Leica 1200 Good buy $

[pyroducksx3]

So Im looking at getting a rangfinder. I was really interested in the Leica 1600 and swaro's but they are pretty steep $$ wise. I have a friend that works at a sports store who has a set of leica 1200 (obviously new as I would be buying them from the store) that he said he would sell me for 500$. I have been looking on here and ebay and expecting more 1200's to come on the market with the 1600 coming out but havent seen them. So the question the leica 1200's new for 500$, a good buy? This will be my primary rangefinder for longrange hunting. Thanks

 

[MontanaRifleman]

Interesting... just looked on SWFA and midway for their price on a 1200 and don't see it listed I see the CRF 1000 instead for $599. Leica's are MAP'd items, meaning the dealer MUST sell at the Manufacturer's Assigned Price.

I wonder if the 1200's are discontinued or renamed to 1000's since the 1600's came out? If so, maybe that's why he's selling so low. For a new CRF 1200 I would say it's a great price. Especially considering that there is a new one on E-bay with 15 bids up to $567 ATM.

-Mark

 

[pyroducksx3]

As far as I'm aware the 1200 are discontinued since the 1600 came out. The price for the 1200 was 599 when they were available, but nobody carries them anymore. If they are the same as the 1000 I have no idea (?) I was just curious I have seen some 1200 go ebay for over 500 used. I was very interested in the 1200 before the 1600 came out so I dont see why this wouldnt work but was more curious if the value was there to spend 500 on a discontinued item. I was thinking that the lack of 1200 going up for sale are that people are really happy with theirs and are keeping them as a backup or that since people have been having some issues with the 1600 and that the the 1200 are pefoming so well they just didnt "upgrade" as it seems the may not be that many advantages to the 1600, seems better range but the ballistic calculator not really that usefull and reading not as reliably (?)

 

[cowboy]

I've been using a 1200 for at least three years now - I believe they were $699 when they first came out. Never had any problems with the 1200 - I say if you can live with the features go ahead and buy it.

 

[pyroducksx3]

So just to be thorough, leica 1200 users you feel that the 1200 unit is perfectly adequate and are happy using this rangefinder for longrange hunting? And don't feel that you are under powered for ranging? I'm borrowing a nikon 600 and can't range past 380 with it. I just dont want to get a 1200 yard range finder that only ranges to 700 or something like that, thanks sorry for being anal but right now 500$ is a lot to spend especially if I would be better off saving a few more months for a 1600 or a swaro.

 

[MontanaRifleman]

My suggestion would be read all the threads talking about it. I got a 1200 and it's ranging capability is spotty. During most daylight hours, it would not range past 1000-1100 yds on evergreen trees. On cows I had a tough time getting readings 800-1000. In low evening light well after sunset, I could range juniper bushes and rock outcrops out to a little over 1400. Basically, I felt that in most cases, getting a reading on a game animal out to 1000 yds was very "iffy", especially on flat ground. 700-800 was probably max in most cases and maybe less depending on how sunny and what direction the sun was and how flat the ground, etc. This is handholding it, bracing myself as best I could against a tree or on a rock, etc. There always seemed to be a little movement which may have kept it from reading. If you had it braced in a bi-pod, it might do better? I got the 1600 and it ranges a couple hundred yards more than the 1200 on buildings. trees, etc, but not a lot better on animals so far. One thing I like about the 1600 is it gives you temp, pressure and shooting angle. I need to get a shooting bi-pod and see if it helps to stabilize it.

 

[brentc]

My 1200 works great and $500 isn't a bad price. It's probably the best rangefinder you'll get in that price range.

 

[brentc]

So just to be thorough, leica 1200 users you feel that the 1200 unit is perfectly adequate and are happy using this rangefinder for longrange hunting? And don't feel that you are under powered for ranging? I'm borrowing a nikon 600 and can't range past 380 with it. I just dont want to get a 1200 yard range finder that only ranges to 700 or something like that, thanks sorry for being anal but right now 500$ is a lot to spend especially if I would be better off saving a few more months for a 1600 or a swaro.

The 1200 was Leica's top line a couple years ago and it is a quality rangefinder and nothing in the $500 price range will perform nearly as well.

If you're thinking about saving, do it. If you are looking to get the most features in a rangefinder look at the G7 when it comes out.

 

[MontanaRifleman]

... It's probably the best rangefinder you'll get in that price range.

I think that's very true.

 

[GoArmy]

I have had one for a couple of years, I paid $550 from Bass Pro. It is truly the best range finder I have ever had, and I have owned several.

 

[pyroducksx3]

Interesting... just looked on SWFA and midway for their price on a 1200 and don't see it listed I see the CRF 1000 instead for $599. Leica's are MAP'd items, meaning the dealer MUST sell at the Manufacturer's Assigned Price.

I wonder if the 1200's are discontinued or renamed to 1000's since the 1600's came out? If so, maybe that's why he's selling so low. For a new CRF 1200 I would say it's a great price. Especially considering that there is a new one on E-bay with 15 bids up to $567 ATM.

-Mark

I just checked those leicas out on ebay you were talking about and they are already up to 627 $ with 19 bids. WOW at that price I figure people would just go up to the 1600 Well Ill be going to pick those leicas up tomorrow thanks

 

[One_Duck_Limit]

I've been using the CRF1200 for the past 3 years and have been very happy with it. It's been all the range finder I've needed and will routinely range large objects (boulders) at 1300 yards.

 

[pyroducksx3]

Well I picked up my leica 1200 today and found out what everyones else did years ago, these are awsome! I know its a house but I was standing holding my cell phone up to the rangfinder and looking at the cell screen to take this, so not stable at all and still got 1216 yards Its amazing how far 1000 yards really is when you can actually range it, whole new respect for guys that can shoot that distance. I was looking at things and thinking how far they were before ranging, after ranging them things I thought were way out there werent nearly as fas I thought. I was able to range people at 1003 yards standing also. You gotta love good equipment