What's the best rangefinder?

[kazpilot25]

I'm thinking about selling my Bushnell Chuck Adams rangefinder and upgrading to a better longer range range finder. I was eyeballing the new Bushnell DX Scout. Has great reviews and ranges out to 1300 yards. Anybody have some recommendations? I'm not looking to spend Swarovski type money. Maybe up to $400.

[HuntHarder]

Leica CRF is my favorite. Some good deals can be found on used models

[AverageJoe]

Leupold 1200 tbr w/dna is very good in the $400 range. Leica is best but the leupold is very close after putting it to the test.

[rossislider]

I have a Nikon Riflehunter 1000, but have been a little disappointed as ranging anything past 500 yards can be very hit and miss. Any suggestions on something that can consistently get to 800 yards and beyond without breaking the bank?

What about the Vortex Ranger 1000. Anyone have this who knows its realistic ranging abilities?

[HuntHarder]

I used a vortex ranger once... I was not impressed. VERY hard to see the display when looking anywhere near the sun, and the distance ranging was non-existant past 600. Optics were dark. I know lots of people like to buy new, but used Leica's blow most of the new rangefinders out of the water. Even the LRF's are nice. My only complaint with them is the button is hard to push and thus makes it hard to range one handed while bowhunting. The CRF Leica's can be found for less than $400.

[Zeke-BE]

I'm telling you just save up a few hundred dollars more and get the Leicas 1600 B. On a good day I can range out to 1800 yards. No problem doing a 1000 yards, and if you hit dark objects it's pretty easy to hit 1600 yards all the time. You can set it up for angle adjustment, so it takes account the angle and reads back true horizontal shooting yards. Also ballistic shots for your rifle which I haven't done and figured out yet.

[lancetkenyon]

I'm telling you just save up a few hundred dollars more and get the Leicas 1600 B. On a good day I can range out to 1800 yards. No problem doing a 1000 yards, and if you hit dark objects it's pretty easy to hit 1600 yards all the time. You can set it up for angle adjustment, so it takes account the angle and reads back true horizontal shooting yards. Also ballistic shots for your rifle which I haven't done and figured out yet.

I could not agree more. I have gotten ranges on trees out past 1800 quite consistently. And one of the hardest places to range is flat grasslands. I just ranged game today out past 1200 in rainy flat grassland conditions today. Small enough to put in a shirt pocket, narrow beam dispersion for more accurate ranging, and quick.

 

Love mine.

[AZ8]

I have the Leica 1000R. Outstanding rangefinder. I've ranged beyond 1000 yards with it. Blew my old Nikon out of the water! It's a bit above your price cap, but save up a little bit longer and you won't be disappointed. Fortunately, I aquired a few gift cards(Christmas) for about a two years, saved them in my "hunting piggy bank" until I was ready. Got the final price down to $379.

 

Buy once, cry once!

[AverageJoe]

In the price range you want to spend the best choices are the leupold 1200, bushnell gforce, or vortex ranger. All good rangefinders but the vortex is limited to about 600 yd max. I can freehand the leupold out to 900 yds.

 

One thing to remember about the leica is it does not angle compensate under 100 yds. So it is not as effective for archery as the other 3 mentioned. That was my main reason for getting rid of the leica and going with the leupold...which i have not regretted one bit

[COOSEFAN]

Leica is the best and if you can find a used one in your price range jump on it. I made the huge mistake of giving my Leica CRF away as a tip last year and been struggling with a backup Bushnell I have and couldn't stand it any longer but didn't have the cash to replace the Leica. Yesterday I went and bought the Vortex Ranger 1000 to use as an archery rangefinder. I didn't research it but figured it most likely wouldn't range much past 500 anyway like most cheaper rangefinders. Contrary to what was previously stated, I bought the Vortex because of how bright the display is and how clear the optics are. It is very well built, very compact and surprisingly ranges and scans faster than I expected. I used it today for the first time and it did a great job ranging a fat broadside piggie in the wide open at 27 yards! LOL! I didn't test it to see how far it would range but it worked great anytime I used it so far. Jim-

[mattys281]

I just picked up a leica rangemaster 1000 r and am very impressed. The optics on it are the best I've ever seen in a rangefinder. They're a little spend, but you get what you pay for. I was ranging rock piles across a canyon at 800+ this weekend and it repeats the exact measurement and does all the angle compensation etc. I still don't know how to use all the stuff on it need to read the owners manual and play around some more.

[Kaffer62]

Leica. Buy a used one if needed.

[STOMP442]

I recently purchased a ziess victory 1300 for $600 and it has been spectacular. Reflective or non reflective it will range 1300 yards. If you notice most range finders will claim 1300+ on reflective ranges and non reflective ranges will be about half that. This one will range anything you point it at and even further than 1300 yards. My farthest range on a rock has been 1643 yards. I was able to range deer this past year at 1260 with ease. I personally hate all the angle compensation crap and ballistics info in a range finder. Give me the range and let me do the rest. This one has some built in ballistic pre sets but gives you the ability to turn them off. The display is bright and very clear in any light. I have no complaints and it works great.

[Chimichanga]

Leica 1600b. I've ranged rocks out to 2,000 yards. Only negative is when the rangefinder is cold it doesn't range. It only takes a couple seconds to warm it up with my hands. For rifle hunting, if I have a need and the time for a range, a couples seconds won't make a difference.. When I purchased this rangefinder I had to keep my leupold 1000i dna for archery hunting due to the leica not picking up those short ranges..

[lancetkenyon]

Leica 1600b. I've ranged rocks out to 2,000 yards. Only negative is when the rangefinder is cold it doesn't range. It only takes a couple seconds to warm it up with my hands. For rifle hunting, if I have a need and the time for a range, a couples seconds won't make a difference.. When I purchased this rangefinder I had to keep my leupold 1000i dna for archery hunting due to the leica not picking up those short ranges..

How cold are you talking? Mine performed perfectly at -14°F last year. And I have had close ranges to 10 yards. Closer than that and you don't need to range anyway! Just run up and stick the arrow in it.