Help, need to pick one: Monarch gold 1200 or RX-IV TBR

[AMINI]

Hello all
I have been browsing the forums for a while but this is my first post. I would have liked to make a more formal introduction but I am in a bit of a jam making a decision, and I hope I can get some help.
I friend of mine just brought back two new range finders from the US, a Nikon Monarch Gold 1200 and a Leupold RX-IV TBR. I can have my pick and he will keep the other one, no price difference.
My ranging needs are 650-700 yards max.
I have until Sunday to pick, which one would you choose?
Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[rickdavis81]

I was looking at new rangefinders a couple of weeks ago myself. I had a few good leads on the Leupold RX-IV but after reading reviews and stories of them here and elsewhere I went with a Leica. But I haven't seen anything bad about the Nikons. I'd go with the Nikon personally.

 

[Oliveralan]

First off, Welcome to lrh.com! this is a great site im sure you'll learn a lot. There's a lot of information on here.

+1 on the Nikon, i think they will both read to 600-700yrds but hey, a few extra can't be bad.

On the other hand, check if the Nikon adjusts for angle shooting, my Leupol does and it's pretty handy. One less calculation to do when that big buck (or whatever you hunt) steps into that far away clearing.

-Oliver

 

[D.ID]

+1 for Nikon......... Disclaimer: Big Nikon fan who has not used there rangefinders and had some problems with leapold scopes so there on my S list, Take it for what its worth.........my 2 cents

 

[fisher2072]

I cant really tell you which way to go as i dont own either. I have a buddy that has the luppy RX-iv TBR, and it is hard to read with the black "transparent" display, and so many options that you can get lost in the menus and not be able to get a range reading. I used it for an afternoon, and that's what happened to me. He is used to the rangefinder and told me how to correct it ect... If you get this unit, you need to practice with it for a while before taking it to the field, then you'd probably be just fine! The Nikon I have tried in store only. I liked it for it's simplicity and ease of use, but I have no real world ranging with it to see how good it really is. Just my $0.02 worth, hopefully someone on here can give you a little more detailed ranging report.

 

[AMINI]

I was looking at new rangefinders a couple of weeks ago myself. I had a few good leads on the Leupold RX-IV but after reading reviews and stories of them here and elsewhere I went with a Leica. But I haven't seen anything bad about the Nikons. I'd go with the Nikon personally.

Thanks, that is what happened to me, most of the complaints I have seen are because of the ranging capabilities, but it seems like it will work consistently on the range I'm looking for so I haven't discarded the leupold completely, but it is not my only concern; if you could point me to a review/story from someone who owned or owns one I would really appreciate it.

 

[AMINI]

First off, Welcome to lrh.com! this is a great site im sure you'll learn a lot. There's a lot of information on here.

+1 on the Nikon, i think they will both read to 600-700yrds but hey, a few extra can't be bad.

On the other hand, check if the Nikon adjusts for angle shooting, my Leupol does and it's pretty handy. One less calculation to do when that big buck (or whatever you hunt) steps into that far away clearing.

-Oliver

Thanks for the welcome!, the Nikon doesn't adjust for angle shooting, and yes bucks are on the hunting list down here .

 

[AMINI]

I cant really tell you which way to go as i dont own either. I have a buddy that has the luppy RX-iv TBR, and it is hard to read with the black "transparent" display, and so many options that you can get lost in the menus and not be able to get a range reading. I used it for an afternoon, and that's what happened to me. He is used to the rangefinder and told me how to correct it ect... If you get this unit, you need to practice with it for a while before taking it to the field, then you'd probably be just fine! The Nikon I have tried in store only. I liked it for it's simplicity and ease of use, but I have no real world ranging with it to see how good it really is. Just my $0.02 worth, hopefully someone on here can give you a little more detailed ranging report.

This will be my first range finder, and what appeals to me on the luppy is also what makes me leery of it: the bells and whistles. Since I never used one while hunting I can't help but wonder if all those features will get in the way rather than helping. I had the chance to try an RX1000 at the store and I had the same problem you mentioned with the display, but since I did not know how to adjust the display intensity I decided not to hold it against it, now you got me thinking about it.

 

[AMINI]

and then there was a Bushnell 1200

When I got to my buddys place yesterday he also had a busnell legend 1200, he said he didn't think I care for it so he never mentioned .
After playing with them I discarded the Leupold. Now I have the Nikon and the Bushnell to pick from, I am leaning more towards the bushnell, what are your thoughts?

 

[CA48]

Not to pull away from the topic at hand but does anyone know if the Swaro 8X30 adjusts for angle shooting can't find anything on this

 

[D.ID]

I can't say about the trophy model.......I use the bushnell elite 1500 and it works great out to about 1350 yards. If I remember right I think I read the trophy model was not as good but no experience myself. I would probably still go with the nikon given your options but maybe someone can comment on the trophy version.