Range finder recommendations
- Thread starter jimbo45
- Start date
The stated range will only be on reflective targets like buildings, billboards, rock faces etc. Experience says about 1/2 the stated range can be expected on earth, tree lines, animals, etc. I have a Bushnell, my brother had a Leica which was better but not a lot, and now has a Vectronix. It is 2-3X better range wise, but $$$. To shoot accurately at 1600 you need to know the range pretty precisely, so will need a good rest. A decent tripod is a reasonable expense, especially if your rifle can use it too. The budget gets big pretty fast.
Oh I know all to well about the budget iam just south of 9 grand for rifle scope and bipod it gets up there quickly. Rite now iam going to be shooting probably 1000 yards and under as my rifle is in 6.5’creedmore but looking to get into .338 lapua or bigger if our communist government don’t ban them also
Your best bet on the consumer side is probably a set of Sig K3000 or Vortex Fury 5000(?) LRF binos or a Terrapin X. I have the K3000s and I'll get ranges on trees and rocks to about 2400 yards or so. No prob picking up my 1500 and 1600 yards targets and was able to range the furthest target at RFMA (2400ish yards, iirc) when I was there for the first match they had in 2019. The Vortex and Terrapin X should perform similarly and have the same integration/link with a Kestrel.
On the "not consumer" side, a PLRF 15C or PLRF 25C would be the ticket but I wanna say they are $10k+. Another option would be the higher end Newcon Optic (made in Canada) units.
On the "not consumer" side, a PLRF 15C or PLRF 25C would be the ticket but I wanna say they are $10k+. Another option would be the higher end Newcon Optic (made in Canada) units.
duncansuds
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Weyburn, SK
I have had great results with a BR2 range finder. Buy used, not worth retail.
I agree, the one I have is great. It also links to the Kestrel 5700.
Anyone have insight into the actual differences between the new Nikon LASER 50 and the old End Of Life Nikon Black 4k? They seem extremely similar but I haven't been able to find all the specs that might show differences.
There is a comprehensive evaluation of the performance of 22 different LRF's in Modern Advancements in LR Shooting volume 2.
The test were against low and high reflectivity, 2.5 and 7.5ft targets. The only rangefinders to reliable range past 1500m on the 2.5ft low reflectivity target were all very high end, Vectronix, Wilcox and Steiner. The 3 Bushnell models tested barely made it past 1000m on the 7.5ft low reflectivity.
If you are looking for value, there is a table of price per meter for the tested rangefinders. I would go for either the Leica 1600 or the Sig Sauer Kilo 2400. Both performed in the top half of the tests, reaching 1400m on the 2.5ft high reflectivity and 1600m on the 7.5ft low reflectivity targets, and have the lowest $ per meter ratings.
The test were against low and high reflectivity, 2.5 and 7.5ft targets. The only rangefinders to reliable range past 1500m on the 2.5ft low reflectivity target were all very high end, Vectronix, Wilcox and Steiner. The 3 Bushnell models tested barely made it past 1000m on the 7.5ft low reflectivity.
If you are looking for value, there is a table of price per meter for the tested rangefinders. I would go for either the Leica 1600 or the Sig Sauer Kilo 2400. Both performed in the top half of the tests, reaching 1400m on the 2.5ft high reflectivity and 1600m on the 7.5ft low reflectivity targets, and have the lowest $ per meter ratings.
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prairie lover
CGN Regular
- Location
- southern MB
best bang for the buck right now is the nikon 4k. theres some stupid deals if you shop around. Ive had one from the first year they came out.
deer past 1200 never tried further.
single wire hydro pole after sunset on a cloudy day after sunset(best conditions) 1999 yards.
neighbors shelter belt 1700 instant readings. other neighbors trees only when cloudy 2200.
4050 on roadsigns.
800 on running coyote. this ones tricky cause the target is moving and by the time the beam comes back you have moved off. never had a standing coyote at 1000 but i bet it do it.
yes vortex has the warranty on electronics that noone else has and ive used there 4000, i feel like it has a couple hundred yards more range on deer and objects than the nikon 4k, but the nikon is less than half price now a days.
the downside to the nikon is some of them the case coating seems to wear or chip off. mine is still good. friends are all speckled.
The glass is not a leica.
The red screen could be brighter in snow conditions.
And none of these new 2000+ yard rangefinders that ive tried, sigs, vortex, leica, nikons, range through dust, rain, falling snow and fog. really screws with them. my old bushnell arc 1600 didnt have such issues but nowhere close to the range either.
deer past 1200 never tried further.
single wire hydro pole after sunset on a cloudy day after sunset(best conditions) 1999 yards.
neighbors shelter belt 1700 instant readings. other neighbors trees only when cloudy 2200.
4050 on roadsigns.
800 on running coyote. this ones tricky cause the target is moving and by the time the beam comes back you have moved off. never had a standing coyote at 1000 but i bet it do it.
yes vortex has the warranty on electronics that noone else has and ive used there 4000, i feel like it has a couple hundred yards more range on deer and objects than the nikon 4k, but the nikon is less than half price now a days.
the downside to the nikon is some of them the case coating seems to wear or chip off. mine is still good. friends are all speckled.
The glass is not a leica.
The red screen could be brighter in snow conditions.
And none of these new 2000+ yard rangefinders that ive tried, sigs, vortex, leica, nikons, range through dust, rain, falling snow and fog. really screws with them. my old bushnell arc 1600 didnt have such issues but nowhere close to the range either.
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Keep your eye out for a good used but not abused Lieca 1200 CRF. They are of very good quality & they hold thier value well.
It approaching a decade now since I bought mine here at CGN ee. No issues.
It approaching a decade now since I bought mine here at CGN ee. No issues.
I got a Sig 2k and while it works great for me in the summer. Winter time is another whole other issue. Seems like it doesnt wont to read anything with snow on it over around the 650 yd mark, so I would consider that if your shooting in snowy wintery conditions.
