I had the opportunity to check out a Bushnell Yardage Pro 600, a Leica 1200, a Leupold RX-IV and a Swarovski Laser Guide 8x30 all at the same time, under identical conditions on two separate days. One morning was bright, cold and clear.
All of them worked quite well out to 400 yds on coyote sized game. The Bushnell became unreliable first followed by the Leupold after 450 yds and the Leica after 650 yds, the Swarovski was reliable to about 700 yds.
They all worked well on large boulders and cattle out to their designated yardages. I must say, conditions were absolutely perfect.
The next opportunity to test them all again came under cloudy conditions, after a light rain and more rain in the offing.
The Bushnells again were unreliable on coyotes at about 300 yds, The leupolds about 350 yds, the Leicas just under 400yds and the Swarovskis about 450 yds.
The Swarovskis had, by far and away the better optics of all of them. This may be why they had the advantage. They were the easiest to aquire and hold the image as well.
Other than the Bushnell, the other units were all owned by other people than myself. All of us agreed that any of the units were acceptable for 99% of hunting needs.
All of us agreed that the Swarovski optical advantage was good enough to eliminate the need of a pair of binoculars, under most conditions.
Needless to say, I bought a pair of Swarovski Laser Guide 8x30 (1500yds)demonstrators (as new) from Camerland, a sponsor on the site header. Delivered to my door for $835.
Don't get them sent through a broker, get them sent through the mail and you won't have to pay a brokerage fee.
bearhunter
