Rangefinder

X

xtrempredhntr

New member
I am looking into getting a range finder pretty soon, and was wondering which one would be the best deal. I would like to get one under $300, and range on deer sized game out to about 500. I know that might be a long shot. I know of the ATN 800 or 1500, cant remember. It was about $270, was wondering if anyone had any experience with it, or anyother rangefinder you have experiences with. Any info would be a great help.
 
Leica 900 will fall in that range. I have the Leica 1200. In my opinion they are absolutely the best I have been around. I got mine from Bear Basin the day after I place my order. I think Optic zone also carries them. Go to our sponsor page and click on their links. I am sure they would appreciate the business.
 
+1 for the Leica... I have a 1200 that I picked up used for almost 1/2 of a new one and I don't think it had ever been used.

The 900 would have done me as well, as the longest distance I can shoot accurately is under 500yds, and I've noticed the price on them is coming down in some of the catalogs that I get.
 
I'd like to learn more about range finders also!

I just did a product search for Leica 900 and Leica 1200 range finders. It looks like they are going for $399.99 and $499.99 each, respectively. That is out of my price range.

Does anyone have any experiance with Nikon, Bushnell and Leupold range finders?

I went to my local Gander Mountain store and looked through the Nikon Monarch, and one of the Leupold range finders (I don't remember which model.) I think that both of these were about $300.00. I liked the Nikon one better. The numerical display was really crisp and easy for my old eyes to see. I have no idea how accurate these were. I tried to look through the Bushnell model, but somebody stole the battery compartment cover and battery!

Cow Bob
 
Look through any nikon, bushnell or leupold. Then look through a Leica. I'm a big fan of Nikon and Leupold scopes. As well as Nikon Binoculars (not leupold bino's). But the rangefinders all look horrible in comparison to the Leica. Looks like you're looking through tinted glass. Also keep in mind that if you're looking into the woods or a dark area, you won't be able to see the numbers. Leica's are red.

I found my 900 on clearance for 350.

However If you're into real long-range shooting I'd pick a Leupold simply because of the True ballistic range feature. Would be very handy in hilly area's if you're shooting into a valley or up hill.
 
I know the Leicas are excellent units, I just don't own one. I've used them for p-dogs and big game though, and know that they are a great choice, and worth upping your budget a bit for.

I have owned and used Bushnells since the early days of laser RF's. First I had the 1000 yard unit, which worked very well, but was a bit bulky.

I upgraded to a Yardage Pro Scout about three years ago. It is really nice and compact, light as a feather and fast reading. It is a bit light on features though, and I find myself wanting a bit more. It's perfect for my uses, deer and varmint hunting at moderate ranges. Cost about $229.
 
I run the leica 1200 scan. I couldn't be more happy with it. I have a pard who dropped the cash on the Swaro LRF and it is a very nice piece of glass. It probably has better optics in it than most guys have in their bino's. I am happy with the Leica, but the Swaro really is a better LRF, it's just a whole lot of money for me to spend on one.

Call Doug at cameralandny, he still has the 1200 scan listed at 429$. I bought a demo model from him and it considerably less than that.

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/pentax.pl?page=40525
 
Quote:
I'd like to learn more about range finders also!

I just did a product search for Leica 900 and Leica 1200 range finders. It looks like they are going for $399.99 and $499.99 each, respectively. That is out of my price range.

Cow Bob



I did a search(Google), and I can't find a Leica 900 for
$399. Care to point me to that price?

Squeeze
 
I think they are all accurate to with in +/- a foot. there is very little differance other than price except the Lecia are clearer and seem to be easier to see through for me any way
 
I just purchased my first rangefinder. After looking at several and reading reviews I bought the Nikon Monarch 800.
It is plenty compact to not be bulky and it has a lighted display. Price was fair and refurb units are available at an even larger savings. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
Reveiws show it to be a good unit for mid/range use out to 400 yards on animals (deer) and 550 yards or so to white tagets. That should be more than I'll ever need.....I hope /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Another vote for Leica - owned several others over the years and finally checked out the Leica and nothing else comes close.
 
I have both the Bushnell 400 and the new Nikon Monarch Gold 1200. The Nikon blows the Bushnell away as far as clarity and accurate repeatable ranging.

Now, my neighbor has the new Leica 1200 and we were comparing the two side by side. My Nikon would not range the targets like the Leica would. The Leica was certainly much brighter and clearer over the Nikon and the scan mode worked much better. However, I can't hit a coyote at 1200 yards with a 16" 223 nor do I even want to attempt that shot. I'm very satisfied with the Nikon 1200 as it works very well for my setups when I check areas within my desired shootable distances. That may be between 50 yards to 250 yards but I would be pushin' the envelope at that distance. Too many things to worry about like hitting a neighbors cows or horse, that would not be good /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

My neighbor purchased one of the new Leupold ranging uphill downhill whatchamacallits and ended up taking it back immeadiately. That thing was pure garbage, the reviews have been for the most part negative on the Leupolds. Read about'em before you go buy on the Leupold name.

My neighbor he is very satisfied with the Leica and so was I. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
I've been using the Leica 1200 for about 3 or 4 years now (same battery!). Very pleased with it, works in just about any weather as long as you some visibility. I don't even carry binocs anymore--the Leica does double duty.
 
I would save my money until a Leica unit can be purchased. I believe you will be very pleased. I have used them all and love the new Rangefinder binoculars! However, they don't seem to be able to pin-point small targets are extreme long range as the old Govids in my opinion.
 
Hi,
Just a few things to say. If you cvan afford a Swarowski or Lecia then buy one, if yu can't then buy a Bushnell 1500. So many others of the less expensive have:

1. too many options that just confuse the issue, & or
2. poor optics, & or
3. innacurate range finding capacity.

I can't afford a Lecia either, so took note of what other, more experienced people had to say.


www.6mmbr.com/rangefinders.html
 
i have the bushnell elite 1500 and have ranged rocks out to over 1400 yards. i am very happy with it, but haven't had the chance to compare it to other rangefinders as other members have. i have to say that for the price, which is a fair bit less then the more expensives models, it has done everything i expected of it. i'd recommend it... for what its worth.
 
Back
Top