Range finder recommendation?

[DXHI]

Looking for a recommendation for a descent one....not the top of line but not walmart cheap either

 

[pyroducksx3]

Vectronix plrf 10 -5000$
Vectronix terrapin 1900$
G7 - 1500$
Lieca 1600 - 799$
Bushnell elite 1600 - 499$
leupold rx 1200 tbr 419$
Spending the money on quality rangefinder first vs a cheaper one that doesn't get a reading when it matters and ruining the hunt not to mention all the time and energy in to practicing....priceless.
the Lieca 1600b is the best bang for the buck!

 

[johnnyk]

DXHI,
Have used the cheapo' before and it is frustrating, to say the least. Looked around and found the Leica 1600B for $699 and have no regrets. I don't have any experience with the Vectronix or G7, but the Leica is a **** good rangefinder.
I used it Saturday to do a quick 1000yd shoot. I was using a 20"x24" piece of white/plastic cardboard as my target. I put the target out and drove down the path away from it. The 1600B picked it up at 785, 937, 974, and 1000. No problem's. Shoot was over in less than 20 minutes. JohnnyK.

 

[MudRunner2005]

I have the Vortex Ranger 1000 and it seems to be a pretty **** accurate unit. For $379, it's hard to beat. The quality and construction are pretty top-notch, too.

Vortex Ranger 1000 Laser Rangefinder 6x Rubber Armored Green

One day I'll step up to the Leica 1600 or maybe a G7 BR2 (if funds allow)...But for now, the Ranger 1000 is working fine for what I need it for.

 

[ntg]

DXHI,

You didn't really explain your use/intentions for the rangefinder.

I have the Vortex as well and it suits what I need. I'll hit anything out to ~600 yards and I don't have plans to kill anything further than that. I've had it hit reflective targets over 1100, but that's not easy to do primarily because you've got to hold it very steady, plus all the environmental factors start to show out that far. It'll will hit reflective targets out past 900 easy with the right type of day. Vortex is the only with a lifetime warranty. If you're patient you can find them for a real deal on the used market.

 

[FEENIX]

Vectronix plrf 10 -5000$
Vectronix terrapin 1900$
G7 - 1500$
Lieca 1600 - 799$
Bushnell elite 1600 - 499$
leupold rx 1200 tbr 419$
Spending the money on quality rangefinder first vs a cheaper one that doesn't get a reading when it matters and ruining the hunt not to mention all the time and energy in to practicing....priceless.
the Lieca 1600b is the best bang for the buck!

+1! Another vote for the Leica 1600/1600B.

 

[Timber338]

Spending the money on quality rangefinder first vs a cheaper one that doesn't get a reading when it matters and ruining the hunt not to mention all the time and energy in to practicing....priceless.
the Lieca 1600b is the best bang for the buck!

++1. I went through a couple of cheaper rangefinders and had to pass shot opportunities because the cheaper units couldn't get a reading. Now I've got a 1600b and it just works great.

 

[RH300UM]

When I have people ask me which scope, optics or range finders to get. I tell them all the same thing. If you can't aford the expensive ones save enough until you can. You get what you pay for with optics including rangefinders. Best to do it right the first time and not waste the time or money.

 

[Bravo 4]

When I have people ask me which scope, optics or range finders to get. I tell them all the same thing. If you can't aford the expensive ones save enough until you can. You get what you pay for with optics including rangefinders. Best to do it right the first time and not waste the time or money.

