Range Finders

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Field Medic

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In the market to purchase a new range finder. Reasonable hunting conditions for bow hunting, rifle, and predator hunting should be under 300-400 yds. The main 2 models I had my search narrowed down to are the Leupold RX 1000i tbr, and the Nikon Riflehunter 1000. After more research and thinking that the two above mentioned models might be a little too much range finder for my hunting environment/situation. I'm now looking at the Leupold RX-650. Appreciate any and all suggestions. I'll be using the RF for bow hunting and some predator calling/hunting the most.
 
Originally Posted By: liliysdadAlways buy more rangefinder than you think you will need. The numbers they list are for perfect conditions..

+1. Don't limit yourself and end up disappointed. I have a Swarovski. It has no special features but it works very well to very long ranges.
 
Yeah I get both of your points. And agree. The only thing is the majority of the hunting scenerio's will be bow hunting and then the occasional 300-400 shot if I can't get a coyote called in closer. I don't see myself going out west or hunting longer ranges anytime soon. But I do understand your advice and it's greatly appreciated.
 
There is no way I would get anything less than a 1-mile rated rangefinder. They work just fine at ten yds, and no one ever said "[beeep], I wish this thing didnt range as far as it does."
 
Look at the new SIG Sauer K2000 rangefinder, runs about $500
Good reviews on it so far, BUT I have not used one to see if they are on the money.
Im looking at the K2000 for my next rangefinder VS $800 for a 1600 leica.
 
I thought The same thing whgen I bought my first rangefinder. Nnow it sits on my shelf as my new, longer range unit gets all the use. I have the Nikon and it is sufficient for my needs.
 
Originally Posted By: liliysdadThere is no way I would get anything less than a 1-mile rated rangefinder. They work just fine at ten yds, and no one ever said "[beeep], I wish this thing didnt range as far as it does."

Hey I get your point. But I'm in the MO Ozarks. I don't think I'll be needing a RF that lazer's a mile! Lol!
 
Thing you need to realize is your 650yd leupold will only range 650yds to a shopping mall across a parking lot with no vehicles parked between you and the shopping mall.

300-400 yard coyote will be a "good luck" situation even with those 1,000yd rangefinders, they'd be a minimum I'd recommend for you, but like noted above, I use one mile rangefinding binoculars
 
Get the Leupold 1000 not the 650...completely different animals. Skip the Nikon, they're not the greatest for reliability. Also look at the Vortex Ranger 1000. It carries the same lifetime warranty.

The 650 rated jobs won't do well on animals past 300. You will need to range trees and such near the target to get that to work.
 
Originally Posted By: Field Medic

Hey I get your point. But I'm in the MO Ozarks. I don't think I'll be needing a RF that lazer's a mile! Lol!

I hunt the Osceola / Lowry City area of the Truman...I know what you mean. That being said, I used my 1m Bushnell there just this year, and had no issues. The price difference is negligible, and the performance capability is very nice to have.

Like was said earlier, the range the manufacturer's advertise is a best case scenario...perfect light, very large, reflective targets, etc...In poor light, non reflective targets are often unrangeable at half the advertised distance, often less.
 
A little mist and a little fog is all it will take to shut you down. Buy twice what you think. You need and tou will be happy. If you think 500 is max the buy 1000. If you want 1000 buy the 1 mile version.
 
Originally Posted By: 5spdLook at the new SIG Sauer K2000 rangefinder, runs about $500
Good reviews on it so far, BUT I have not used one to see if they are on the money.
Im looking at the K2000 for my next rangefinder VS $800 for a 1600 leica. i ahve used the sig for two days and have been impressed it ranged stuff that swaro.bino's, ziess,1600 leica would not the light was not good but it ranged to 2300yds.and it has a scan mode that works well very impressed it also accounts for angle
 
Go max you wont be sorry ! In fact i think someone out there is even making a 1200 yard model. I have the 600 yrd bushnell and have regretted not doing at least a 1000 yard model...

Well that just showes you how well ive kept up to range finders,,,2000 yard !!!! i would do that LOL
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I live in the Ozarks also and have tried about every kind of rangefinder out there and nothing beats the Leca 1600b for the money. When you do get a deer or a yote in the 400 + range the leca is the only one in the 800 buck range that will range them EVERY time. Get it its worth the money.

I have a buddy that bragged about his Leupold 1000 and how good it was until we went into the field and ranged real targets (yotes) that we planed on shooting. He used his and I used mine, I shot several yotes at 500+ yards while he watched as his wouldn't range a target that small. Didn't take him long to sell it.

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Originally Posted By: 204 AROriginally Posted By: liliysdadAlways buy more rangefinder than you think you will need. The numbers they list are for perfect conditions..

+1. Don't limit yourself and end up disappointed. I have a Swarovski. It has no special features but it works very well to very long ranges.
+1 My Nikon 800 lives in the glove box of my truck,The Swarovski has never let me down.
 
I have a Leupold Rx-1000i tbr. I would definitely opt for it over the 650. Using my Rx-1000i I've ranged whitetails out to 400yds. After that its hit or miss. Haven't had many opportunities to range smaller stuff like coyotes at any kind of distance. I can range a tin roof of a barn from my porch at 946yds, but it won't range the barn when pointed at the wood. When you stretch out the range, it really needs perfect conditions and metal reflective object to range them. Always get a higher rated rangefinder than you think you'll need. For me the RX-1000iTBR works just fine at close ranges for bow hunting, I like the red LED display and the other features it has, and it ranges just fine for most of my needs (inside 400). Before I bought the 1000, I tried my dads RX-600 and my brother in laws RX-800. Go with the 1000. It should work just fine for your intended use. You might could catch the 1200 on sale this time of year. If I/you hadthe funds, I would most likely get the Leica 1600.
 
I have the leoupold 1000itbr and loke said i cant range a coyote at 600 yards had to pick up a snow bank that was near by. Was setting up a 300,400 500 yard ramge at my grandpas farm and my cousin had to drive his pickup out in the field for me to pickup the ranges. I would check out the sig 2000 or the lieca 1600b.
 
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