Range finders
- Thread starter PETE 1
- Start date
john-brennan
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Vancouver Island B.C.
I have a Leica 1200 and i love it and would'nt buy anything else, but alot of guys like the bushnell 1500. It is always nice to see a comparison done by the hunting mags or to know someone who ownes one to try out, i tried a few before i bought mine and checked out different articles in hunting mags and Leica came out on top for me.
I wouldn't buy either, I'd let the GF to buy me a Swarovski 1500 yard 8x30 rangefinder for Christmas. Oh wait... She did!!!
In all seriousness though I would probably go with the best that you can afford, be it the bushnell, Leica , Swaro or the Leica Vector for that matter. One thing you hear over again is don't go cheap on optics. I am a firm believer in you get what you pay for especially when it comes to good glass. The more expensive optics are better quality to begin with, have better customer service and better warranties as well so you can't go wrong with spending money on something you will use over many years.
In all seriousness though I would probably go with the best that you can afford, be it the bushnell, Leica , Swaro or the Leica Vector for that matter. One thing you hear over again is don't go cheap on optics. I am a firm believer in you get what you pay for especially when it comes to good glass. The more expensive optics are better quality to begin with, have better customer service and better warranties as well so you can't go wrong with spending money on something you will use over many years.
J
JoeP's old business account
Guest
I've had several of the 1200 Leicas. Looked at the Bushnell 1500 and for the money it is really hard to beat. I found the battery cover to be an area I thought could be problematic.
Swarovski 8-30 are really nice but still a monocular. I will be going the BRF Leica Binocular laser on the next go. Just too tired of bringing two pieces of gear into the field - bino & Laser.
Swarovski 8-30 are really nice but still a monocular. I will be going the BRF Leica Binocular laser on the next go. Just too tired of bringing two pieces of gear into the field - bino & Laser.
Bushnell just came out with an Elite 1500 "ARC", which measures angles and has ballistic corrections for different calibers along with bows.
http://www.bushnell.com/company_info/press_release.cfm
http://www.bushnell.com/company_info/press_release.cfm
There are lots of offerings in range finders including the new Leupolds. The higher prices you pay usually reflect not only the image quality but also the range that your unit will lock on to targets. Remember that the ranges indicated by the model numbers usually reflect the maximum range the unit is good for under ideal conditions with the most reflective targets. Chose the best unit you can afford from a responsible retailer and a company with a good warranty history. Most warranties for electronics are usually 1 year. Having said that we like the Bushnell 1500 (havent seen the ARC yet )and the Leupolds with inclinometer. The Leica's, Swarov. and Nikon are also high end and have exceptional image quality but at a higher price.
Thanks for all the feedback.I purchased the Bushnell 1500.It was a toss up between it and the Leica 1200.Tried them both out and side by side and they ranged objects virtually identically.Have to say that the Leica has better glass as far as using it as a monocular.Put the $300 I saved towards a new Bushnell Elite 20-60x80 45 degree eye piece spotting scope.
Thanks
Peter
Thanks
Peter
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Homesteader
CGN Regular
- Location
- In a Wallow West of Edmonton.
ivo,
What do you think of the swarovskis? I don't have a rangefinder, but have looked at the one your gf got you and I prefer it over any other. I know they are pricey but, do you feel the price is justified since you've had a chance to use them.
Homesteader
What do you think of the swarovskis? I don't have a rangefinder, but have looked at the one your gf got you and I prefer it over any other. I know they are pricey but, do you feel the price is justified since you've had a chance to use them.
Homesteader
I purchased the Leica 800 two years ago when it was being replaced by the 900. Got a good buy that I can’t refuse. With 4X power lens the unit does what it is supposed to do. I never have to range beyond 500 yards besides your hands have to extremely steady to get an accurate reading beyond 500 yards.
There was a huge difference in quality between Leica and Bushnell. The differences have narrowed recently which makes Bushnell a pretty cost effect buy. Try them out at the stores and let us know what you think.
Danny
There was a huge difference in quality between Leica and Bushnell. The differences have narrowed recently which makes Bushnell a pretty cost effect buy. Try them out at the stores and let us know what you think.
Danny
J
JoeP's old business account
Guest
Phil excellent deal!
Do you have any of the 10x42 BRFs in stock?
Do you have any of the 10x42 BRFs in stock?
I haven't tested mine out in the field yet but they are very highly spoken of over on Snipershide. Guys are reporting consistent ranging out to 1700 yards and usually 1800-2000 on cattle, elk...
I can coment on the feel of it though. It is Tiny, I had a Bushnell Yardage pro 800 before this and that was small but I can almost wrap my hand around this whole thing. It is 8x so I will probably not pack my binocs anymore, just the RF and spotting scope. Glass is what you would expect from Swarovski, crystal clear, crisp image.
The true test will come in the fall but I am optimistic.
I can coment on the feel of it though. It is Tiny, I had a Bushnell Yardage pro 800 before this and that was small but I can almost wrap my hand around this whole thing. It is 8x so I will probably not pack my binocs anymore, just the RF and spotting scope. Glass is what you would expect from Swarovski, crystal clear, crisp image.
The true test will come in the fall but I am optimistic.
Ivo: I love your Swaroski. But have you try to range a cow at 1000 yards? With 8X magnification, you can barely see the animal let along trying to lock it in with the range finder. Your hands will not be steady enough to let you do it.
At 1800/2000 yard, I can’t see the animal with the 8X range finder. Your eyes and hands have to be a lot better than mine. At best you can range the barn or the trees near by. If you don’t believe me go and try it out this weekend on a cow.
Danny
At 1800/2000 yard, I can’t see the animal with the 8X range finder. Your eyes and hands have to be a lot better than mine. At best you can range the barn or the trees near by. If you don’t believe me go and try it out this weekend on a cow.
Danny
I probably couldn't free hand range at 1000 yards either but luckily this RF has the tripod mounting screw on the bottom.
As for the long distance ranging I am just relaying the info from the posts on Snipershide.com from several sources, I have not had the range finder in the field yet, but next time I see a cow in Bunaby I'll be sure to try and range it.
As for the long distance ranging I am just relaying the info from the posts on Snipershide.com from several sources, I have not had the range finder in the field yet, but next time I see a cow in Bunaby I'll be sure to try and range it.
