Which rangefinder and why?

bdb.hunting

bdb.hunting

CGN frequent flyer
Super GunNutz
Rating - 100%
89   0   0
Location
Kamloops, B.C.
I will keep this short.

For a while I spent time to learn how to use my reticle to range objects. It has been great however I have since taken a year plus off shooting due to an injury and have forgotten most of the mental math…

I am looking into range finders and I am curious what everyone thinks? I know range finding binocular seem to be the cats pyjamas lately but I am not sold on the idea. As someone who uses a monocular on a regular basis over binocular I do like the idea of a range finder that can also be used as a monocular however I know they will never be as good as a dedicated unit for optical quality.

EDIT: just to make some clarifications.

I do no shoot PRS and do not plan to compete however I like to test my skills at distance so something that can accurately range targets out to 2000 yards would be ideal. For hunting if it can range deer to 1000 that would be great as I’m not even shooting them at that distance but helps me get closer.

I haven’t chosen a budget but I will spend what’s needed to get the job done accurately.

As for the mental math it was done with a Mildot Master and a chart similar to what someone mentioned.




SO what unit do you have or did you own that you liked or disliked and why ? Did it range to the distance listed or fall short ? Did you use the integrated ballistics data or prefer to use the distances only ?

Cheers,
B
 
Last edited:
The Vortex Razor GB 4000 with integrated ballistics and wind solutions is a pretty sweet unit. The glass is excellent. I have owned both and will say that it is better than the Sig Kilo 5k.
 
If my nikon 4000 quit today I would look long and hard at the vortex 4000 cause they are the only guys with lifetime warrenty on rangefinders.

However I hope mine keep working indefinitely its been a great rangefinder with incredible range. The crimson trace 4000, which supposedly bought nikons optics line, looks like the same rangefinder in a updated case, but only a couple years warrenty. A lot less coin than the vortex however.
 
So first off, not that there is anything wrong with doing mental math but if you're reticle ranging things it's way faster to just build a chart that has common sizes of objects (or common measurements, 12", 18", etc) and what range "x" mils equates to. It's also not great past 500 yards or so unless you're accurate to the 0.05 mils as you'll easily be off by 50+ yards.

As to LRFs, you really need to determine what kind of capability you need/want and what you're willing to spend. You can spend from a few hundred $ to $10k+ pretty easy. I've owned/used everything from Sig K2000, K2200, K2400, K3000, Nikon 4K, Vortex Viper HD3000 and Fury 5000AB. The only advantages of monoculars, imo are cost and weight/size. Binos are much nicer both for finding targets with their generally greater magnification (10x vs 7x), better glass and wilder FOV. I really like the Vortex Fury 5000ABs that I'm currently using, they range to 2500 yards+ and the ballistic solver (AB Elite) is great and matches up perfectly with my Kestrel
 
The cheap ones seem to rarely range what they're advertised for. My Vortex 1300 had issues ranging buildings past 800m (furthest object it ranged was just past 900m), and couldn't range cows past 500m.
My Nikon 4k ranged a cell tower at 3100m jist stabilizing off the hood of the truck. No issues ranging dad's cows at nearly 1400y.
Monoculars are small and light, but usually top out at 6-7x. I find binos much more useful, and they usually have much better FOV. I run a Kestrel 5700 elite for ballistics solutions, which works great, but all-in-one solution would be much better. When I upgrade it will be to rangefinder binoculars.
 
I've got a Bushnell 1700 and it has more bells... than I need. I find it's quite accurate for a 6X mono and ranges well out over 1000yds. I haven't checked further but it 'got' good specs and 'features' here - http s://www.rangefinders.com/bushnell-prime-1700-6x24-laser-rangefinder.html
And Cabelas has them on 'clearance' for $219 now. Used to be well over $300 everywhere.
 
I started with the range finder swaro binos a few years back before the ballistics integration, 10x42. Decided to upgrade to the new model specifically for the ballistics, and while I had mine up for sale I ran across the leica pro model. I ended up with the smaller 10x32 model as it is more compact, and has the ballistics software integrated. Do I miss the swaro glass, I don't even blink an eye at that, as the leica are top notch.

The ballistics integration is the only way to go now, and you can get them in the mono version as well. I use my bino's primarily for hunting, but use them at the range in between time. Quick set up, easy change to different rifles in your library all set up to go. Pretty instant ballistics info provided, that is good, as long as your inputs are good.

I did get a pair of the sig 3K ones to pair with the scope for the wife's hunting set up, but they are not even close to compare with the leica model I use. They work for her for the intended purpose.
 
I am considering a set of Vortex HD5000 binos because they seem to be the best combination of quality, performance and price. There are better and there are cheaper but there aren't better, cheaper.

Binos are the way to go in the field. It sucks to have to go back and forth from binos to range finder and monocular range finders make really cr@ppy binos.
 
Terrapin X user, no complaints. The new Vectronix Vector X sounds interesting.
 
Last edited:
wallz said:
I started with the range finder swaro binos a few years back before the ballistics integration, 10x42. Decided to upgrade to the new model specifically for the ballistics, and while I had mine up for sale I ran across the leica pro model. I ended up with the smaller 10x32 model as it is more compact, and has the ballistics software integrated. Do I miss the swaro glass, I don't even blink an eye at that, as the leica are top notch.

