Rangefiners

[lefty15]

I think I have finally convinced the boss (wife) that I need a rangefinder. I know some of you have extensive knowledge of rangefinders and have tried many or own many rangefinders. Cost is always an issue but so is quality and I want to make sure I get something that will suit my needs. I have listed a few options below that I considering. I will be using for hunting primarily. I am not sure if I want to go with the bino/rangefinder combo or just a straight rangefinder, and also the combo bino/rangefinder other than the Bushnell Fusion are very pricey.
I know this has been discussed before but any help/insight would be greatly appreciated.

Leica 1600

Leica Geovid

Bushnell Fusion

Newcon LRM 1500

Zeiss Victory RF 10x45

Zeiss Victory 8x26 PRF Rangefinding Monocular

Swarovski EL range Binoculars 10 x 42

Swarovski 8 x 30 laser guide rangefinder

 

[Broz]

The 1600 Leica is the best bang for the buck for under $1000 club. If you give some details on distances, terrain, and game you wish to use it on we can add more details. also what is the bugdet? You have RF's from $600 to a couple grand here.

Jeff

 

[lefty15]

I will be using the rangefinder in all kinds of different terrians from forest to rolling hills to wide open prairie. In a perfect world the Leica Geovid would be great but at $2300.00 that is a lot of $$$. I never listed a budget because i was going to wait and see what others had to say about the subject, because maybe I should be saving up for the higher end option.

 

[Broz]

Well then, I would take a serious look at the Vectronix PLRF05 also called the Terripin and the G7-BR2 from gunworks. Put those names in the search box upper right hand corner of this page. There is a lot of good info on them and they have some great options. They are pretty much in a different league than some on your list.

Jeff

 

[rscott5028]

The Leica 1200 CRF is a good value.

With a little practice and good battery, it'll range small whitetails out to 800+ yds in open terrain which is not an easy feat.

If the Leica 1600 or something better is within your budget, then go for it!

-- richard

 

[lefty15]

What are the Bushnel fusions like? I have a bit of a fear when it comes to Bushnel.

 

[rscott5028]

I considered the Bushnell when I got my Leica a year or two ago.

It sounded good. But early field trails indicated the Leica 1200 outperformed it in the real word due to the narrower beam width.

I'm unsure if there have been any new developments.

I'm not pushing the Leica. But I don't have much use for anything less effective in the field.

-- richard

 

[JackinSD]

Well then, I would take a serious look at the Vectronix PLRF05 also called the Terripin and the G7-BR2 from gunworks. Put those names in the search box upper right hand corner of this page. There is a lot of good info on them and they have some great options. They are pretty much in a different league than some on your list.

Jeff

X2

There is alot of review material on all the rangefinders. It is a personal decision alot like which scope?

Beam divergence is not the sole, best reason for picking one rangefinder over another. Programming of the units reading of those results can play a big factor as well.

 

[Jay Kyle]

On the bad side
--------------------
Avoid Newcon at all costs! I have the LRF3000 and it's nothing but grief. Parts fall off it, the glass is bad, their heavy, mine don't range past 1600 yards, the battery drains in about a week of casual use..(after I sent it in for repairs!) I can go on.

On the Good side
----------------------
Leica - the Gold Standard for years

Leica 1200 - mine works great. Nice bright display, range is alway correct, tight beam.

Leica 1600 - My friends works like a charm. I especially like how compact they are.

Leica Geovid - Hunter Guides I know love them.

On the high end
--------------------
Check out the new Swaro EL Range - all I know is what I read about these and reports are good so far.

Terrapin - the folks over at Snipers Hide can't say enough good about them. The only downside is they're a monocular rather than a binocular.

G7 Rangefinder - A great all-in-one solution for 0-1400ish yards - again a monocular.

Others
--------
Bushnells - Not good in my book, never owned any but have looked through them a long time ago and wasn't impressed.

Zeiss - No experience with them

Swaros - (pre EL Range) never owned any but I hear some folks get readings that don't match up to targets due to tall beams on flat ground.


Personally I just bought the new Kestrel with Atrag software and am considering either the Terrapin or Swaro EL Range. The Swaro is not as good at ranging, but I would like a binocular over a monocular. I just need to determine what the delta between the two is.


Jay

 

[Jay Kyle]

News Flash!

I just read a few topics down about a group buy on the G7. You should seriously consider that.

Jay

 

[JackinSD]

As stated before, don't take somebody's 1 year old impression of new technology. Remeber the days of buys a computer and it was outdated before you bought it? This topic is close.

 

[6.5Express]

Due to previous discussions on this same topic on this forum, I was dead set on the Leica 1600. Then I discovered the group buy on here for the G7BR2. I couldn't pass it up. For me, that rangefinder will do exactly what I want and then some. If I hadn't decided on the G7, I would have ended up with the Leica 1600 and probably would have been happy with it for a rangefinder - but having the G7 ballistic computer built in to the rangefinder sealed the deal for me.

 

[FEENIX]

The 1600 Leica is the best bang for the buck for under $1000 club.

Jeff

+1. I am very pleased with mine ... consistently ranged game beyond 1500 yards in Montana's adverse weather conditions and have ranged objects at 2200 yards.

Good luck!

Ed