Comments on Rangefinders

Boss Hogg

Boss Hogg

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Calgary, Alberta
I'd like to here your comments / sugestions on a range finder. Recommendations to buy etc. They have been around for a while now, I'm assuming that technology has made them affordable but lets here what you have to say.

Thanks in advance.
 
Since I bought one I realised just how bad I am at estimating range. I think you will be very suprised. I have a yardage pro that is supposedly waterproof and floats. It is compact, ranges to 800 on large objects and 450 on game. I have ranged trees and stuff like that out past 600 with it. The new Swarovski includes an 8x30 monocular, which would be nice as the optics on this one are weak, especially in low light. On the other hand it is not intended to make out details and number of points.
 
Im gonna buy a Leica before next fall, I was very impressed...

the new Bushnell Elite 1500 looks good.




I have a Bushnell Yardage Pro500 and its a heavy piece of ####
 
I've got a Leica 800, and love it. This past moose season I actually had it range 883 yards. Not bad for a range finder thats supposed to only range 800 :wink: I usually get to my set up and range a few land marks right at the start, so you have a better idea what range an animal is at, just incase it won't be around long enough to let you range it. As in all hunting time is a factor when an animal walks out, its easier to know before hand what the range is than worry about it when the game shows up. :D
 

The Leica 1200 is the one to buy. It has an improved system over the 800. The optics are very good and it is very compact. I don't think there is a better one on the market for the money. I used to sell them but Leica Canada is no more and I do not have a supplier.

Cabellas handle them and it is not problem across the border.
 
I just ordered a Bushnell Elite 1500, Ill let you know after hunting season :)

Chuck hawks had nothing but good things to say about it. Got it for a great price off Ebay, can't wait till it gets here.
I missed a 160 class whitetail in Alberta last year because I under judged the distance. Hopefully that won't happen again.

Brambles
 
Both the Leica 1200 and the 900 are great units. You will not be disappointed in either one.

They will embarass you, however. Both have made me check the distance more than once because i couldn't believe it was as close as they indicated. :shock:

They are right, every time!

Ted
 
Well, this one sure isn't the most affordable but...Leica 10x42 Geovid BRF
:shock: A friend has one and it's the $h!t 8) I tried it out and what's not to like (price!!) A top of the line 10x42 Leica bino w/ built in laser range finder accurate to 1300 yards :shock: (Instead of another rifle/scope combo :roll: this bad boy is on my "gotta have" list :wink: )The bad news is the price...$2400 Canukistan Peso's :shock: :( I wonder want Santa would think :wink: ...KF
 
I have a bushnell yardage pro scout, and yep it's CHEAP but like the others have said, it sure humbles you when you thought you knew how to range distance before. I'd like a nicer one but there's too many other toys to buy!!!
 
Boss Hogg said:
How much was the Leica 800?
Click to expand...

To the best of my knowledge the 800's are no longer available. They've been replaced by the 900's. I bought mine before the 900's were around, but have yet to have a problem with it. You get what you pay for, so don't cheap out on this tool either. Spend a few bucks on good optics, be it scope, bino's, spotting scope, or range finder and you'll be worlds ahead. :D
 
BC Bigbore said:
Well, this one sure isn't the most affordable but...Leica 10x42 Geovid BRF
:shock: A friend has one and it's the $h!t 8) I tried it out and what's not to like (price!!) A top of the line 10x42 Leica bino w/ built in laser range finder accurate to 1300 yards :shock: (Instead of another rifle/scope combo :roll: this bad boy is on my "gotta have" list :wink: )The bad news is the price...$2400 Canukistan Peso's :shock: :( I wonder want Santa would think :wink: ...KF
Click to expand...

I bought a pair of these this summer and I highly reccomend them. Very pricy but well worth it. I tried 20 + pairs of binos before I bought these and the only glass as good I found was the Swaro's. And with the built in 1300 {I've ranged as far as 1465 :eek: } rangefinder you can't go wrong :!:
Just don't let the wife see the bill :oops:
 
The latest gen stuff is getting really rave reviews. People seem to like the bushnell, and i assume most of the other manufacturer's latest offerings are pretty much similar leaps and bounds over previous tech.

Don't use 'em much myself, but it seems like it's worth getting the latest stuff.
 
The Old Man has one of the old Bushnell 800's. It's not bad. Better for ranging bigger objects, but again, there's new tech out there. I got the truck with it at 999. Pretty good as far as I'm concerned.
 
The Bushnell Elite 1500 and the new Nikon 1200 are the two best rangefinders on the Market right now... faster, more accurate, and less espensive than all the others... bar none. :idea:
 
If you bow hunt (like I do) a rangefinder is invaluable. I have two rangefinders. I have a Bushnell 400 which I used for five years and served me well but I can't get it to range closer than 18 yards. I received a scout as a birthday present and it ranges down to 5 yards and is much smaller. I will probably sell or trade the 400. Personally I never range animals, I just pick out land marks (trees, rocks etc) when I first get set up and then I put the rangefinder away.
 
I have a yardage pro800. I like it except that it seems to work better on smooth bright objects than say a tree or so. I find that if I want to find a distance to a certain tree or bush I would usually have to focus on a nearby log (no bark) or a rock, which in reality may not be the same distance. But it is great tool for learning to judge distance. I am at the point where I can be within 3 to 5 yards off at 100 yrd fairly consistantly, much better than the 20 plus when I first started guessing.

icecold
 
That is the difference between the Leicas and the other brands in my experience. The leics will range "soft" targets way out there. I have ranged the edge of a dark spruce on the edge of a cut to more than 700 yds with the 900, over 1000 with the 1200.

Ted
 
TMaC said:
BC Bigbore said:
Well, this one sure isn't the most affordable but...Leica 10x42 Geovid BRF
:shock: A friend has one and it's the $h!t 8) I tried it out and what's not to like (price!!) A top of the line 10x42 Leica bino w/ built in laser range finder accurate to 1300 yards :shock: (Instead of another rifle/scope combo :roll: this bad boy is on my "gotta have" list :wink: )The bad news is the price...$2400 Canukistan Peso's :shock: :( I wonder want Santa would think :wink: ...KF
Click to expand...

I bought a pair of these this summer and I highly reccomend them. Very pricy but well worth it. I tried 20 + pairs of binos before I bought these and the only glass as good I found was the Swaro's. And with the built in 1300 {I've ranged as far as 1465 :eek: } rangefinder you can't go wrong :!:
Just don't let the wife see the bill :oops:
Click to expand...

If these are that good, maybe I need to get a pair, 8) . I'd have to sell a couple toys for me see the way through it. Hmmmm, I wouldn't need my current range finder, and I haven't grown attatched to those Winny's and the Snider I saved the other day. Curse you guys for making me think this way :twisted:
 
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