Really need to try one then. It always feels so shaky when I use one without it.
Vortex Anarch Rangefinder Review
When I'm riding in a cart I can always brace against the steering wheel if I'm driving, or sit back and brace my arms against my body if I'm the passenger - or stand outside the cart and brace against the "A" pillar/roof support.
If I'm walking I don't really have anything to brace/lean against to stabilize, so that's where the image stabilization feature would come in really handy.
Thanks I mainly walk so sounds like it could be very useful for me.
- Moderator
- #1,404
I'd never known rangefinders even had stabilization until I got the Anarch. It's kind of game changing
There's no way I ever go back to one without it. I don't know how anyone would, honestly.
There are times when you realize how much you'd been missing out on something just due to simple ignorance. This is one of those times for me. Could I still function without image stabilization on my rangefinder? Yes, but why would I want to if I don't have to? Image stabilization is so unbelievably convenient and I will choose to to use a rangefinder with image stabilization moving forward after getting a taste of how freaking nice it is.
Well today was interesting.
I played a round at my local course, which is only a nine hole, but it is rarely busy so it makes it easy to get out and do some testing. On the front I used the NX7 and on the back* I used the Anarch. One thing I noticed about the NX7 that I didn't think of before, is I like is the way the bottom has a slight curve to it that allows the rangefinder to sorta rest on your thumb. It's just a nice touch. But, the Anarch still feels good. It's hard to describe, it's just... solid. Plus, the texture of it is great. It doesn't ever seem like it's going to slip out of your hand.
The second hole is an ever-so-slightly uphill par 4, where all you can really see is the tip of the flag. It's not a hole I need the distance on, but I wanted to see how well it did picking up the sliver of the flag. The NX7 took a little bit to hit the flag and give a reading, which is what I expected. Not a complete deal breaker for the rangefinder, but to the impatient person (like myself) it gets frustrating. The Anarch, on the other hand, got it on the first try. I was a little shocked.
I also still cannot get over the weight difference between the two. The NX7 makes the Anarch feel like a tank. But, you also get that reassurance that it's tough.
I still prefer the triple buzz feedback the Anarch has. It's there. It's noticeable. I like it. Also, I'm curious, does anyone prefer a rangefinder without the vibration feedback?
Now, the interesting part of the day. The Anarch got a fair bit wet after falling off my cart. I wasn't really worried about it being wet on my way back to grab it, I've seen a video of the same rangefinder being submerged for ~5 minutes and it still worked. So, I didn't think anything of it. Picked it up, dried it off, and tried ranging a few things, but it wasn't picking anything up. There is still a display. The lights still work. It was just not scanning anything. I took the battery out and put it back in, still the same. Battery compartment was also completely dry. It's on my desk now just drying out, I'm going to see if anything changes in the morning. I'm not sure if water somehow got inside of it or if something got knocked loose after it hit the ground. Either way, we'll see what tomorrow brings and reach out to Vortex if need be. I'm absolutely BUMMED!
I played a round at my local course, which is only a nine hole, but it is rarely busy so it makes it easy to get out and do some testing. On the front I used the NX7 and on the back* I used the Anarch. One thing I noticed about the NX7 that I didn't think of before, is I like is the way the bottom has a slight curve to it that allows the rangefinder to sorta rest on your thumb. It's just a nice touch. But, the Anarch still feels good. It's hard to describe, it's just... solid. Plus, the texture of it is great. It doesn't ever seem like it's going to slip out of your hand.
The second hole is an ever-so-slightly uphill par 4, where all you can really see is the tip of the flag. It's not a hole I need the distance on, but I wanted to see how well it did picking up the sliver of the flag. The NX7 took a little bit to hit the flag and give a reading, which is what I expected. Not a complete deal breaker for the rangefinder, but to the impatient person (like myself) it gets frustrating. The Anarch, on the other hand, got it on the first try. I was a little shocked.
I also still cannot get over the weight difference between the two. The NX7 makes the Anarch feel like a tank. But, you also get that reassurance that it's tough.
I still prefer the triple buzz feedback the Anarch has. It's there. It's noticeable. I like it. Also, I'm curious, does anyone prefer a rangefinder without the vibration feedback?
Now, the interesting part of the day. The Anarch got a fair bit wet after falling off my cart. I wasn't really worried about it being wet on my way back to grab it, I've seen a video of the same rangefinder being submerged for ~5 minutes and it still worked. So, I didn't think anything of it. Picked it up, dried it off, and tried ranging a few things, but it wasn't picking anything up. There is still a display. The lights still work. It was just not scanning anything. I took the battery out and put it back in, still the same. Battery compartment was also completely dry. It's on my desk now just drying out, I'm going to see if anything changes in the morning. I'm not sure if water somehow got inside of it or if something got knocked loose after it hit the ground. Either way, we'll see what tomorrow brings and reach out to Vortex if need be. I'm absolutely BUMMED!
