Range finder in carry-on?

[mstewart44]

Leaving for Jo`Berg this week and am finalizing all my things. Seems like I have read on this forum that there is some variations on whether a laser rangefinder can go in the carry-on bag. I can`t find anything on Delta or TSA website about it. What`s the verdict?

 

[SafariA]

No problem with havng it in carry on as far as I have it ! It is safer to take it carryon as they sometimes tend to part with your luggage !

 

[BRICKBURN]

It is the same as taking your camera on board. Throw it in your carryon.

On the return trip paranoia set in, on airport securities part JNB after an apparent threat, and they were excited about my GPS. I told them it made it all the way to Africa in my pocket and it will be returning the same way.
Not a word about the Laser Range Finder in the backpack.

Take enough electronic stuff in your backpack (camera gear and accessories) and they can not single it out!

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Definately in the carry-on.I had no problems taking it onboard with me.
I use the Leica CRF 1600 and there is no way that I will check in with the luggage going through JNB.
All the best for your trip and remember rule #1 - Shoot straight.

Best Regards
Marius Goosen

 

[RickB]

Put it in your carry on!! Same with your binos. Nothing like having $250 binos and $250 range finder decide to get out of your checked bag and walk into someone else's pockets.

 

[Bobpuckett]

Put it in your carry on!! Same with your binos. Nothing like having $250 binos and $250 range finder decide to get out of your checked bag and walk into someone else's pockets.

Funny you should say that on my trip to the East Cape in 2010 I put both the wifes and my Binos in my check in luggage when I got to the East cape and my Outfitter picked us up he seen I didn't have my luggage locked and, I ask was I suppose to? nothing was missing I guess they figured that sence my luggage wasn't locked I must not have anything worth stealing. LOL

 

[Diamondhitch]

Put it in your carry on!! Same with your binos. Nothing like having $250 binos and $250 range finder decide to get out of your checked bag and walk into someone else's pockets.

I gotta shop where you do! LOL I paid wayyyyy more than that for my binos and rangefinder which is why they stay with me in my carry on.

 

[RickB]

I gotta shop where you do! LOL I paid wayyyyy more than that for my binos and rangefinder which is why they stay with me in my carry on.

I use a pair of buris binos. I can't afford the crazy good ones. An I only paid $19.97 for them. Some guy at gander mtn couldn't read the price correctly so I was the benificiary! They were supposed to be a scope/bino deal and someone sold the scope without the binos.(prob same guy who sold me the binos ) they where supposed to be $97.99. They sell for about $199.00. I don't need anything better.

 

[Diamondhitch]

I use a pair of buris binos. I can't afford the crazy good ones. An I only paid $19.97 for them. Some guy at gander mtn couldn't read the price correctly so I was the benificiary! They were supposed to be a scope/bino deal and someone sold the scope without the binos.(prob same guy who sold me the binos ) they where supposed to be $97.99. They sell for about $199.00. I don't need anything better.

You sure cant pass up a deal like that. I spend countless hours with my binos pressed against my face while hunting in the mountains so the extra cost pays for itself at the end of each day when I am not crosseyed with a headache. For general whitetail hunting you are right there is no need for top end optics, I have a set of Steiner predators for that. They are pretty reasonably priced as well.

 

[marcofran_1989]

Just wondering what everyone does with their rangefinder while hunting? I don't really want to hear Duh, I put it in my pocket", I'm looking for people who use some of the specialty range finder holders that are popping up on the market nowadays. I normally carry mine in my Primos bowvest but sometimes it can be a pain to get out in a hurry...Thinking about another option for it, anyone got anything that's easy to get to quickly "and put back quickly" but that's not in a shirt or coat pocket and not in the way?

 

[Shootist43]

To answer the original question I put all of my expensive gear into my carry on. Your luggage can easily be opened away from your presence, when that happens your gear magically disappears. I carried my range finder for the first hunt. Once I found out my PH had and used one of his own it was relegated to the back-pack that I kept on the truck. Handy if need be but not carried.

 

[Hogpatrol]

You're good to go with a rangefinder, binos, etc. but I put binos, rangefinder, bipod, cleaning stuff, cleaning rods, etc. in my gun case and whatever else I need to bring it up to the limit of 50 lbs. My carry on gets RXs, clothing and boots to hunt one day and my personal hygiene stuff bag. I like to travel light on the aircraft and through security. YMMV.

 

[Red Leg]

Just wondering what everyone does with their rangefinder while hunting? I don't really want to hear Duh, I put it in my pocket", I'm looking for people who use some of the specialty range finder holders that are popping up on the market nowadays. I normally carry mine in my Primos bowvest but sometimes it can be a pain to get out in a hurry...Thinking about another option for it, anyone got anything that's easy to get to quickly "and put back quickly" but that's not in a shirt or coat pocket and not in the way?

I use Leica range finding binoculars- always there when and where you need it. With respect to the OP, do put in your carry-on. Mine typically has camera, binoculars, IPad, Sat-phone, chargers, and one change of clothes.

 

[jeff]

I had a small pouch made from polar fleece that is quite a bit larger than my rangefinder and fairly deep that I wear on my right side so I can grab it easily and then just drop it in. It has no flap or closure yet being fairly deep it never wants to fall out. I've tried a couple of holders on the market and they were either slow to get out or noisy.

 

[Ridgewalker]

I wear my hunting vest full of stuff including camera, cell phone, money, wallet, meds, IPad, etc. My daypack carries a change of clothes, rangefinder, binos, toiletries, etc. I wear my hunting boots on the plane. Going through the TSA inspection, I take my pack off, vest and boots (slip my belt off as well). Do the spread eagle. Then slip all back on.

Neither of my 2 Africa trips nor 4 Alaska trips have I had an issue. I probably just jinxed myself!

I carry my Leica on its long loop under my left arm. My binos in front. I appreciate the PH who thinks he’s good at ranging and I never tell them they are wrong, but I use my rangefinder for the “correct” range.

 

[lwaters]

The Germans toke me into a room and ask me about my binoculars. The wanted to unscrew the lenses. I told him if he did that he can go ahead and keep them. Pair of cheap bushnells.

 

[Divernhunter]

Rangefinder/binos/camera/all go in my carry on. Went to SA in May of this year on Delta and no trouble.

 

[cagkt3]

Just wondering what everyone does with their rangefinder while hunting? I don't really want to hear Duh, I put it in my pocket", I'm looking for people who use some of the specialty range finder holders that are popping up on the market nowadays. I normally carry mine in my Primos bowvest but sometimes it can be a pain to get out in a hurry...Thinking about another option for it, anyone got anything that's easy to get to quickly "and put back quickly" but that's not in a shirt or coat pocket and not in the way?

I have a bino harness and rangefinder pouch from FHF (fhfgear.com). Works great, keeps it handy.