Need Rangefinder Advice

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Old Farmer

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I am interested in getting a rangefinder for use in short, medium and longer range use (ie. bow hunting, shotgunning for deer and rifle varmint hunting). I can afford up to $300.

Any recommendations on products or features that I should consider.

Any advice would be appreciated as I have never used a rangefinder.
 
Keep in mind that the yardage numbers advertised on the box are possible only in ideal conditions. I picked up a used Bushnell Elite 1500 arc this year.
Ideal conditions it will probably get out to 1500yd

Bright sunlight on trees or snow to 800yd.
Cloudy day no sun 1200 on trees
Raining or snowing(5 on a scale of 1-10)400-600yd
I'm pretty happy with it on the whole.

I once tried the Yardage Pro from Can tire
Max 200yd off trees in good conditions
300 off a house. Took it back.
 
I wonder if those electronic tape measures that realtors are now starting to use would work. I have no idea what their range is but if they work that would be a bargain! just a thought
 
I wonder if those electronic tape measures that realtors are now starting to use would work. I have no idea what their range is but if they work that would be a bargain! just a thought
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Don't you think that it might be a bit difficult to try and get the game to stand still while you walk over to it to measure the distance,then walk back to your stand to take the shot?:D
 
OF, any of the common Bushnell rangefinders will do the job nicely. I would prefer a compact style. Just look at the models and pick one that is rated for 600yds or so.

Walmart, Cdn Tire will carry these more economical versions.

Good luck

Jerry
 
My advice is to wait until you can afford a little more. I have been throught his myself and have seen friends do it as well. It is a lot cheaper in the end to spend the money and spend it once. If you buy a cheap rangefinder, that is what you get. If you watch you can get a used bushnell 1500 and that would be the cheapest I would consider going. Leupold's new rangefinders are also good (RX-1000), but DO NOT buy one of the older RX-IV or similar.
 
Farlsincharge said:
My advice is to wait until you can afford a little more. I have been throught his myself and have seen friends do it as well. It is a lot cheaper in the end to spend the money and spend it once. If you buy a cheap rangefinder, that is what you get. If you watch you can get a used bushnell 1500 and that would be the cheapest I would consider going. Leupold's new rangefinders are also good (RX-1000), but DO NOT buy one of the older RX-IV or similar.
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:agree:

Try and find a good deal on a Lieca 1200 on the EE. They are the smallest most compact and when they say 1200 yards they mean 1200 yards. The glass is also better than most cheaper LRF's.
 
I picked up a Bushnell several years ago (the exact model escapes me) that was rated to be of use out past 1000 yards. It was in fact useful on mirror like surfaces up about 1000 yards.

Things like trees, most rock faces, and animals not wearing reflective clothing the actual functional range was more like 300 yards. I took it back.

My reasoning was/is that out to 300 yards I am still holding on hair. For me, it is important to know ranges past 300 not under 300. FME holdover becomes critical from 350 on out.

This fall I got a Swarovski 1500. It will range darn near anything out past 1500. I have relaibly ranged a variety of critters out to about 700 yards so far and it seems likely it will work on hair up to 1000 yards. As well, the glass is incredibly clear and bright.

FWIW I would hold off on the entry level rangefinders and save up for a Zeiss, Leica, or Swaro.
 
Here is a pic from my Swarovski 1500 on a rock face. I have also had it range farther but was not quick enough to take a picture before the reading cleared.
DSC00839.jpg
 
The above is really all nonesense when they are telling you to buy something more expensive. In all honesty when I bought my Bushnell Elite 1500 I took the Leica 1200, and a couple of the Leupolds out at the same time the glass on the Bushnell was outstanding, it ranged anything I wanted it to, including damp grass at 1000 yards at dusk. Was the Leica better? you bet your ass. Almost triple the price better? Hell no. Further more the Leupolds (RX III and IV) were easily the worst performers, and their glass was, at BEST on par with the Bushnells. Also why do you really need to range an animal out past 600 yards? Are you going to be shooting further than that? No? Then you don't need to range it til you get at least that close. I know you can spend thousands of dollars and get primo, but as you stated you have 300 bucks to spend. You can get a good piece of equipment for that. Just keep your eyes open. Got my 1500 Elite ARC from Le Baron this spring for $287 bucks I believe, so deals are out there. Go to the store, try out a bunch, see what's comfortable on your eye, make sure it ranges soft targets as far as you're gonna shoot and then go home, check the EE, buy and sell, the big online retailers and see who's got the best price, and buy it. You most definitely can get into the game for 300 bucks.
 
