Rangefinder technology

Shiner Bock · January 2, 2008, 10:17 PM

I'm looking at a good deal on a laser rangefinder but I really don't have an immediate need for one. I wouldn't mind having one to play with though. I haven't paid attention to them before and was wondering how fast their technology has been advancing. How much better/cheaper/smaller are they likely to be in another year? Is the technology still advancing fast or has it hit a plateau?

Zak Smith · January 2, 2008, 10:58 PM

http://www.6mmbr.com/rangefinders.html

Shiner Bock · January 2, 2008, 11:36 PM

Thanks for the link but I couldn't find anything in there that addressed my questions. I'm not looking for reviews, I've already checked out reviews on the unit that I'm interested in along with comparable units.

Zak Smith · January 2, 2008, 11:43 PM

The thing about the future is that it hasn't happened yet.

However, looking at the LRF market for the last 4 years, we're seeing about 50% performance/price increase every 2-3 years.

Martyn4802 · January 3, 2008, 07:27 AM

Leica CRF models are the future. Small, user friendly, and accurate.
They are the best available.

Martyn

Shiner Bock · January 3, 2008, 08:34 AM

Quote:

However, looking at the LRF market for the last 4 years, we're seeing about 50% performance/price increase every 2-3 years.

Thanks, getting an idea of that progression was exactly what I was looking for.

Zak Smith · January 3, 2008, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Leica CRF models are the future. Small, user friendly, and accurate.
They are the best available.

The article I posted, and my personal experience suggest otherwise. Of course, it depends on how far and how reliably you want to range. For under $2000, the Swarovski out-ranges in both distance and reliability any other range-finder I've tried yet, including the Geovids-- I got mine for $710. For the best buy, find a used LEica LRF1200 for about $300-400. The Geovids are an excellent tool that combine spotting/location and ranging, however, they are very expensive ($2000+ last I checked) and don't even range as far as the Swarovski.

-z

SA1911A1/45 · January 5, 2008, 04:55 AM

I have read and read and re-read the rangefinder comparison at 6mmbr. I don`t have the money to buy the best rangefinder.

I have Ruger, Savage, Remington, Para, Taurus and other fire arms. Not considdered the worlds finest, but they do the job that I want and need them to do.

Friday I will order two Bushnell Elite 1500 rangefinders. One for me and the other for a friend.

I took the advice of a board member and went down to my local gun shop and looked through 5-6 different rangefinders.

Leica 800 LRF=$585
Bush 1500/ARC=$575
Bush 1000=$399
Bush Yardage??=$299
Nikon 600=$399
Leupold R?=$400

I liked them all! All had good optics.
I was able to take them outside and try them.
Longest range was over 400 yards by both the Bush 1500 and Leica, they both ranged the same yards.

Yes the Leica had better optics, (not to be used as a pair of binos) and I liked the red square that lights and is used to center for ranging.

The Bush had a circle to line up what you range. Black display too.

The Nikon was crisp and clear, did not range over 400 yards.

I found the Bushnell 1500 Elite for $320.

Go and look through the different rangefinders, you will be glad that you did.

January 2, 2008, 10:17 PM	#1
Shiner Bock Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2007 Location: TX Posts: 132	Rangefinder technology I'm looking at a good deal on a laser rangefinder but I really don't have an immediate need for one. I wouldn't mind having one to play with though. I haven't paid attention to them before and was wondering how fast their technology has been advancing. How much better/cheaper/smaller are they likely to be in another year? Is the technology still advancing fast or has it hit a plateau?

January 2, 2008, 10:58 PM	#2
Zak Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 1999 Location: Fort Collins, Colorado, USA Posts: 2,682	http://www.6mmbr.com/rangefinders.html __________________ Zak Smith . DEMIGOD LLC . THUNDER BEAST ARMS CORP . COLORADO MULTI-GUN *My PM inbox full? Send e-mail instead.*

January 2, 2008, 11:43 PM	#4
Zak Smith Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 1999 Location: Fort Collins, Colorado, USA Posts: 2,682	The thing about the future is that it hasn't happened yet. However, looking at the LRF market for the last 4 years, we're seeing about 50% performance/price increase every 2-3 years. __________________ Zak Smith . DEMIGOD LLC . THUNDER BEAST ARMS CORP . COLORADO MULTI-GUN *My PM inbox full? Send e-mail instead.*

January 3, 2008, 07:27 AM	#5
Martyn4802 Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2007 Location: Grayling, Michigan Posts: 737	Leica CRF models are the future. Small, user friendly, and accurate. They are the best available. Martyn __________________ US Army Retired NRA Benefactor Life Member JPFO

January 5, 2008, 04:55 AM	#8
SA1911A1/45 Member Join Date: August 19, 2002 Location: California Posts: 67	I have read and read and re-read the rangefinder comparison at 6mmbr. I don`t have the money to buy the best rangefinder. I have Ruger, Savage, Remington, Para, Taurus and other fire arms. Not considdered the worlds finest, but they do the job that I want and need them to do. Friday I will order two Bushnell Elite 1500 rangefinders. One for me and the other for a friend. I took the advice of a board member and went down to my local gun shop and looked through 5-6 different rangefinders. Leica 800 LRF=$585 Bush 1500/ARC=$575 Bush 1000=$399 Bush Yardage??=$299 Nikon 600=$399 Leupold R?=$400 I liked them all! All had good optics. I was able to take them outside and try them. Longest range was over 400 yards by both the Bush 1500 and Leica, they both ranged the same yards. Yes the Leica had better optics, (not to be used as a pair of binos) and I liked the red square that lights and is used to center for ranging. The Bush had a circle to line up what you range. Black display too. The Nikon was crisp and clear, did not range over 400 yards. I found the Bushnell 1500 Elite for $320. Go and look through the different rangefinders, you will be glad that you did. __________________ Keep your powder dry.

January 2, 2008, 11:36 PM	#3
Shiner Bock Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2007 Location: TX Posts: 132	Thanks for the link but I couldn't find anything in there that addressed my questions. I'm not looking for reviews, I've already checked out reviews on the unit that I'm interested in along with comparable units.

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