Leupold BX-4 Range HD Binoculars: Important Consolidation

The Leupold BX-4 Range HD TBR/W 10X42mm Binos offer critical calculations and awesome in the field optical clarity.

December 22, 2024 By Colton Bagnoli

One single piece of equipment that has changed the outcome of countless hunting opportunities, tipping the scales in the hunters favor drastically is the rangefinding binocular. The addition of a laser range finder inside a pair of binoculars has revolutionized the hunting optics industry, and companies now offer hunters an option to fit any budget.

The ability to identify an animal's exact distance while booking through binoculars was first introduced in 1992 and kicked off the beginning of a new era in hunting optics. Technology has allowed laser accuracy and speed to increase to astonishing levels and many models are now offered with data solvers to compute bullet trajectory, making the tool even more useful. If you're not using laser rangefinding binoculars, you are no doubt leaving opportunities on the table.

tbr rifle display — (Image courtesy of Leupold)

Leupold released their BX-4 RANGE HD/W 10x42 Rangefinding binocular as an affordable, feature-packed option that fits the needs for 90% of hunters across North America. Many of the key features found in the BX-4 Range HDs compete with similar brands, while some features rise above others in several areas. Leupold included their TBR (True Ballistic Range) technology that offers users 25 ballistic profiles to fit their selected rifle cartridge.

This simple computer solver, groups cartridges with very similar ballistic flight characteristics, which will give the shooter accurate predictions of the bullets flight within reasonable hunting distances. While full ballistic calculated modes offer more accurate solutions, for most practical hunting applications 600 yards and closer, these profiles offer ample accuracy in predicted bullet flights.

Proof is in the Pudding

leupold bx4 range hd in hands of a hunter — (Photo courtesy of Colton Bagnoli)

During my review, I chose my PROOF Research Conviction rifle in 300 Winchester Magnum with 180gr Nosler Accubonds as my selected rifle cartridge and set the binocular to Group 6. Within 600 yds the data was accurate enough to deliver crucial first-round impacts on deer-sized vitals in a variety of atmospheric conditions. The latest updated data for the TBR includes new cartridges like the 6.5 Creedmoor, 26 Nosler, 28 Nosler and countless 270 Win, 308 Win, 30-06 SPFD and 300 Win Mag options to fill just about every factory-available ammunition you can find on a store shelf.

The BX-4 Range HD has an optical system that blends the proper image quality, color and brightness to successfully hunt in any weather condition including the prime time early morning and late evening times when light is hard to come by. I found the optics to have a 80-90% clarity in the lenses with a small amount of distortion at the far outer edges, which gives the user a very clear image throughout the most used center portion of the lenses.

I really appreciate the “natural” color Leupold used in the lens coating to give the binocular a realistic image color without the blue tint often found in many optics. Hunting the northwest, dark cloudy days are the norm and the Leupold HD lens and advanced coating give ample light transition and a clear image regardless of the conditions.

I recently ran a two-day NRL Hunter Match using the BX-4 Range HDs and was able to get accurate ranges on every target I located and was able to find some very difficult targets hidden in the shadows of trees that required a High Definition image quality to really pick apart shadows when searching for dark gray-colored steel targets. The NRL Hunter matches require each competitor to locate their targets before engaging, so if you can't find the targets, you don't get to shoot. At no point in the match did I feel under glassed or under lasered amongst a field of shooters using rangefinding binoculars almost 2x the price of the Leupold BX-4 Range HDs.

Thoughtful Engineering and Design

hunter holding binos — (Photo courtesy of Leupold)

One small feature often overlooked on many rangefinding binoculars is the location of the power button used to activate the laser. Most binoculars have the button located on the right or left side, limiting users to using the hand “they” deem the most user-friendly. Leuopold decided on a reversible power button to activate the laser rangefinder that can be switched from left-handed or right-handed to fit every user. This feature is not available in many of the competitors and is pretty important if you're a southpaw and glass with your left hand holding the binoculars with a rifle in your right hand.

The added time of having to switch hands to activate the laser on the right side requires extra movement and time that's so easily avoidable by simply changing the operations button to your preferred hand. The ability to range the target in the binoculars vs. changing from the binoculars to a handheld rangefinder can take too much time and cost opportunity, so having the range button work for whichever hand you choose makes the process even more accurate and faster.

tbr moa adjustment call — (Image courtesy of Leupold)

The overall package built into the BX-4 Range HD rangefinding binocular is purpose-driven to provide the best optical experience for the price point, all while providing a laser rangefinder capable of ranging reflective targets to 2,600 yards and deer-sized targets to 800 yards. Trees and rocks were easily ranged out to 1,800 yards throughout my review in direct sunlight and cloudy days. Even if you don't ever plan on shooting beyond 500 yds on game, having a laser rangefinder capable of 2,000 yards plus allows you to layout your stalk approach and designate key points of travel to determine where you need to get to for a shot.

I often will locate game and range the hillside to determine my starting point. From here I will range ridges, knolls and large, identifiable trees between me and the target to decide my approach to the most ideal final shooting position. This technique has helped me over the years in route planning and getting as close as possible to my target with very high success rates.

Upgrade your current binoculars and rangefinder setup with a one-piece system in the Leupold BX-4 Range HD Binoculars and start cutting down the wasted time running two individual pieces of gear and punch more tags when those quick opportunities present themselves. Leupold created a solid piece of gear for the everyday hunter and backs it with their Optical Lifetime Guarantee if things get western on your hunt. Learn more at leupold.com and locate a dealer near you to go test drive the BX-4 Range HD Binoculars.