The Bushnell Yardage Pro 4-12x42mm laser riflescope incorporates a very fast laser rangefinder accurate to +/- one yard. The measured distance to the target is displayed at the top of the scope's field of view by highly visible red LEDs. The laser rangefinder can be activated by pressing a button on the left side of the riflescope or by a supplied remote control unit that can be strapped to the rifle. The Yardage Pro is fully waterproof and fogproof.

The integral laser rangefinder is powered by a battery and if the battery should die or its compartment be flooded by immersion in water, the scope will still operate perfectly as a conventional riflescope. Thus, the presence of the laser rangefinder does not make the Yardage Pro less reliable than a conventional riflescope. The Yardage Pro is approximately the same length as a conventional 4-12x riflescope from objective to ocular and about the same outside diameter at the objective end. It is fatter through the middle and at 24 ounces the Yardage Pro is heavier than a conventional riflescope. However, it is lighter than a conventional 4-12x42 scope and a hand held rangefinder, so the hunter's total load is less.

The Yardage Pro scope features an integral mounting rail; clamps that attach the scope to Weaver type bases are included. The integral rail mounting system means that the scope will always be mounted true to the rifle. It also gives excellent mounting latitude so that the user can achieve the exact fore and aft position and eye relief desired.

Other nice features include a comfortable rubberized zoom ring that turns smoothly and with enough friction to avoid inadvertent magnification changes and a rubberized European style fast focus eyepiece ring.

Here are some specifications for the Bushnell Yardage Pro laser 4-12x42mm riflescope:

• Model - #20-4124
• Magnification - 4x to 12x
• Objective diameter - 42mm
• Eye relief - 3.5"
• FOV at 100 yards - 26' at 4x, 8.5' at 12x
• Windage and Elevation adjustments - ¼ MOA
• Reticle - Mildot
• Rangefinder modes - Standard and scan
• Rangefinder distance - 30 yards to 800 yards
• Battery - CR2 (3 volt), good for approximately 5,000 measurements
• Accessories - Wireless remote control, bullet drop compensation turrets
• Length - 13"
• Weight - 24 ounces
• 2007 approx. discount retail price - $770 (Graf & Sons)

The Yardage Pro is supplied with a mildot reticle that can be used in the conventional manner without replacing the standard elevation turret. After zeroing the rifle/scope you can use the mildots as aiming points at various ranges, but you will have to determine the distance represented by each dot for yourself, based on the trajectory of your cartridge and load.

Alternatively, the Yardage Pro is supplied with two sets of eight interchangeable, target type, bullet drop compensation elevation turrets in addition to a conventional elevation turret. This is its most unique feature compared to the other laser riflescopes. One set of turrets is calibrated in meters, the other in yards. There is even a blank turret (no numbers) that you can fill-in yourself should that be necessary.

Once the rifle/scope combination is zeroed to hit dead on at 100 yards the standard elevation turret knob is removed by unscrewing the large, coin-slotted, chrome-plated screw that secures the knob. Replace the standard knob with one of the elevation knobs marked "A" through "H" that best matches the trajectory of your cartridge and load. (Determine which knob to use by referring to the extensive ballistic tables on the Bushnell web site: www.bushnell.com) When installing the appropriate knob, set its "100" distance mark at the scope's reference index line, since that is the distance for which you have zeroed the rifle.

Using the Yardage Pro is then simple. If you laser a target at 200 yards, turn the elevation turret counter-clockwise to "200" and hold dead on, and so forth. The "F" turret is calibrated in 50 yard increments between 100 and 500 yards with the final number reading "525." Be careful not to turn the dial completely around (in excess of 360 degrees), as there are no stops at either end of the elevation adjustment. After 525, the next number is again 100 and the dial has turned 360 degrees. Some sort of stop should be devised to prevent turning the replacement dials completely around.

The optics in the Yardage Pro are fully multi-coated and provide sharp, contrasty views of the target at all magnifications. Optical aberrations are well corrected. The integral rangefinder is extremely fast and positive and the LEDs are easy to read in any light. In summation, the view through this riflescope is similar to the view through an Elite 3200 scope and far superior to the view through a hand held Bushnell laser rangefinder. It's a pleasure to use.

We feel that these laser scopes are the future of telescopic sights. They are relatively expensive compared to a plain riflescope, but cost little more than the price of an equivalent riflescope and a separate laser rangefinder and they are far more convenient in the field.

Note: A complete review of the Bushnell Yardage Pro Laser 4-12x42mm Riflescope can be found on the Product Review Page.