Please don't take offense to this, just two different opinions.
I can both agree and disagree with this. Usually cost has a bearing on quality with optics, at least as far as the glass quality. But I have had way too many $1,000+ and even $1,500+ scopes crap out on me, more than once the very first time out with them! Or they were flawed when they came out of the box. Now if you mean top tier expensive (2-3-4 thousand dollars) you have got to be kidding me. If that was the case then I would only get to own one rifle and scope with a year or two worth of my allowance!
I would not tell a new shooter or new LR shooter that you need a $3000 rifle and a $3000 scope with $400 worth of rings and mounts to get into it. The last time I shot on my buddy's 800 yard range his neighbor up the road came buy and brought his stock 700 SPS in .308 with a $200 Nikon on it. With some of my "factory" 175 SMK's I did a quick adjustment to his zero and had him banging the 400 yard plate with ease within a few shots and then the 800 yards within a few more. He had never shot past 200 yards.
My point is not to totally go against you on this, you should worry more about quality and reliability not the cost. Would I stick a $200 scope on my .408? Heck no, there is a NXS on there. Is there a Nightforce on every rifle I own? No, or I would never get to shoot them. I have a $400 Falcon on a 18" .308 that I bought used for $150 with a cheap mount and rails. But don't kid yourself, I'm very effective with that dude out to 800.
Again, not to be rude or anything but saying you need a bunch of expensive stuff because that's what you need just isn't totally correct.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Please don't take offense to this, just two different opinions.
I can both agree and disagree with this. Usually cost has a bearing on quality with optics, at least as far as the glass quality. But I have had way too many $1,000+ and even $1,500+ scopes crap out on me, more than once the very first time out with them! Or they were flawed when they came out of the box. Now if you mean top tier expensive (2-3-4 thousand dollars) you have got to be kidding me. If that was the case then I would only get to own one rifle and scope with a year or two worth of my allowance!
I would not tell a new shooter or new LR shooter that you need a $3000 rifle and a $3000 scope with $400 worth of rings and mounts to get into it. The last time I shot on my buddy's 800 yard range his neighbor up the road came buy and brought his stock 700 SPS in .308 with a $200 Nikon on it. With some of my "factory" 175 SMK's I did a quick adjustment to his zero and had him banging the 400 yard plate with ease within a few shots and then the 800 yards within a few more. He had never shot past 200 yards.
My point is not to totally go against you on this, you should worry more about quality and reliability not the cost. Would I stick a $200 scope on my .408? Heck no, there is a NXS on there. Is there a Nightforce on every rifle I own? No, or I would never get to shoot them. I have a $400 Falcon on a 18" .308 that I bought used for $150 with a cheap mount and rails. But don't kid yourself, I'm very effective with that dude out to 800.
Again, not to be rude or anything but saying you need a bunch of expensive stuff because that's what you need just isn't totally correct.

Agreed! Just like you don't have to have a $500 barrel blank to put down 1/2-MOA or better groups. People laugh at my semi-custom 700's until they see them in action...

 

[fmajor]

I have the Vortex Ranger 1000 and it seems to be a pretty **** accurate unit. For $379, it's hard to beat. The quality and construction are pretty top-notch, too.

Vortex Ranger 1000 Laser Rangefinder 6x Rubber Armored Green

One day I'll step up to the Leica 1600 or maybe a G7 BR2 (if funds allow)...But for now, the Ranger 1000 is working fine for what I need it for.

Hey Mud - what's the longest you've gotten an accurate reading out of your Vortex?

 

[RH300UM]

Please don't take offense to this, just two different opinions.
I can both agree and disagree with this. Usually cost has a bearing on quality with optics, at least as far as the glass quality. But I have had way too many $1,000+ and even $1,500+ scopes crap out on me, more than once the very first time out with them! Or they were flawed when they came out of the box. Now if you mean top tier expensive (2-3-4 thousand dollars) you have got to be kidding me. If that was the case then I would only get to own one rifle and scope with a year or two worth of my allowance!
I would not tell a new shooter or new LR shooter that you need a $3000 rifle and a $3000 scope with $400 worth of rings and mounts to get into it. The last time I shot on my buddy's 800 yard range his neighbor up the road came buy and brought his stock 700 SPS in .308 with a $200 Nikon on it. With some of my "factory" 175 SMK's I did a quick adjustment to his zero and had him banging the 400 yard plate with ease within a few shots and then the 800 yards within a few more. He had never shot past 200 yards.
My point is not to totally go against you on this, you should worry more about quality and reliability not the cost. Would I stick a $200 scope on my .408? Heck no, there is a NXS on there. Is there a Nightforce on every rifle I own? No, or I would never get to shoot them. I have a $400 Falcon on a 18" .308 that I bought used for $150 with a cheap mount and rails. But don't kid yourself, I'm very effective with that dude out to 800.
Again, not to be rude or anything but saying you need a bunch of expensive stuff because that's what you need just isn't totally correct.

No offense taken. As you stated. 2 different opinions.

 

[azsugarbear]

Most rangefinders on the market will get the job done - as long as conditions are near optimal. But throw in some bright mid-day sun, or some fog or light rain and most will crap out on you. If you just plan on shooting targets at distance, then these factors will not matter. However, if you are hunting for trophies and spent a lot of time and dollars on equipment and scouting, then you will not be happy with most rangefinders out there today. My personal opinion is that the Swarovski or Leica 1600B are the minimum for what I described above. The next step up is the G& BR2. Top tier are the Vectronics.

 

[JARHEAD1371]

Personally I won't buy anything below the Leica level. Several years ago, I purchased a new "top of the line" rangefinder from Bushnell and my wife and I missed the opportunity at some shots at some big antelope somewhere past 600 yds. The **** thing wouldn't give any readings, even laying in the prone and having it extremely stable. We were living in SD at the time and that evening I drove from camp back to Cabelas in Rapid to return it and purchased a Swaro. We hunted with that for several years and never had any frustrations with it. It would range coyotes over 1k yds with ease. I will be purchasing a new G7 rangefinder later this year.

IMO, spend as much as you can afford on any type of glass, it will be worth it in the long run. Good luck.