Range Finders: Handheld or Binocular integrated?

[TacticalTeacher]

I’m at a crossroads. I’ve been getting away with hunting buddies who carry their handheld range finders. I also have golfing buds who have both the wrist watch GPS AND the inexpensive range finders to help me land my ball on the green(s).

I’ve even been so lucky as to have Ryan_Mcle and his SIG Kilo 2000 (?) back in the days of the Meaford Long Range Steel Challenge (2016 - 2019). As we were rib cage deep in the grass in front of Caen Pad, Base Meaford, ON, we would set up the steel target and he would hand me the SIG Kilo 2000 to laze the distance BACK to the tall rental truck we placed on the firing pad (tank gunnery cement pad). Life is good when your mates own the range finders for you to use and learn on.

Well it’s time I got off my butt and source my own. My question to you experts out there:

Should I get a pair of binoculars mounted/ integrated range finding unit like the Vortex Fury/Nikon LaserForce or should I just spring for something lighter/smaller / handheld like a Bushnell/Vortex/Nikon $ 2-3-400 unit?

I already have a couple of pairs of binoculars around the house sooooo.... I was leaning towards the cheaper handheld range finder, but then again.....

Thoughts?

Remarks?

Experiences?

Insights?

Druthers??


Peace Be To Journey!

Cheers, Barney

 

[Foxer2373]

I thought I would love the Bino range finders, until I went out and tried various at the $1500-3000 range and was left unimpressed.

In the end I went with the Vortex Razor 4000 and they are awesome!!! I am a bit of a glass snob and that one was marginally clearer than the cheaper Vortex ranger 1800... I don’t think I would have hated that at $200 cheaper but I don’t regret spending it either.

I will also add if buying a range finder(without bottomless pockets) Vortex is the only way to go as it covers them 1000% electronics and all even if it’s your fault they stopped working.

I will also add in the budget range nothing else was in the same ballpark except Sig and they were across the board more expensive model to model and warrenty wasn’t even close.

 

[PSE]

I've done both - a handheld range finder and bino rangefinders. The binos are certainly handy albeit slightly heavier than standard binos.

How much would you like to spend? The binos will be significantly more money for the added convenience. If money is an issue than a high quality handheld would be the option rather than a cheap bino/rangefinder.

 

[Butcherbill]

If money is no object then binos, if you’re counting your dollars a hand held unit. I have a handheld unit, I’d rather save up for a spotter than a set of rangefinder binos. Will serve me more to have a spotting scope over better binos with rangefinding inc.

 

[Peecos]

For hunting I prefer the bino/ laser combo. One less thing to carry and I’m very satisfied with my Nikon’s. That said, I’m considering a hand held unit for coyote hunting to reduce some weight but haven’t made the plunge yet.

 

[rugbydave]

Barney I've had a set of Sig Kilo 3000 LRF/Binos for a couple years now. I prefer them in every way to having binos and a handheld rangefinder. Carry one set of binos instead of binos and a rangefinder and way faster to get a range as you don't have to swap from one to the other. You can also be ranging locations of interest whilst scanning for whatever you're looking for (critters, targets). With the integrated ballistics built into the Kilo 3000s (and now the new Furys) it's a game changer in terms of going from finding your target to having your dope. So much faster. As with all things, better costs more, haha.

 

[shooter177]

I have the bushnell fusion 1mile 8x Bino/rangefinder and I’m very happy with them, they work well on deer size targets out to 8-900y ,bushlines way out there and on a tripod I can usually get a steel target out past 1000y
I just compared them to the vortex ones last week and mine are a bit less clear, and the vortex ones do get ranges a touch quicker and easier, that said they are twice the price of mine.
The bushnell ones don’t have a tripod adapter,
the vortex ones are 10x over the bushnell 8x
I’d like the upgrade but not sure if I can justify the 7-800$ difference

 

[TacticalTeacher]

I think it’s time I followed up on this conversation.

My son in Victoria is leaving his practice in March. He’s moving back to this AO and will be bringing his darling wife and daughter to my neighbourhood. Life is good. He has the Bushnell Rangefinder in his possession. I’m gonna steal it from him or steal it back from him. Ha ha ha








We are shooting together most of the time anyways. So my search for any rangefinder / binocular system is competed for now. I did however sell my super dooper Leupold Mil Hash binoculars recently to a great CGNutter out west in BC interior. He will be needing them more than I ever will with my field to field coyote hunting adventures.

I did pickup a pair of Vortex Diamondback 10 x 42 binoculars for the casual hunting I’ve been doing so they will meet my needs locally. I was looking at the Vortex Fury laser range finding binoculars set but for what I’m doing, that’s a pile of $$ tied up.

Peace Be To Journey!

Stay strong and stay safe. Nothing lasts forever out there!!

 

[Torkdaddy]

I've been using a rangefinder and my friend has been using the ranging bino's from Vortex. I like both, but I think I'll stick with the more compact range finder. To me the feature of a built in ballistic calculator is more important, and to get that feature in bino's is crazy expensive. Mind you a new Sig 2400 isn't really cheap either.

 

[Lead hammer]

I use and like my handheld Leica 2400R. You can freehand and get returns way out there. I wear a binocular harness, and wrap the rangefinder cord around it and stuff it into my right pocket. It’s protected from sticks and debris and is handy. Remember if that bino/rangefinder combo needs warranty, you are out both at the same time.

 

[Maple57]

I prefer an all in one solution. I do have some real nice Leica binoculars and an old laser range finder, and it sucks to carry both around. Plus a spotting scope.

My buddy has the Sig Kilo 3000BDX (Barney... you know who, near West Lorne) and its cool because the glass is better than I would have thought. It ranges accurately well past 1500 yards and it links by Bluetooth to a Kestrel.

https://www.cabelas.ca/product/130568/sig-sauer-kilo-3000bdx-rangefinding-binoculars

 

[Torkdaddy]

I want that.