laser rangefinder scopes...

mullet maniac

mullet maniac

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I'm sure this has been covered in detail here somewhere. I'm new and don't know how to manouver around the boards searching for things, so bear with me.

My question is what's the deal with these laser rangefinding scopes? Are they useful? Gimmicky? Worth the money? Reliable? Preferred brands? "stay away from" brands?
 
Stay far far away from the one Bushnell was producing.

The Zeiss works great but is big and heavy.

IMO, you'd be better off purchasing a hand held range finder. Far more versatile... and if it ever breaks, at least you're not left using a big bulky scope minus the range finder.
 
unless I got a load of responses saying these things are complete junk, kind of have my heart set on one. Bushnell...check. What about Nikon or Burris?
 
Check what temperature they are rated for...a scope that does not work below -10c could wreck a november wt hunt or even a september elk hunt in the rockies.
 
If you plan on hunting with it you cannot be considered B&C eligible. It's the only reason I would never bother testing one out personally.. Just my $0.02.

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<rant mode=ON>

Personally, I've never really liked the idea of a rangefinder in a scope. A rangefinder in a binocular makes total sense. But more times than I care to remember, I've seen guys using their rifle scopes to look at something in an attempt to identify what it is (!@#$%). Put rangefinding functionality in their scopes, and they'll be constantly pointing their rifles at things they have no business pointing a rifle at. Of course, the flaw here is the user, not the tool. Just wish those tools could only be sold to those who have at least two digits in their IQ score...

</rant mode=OFF>
 
they aren't as good (won't read distance as far) as seperate handheld unit.

Swaro or Leica handheld and pick a good scope to go with it.

It seems to me, combo units of ANYTHING always fall on their face....kinda like a tv with built in DVD player....DVD player cooks to death because tv heat is too close....scope with rangefinder makes one heavy ass scope that looks ugly as sin, and doesn't do either job very well because laser power was sacrificed to squeeze it into a scope, and magnification or clarity are sacrificed in order to stuff a rangefinder in the scope.

I highly reccomend going with seperate units.

Plus - a combo only mounts to ONE gun, and who only packs ONE GUN? :D
 
It all depends on what kind of shooting you plan on doing with it. I use mine for long range precision shooting in the mountains. It helps me determine the distance to target so that when I enter that and a few other variables into my ballistics software, it gets me close or even on target. Now and then I'll bring it to the range because I spent some money on a Zeiss and I enjoy looking through it. If you appreciate high end glass and require very long range reading capabilities (1000 - 1500 M) then you'll likely need to spend good money on a quality RF. That's how I see it. :sniper:
 
I wouls also make the suggestion to get a scope and then if you really think you need the range finder go out and get a seperate bino / range finder combo. I had a laser range finder and eventually sold it due to the fact that I never used it. I found that I would bring it along all the time...but they would never see any use on my hunts.
 
some very good points. Thank you for your comments, I've given them some thought and... sadly... I must admit that this toy may not be as appealing as I'd initially thought. Oh well, there are some damn interesting scopes out there anyway to keep me occupied :D
 
mullet maniac said:
some very good points. Thank you for your comments, I've given them some thought and... sadly... I must admit that this toy may not be as appealing as I'd initially thought. Oh well, there are some damn interesting scopes out there anyway to keep me occupied :D
Click to expand...

I remember having the same thought process. It is all flowers and roses until you start working out the logistics.

One of the uses I have for a range finder is travel distances, rather than shooting distances. If you have to put your gun at everything you want to range, well, that can lead to some sticky or awkward situations.

Oh, and the scopes are big. Huge. Heavy. Not good on a mountain rifle or a walking rifle.
 
I picked up the burris eliminator to try out, Its the only one that can also do on the fly BDC. I think that it is a neat idea, I have only put about 20 shells through the gun with the scope on, but the bullets I was using we grouping at about 2 1/2" @ 100y so I figured that there was no point in trying anything longer with the bdc.
 
Stay away from LRF scopes. A handheld will always prove to be more functional .

Seriously, would you prefer this:

ht tp://ca.wholesalesports.com/storefront/scopes/centerfire-rifle-scopes/yardage-pro-rangefinder-scope/prod58815.html

over this?

ht tp://ca.wholesalesports.com/storefront/monoculars-rangefinders/rangefinders/rx-iv-boone-crockett-edition/prod51164.html
 
does anybody have any problems with the burris scopes?What scares me about them is that if I bought one and liked it I would have to replace the scopes on my Whole inventory and that would be very very costly.The advantage I see is speed to use a hand held unit as I do rangeing on an animal would add seconds in on a time when seconds realy count I usualy use mine to range an area im sitting on and keep the numbers in my head.
 
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