Quality Range Finders

300magman · October 15, 2009, 11:47 PM

I could really use a quality range finder that is reliable on deer or even coyote sized critters out to 750-100 yards and is easy to use.
Can anyone make a good recommendation on something you have used?

A lower price is better, but I can find some budget if need be.

BTW, I don't shoot anything but varmints at insane ranges .... so no need to flame the "long range hunting" but I do find it handy to know how far out various things are before planning a stock or for being sure I will be in an area that is legal shooting distance from populated areas or structures once I've made the stock.

Scorch · October 16, 2009, 01:19 AM

Bushnell Legend 1200
http://www.bushnell.com/products/ran...gend-1200-arc/

JagFarlane · October 16, 2009, 07:50 AM

Nikon ProStaff 550

Have one, love it, and easy as pushing a button.

LHB1 · October 16, 2009, 11:08 AM

Leica also makes a very nice 1200 yd rangefinder. My older 800 yd model is easy to use and works reliably.

300magman · October 16, 2009, 02:42 PM

What do you guys find your maximum range of use to be under low light conditions on actual game animals?

Most range finders just give an extimate of thier maximum range under optimal conditions and reflective surfaces...which isn't really that helpful.

Dr. Strangelove · October 16, 2009, 04:15 PM

Leupold TBR-1000

It's a new toy, so no real animal experience yet. Very easy to use, ranged a streetlight 800 yds away which was the correct distance.

Zak Smith · October 17, 2009, 12:27 AM

Many long-range field match competitors have gone away from the Leica and Leupold to the Swarovski. It ranges in ideal conditions to 1999 yards and further than the other two (including the Geovids) in worse conditions.

bgdv1 · October 17, 2009, 02:39 PM

i use a nikon buckmaster 800. the only negative about it is i archery hunt and it will not range under 15 yards. no biggy tho.

glockman55 · October 17, 2009, 04:25 PM

Another vote for Leica, I also have the LRF 800 great battery life and has worked flawlessly.

300magman · October 17, 2009, 05:51 PM

What about the bushnell yardage pro elite 1500? Is it an old model or something, I see it for sale at most vendors but its not listed on bushnell's website.
And how would it compare to the new bushnell legend 1200?

I'm looking at those two at the moment as they seem to be the most available locally and also two of the longest range (at least advertised range, I'm not sure about thier useful range on animals)
The Swarovski is double the price and is out of my affordable range.

Phoneguy · October 30, 2009, 11:33 AM

I hunt in Wyoming, Colorado and California and use a range finder on all of my hunts. The best advice I can give you is to save a little $ then buy the Leica 1200. You will never regret it nor wish for anything else. I can not speak for the Swarovski but we have not had the best of luck with the Bushnell.

Zak Smith · October 30, 2009, 12:13 PM

The Swaro will out-range the Leica 1200 in both ideal and poor conditions. I used to own the Leica, now I use the Swaro.

October 15, 2009, 11:47 PM	#1
300magman Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2008 Posts: 714	Quality Range Finders I could really use a quality range finder that is reliable on deer or even coyote sized critters out to 750-100 yards and is easy to use. Can anyone make a good recommendation on something you have used? A lower price is better, but I can find some budget if need be. BTW, I don't shoot anything but varmints at insane ranges .... so no need to flame the "long range hunting" but I do find it handy to know how far out various things are before planning a stock or for being sure I will be in an area that is legal shooting distance from populated areas or structures once I've made the stock.

October 16, 2009, 01:19 AM	#2
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Bushnell Legend 1200 http://www.bushnell.com/products/ran...gend-1200-arc/ __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

October 16, 2009, 07:50 AM	#3
JagFarlane Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2008 Posts: 282	Nikon ProStaff 550 Have one, love it, and easy as pushing a button. __________________ Too many to list...enjoy em all!

October 16, 2009, 11:08 AM	#4
LHB1 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,545	Leica also makes a very nice 1200 yd rangefinder. My older 800 yd model is easy to use and works reliably. __________________ Good shooting and be safe. LB

October 17, 2009, 12:27 AM	#7
Zak Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 1999 Location: Fort Collins, Colorado, USA Posts: 2,682	Many long-range field match competitors have gone away from the Leica and Leupold to the Swarovski. It ranges in ideal conditions to 1999 yards and further than the other two (including the Geovids) in worse conditions. __________________ Zak Smith . DEMIGOD LLC . THUNDER BEAST ARMS CORP . COLORADO MULTI-GUN *My PM inbox full? Send e-mail instead.*

October 16, 2009, 02:42 PM	#5
300magman Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2008 Posts: 714	What do you guys find your maximum range of use to be under low light conditions on actual game animals? Most range finders just give an extimate of thier maximum range under optimal conditions and reflective surfaces...which isn't really that helpful.

October 16, 2009, 04:15 PM	#6
Dr. Strangelove Senior Member Join Date: August 1, 2008 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 1,436	Leupold TBR-1000 It's a new toy, so no real animal experience yet. Very easy to use, ranged a streetlight 800 yds away which was the correct distance.

October 17, 2009, 02:39 PM	#8
bgdv1 Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2009 Location: butler,pa Posts: 146	i use a nikon buckmaster 800. the only negative about it is i archery hunt and it will not range under 15 yards. no biggy tho.

October 17, 2009, 04:25 PM	#9
glockman55 Senior Member Join Date: April 19, 2009 Location: Mich Posts: 179	Another vote for Leica, I also have the LRF 800 great battery life and has worked flawlessly.

October 17, 2009, 05:51 PM	#10
300magman Senior Member Join Date: September 12, 2008 Posts: 714	What about the bushnell yardage pro elite 1500? Is it an old model or something, I see it for sale at most vendors but its not listed on bushnell's website. And how would it compare to the new bushnell legend 1200? I'm looking at those two at the moment as they seem to be the most available locally and also two of the longest range (at least advertised range, I'm not sure about thier useful range on animals) The Swarovski is double the price and is out of my affordable range.

October 30, 2009, 11:33 AM	#11
Phoneguy Member Join Date: October 27, 2009 Posts: 25	I hunt in Wyoming, Colorado and California and use a range finder on all of my hunts. The best advice I can give you is to save a little $ then buy the Leica 1200. You will never regret it nor wish for anything else. I can not speak for the Swarovski but we have not had the best of luck with the Bushnell.

October 30, 2009, 12:13 PM	#12
Zak Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 1999 Location: Fort Collins, Colorado, USA Posts: 2,682	The Swaro will out-range the Leica 1200 in both ideal and poor conditions. I used to own the Leica, now I use the Swaro. __________________ Zak Smith . DEMIGOD LLC . THUNDER BEAST ARMS CORP . COLORADO MULTI-GUN *My PM inbox full? Send e-mail instead.*