MuleyMadness said:
I know you can spend thousands of dollars and get primo, but as you stated you have 300 bucks to spend. You can get a good piece of equipment for that. Just keep your eyes open. Got my 1500 Elite ARC from Le Baron this spring for $287 bucks I believe, so deals are out there. Go to the store, try out a bunch, see what's comfortable on your eye, make sure it ranges soft targets as far as you're gonna shoot and then go home, check the EE, buy and sell, the big online retailers and see who's got the best price, and buy it. You most definitely can get into the game for 300 bucks.
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like this one?
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=401246
 
That I believe is the 1500 Elite (no ARC)...but yes very similar. To tell you the truth I don't use the ARC (Angle Range Compensation) on mine for telling me the holdover amount as I handload and use a BDC reticle on my scope, but the ARC is VERY useful for telling you the angle on extreme uphill and downhill shots so you can compensate correctly. You will be happy with the above unit if it works well and the glass is clear, it's a bit bigger then some but I find it fits my hands and eyes well and I actually prefer that you hold it horizonal instead of vertical. I am a huge fan of these LRF as you can tell, would buy one any day over the comparable Leupolds and Nikons. That is a very good quality range finder, and will suit 99% of people's needs, 99% of the time. Here is a link from WSS to see what it would cost you new, plus shipping and taxes. Another great part about them is the use regular 9v batteries, usually only needs 1 per season, but even if you need to replace it we're talking 4 bucks at the 7-11, not 20+ from a mail order outlet.

http://www.wholesalesports.com/stor...nders/rangefinders/c0-c50-c502-c50202-p1.html
 
I have a Leupold RXII and ranged a Coyote at 180 yards and that's good enough for me. If I can know something is 300 yards or less, it's shootable. I doubt it would do a Coyote at that distance (even if I could hold it steady enough) but I would be ranging the next closest large object. In open terrain ranging small things is pretty hard from my 'limited' experience. Maybe the high dollar rangefinders make ranging small things in the open easier?
 
Just spent maybe a couple more hundered dollars...You would get the Lieca 800,900 or1200 it will last for life time ,and you'll be happy with it.
 
D3006 said:
Just spent maybe a couple more hundered dollars...You would get the Lieca 800,900 or1200 it will last for life time ,and you'll be happy with it.
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:agree:

That would be my recommendation too. I have a Leica R900 and it works well.
Everything works inside 200m and ideal light conditions. What matters is 400m in low light.
 
That's my point...you don't need a Leica to range 400m in low light anymore (incidentially LRF's generally work best in lower light, less ambiant 'noise' to interfere with the signal). Seriously put a Bushnell Elite to your eye and try it out and then honestly tell me it's not good enough...yes it's a bit bigger, but it has amazing optics and the LRF blew me away for the price I paid. If you found a 900 used it would be worth considering, but you will still be paying significantly more and I don't believe it's a better range finder than the Elite 1500, yes I honestly believe that...try them both out before you cry foul on that...the 1200 is definitely better than the 1500 but for the price difference it damn well better be.
 
I have to disagree with MuleyMadness as I used a brand new Elite Arc 1500 side-by-side a Leica all last hunting season and there's a huge gap in performance of the ranging capabilities as well as the optical clarity.

A brand new Elite 1500 retails for around $550.. in that case spend a little (not 3 times) more and get a Leica.. but if you can get a good deal on an Elite it sounds like it will more than meet your needs.
 
Start looking for a used Leica 800, unless you intend to shoot regularly beyond that range.

I'm continually impressed with mine and its ability to accurately determine range under the worst of conditions.

As far as price, I would budget for around $350 or so for one but if lucky, you might be able to come up with a used 1200 for only slightly more.

I see a used one on e-bay for $300 USD - buy option. You can get a new one for slightly over $400 in the US and don't forget to check Canadian sources.

Good luck!

Duke1
 
wheels said:
I have to disagree with MuleyMadness as I used a brand new Elite Arc 1500 side-by-side a Leica all last hunting season and there's a huge gap in performance of the ranging capabilities as well as the optical clarity.

A brand new Elite 1500 retails for around $550.. in that case spend a little (not 3 times) more and get a Leica.. but if you can get a good deal on an Elite it sounds like it will more than meet your needs.
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I too have used the side by side and the 900 is NOT superior in ranging capabilities. The optics are better, but like I said, for the price they should be. As far as price is concerned I was comparing it to the 1200 which is definitely superior, at a superior price. I can tell you the Elite can be had, new for 300 bucks if you look around. Lots of guys on here can tell you that Le Baron had them on this year for $287 or thereabouts. To say that the 900 has a huge gap in performance and optics is simply not the case. Are they great yes, but they are not a better performer, and the guy is looking to spend around 300...not around 500 or 600. Anyone who says you need to spend Leica 1200 kind of money, or even 900 money to get a quality range finder is just being a LRF snob ;)
 
To say that the 900 has a huge gap in performance and optics is simply not the case
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Well, I did find it to be the case.. especially in optics. You seriously didn't see a major difference in optical clarity??

Maybe the Elite I was using was a dud, although the Elite's I've looked through in stores didn't look any better.

Agree to disagree I guess.. but like I said, it sounds like the Eilte will more than meet his needs.. just don't be paying full price for one.
 
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