Agreed. I don't find it "heavy", by any stretch, but it absolutely feels so solid. I've used a couple rangefinders previously that left me feeling like I needed to baby them a bit to protect their plastic body (and everything inside of it), but the Anarch does not make me feel that way.
To be completely honest, this is an area that I don't have much of a preference. If I knew the vibration feedback was only present, 100% of the time, when grabbing my intended target it might be different. I appreciate the feedback, but I also wouldn't hate the absence of it.
No!!! Dude, I hate this. I am ignorant so take that into consideration, but I can't imagine moisture would cause that issue based on your description of the incident. Maybe it was a perfect storm of events and landed in just the perfect way to shock the hell out of it. I realize speculation helps nobody, so I'll stop, but I hate to hear this and hope you're able to get it figured out asap. I would imagine the best part about it is knowing Vortex will stand behind their product, regardless of why it isn't performing. Looking forward to hearing how this one plays out!
- Moderator
- #1,409
Having that VIP warranty makes situations like these a lot easier to be at ease with. Obviously if it is actually broken, that’s a huge bummer, but having zero worries about getting it replaced makes the situation easier. Like @Redd said, it could have been the perfect drop to make something happen. Mine has taken some hard falls and is still working like the day I got it so it really could have been a one in a million type drop
Spot on! I know we've discussed it some already, but it is extremely refreshing to find a company willing to stand behind their product. It's easy to stand behind something when everything is going perfectly, but the respect I have for a company (or individual, for that matter) willing to step up when things aren't going well...it's everything. Excuses are easy (and even valid sometimes), so the VIP warranty stands out in a big way for me. I hope to never have to utilize it, but I sure am grateful it's there.
The VIP warranty is huge. Considering how rangefinders are used and what they're subjected to, it's pretty cool that Vortex offers such a thing.
Well unfortunately, this morning is no better. It is still acting the same as it did before. I'm going to reach out to Vortex this afternoon and see what they recommend. I agree with what you all have said about it having to be the perfect storm. I've read several comments about the Anarch being dropped, wet, you name it, and it still works flawlessly. I've also seen the great news about the VIP warranty, so I guess the bright side to all of this is I'll get to comment on that.
I just feel terrible that this happened during the testing period.
I just feel terrible that this happened during the testing period.
With as committed to excellence as Vortex Golf appears to be, even these moments will be used to improve their product(s). I have no doubt. I hate, for you, that it happened during testing but I can only imagine it will help play a role in the future of their rangefinders in some way.
- Moderator
- #1,414
Don’t feel bad man. It’s out of your control. And like you said, you can test out the warranty process from start to finish. That’s worth a ton
- Admin
- #1,415
Same honestly. Its very different almost weird at first haha
Look at it from another angle - you get to evaluate two additional features of their product, the warranty and their customer service.
Like you can visibly see when it "kicks in", right? I don't know how else to describe it, but I see one version of the image when I put the rangefinder to my eye and then when I press "measure", the image stabilization turns on, and I can see a difference.
- Moderator
- #1,418
When I first got the Anarch, I had no idea what that was lol
Like I said, I'd never even known stabilization was a thing. So when looking through it, it looked normal to me. It wasn't until I went to an old rangefinder that I realized what was happening and it was crazy
Dude, ya, I can imagine. If it weren't for my photography background I can imagine I would've been thrown off a bit more. Do you feel like it's one of those things that you didn't even know you wanted/needed until you had it? It was the biggest reason I was interested in the Anarch, over the Blade & Blade Slope, going in.
- Moderator
- #1,420
I would say it's a prime example of that. I'm fine without it (for now), but I don't want to be without it
I went ahead and emailed Vortex and they replied within 15 minutes with a shipping label and service request form to print out and throw in the box. No questions asked. They said to go ahead and send it in and they'll repair or replace it as needed. That is top-notch customer service!
My expectation was very much this, but the reality of it is so encouraging. Anxious for you to get squared away.
Spent lunch at the range, taking advantage of a beautiful day, and utilized the Anarch to shoot the mini "flags" on the range. There are actual flags on a few of of the short pins, but most are just a piece of what looks like black pvc sticking about 3' out of the ground. With the way they are set up, I have struggled in the past with being able to lock on and the flag distances aren't marked anywhere on the range. I had very few issues locking on the first time and the subsequent measurement seemed to rectify the initial miss.
It's not very often you come across such great customer service, especially in this day and age. I got it boxed up and shipped off. Now we wait!
I'm getting close to finishing up the Internet Invitational and with all the drama going on with the rangefinder, I realized how beneficial it is to have the green led that the Anarch has showing that slope is on.