Recommend a decent rangefinder?

ks_wayward_son · November 21, 2021, 03:57 PM

Not looking for the absolute high end, just something reliable and inexpensive to take to the gun range with me to plot out yardage distances. Not sure what a "budget" unit would cost, but looking to spend no more than about 250.00. Yardage capability of 1000 would be beneficial. Figure now might be a good time to pick one up with Black Friday around the corner or early deals happening. Thanks.

cosh · November 21, 2021, 04:36 PM

Have a sub-$300 unit, forget the brand. It is ok ranging hills, large solid objects and more dense trees with leaves to 300 yards - maybe. I couldn't use it to range a paper plate much past 100 yards though. It was picking up grass and other things too causing it to shift range.

A disc golf guy tried to use it to range baskets, not accurate for that at all. They found laser ranging to work much better on smaller objects.

Budget cost worked well enough for hunting though.

Rob228 · November 21, 2021, 05:22 PM

I've got the Vortex impact 1000. It is accurate out to about 400 yards, and that is only if you are ranging a VERY reflective surface and have a stable rest. Past 400, if it hasn't been about the size and reflectiveness of my truck, I'm not getting a range off of it.

603Country · November 21, 2021, 09:02 PM

For a few years I used a Nikon 600 RF. It would range a dusty coyote or hog to 400 yards maximum. It was a good unit, but I wanted more range. I got a Sig 1250 (I think that was the model), but it wasn’t much better than the Nikon on dusty brown critters. Next up was a Leica 2000B, which I still have and still like a lot. I’ve ranged cows to 1100 yards and pigs to 500 yards (the other side of my hay field).

I suppose the question to ask is how much range is needed. I did fine with the Nikon for a long time, so if all you need is 400 yards or so, big money spending won’t be needed.

Nathan · November 22, 2021, 06:00 AM

I have the Leupold 1600 from Black Friday last year or 2 years ago. Cost me about $250 and ranges to 1000 pretty easy and 1600 with some difficulty. The only negative is lack of tripod stud. Over 1000, these things get hard to hold still and press the button.

November 21, 2021, 03:57 PM	#1
ks_wayward_son Senior Member Join Date: July 19, 2007 Posts: 332	Recommend a decent rangefinder? Not looking for the absolute high end, just something reliable and inexpensive to take to the gun range with me to plot out yardage distances. Not sure what a "budget" unit would cost, but looking to spend no more than about 250.00. Yardage capability of 1000 would be beneficial. Figure now might be a good time to pick one up with Black Friday around the corner or early deals happening. Thanks.

November 21, 2021, 04:36 PM	#2
cosh Member Join Date: August 14, 2013 Posts: 39	Have a sub-$300 unit, forget the brand. It is ok ranging hills, large solid objects and more dense trees with leaves to 300 yards - maybe. I couldn't use it to range a paper plate much past 100 yards though. It was picking up grass and other things too causing it to shift range. A disc golf guy tried to use it to range baskets, not accurate for that at all. They found laser ranging to work much better on smaller objects. Budget cost worked well enough for hunting though.

November 21, 2021, 05:22 PM	#3
Rob228 Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2010 Location: Hampstead NC Posts: 1,450	I've got the Vortex impact 1000. It is accurate out to about 400 yards, and that is only if you are ranging a VERY reflective surface and have a stable rest. Past 400, if it hasn't been about the size and reflectiveness of my truck, I'm not getting a range off of it.

November 21, 2021, 09:02 PM	#4
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	For a few years I used a Nikon 600 RF. It would range a dusty coyote or hog to 400 yards maximum. It was a good unit, but I wanted more range. I got a Sig 1250 (I think that was the model), but it wasn’t much better than the Nikon on dusty brown critters. Next up was a Leica 2000B, which I still have and still like a lot. I’ve ranged cows to 1100 yards and pigs to 500 yards (the other side of my hay field). I suppose the question to ask is how much range is needed. I did fine with the Nikon for a long time, so if all you need is 400 yards or so, big money spending won’t be needed.

November 22, 2021, 06:00 AM	#5
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,325	I have the Leupold 1600 from Black Friday last year or 2 years ago. Cost me about $250 and ranges to 1000 pretty easy and 1600 with some difficulty. The only negative is lack of tripod stud. Over 1000, these things get hard to hold still and press the button.