Best Rangefinders for the buck?

Dust270WSM · #1 08-23-2009, 11:14 PM

I'm am shoping for a new set of rangefinders and am wonder what is the best range finders for the buck? The Leicas are suppose to be the best but they are 500 and 600 bucks. I have been looking at the Leupolds.

Any help will be appreciated.

Ernie · #2 08-24-2009, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dust270WSM

I'm am shoping for a new set of rangefinders and am wonder what is the best range finders for the buck? The Leicas are suppose to be the best but they are 500 and 600 bucks. I have been looking at the Leupolds.

Any help will be appreciated.

Dust,
What kind of distance do you want to get from your LR?

Broz · #3 08-24-2009, 07:35 AM

For between $500 and $600 bucks you should be able to buy a new Leica 1200 CRF. In my opinion it can't be beat for the price and quite possibly might even be the best for under $1000. I say this as I own both the new Leica and the new Swarovski. Plus I have had a very small amount of time with the Zeiss in the field. If your limit is $600 I feel very confident in telling you go for the Lieca CRF.

Jeff

phorwath · #4 08-24-2009, 07:40 AM

I'd recommend Swarovski if you want to range past 1400 yds, and are prepared to pay $750.

If you want to range to 1000 yds and pay 1/2 the price of the Swaro, buy a Bushnell 1500.

If you want a piece of crap, buy a Leupold LRF.

royinidaho · #5 08-24-2009, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phorwath

I'd recommend Swarovski if you want to range past 1400 yds, and are prepared to pay $750.

If yiou want to range to 1100 yds and pay 1/2 the price of the Swaro, buy a Bushnell 1500.

If you want a piece of crap, buy a Leupold LRF.

I'd recommend against the Bushnell 1500. It may lure you into a false sense of confidence. I "think" the beam is too wide thus not ranging what you "think" you are ranging. This is/was/could be a problem when ranging an animal in sparse trees on a flat part of the mountain. The further away the larger the possible error.

I have a Leica 1200 LRF which is finally at a point where it won't range as far as I am confident I can shoot. However, the Swaro has the same limitation.

Also don't neglect the importance of a range chart!

phorwath · #6 08-24-2009, 01:13 PM

Yes, I wouldn't buy the Bushnell either if money wasn't a constraint. I didn't mean to imply it was a steal, and in re-reading my post, it could be taken that way.

But it seems like Dust270WSM is looking to spend substantially less than $500, and if I had to purchase one for substantially less than $500, I would probably settle for the Bushnell 1500. Some of them will range to 1400 yds. Some will only range to 900 yds. I've read a lot of varying reports. The Bushnell 1500 Arc I had would reach just shy of ~1000 yds when it was having a good day. But many others have posted of reaching greater distances.

I wouldn't buy a Leupold LRF unless I was content ranging 400 yds from the majority of the feedback I've seen on them. I'd buy their scopes, and own a few, but I'd stay away from their LRFs.

Broz · #7 08-24-2009, 01:33 PM

Another thought... If your buget is under $500 , Me personally, would be looking at used Leicas. You could probably get a used 1200 LRF for about $350 to $400. Even if they are older and the risk of no warranty is there, I think they are probably " The Best Bang for the Buck" and will probably hold that used value for a long time.

Jeff