17 replies to this topic

[Sharpshooter]

I've decided I need a rangefinder but I have no experience with them. Any advice on which brands, models, features, etc. to look for? Also where to buy?

[Baja_Traveler]

Really depends on how much you want to spend and what you are going to use it for.You can go top of the line and get a Leica, or low budget and get a Bushnell. Some are made specifically for archery, and some for long range rifle work.Personally I use a Nikon Riflehunter 550 for both archery and rifle hunting (heck, I even bring it on the golf course), and it has never let me down. I've compared it side by side to my calibrated Leica Disto high precision rangefinder I use for work (accurate to 1.5mm @ 100 meters), and it always gives readings within a yard of actual.Wait?? You've been a member since '08 and this is your first post ?!?! You get the lurking award...Shop around and look for sales. I bought mine at Bass Pro when they had a sale on them years ago.

[clampdaddy]

Get one that has more range than you think you need. They are rated based on how far out they can range a reflective target, like a car or a big rock. So a 1000 yard range finder may only be able to pick up a deer out to 600 yards or a ground squirrel standing on his mound out to 450. If they're further than the effective range then you have to find a good rock or tree to range. More expensive finders will probably do better but that is what you can expect from something like my Bushnell.

[Sharpshooter]

Thanks Clampdaddy and Baja Traveler. I appreciate your input.. I got started on this subject when I was looking through the latest Midway catalogs I received. They had a Bushnell 1000 ARC for $299 and a Bushnell 1200 ARC for $349. They also listed a Leica CRF Rangemaster for $599. I'd like to shop Cabelas too because I have a good credit with Cabelas. So far, I haven't seen any rangefinders in my Cabelas catalogs. Maybe I'll have to take a trip up to Boomtown and shop the real Cabelas Shop. So you have any further comments? RAP

[Rimrock]

If possible, save your nickels and buy a Lieca. You will never be sorry.http://www.cabelas.c...ch-All Products

[TonyS]

Look at Leupold or Redfield. I bought a used Leupold from a guy here and got a deal. But somehow the rangefinder got messed up. I called Leupold and they said send it back, we'll fix it. Two weeks later a brand new rangefinder on was my doorstep. I called and got briefed on all the stuff not in the manual. Customer service, outstanding product and a valuable tool. Leupold is now making and selling Redfield and the optics are way better than Leupold, IMHO.For prices look at Optics Planet. Usually beats everyone else.

[Frank]

Get one that has more range than you think you need.

YEP, I agree.... I also think Rimrock makes a good point for the Lieca. Reason I say that is, one of my primary hunting partners has a bushnell. Probably one of the models you mention as it was around $300...While it is a nice range finder, I sometimes find it very lacking at the extended ranges, perhaps at 400 yards and further?? Inconsistent, or no readings, probably due to not getting on a large enough object such as a tree or rock as mentioned above.Also, Optics Planet is indeed an excellent place to shop &/or compare prices. Anyway, good luck Frank

[Sharpshooter]

Ahoy all. Many thanks for all the advice. I checked out the Optics Planet site and found they had the Leica at the same price as Cabela's. I decided to go big and order the Leica from Cabela's and use up the credit I had with them. The credit took a lot of the pain out of the purchase. Sharpshooter

[Frank]

Dang... Didn't know you were gonna take us to heart on this. LOL (just kidding)Congrats on your fine purchaseFrank

[Rimrock]

Congratulations on the purchase. You won't be disappointed. Frank and I agree on most things. Well, maybe not on Rem..........

[Bisley]

Be VERY careful Sharpshooter, or Frank will definitely have you using up even more of that card on a new Remington also (not that that's a bad thing) He is surely right about the Bushnell. I have had and used mine for too many years, but she can be a little finicky on certain days at extended ranges. But I'm half blind and can't shoot very far anyways. Let us know how your new Leica works out after trying it.

[CA Desert Dog]

I am glad you didn't buy a Bushnell. I did and I regret it. I will never buy a product from them again. Talk about poor customer service...they could care less. I only used my Bushnell rangefinder a couple of times and it failed. It was just out of warranty and Bushnell told me to stuff it. Let's face it, a rangefinder is not something that dies from over use or wearing out. When we pay $300 or more for a product, we expect it to work for a while. There is no personal touch to Bushnell's customer service. It's corporate treatment all the way. That means the almighty $$ is the bottom line. If you are 1-day out of their warranty period, you can suck rocks for all they care. Yup, I am still pissed at them. The unit still looked like it just came out of the box and they sent it back and told me it was trash.

[ratassassin]

Yeah, Bushnell customer service is pretty lousy. I just bought a Nikon Monarch Gold 1200 rangefinder for $350 delivered from Amazon. Supposed to be a good unit. I'll give it a try when we're out tomorrow.

[CA Desert Dog]

Well good luck with it. I hope it works great. I am still without a rangefinder.

[Sharpshooter]

Well, UPS dropped off my new toy yesterday and I'm going to take it outside and figure out how to use it. I was concerned that the instruction manual had about 150 pages but turns out only 18 pages were in English. That's still a lot of pages for this poor old feller to understand. Holy Mackeral, this thing will give me range, temperature, atmospheric pressure, angle of inclination, and holdover. I'll be a busy boy learning how to use this thing.

[Bisley]

Holy Mackeral, this thing will give me range, temperature, atmospheric pressure, angle of inclination, and holdover. I'll be a busy boy learning how to use this thing.

Does it have AM/FM and a cd player too?

[Frank]

Don't be silly.... Of course it does.

[Sharpshooter]

I'm not worried about listening to Rush or CDs. I'm still trying to get it to read in yards, inches and fahrenheit temperature.