range finder

Nanders

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Jan 11, 2012
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I am new to long distance shooting.

I have a Savage 10fp in .308

I would like to get a good range finder and am willing to pay good money for one as opposed to buying lower quality and buying a better one later.

What would you folks reccomend? My goal is to eventually be competent at 1000 yards.

Thanks
 
I am new to long distance shooting.

I have a Savage 10fp in .308

I would like to get a good range finder and am willing to pay good money for one as opposed to buying lower quality and buying a better one later.

What would you folks reccomend? My goal is to eventually be competent at 1000 yards.

Thanks

Leica 1600 CRF

Vectronix Terripin

Vectronix PLRF10

Do some searching on this forum. There is more info in threads on here than you will be able to read in a few nights.

Jeff
 
I sold my leica and currently have a Zeiss. Both work well but there are differences. The glass is good enough for both to identify hunting targets in low light, not much difference. The Zeiss is easier to hold steady but bigger to carry. The current Zeiss PRF has longer ranging than the old 900 series Leica but probably not as good as the newest 1500 model, although I have not done a comparison to the 1500 series. The Zeiss PRF will range a light colored cow at 900 but a brown one only to about 600. It will range reflective targets to 1000. If you are hunting at lets say 1000 yards, do not get the Zeiss. Mine does not have the range. My estimation is that the new Lieca 1500 will range farther but I have had to return 2 Leicas for failing to work so I am not enamored with their reliablity. My dealer also indicates that Leica is not easy to work with in terms of warranty. If you need to range farther than 6-900 yards that my Zeiss works on soft targets consider the The Leica and hope it doesn't stop working, get a Swarovski? or consider the new g7 br2. If it does what its advertized to do it will be the best out there for around 1500 bucks. Not been out long and not many good reviews yet, but it also has ballistic table function that works compared to the one in the Leica or Zeiss which is not usable for real accuracy. I did not get the BR2 becuse it was not released prior to my hunting season but if it does what its advertized to do, that's what I will get next. Good luck.
 
Also, I will add you should read and study the size and the effects of a rangefinders "Beam Divergence" before you buy. Don't go into this blind. That is a very important subject.

Jeff
 
Also, I will add you should read and study the size and the effects of a rangefinders "Beam Divergence" before you buy. Don't go into this blind. That is a very important subject.

Jeff

Jeff,

I'm thinkin' that most here aren't catching on to the importance of beam divergence.

Most seem more enthused by ranging the mountain way over there than accurately ranging a small furry target on a flat snow/stubble covered field. Or even being able to accurately range a big game animal back in the trees a bit.

I've followed your posts and after attempting to range deer in mid body deep CRP grass plus an elk with one single darned tree in beam pattern, it was easy to catch on that if you can't range a yote in stubble or a deer in sage brush at a decent distance you're gonna have a problem at moderate distances also.

The Leica 1200 was the best out there 4 or 5 years ago but things have changed.

The Leica 1600 is probably the best in its class but that class is a couple of rungs down from when one wants to consistently practice to a mile.
 
Roy, you are spot on my friend. I ranged a badger Saturday in a flat field. The PLRF10 said 632 yards. That badger was less than 1/2 moa tall. Man .... a .338 Lapua with a 300 Berger works very well on Badgers. But the badger didnt like it one bit.:D

Jeff gun)---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Thank you guys for the input. I am in the process of searching posts in the forum. I will be sure to investigate more on beam divergence.
 
I think if you clearly defined your priorities, members could tell you more. For example the european models have better glass in general and can range targets when hunting in low light. Beam divergence was mentioned and whether you hunt or target shoot in open areas or in brush makes a difference. The internal ballistic programs in most are too generic to be useful with the exception of the new G7 Br2. Size matters. The Leica is pocketable but hard to hold steady compared to the Zeis which is held more like a binocular and is bigger. Is price a major consideration? Is reliability a concern? My pick for shooting would be the G7 if it does most of what it is supposed to do, but for moderate distances, I sold my Leica and got the Zeiss since the Br2 wasn't available. I kinda wish I bought the Swarovski as I think it would have greater range. The higher end domestic models are more competitive in terms of range, but if you take one in low light (when the big bucks are out) you tend to see a black picture when you can see the target with the euros. I guess there is no do all perfect one out yet. There are compromises with each.
 
Also, I will add you should read and study the size and the effects of a rangefinders "Beam Divergence" before you buy. Don't go into this blind. That is a very important subject.

Jeff

Jeff is right on the money here. Nothing more frustrating than trying to range down through a slot in the timber and have the range finder bounce off stuff half way to the target. Pick a rangefinder that fits your style of hunting.

In my world the smaller the "Beam Divergence" the better within my budget.
 
THAT is why the lieca 1600 is best bang for $..5 x2.5 mrad beam, 8 oz. 1/2 the weight and 1/2 cost of g7 br2, and I SHOOT mil so the g7 doesnt work for me. PLRF 05 is in my future plans:D
 
I will have to disagree with the post above about Leica's Warrenty Department. I had a early 1200 scan I carried for years hunting and it took a lot abuse. It had gotten some moisture in the lenses and I tried to open it and screwed it up. I told them I did and would pay to have it fixed and in a few days a brand new 1200 pocket size one came no charge. It don't get any better than that.
 
Personally I like the Lieca.

They are very clear and spot on accurate.

Another great rangefinder is Gunwerks G7 range finder.
I have heard rave reports from several guys at the range on how well it preforms.
 
I am in the same boat,

I'm looking at

Leica crf 1600
Swarovski Laser guide
Zeiss PRF

Unfortunalty there isn't anywhere i can go and try them all out to see what one I like the best. The dealer that is giving me the best prices is about a 16 hour drive so that is out.

The swarovski's are $200 more and the zeiss and leica's are the same price.

I think either of the three will have good enough glass for me, but that being said my current Leupold RXII will only do like 720 yards in the best possible conditions handheld.

I do a lot of backpack hunting so the weight and size is a factor but I'd rather be packing around a 13 ounce swarovski for 10 years then a leica for 3 years because it crapped out on me. Long service life is most important.

All the reports of guys getting defunct leica's really makes me hesitant to buy one. I detest sending things back for repair.

I have Zeiss Victory binoculars, Zeiss Diascopes spotter and a Zeiss Conquest 6.5-20x50 scope......of those three the binoculars and the spotter have both been back for warranty. Delamination of the occular lenses on the bino's and the internal lenses on the diascope came loose and started rattling around inside the body.....not impressed. However they are getting fixed and with Zeiss lifetime warranty on their optics I'm covered forever.

I think if Leica didn't have the DOA issue I'd be all over it like a fat kid on a smartie.
It makes me question the longevity of their product.

If anyone can offer some insight, it would be appreciated.
 
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