited for:

Where I live there are only two courses, located in neighboring rural communities 20-miles apart, and no other courses closer than 30 miles away. Due to the minimal number of trees in the area, most pins I shoot with my rangefinder have little more than open space behind them. On Sunday I'll get to a play a new-to-me course in Dallas and look forward to testing out the Anarch in a different setting. I've experience none of the issues locking on to my intended target that some have, so I'm anxious to see how (if at all) the change in landscape affects my results.
I've had a couple instances where the PinSpotter would not lock on, but not many overall, really. The Blade Slope is also quick to pick up stuff in the background, which I imagine is mitigated by the image stabilization feature on the Anarch.

Honestly though, I think what throws me off the most is that it locks on so quickly that I double-check it to make sure...lol
 
Tomorrow the plan is to use my old NX7 on the front nine and the Anarch on the back nine to see how noticeable the stabilization is, or even see how quick it is to get the number.

As far as the menu goes, it’s super easy to navigate. I sorta flipped through the instructions rather quickly, so I got stuck in the menu for a second when I was first exploring, but it’s really easy to get through.
 
Honestly though, I think what throws me off the most is that it locks on so quickly that I double-check it to make sure...lol
I always double or triple check because it’s so quick.. why not? Lol.
 
Honestly though, I think what throws me off the most is that it locks on so quickly that I double-check it to make sure...lol

The rangefinder I'm coming from (Shot Scope ProZR) was likely the fastest rangefinder I've ever used, in regards to how quickly it locked on and provided yardage, so I was expecting a drop-off in that metric. I will say that while the ProZR likely holds the edge here, the speed of the Anarch has been a pleasant surprise to me. It has locked on and do so in a very quick instant. My honest expectation was that there was no way I wouldn't be at least a little disappointed with the speed at which target was acquired, but I'm grateful I was wrong.
 
Tomorrow the plan is to use my old NX7 on the front nine and the Anarch on the back nine to see how noticeable the stabilization is, or even see how quick it is to get the number.

As far as the menu goes, it’s super easy to navigate. I sorta flipped through the instructions rather quickly, so I got stuck in the menu for a second when I was first exploring, but it’s really easy to get through.
will be interested in your experience on this. Ive been thinking about getting a range finder and when I use my friends I feel its a bit shaky. Haven't tried one with stabilization yet, so wondering how much it would help.
 
will be interested in your experience on this. Ive been thinking about getting a range finder and when I use my friends I feel its a bit shaky. Haven't tried one with stabilization yet, so wondering how much it would help.
The stabilization definitely makes a difference. My old NX7 does an okay job at picking things up, but I almost always have to shoot it a handful of times to make sure I get a good number, because sometimes it’ll pick up a few different things.

I’ll be sure to report back.
 
Had a foggy morning last Friday and the Anarch picked up the fog, haha. A bit of a guessing game till it cleared out.
 
will be interested in your experience on this. Ive been thinking about getting a range finder and when I use my friends I feel its a bit shaky. Haven't tried one with stabilization yet, so wondering how much it would help.
It’s crazy how much of a difference it makes
 
It’s crazy how much of a difference it makes
I can't wait to see image stabilization become an industry standard, I think it's such a great feature for a rangefinder to have.
 
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