Recommendation for range finder

ARshooter · September 14, 2000, 11:56 PM

Electronic range finders have on the market now for several years. Well, the wife said that she would get me one for Christmas and wanted to know which one I wanted.

So I will ask you folks. What is your opinion regarding a range finder that will be used for varmint shooting at ranges up to 600 yds? I've heard that the Bushnell has a good record. Any opinions?

oberkommando · September 15, 2000, 02:24 AM

Tell her you want the Leica Geovid

proximo · September 15, 2000, 08:32 AM

The Bushnell compact 800yd model and the Nikon compact 800yd model appear to be the same units. Both have gotten good reviews and I intend to buy one of them. You want to make sure you buy one rated for longer distances than you plan to shoot since pretty much all of them get flakey out near their limits.

George Hill · September 15, 2000, 10:03 AM

Moving to GEAR.

CITADELGRAD87 · September 15, 2000, 12:28 PM

I have a Bushnell 1000. I like it a lot, haven't ranged anything past 500 yards or so (suburbia).

Simple to use, seems well made, takes a 9 volt batt, neck strap, and an excellent neoprene case.

proximo · September 15, 2000, 01:34 PM

Well, this thread got me motivated to get off my butt and buy one of these. I can use it on the golf course until hunting season comes so I have an excuse

http://www.swfa.com carry both the Nikon and the Bushnell compact 800. Normally the Nikon is a bit more expensive than the Bushnell but S.W.F.A. has the Nikon right now for $299 and the Bushnell for $319. Doing some research on the net, it appears that the guts are the same on these but that Nikon puts their own multicoated lenses in which makes the optics noticeably sharper. I bought the Nikon.

Imbroglio · September 15, 2000, 01:57 PM

I have one of the old Bushnell 400s and was able to range a car windshield at 525 yards, but non reflective objects are a different story; probably 1/2-2/3 of the rated max range.

Anyone know if the new compact Bushnells have illuminated displays? For some reason the old 800's were the only models that had that feature.

CITADELGRAD87 · September 15, 2000, 02:07 PM

Nope, my 1000 has the new carry strap, mentioned in early reviews as a weak point, but no illumination.

Got it about 6 weeks ago.

September 14, 2000, 11:56 PM	#1
ARshooter Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 1999 Posts: 142	Electronic range finders have on the market now for several years. Well, the wife said that she would get me one for Christmas and wanted to know which one I wanted. So I will ask you folks. What is your opinion regarding a range finder that will be used for varmint shooting at ranges up to 600 yds? I've heard that the Bushnell has a good record. Any opinions?

September 15, 2000, 02:24 AM	#2
oberkommando Senior Member Join Date: September 25, 1999 Posts: 1,158	Tell her you want the Leica Geovid

September 15, 2000, 08:32 AM	#3
proximo Junior member Join Date: May 11, 2000 Posts: 191	The Bushnell compact 800yd model and the Nikon compact 800yd model appear to be the same units. Both have gotten good reviews and I intend to buy one of them. You want to make sure you buy one rated for longer distances than you plan to shoot since pretty much all of them get flakey out near their limits.

September 15, 2000, 10:03 AM	#4
George Hill Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 14, 1998 Location: North Carolina Posts: 11,546	Moving to GEAR.

September 15, 2000, 12:28 PM	#5
CITADELGRAD87 Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2000 Posts: 432	I have a Bushnell 1000. I like it a lot, haven't ranged anything past 500 yards or so (suburbia). Simple to use, seems well made, takes a 9 volt batt, neck strap, and an excellent neoprene case.

September 15, 2000, 01:34 PM	#6
proximo Junior member Join Date: May 11, 2000 Posts: 191	Well, this thread got me motivated to get off my butt and buy one of these. I can use it on the golf course until hunting season comes so I have an excuse http://www.swfa.com carry both the Nikon and the Bushnell compact 800. Normally the Nikon is a bit more expensive than the Bushnell but S.W.F.A. has the Nikon right now for $299 and the Bushnell for $319. Doing some research on the net, it appears that the guts are the same on these but that Nikon puts their own multicoated lenses in which makes the optics noticeably sharper. I bought the Nikon.

September 15, 2000, 01:57 PM	#7
Imbroglio Member Join Date: May 16, 2000 Posts: 76	I have one of the old Bushnell 400s and was able to range a car windshield at 525 yards, but non reflective objects are a different story; probably 1/2-2/3 of the rated max range. Anyone know if the new compact Bushnells have illuminated displays? For some reason the old 800's were the only models that had that feature.

September 15, 2000, 02:07 PM	#8
CITADELGRAD87 Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2000 Posts: 432	Nope, my 1000 has the new carry strap, mentioned in early reviews as a weak point, but no illumination. Got it about 6 weeks ago.