Looking for some advice on rangefinders

[az41mag]

Hi. I'm looking to invest a rangefinder, but was hoping to get some feedback from someone experienced with rangefinders. So my questions are; what range of measurable yardage do I really need? I don't feel comfortable making shots over 400 yards. Also, does anybody have a recomendation for one brand or another? I have found a source of "refurbished" Nikon rangefinders, but don't know if it's really that good of a deal. So any feedback would be greatly appriciated. Thanks.

[Chef]

Do not hesitate to invest in a rangefinder that reads well beyond 400 yards.

If the unit effectively reads well out to 800 yards on a clear day, then it should hopefully read effectively on a bad day out to 400. What I'm saying is, plan ahead for those conditions and buy something that will still work to your advantage under non perfect situations.

 

Also, just because you don't shoot past 400 yards, doesn't mean you won't glass something up at 650 yards for example, then need to range the animal and other points to plan your stalk effectively.

 

Another thing to consider is angle compensating range finders. Great to have on deep incline/decline shooting situations and for archery.

 

The "top" optic brands do not offer this angle compensating feature. Narrow beam divergence is preffered for more accurate readings.

[Tines]

Do not hesitate to invest in a rangefinder that reads well beyond 400 yards.

If the unit effectively reads well out to 800 yards on a clear day, then it should hopefully read effectively on a bad day out to 400. What I'm saying is, plan ahead for those conditions and buy something that will still work to your advantage under non perfect situations.

 

Also, just because you don't shoot past 400 yards, doesn't mean you won't glass something up at 650 yards for example, then need to range the animal and other points to plan your stalk effectively.

 

Another thing to consider is angle compensating range finders. Great to have on deep incline/decline shooting situations and for archery.

 

The "top" optic brands do not offer this angle compensating feature. Narrow beam divergence is preffered for more accurate readings.

 

The new Swarovski EL Rangefinder has it. It will be available in a few months, I guess. But I don't have a couple grand laying around either..

[pwrguy]

Do some searches. This has been a topic on here several times. The good part about buying top of the line stuff is top of the line service when it stops working like it should. There are many affordable options if you only want to range 400 yards.

[az41mag]

Thanks to those who have replied, it is very much appriciated. The angle compensation and accuracy on foul weather days are two points I hadn't thought of. The top of the line rangefinders may be a little out of my price range; are there any recomended models in the middle of the road catagory? Thanks

[Redman]

I had the Bushnell 1000 ARC, lost it (don't ever trust a Badlands range finder case). However I was not to fond of it, it ranged well but the optic was terrible and dark. I just purchased the Leupold 1000i TBR and my initial thought is its awesome. Clear and the yardage read out is very easy to read. Paid $325 on Ebay (with shipping) it goes for $400 at the big stores. Was able to range an elk at 800, I doubt it will read a deer past 600yds but I am not shooting that far anyways...

 

I went to a big store with my mind made up that I was going to purchase the Nikon 1000, but after looking at the Leupold I changed my mind, they were out of the TBR model so I went home and ordered on Ebay.

 

Love the Lecia, but hard to spend another $300 on a rangefinder.

[rcdinaz]

I know it gets old hearing it but you pretty much get what you pay for. I have a Nikon 800, Bushnell 1000 ARC, and a Swarovski. I think each one cost at least double the one before it but the quality probably more than doubled. The distance the Swaro will work at is pretty amazing with a solid rest. All of them take a little practice to get the most out of them.

[kninebirddog]

I really like my Archers Choice Max...reticle auto changes from red to black depending on what you are scanning and when

it also is easy to use and will auto range angles and switching modes is also easy doesn't require a manual

[firstcoueswas80]

leica. that is all you need to know.

[izquik72]

leica. that is all you need to know.

+2 Mine is on its 5th season and I just changed the batteries.

 

Look around you can find a CRF900 used cause people are moving up to the bigger or newer ones.

[jim]

get a leica you will not regret it.

[nighthawk]

You know I shoped for a long time looking for a decent rangefinder.. IMO leica makes the best but u have to pay for the best. I tried Nikon,leupold and honestly ended up with the busnell arc 1200. It was only about 350 and can get all of that 1200 yards out of it. It's not as fast as Leica or swaros as far as getting range but still half price of the rest. I don't mess with the arc technology much so don't use that part of it. the only bad about it is past 900yrds u have to have steady hand to get reading back. Hold button and wait for range to return.

[monstercoues]

Leica Rangemaster! End of discussion.

[TwoGuns]

I have a Leica LRF 900 that i would be willing to sell. Looks like this one and works perfect.

 

[rcdinaz]

Leica is smaller and does have inclinomter, temp, baro but the Swaro is easier to get ranges quickly and at very far distances.

 

Bushnell and Nikon are fine but my experience is the effective range is not much over 500yds even for the 1000 which I have.

 

One more thing if you have an Android or iPhone you already have an inclinometer so the feature in an RF is not nearly as big a deal. Most of the shooting software out now will use the phone to calculate the adjustment without you having to think about it.

 

Oh and my vote and $ went to Swaro...