The ballistics integration is the only way to go now, and you can get them in the mono version as well. I use my bino's primarily for hunting, but use them at the range in between time. Quick set up, easy change to different rifles in your library all set up to go. Pretty instant ballistics info provided, that is good, as long as your inputs are good.

I did get a pair of the sig 3K ones to pair with the scope for the wife's hunting set up, but they are not even close to compare with the leica model I use. They work for her for the intended purpose.
Click to expand...

leica/sig/swaro, Interested in whether you gave these a true comparison, where did the Sigs fall down?

not related sorry, i mis read that, wondering how the Sig Kilo6k compared
 
I have a cheap leupold RX1400i and no complaints. Has ballistic charts built in, red LED reticle so easy to see in any light.
I still use Strelok for actual drop charts on my phone, way easier and more precise
 
I did look at the sig 10K, but not at the same time as the others. Just didn't like them.

I was comparing for a short few minutes outside Precision optics the swaro and the leica glass. Albeit they were not the leica rangers, as the pro were not out yet, but the new swaro ranger 10x42 and a leica model 8x32. The leica glass was better to my eyes, so when I had a chance to get the pro model, I bought sight unseen, and hands down went with the 10x32. No real "giving up" any optical clarity, maybe a small amount of early or late light, but that will be negligible. The size and weight savings to me were more than the glass "clarity" if there is even any given up between the two, was more with the more compact 10x32 size. I also want to say that the swaro bino was limited to 3 rifle profiles when I was looking into them. I am not limited on the leica with so far 8 profiles. The laser has been great with no effort needed to range out past 1400m. I have not tried to range a max yet.

When I feel that I need more magnification, I have a kowa 883 spotter, so I'm covered there.

The sig 3K glass and lazer are just not even on par remotely close to compare together with the leica pro. Slower, glass clarity is less. But at $1K I paid for them, they do the job for the wife and with the scope combo they set her an aiming point without having to touch the scope, so that is the main feature I was looking for here for her. Ease of use. Turn on the scope, range, use your now lit aiming point, shoot. No hold over, no scope adjusting for dope. Point and shoot. Easy peasy.
 
"The sig 3K glass and lazer are just not even on par remotely close to compare together with the leica pro. Slower, glass clarity is less. But at $1K I paid for them, they do the job..........."

thats where I'm at, basic tool for a basic job
Good entry into rf binos
 
Used to have Leica LRF 800, 900 and 1200. Worked well however I noticed I was too slow when deer were crossing from wood patch to the next. Then went for Vortex Fury which worked fine and I am sure I shot more deer. My new Fury 5000 is very good even though glass might not be up there with European. Mostly I scan for deer, if I see one I range then use bino as prop under the but. My binos don't get very old....
Our Terrain is very mixed, mostly high growth and deer quite small. Deer might only present themselves for a short moment.
ehccnUv.jpg


edi
 
EJG said:
Used to have Leica LRF 800, 900 and 1200. Worked well however I noticed I was too slow when deer were crossing from wood patch to the next. Then went for Vortex Fury which worked fine and I am sure I shot more deer. My new Fury 5000 is very good even though glass might not be up there with European. Mostly I scan for deer, if I see one I range then use bino as prop under the but. My binos don't get very old....
Our Terrain is very mixed, mostly high growth and deer quite small. Deer might only present themselves for a short moment.
ehccnUv.jpg


edi
Click to expand...

Bit of an aside but looks like a WM-LRF like the Impact 4000 would be pretty effective for your use case, depending on how comfortable you are with scanning through your rifle optic. The laser and ballistic solution are faster than the Fury 5000ABs (which I also have) but not having to go from binos to rifle would save even more time. Just a thought...
 
Back in the day (2007), I started with the Bushnell with ARC and used it for many years. It has since been passed own to my daughter.
The handheld Leupold has always been highly rated and useful in the field and also has the ballistics and angle compensation. I also had a pair of Swarovskis for awhile, but they did not have the ab=ngle compensation I really wanted, so they were sold, despite being great glass.

For RF binos, I had a pair of the early Leicas and they worked very well (no ballistics), but did not fit to my eyes well.
I looked at the Kahles RF binos, but could not work out the details to get them imported from Europe (trying to pay for them was the main issue).
I really wanted a set of Swarovskis, but when I came across a pair of demo Leicas with the ballistic capacity at a great price, way less than the Swaros, I bought them and have been using them for a few years now with no regrets, and am very happy with them. They fit my eyes better and I have been able to range game well beyond 1300 yards, and took them to New Zealand last year and Africa recently. Ranging fallow deer and springbok (smaller game) out past 1000 yards was not a problem and the glass is very good.
For the price, the new Leupold RF bino would be worth the look.
 
rugbydave said:
Bit of an aside but looks like a WM-LRF like the Impact 4000 would be pretty effective for your use case, depending on how comfortable you are with scanning through your rifle optic. The laser and ballistic solution are faster than the Fury 5000ABs (which I also have) but not having to go from binos to rifle would save even more time. Just a thought...
Click to expand...

Good point. I have not looked into these yet. I shot with our Ranger unit once who use/used a Raptar which was zeroed on the scope centre dot, this meant mostly shooting with hold off. I prefer dialling even for wind so that I can concentrate on the animal and shot placement. No issue with spotting through the scope however the field of view is limited compared to binos. I mostly try find a high spot with good view and scan a large area. If I spot something, range and make a plan. Often the rifle is slung over the back at this point. Not often do I take 4 animals in one go as in the picture.
edi
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom