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Post by claydawg on Dec 15, 2016 22:28:57 GMT -5
Looking for advice on a good rangefinder. Mine gave me fits on a recent hunt and when a big buck steps out, you don't have time for errors in yardage estimates. I have a Bushnell Arc, and it works well for bow hunting but I am in the market for a good one that is dependable out to 500 yards. What are you guys using and who has one they would recommend? I almost threw mine in a creek last weekend. It was not even close to accurate!
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Post by vpimine on Dec 16, 2016 3:37:32 GMT -5
I use a Leica 800 and I really like it... The glass in it is great therefore no need to care a set of binos also. Downside, it doesn't have any ballistic function but in Illinois they are not needed.
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Post by outlaw76 on Dec 16, 2016 5:17:14 GMT -5
I have Leica 1600-B like vpimine said really good piece of equipment. The 1600-b can match ballistics to your caliber so it has alittle more options then 800 but pretty much anything Leica makes is really good and can't go wrong.
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Post by sa1000 on Dec 16, 2016 5:49:46 GMT -5
I also have a Leica 1600b and have had good results out to over 1600 yards with it.Just have to have a pretty good rest to range deer way out there it has a small beam.
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Post by nyhunter on Dec 16, 2016 6:05:22 GMT -5
I use a Vortex Ranger 1000, nice little rangefinder has a red led display that can be adjusted for brightness.
There is no ballistic data option, you need to range your target and either have a ballistic calibrated turret or cheat sheet laminated to your firearm with your yardage drop settings.
It does have a Horizontal Component Distance (HCD) mode for angle compensated ranging.
Also comes with Vortex's Unlimited Lifetime Warranty
Current real world price is about $299.00.
Prior to that I had a Nikon and the unit would automatically switch from a black to a red display in low light. However there was no brightness adjustment on the Nikon so the unit was pretty much useless when in red led display mode, the red display was so bright in dim light that you could not see your target.
All that being said I have friends with the Leica's they are great units & the ballistic compensation is a very nice option to have, they are just pricier
Good luck
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Post by bowhunter836 on Dec 16, 2016 6:56:54 GMT -5
I have had a leica for 5 years its a great rangefinder
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Post by schunter on Dec 16, 2016 7:59:08 GMT -5
I have the Zeiss rangefinder. Used it this hunting season without any issues. It is fast and 8X magnification. I ranged out to 1400 yds. with it.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2016 8:21:20 GMT -5
I had to buy a new a couple years ago as well for similar reasons. I stopped in at Scheels and they were running a sale on the Leupold RX-1000 with DNA. I talked to the salesman about this one and the vortex because I was planning on getting the Vortex. He said there ran a lot of test and compared the two the Leupold was just a touch better than the vortex and with the sale I went with the Leupold. I haven't been disappointed with the range finder. With a steady rest I can get ranges almost Everytime up to 1000 yards.
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Post by hando31 on Dec 16, 2016 9:17:21 GMT -5
I bought a new one myself about a year or so ago. I narrowed it down to the Leica 1600 and the Sig Kilo200. I opted for the Sig based on the fact that it was a couple hundred cheaper and based on all the reviews I read from a lot of folks, it did everything the 1600b did for less money. It is by far the best range finder I have ever owned. Read backs are incredibly quick and accurate. I have ranged targets out to 1600 yards with no problem. Lots of good ones out there , I have no regrets at all and would recommend the Sig to anyone.
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Post by itneverends22 on Dec 16, 2016 10:09:37 GMT -5
I use a Leica 1000 r, for 2-3 yrs now, it's been awesome so far, longest range for deer so far, was 1,093 yds with no problems..
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Post by deadeer on Dec 16, 2016 10:19:27 GMT -5
I just got the Vortex Ranger 1500. It was ok at first, but failed to read deer at 3-350yd when I needed it. Also it was too touchy at last light, so I took it back. My buddy just bought the Leica 1600b, and absolutely loves it. I will be looking into it next.
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Post by timbers on Dec 16, 2016 10:19:34 GMT -5
+1 on the sig kilo 2000. I've owned and tried many and IMO it is the best for the money. I can easily get readings from 2600 to 2800 yards on larger objects and on deer out to 1800 yards. I have also tested it in some cold temps around 5° degress so far and they still worked great. Leica does make great rangefinders though and I believe you would be happy with either one.
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Post by linebaugh on Dec 16, 2016 10:58:22 GMT -5
Leica 1200, about 18 years old now... The old square style. Still reads and functions well and I have drug it around for a ton of miles now. When or if it breaks I am going Leica again just because I have had such good luck and know of many problem free Leica rangefinders out there.
Whatever you decide on be sure and buy 1/3 or better more range than youbplan on shooting. In other words if your max range is 500 yrds buy an 800 model. If you plan to shoot out to 1000 you will probably need 1500 to get it to read reliably.
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Post by claydawg on Dec 16, 2016 12:54:30 GMT -5
Great feedback....thanks to all that responded.
Sounds like I better look through a Leica. A lot of happy owners...
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Post by johnnywadd75 on Dec 16, 2016 12:59:18 GMT -5
I have one of the older lecia 1200 and they work have had bushnell Nikon leupold they won't work at certain times of day or with snow on ground buy the lecia and never look back
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Post by 12ptdroptine on Dec 16, 2016 13:27:16 GMT -5
I have the Leica rf900 . Had it for about 12 or 14 years now. Works just fine. Drop
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Post by markb317 on Dec 16, 2016 16:19:33 GMT -5
I like my Bushnell Fusion, it will do past 1760yds. Plus it is 12X binos.
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Post by elkman1310 on Dec 16, 2016 16:44:29 GMT -5
Take a look at the new Sig Sauer Kilo 2000 . I bought one a few weeks ago. Like any range finder that relies on the reflectivity of the target and the lighting conditions all range finders can run into problems. I used the Sig for the two weeks of our hunting season in Pa. we had light snow every day and it was never clear. On some days I had no problem ranging out to 1,500 yards on pine tree tops which show up the best. other days it didn't work as well. But I didn't have any problems ranging anything out to 900 yards almost instantly.
The Sig is small which is nice it has several modes but it doesn't overwhelm you with stuff your never use. I bought my on GunBroker for $345.00 plus shipping. Sig has a bullet proof warranty. Also it has a 7X power eye piece and it is very clear so you can use it for spotting game
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WGK
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Post by WGK on Dec 17, 2016 8:14:45 GMT -5
Another vote for the kilo 200 I bought mine a couple months back and really like it so far.
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Post by leftyml on Dec 17, 2016 11:22:19 GMT -5
Have used Bushnel and Nikon,now I have a LEUPOLD 1200.All of them have problems ranging pass 300 yds. in real life hunting conditions.(the leupold will go to 450 yds. or so) Have buddies that used Zeiss and Leica and have no problems out to 1000 and beyond.
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