Best Rangefinder

[cavtrooper94]

PUBLISHER'S NOTE:
The G7 BR2 rangefinder is the best in my experienced opinion,
--Len Backus--

I know it has probably been talked about alot on here but I'm going to be looking into a new RF in the next couple of years. Whats the best and why. Also what do they cost. Lets just say I want to be able to range 1500 yards.

Thanks Much

 

[Broz]

Yes, The info on here is endless if you search a little.

Having owned 5 Swarovski's, 4 Leica 1200's and now a now vectronix PLRF10 Not to mention a few others that don't deserve to be mentioned here it is in a nut shell.

If you really want to know you are ranging the target and not the bush 10 or 20 yards closer at 1000 or even more so at 1500 yards you NEED the smalest beam divergence your budget will support.

Think of th beam of the RF like a beam of a flashlight. The farther you back up from the wall the larger the circle of light will be. (at 1000 yards the Swaro is a 6 foot circle) Now, lay that flashlight on the table (flat ground) The beam gets very long. This is what will bite you, as it WILL sooner or later be giving you returned numbers that are not correct. The correct yardage in my opinion is the most important info for a first round hit.

The swaro will record longer numbers than the Leica 1200 CRF but the Swaro has a larger beam divergence. So if you are truely going to engage game at 1000 plus, in time this will bite you. The Swaro did me on a 200" + white tail.

The Leica CRF's have a smaller beam and in my opinion with the addition of the new 1600 are the way to go for under $1000. I have played with one and was ranging a small bush over snow on flat groung to 1500 plus yards.

The ultimate. Vectronix PLRF10. It will do all you want and then some. It had THE smallest beam I have ever been able tofind. If thee is a smaller one I would like to know about it. I have ranged antelope on flat ground to 1500 plus, elk on a hillside at 2500 + yotes on flat ground to 1400 +. In all of these instances I was indeed on the animal as I tested by shooting over their back. If they were on flat ground a shot over the back got no reading. The elk on a hillside I got a 7 yard farther reading right above his back to the ground behind and it repeated with perfect consecutive numbers. Trees to 2900 yards.

Pricing.

Leica 1200 CRFY new about $600 now used $450 ~$500
Leica 1600 CRF new $700~$800
Swaro laserguide 8x30 new $999 used now $650 to $750
Vectrinix PLRF10 new $3700 to $4000

Hope this helps.

Jeff gun)gun)

 

[sp6x6]

Broz, You are killing me, You spent enough to buy 2 PLRF'S I have done the same in some cases.

 

[Broz]

Broz, You are killing me, You spent enough to buy 2 PLRF'S I have done the same in some cases.

I only bought 2 of the Swaro's, the other 3 were warranty replacements..

 

[cavtrooper94]

So it kinda sounds like your saying the CRF 1600 is pretty good for mere mortals? $3700 seems a little steep for a RF. I could probably justify $2000, but thats about it.

 

[Broz]

So it kinda sounds like your saying the CRF 1600 is pretty good for mere mortals? $3700 seems a little steep for a RF. I could probably justify $2000, but thats about it.

It all depends on how serious one is about long range hunting / shooting, and how far you want to shoot and make first round hits. Many guys have several rifles and probably a hand full that they haven't shot in a few years. Same for scopes and other equipment. I did, and I sold them off to buy a quality RF that I would use. Now my rifles can do a better job because I gve them an accurate dial up. I have only tested the CRF 1600 on a limited basis. But judging from the CRF1200's I have owned the CRF1600 would be my choice hands down. at this time especially for the under $1000 bracket.

That said I have heard that Vectronix is coming out with a PLRF5 that is suppose to fall under the $2000 mark. I do not know when it will be available.

Jeff

 

[cavtrooper94]

Sounds good. I'll be out of the loop until May 2012 so maybe the PLRF5 will be out by then.

