G7 vs. 1600B vs. Swaro EL...

[mmh]

I need to get a laser rangefinder. Also, I would use a separate weather station (weatherhawk sm-28). On the one hand, it would be convinient to integrate the ranging w/ a binoc. but the premium may not be worth it. Right now, my long range hunting is limited to 600 yards, but w/ practice, I hope to increase that. In addition, I am plinking steel out to 1200.

Looking for opinions on teh rangefinders that I mentioned in the title. Obviously the Swarovski is the most expensive (at $2500), the G7 in the middle ($1400) and the 1600B is the cheapest ($800) and price is a consideration. Good optics always cost alot, but over time, I believe that rangefinder cost will come down. This makes me want to lean away from the swaro. Is the integrated weather station & ballistic solution of the G7 worth the premium over the 1600B?

Appologize for teh rambling - I am just doing some soul searching before putting down some hard cash.

 

[geo4061]

All three of these are top of the class. No wrong answer here. Just pick the one that you prefer.I picked the 1600 ( small size,price,great ranging) and Kestrel 4500 AB. In order to get a ballistic app and wind. Some people love the swaro's. They are expensive, offer great glass and great ranging all in one. You still need to add a ballistic app and wind meter. Others prefer the G7. It's as close to an all in one as you can get. It is a little pricey and a little too larger. It is very fast and accurate to about 900. The only other thing you need here is a wind meter. Just pick one set up and go practice practice practice.

 

[bill123]

All three of these are top of the class. No wrong answer here. Just pick the one that you prefer.I picked the 1600 ( small size,price,great ranging) and Kestrel 4500 AB. In order to get a ballistic app and wind. Some people love the swaro's. They are expensive, offer great glass and great ranging all in one. You still need to add a ballistic app and wind meter. Others prefer the G7. It's as close to an all in one as you can get. It is a little pricey and a little too larger. It is very fast and accurate to about 900. The only other thing you need here is a wind meter. Just pick one set up and go practice practice practice.

+1. Ab kestrel and 1600.

 

[Bigcat_hunter]

The G7 is about the best thing for long range hunting I have ever owned. It's expensive but well worth it. Now if they could just make a pair of bino's with all of the G7 features that would be perfect. Or if they could make it as small as the Leica 1600!

 

[J E Custom]

The G7 is about the best thing for long range hunting I have ever owned. It's expensive but well worth it. Now if they could just make a pair of bino's with all of the G7 features that would be perfect. Or if they could make it as small as the Leica 1600!

+1

I have had several different brands of Laser range finders and the G7 is the best I have found.

In the past range finders have not worked at the max distance advertised at all and in fact fell short buy a large margin in bad weather.

The G7 has out distanced all other brands with advertised max distance the same, and at the closer
distance (600 to 800) worked flawlessly every time.

Spend the difference, Buy the G7 and you will not be disappointed.

Just my opinion

J E CUSTOM

 

[jonthomps]

The small size of the Leica RF is awesome. Coupled with a Kestrel AB it's definitely a winner. That combo is what I use. But the G7 brings a lot to the table too - especially now that they offer a mil-based firing solution. If you became proficient with either there's probably only a nickel's worth of difference between the two. I'd Swaros wouldn't be in the running.

 

[true1911]

I have a 1600 and it is a great rangefinder. I was dissapointed in the Swaros rangefinder, but still run EL binocs. The G7 is the one optic I own that I would replace if something happened. I love mine. I do wish it was as small as the 1600.

 

[Greyfox]

The G7 is about the best thing for long range hunting I have ever owned. It's expensive but well worth it. Now if they could just make a pair of bino's with all of the G7 features that would be perfect. Or if they could make it as small as the Leica 1600!

Agreed!

 

[mmh]

So all three range equally? If the 1600 ranges as good as the G7 then I would not want to spend the extra $$$. I like the rangefinder integrated w/ a binoc., but the additional cost is hard to justify.

 

[true1911]

So all three range equally? If the 1600 ranges as good as the G7 then I would not want to spend the extra $$$. I like the rangefinder integrated w/ a binoc., but the additional cost is hard to justify.

It all depends on how far you want to be able to shoot. 700-1000 yards they probably range pretty equally. After that the G7 is going to give you ranges more consistently and with less effort. My farthest handheld range with G7 was 2552 yards. I use it all the time in the mountains to figure out estimates on how long it will take me to get somewhere. The 1600 requires a rock steady rest or a tripod to get distant readings and it won't range as far as the G7, at least that's what my experience has been. I've experimented with the G7 and with the near/ far settings I've been able to range through a chain link fence. If I couldn't afford a G7 the Leica is next best rangefinder down the list price wise that I've used or seen. The Swaro I had was an early model and I wasn't happy with how the rangefinder performed. They may have gotten better or got the issues worked out but for me they weren't worth how much they cost.

 

[Greyfox]

With the Improved, MIL based G7 RF being released, and G7 users upgrading, there are good used original versions going on the market at lower used prices. I just listed mine on this site yesterday.

 

[mmh]

With the Improved, MIL based G7 RF being released, and G7 users upgrading, there are good used original versions going on the market at lower used prices. I just listed mine on this site yesterday.

What are the improvements? Is the older G7 in MOA only? If so, I would wait for the newer G7. Do you know about the 1600 - is in in MIL or just MOA?

 

[Greyfox]

What are the improvements? Is the older G7 in MOA only? If so, I would wait for the newer G7. Do you know about the 1600 - is in in MIL or just MOA?

The Original G7 is in MOA, inches, and turret yardage.
Here is a review of the New G7:

http://www.longrangehunting.com/for...g7-br2-rangefinder-review-156080/#post1096952

 

[bigngreen]

On multiple occasions I've seen a G7 not able to range accurately, switching modes would still not get you the same range at a Leica 1600, the shot was missed when trusting the G7. I have seen the G7 fail on the shot to many times to own one for hunting.