What's The Best Rangefinder For The Buck????

albayo

albayo

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Born on PEI, Live in NB
I am on a pension and don't have much spare cash around but would like to pick up a range finder. What's out there in the marketplace at a reasonable price for a hunter?
Just want it accurate but not over complicated, without all the bells and whistles.
 
The Leica 900 in my opinion is your best bang for the $$ They are a little higher in price than the Nikons, Bushnells etc... But function flawlessly and the 900 will do what the others 1500 claims. Try putting a wanted ad in the EE I have seen them come up now and then for a decent price.
Pete....:)
 
Don't have one, but I've read the Bushnell Elite 1500 works pretty good as well. Usually around $450-$500...

I have the cheapest bushnell you can get, and its worked OK for me for 6 years or so. But you can't range a deer with it, or much past 300 yds, unless its a house or barn etc. I use it to range rocks, trees etc, on my watch so I know distances before an animal steps out.
 
Range Finder

Thanks gentlemen I appreciate your help.
I will check out the items you have mentioned and go from there.

If anyone is thinking of purchasing a newer model and is thinking of selling off their unit let me know. After Santa has left the building, I may be able to save my coins and purchase one.

If the rest of the members have anything more to add don't let it stop here.
 
Leica are the best but hardly best bang for your buck. I bought a Nikon 800 new for well under $300 and it ranges animals past 450 yards and has zero problems. I can't say the same about my last Bushnell Yardage Pro as it was the worst POS I have ever owned.

Cheers!!
 
I picked up a used Leica 800 on the EE for $250 last year. Deals do show up.

Try as many rangefinders as you can! I looked through a midrange Bushnell one that a bud was pretty happy with, and to me, the optics were horrible. You could watch the world warp and bend when you panned across the scenery. It didn't bother him, but it made me feel like my eye was being pulled out of it's socket.

YMMV

Cheers
Trev
 
Frozen Snake said:
Swarovski Range Finder. You pay, Yes you pay. My god is it $$$ but it is the best. I put it up to my Leica 1200 and it ranges better, faster and the field of view is incredable.
Click to expand...

Yeah, and it's twice the price, twice the weight, twice the bulk too. My CRF1200 is now going for around $700, can't imagine what the Sw'ski is selling for.
 
i have a Leica CRF 1200. i firmly believe it's one of the best for the price!
 
Nikon 800. Waterproof and Nikon gives a great warranty. I had mine "fog up" on a moose trip and of course I didn't realize it until I tried to range a beautiful pair of white and silver wolves. I was given a new one with a big apology. Other than that problem they have been great, and they have gone thru hell. A buddy had a set of Leupolds and after 1 use exchanged them for the Nikon's.
 
Check out Ebay. There are no restrictions for sending range finders from the US.

I would recommend the Leica 800. You should be able to find these for $200 to 300 and they work really well.

The low end/low $$$ rangefinders all share the same problem. Reduced range on non reflective surfaces and inability to range in bright sunlight.

If you are only ranging out to 300/400yds, most anything will work. Start going beyond that on natural terrain and you will get all sorts of false readings, if you get any readings at all.

The best 'budget' rangefinder I have used is the Elite 1500 but it still has fits at extended distances in bright light.

Most shooters have little interest to shoot beyond what a Leica 800 can range which is 900ish yds under a cloudy sky but at a hillside.

The SWARO's are definitely pricey but man do they work. Getting a hand held reading at 1 mile off a large boulder is definitely worth the price of admission.

Yes, I shoot that far. Further actually....

Jerry
 
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