 

[sp6x6]

As compact as that leica 1600 is I wish they could meld it with good glass, in a light package, like20-25oz.I kinda just keep hanging and hoping? I did same as you with binoc, upgrade+++ intil EL'S,AND I had lower RFS , UNTIL LEICA 800, then 1200, now in a holding pattern. If I had more fun tickets I WOULD get the 1600, my kid is only 16 and he is getting great hand downs

 

[groper]

SOOOO many people get hung up on... but this *brand model* will range xxxx yards no worries... or quote manufacturer range numbers etc...

All my experience, mirrors that of EVERY other expereinced user on this topic. That is, if you want to range LOOOONG range, the vetronics units are THE BEST. Downside is you have to take out second mortgage to own one, they start at $3700 and go up from there.

If your a mere mortal, then you need only look at the LEICA, SWARO and ZEISS units, all the others are a waste of money in comparison. Broz is spot on regarding splitting hairs over these 3 units. Leica has the best beam divergence, and i agree that this is by far the most important consideration for hunting requirements so the leica CRF1600 gets my vote under $1000. The swaro will range a tad further, but who cares if your not sure exactly what your laser is bouncing off? The zeiss suffers the same fate as the swaro, and doesnt range as far, but its cheaper for those who are on a really tight budget.

For those of you that think you cant afford any one of these units, SAVE YOUR MONEY until you CAN afford one of these! dont buy a lesser unit if your serious about long range hunting.

 

[yobuck]

all the debates seem to be about which rangefinder is best.

i would agree completly with broz and others about the well known lazers.
im on my second swaro. and thats been back for service.
ive not seen a vectrinix, but am of the opinion they would be on par with some of the military lazers as for distance and accuracy. that along with being eyesafe and legal to own.

but there are other options to consider and one never discussed.
some newcomers to the sport might find those options appealling.

does everybody need an expensive rangefinder, and what are other options?

that would of coarse be dictated by where and how a person hunts long range. and to some degree the animals being hunted.

much western hunting is done by the spot and stalk method. regardless of location, when using that method a good rangefinder is just about a must have. a lazer is the only good option.

whereas in some areas hunting is done from a specific spot or location.
the same locations are used day after day, year after year.

ive been using rangefinders for about 40 years. mostly military units like barr&stroud and wild.
they are large and not very portable. but if you can see the target you range it accuratly, period end of story.
they can still be had for about half the cost of a swaro.

ranges to objects can be taken and written down. that ends the need for the rangefinder.

another option is actual shooting at the objects and keeping records of clicks.
range cards would be a common name name for this.

so point is for at least some of us, owning an expensive rangefinder isnt as important as it would be for others.

now on the other hand a large investment in good tripod mounted binnoculars is a wise and essential move. the bigger the better.

ill bet not many spot and stalkers would agree.

 

[sp6x6]

There is a set of Leica VECTORS, in classifieds right now, Id own them if they were not 3.7 #'s. I have to hike to most of my hunting spots

 

[cavtrooper94]

Starting this up again. I've got a PLRF15 that I use here in Afghanistan but I still know I will never be able to own one. Although it is awesome. Do any of you guys have any experience with the Leica Geovid. I was looking at a 10x model. It would be nice to have a good set of binos and rf in one package, theoretically.

 

[Broz]

Starting this up again. I've got a PLRF15 that I use here in Afghanistan but I still know I will never be able to own one. Although it is awesome. Do any of you guys have any experience with the Leica Geovid. I was looking at a 10x model. It would be nice to have a good set of binos and rf in one package, theoretically.

If you have been using a PLRF15 you are going to be greatly disappointed in less expensive units. The Geovids are nice but limited in distance and in my opinion harder to rest in a hunting situation for that long distance range where they need to be solidly rested. Plus you are 1/2 of the price of a plrf10. My advice would be to go for a Leica 1600. If you decide they are less than you need you can resell them and loose much less than you will a pair of geovids.

JMO

Jeff