Range finders

[Shooting Stix]

i figured I would look into a different range finder and does anyone here know the best for bowhunting. I have wanting the Archers choice but is it worth it? Anyone have it I had a Nikon which was decent but need one for being a bowhunter. Any advice would be helpful and appreciated

[Jonathan_S]

Are you meaning one that compensates for angles?  It's much less of an issue than you might think.

The Vortex Ranger 1000 is what I'd go with and is what I'm likely to choose myself before next fall.

[Special T]

I purchased the nikon rifle hunter and it works great for archery. Main difference is no half yard increments. Not real important for most fast bows and hunting. I actually like the simplicy of it vs others with more features.  Less to go wrong in the heat of the moment. They should only be a few bucks more.. plus I like being able to range out 4-500yards so that I can splash some steel with my 06

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[JJB11B]

one thing I wish I would have known about before I bought my range finder is that ranging stuff in low light is a PITA! Leica is the only brand I know of for sure that has red display instead of black so ranging against a dark back drop you can actually see the read out.

[Bucks2Ducks]

I know some of the leupold models have that red display too, that is nice. I would avoid the archers choice, mine currently dosnt work and is not covered under warranty. I will probably get the vortex 1000 next as well.

[Karl Blanchard]

I used to have a Leupold RX750 tbr.  The cuts were spot on when using it in archery mode.  Only word of warning is that it will only give you angle cuts out to a certain distance.  If you're shooting your bow farther than 70 yards it will not compute the compensated yardage.  I switched to a Leica 1600 this last season and won't ever look back.  It doesn't have a bow mode but I shoot my bow a lot and know my cuts so I just make the adjustment on the fly.  It ranges through rain, fog (to an extent), even mesh like on ground blinds.

[biggfish]

I'm looking at a Nikon arrow id 5000, has 5-600 yd  range. I like the higher magnification, incline decline if I ever find myself in steep country.

[WAnoob]

Leica....

[derrickbouwman]

Leica hands down


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[Eric M]

I really like my Vortex Ranger 1000.

[High Climber]

I have the Leica 1600b. It's an awesome rangefinder but if I was to do it over again I would have bought the vortex ranger 1000. I am a bow hunter first and hunt often in steep country... The Leica doesn't compensate angle until beyond 100yds, the vortex does.

[Mxracer532]

Leica, shoot some 3ds and learn how to compensate or the angles. Angle isnt needed!

[blindluck]

Leica, Awesome

[Karl Blanchard]

I have a Leica, I love my Leica, but he stated he wants angle compensation for his bow.  Leica doesn't have that.  At least not in the 1600b

[Jellymon]

Leica, shoot some 3ds and learn how to compensate or the angles. Angle isnt needed!

Shoot some 3ds and learn how to estimate yardage. A rangefinder isn't needed.

[jstone]

Mine has the angle comp. in it I Love It... BUT this year 45 yard shot on my spike elk at a 45 degree angle not using the range finder, smoked him one shot quartering away. Late archery about the same yards and angle on a muledeer in wenatchee. Had all day ranged him and screwed the pooch. I should have just went with my head. Still love it

[tgomez]

Leica, shoot some 3ds and learn how to compensate or the angles. Angle isnt needed!

This is actually great advice. I agree with this 100%, 3D shoots are the way to go to learn proper shot angles, and how to guess ranges very effectively. Most 3D tournaments don't allow range finders anyway, that's part of the challenge of winning them. Usually these tourneys are "bionoculars only." I always bow hunted on the ground using the spot and stalk method which adds even more difficulty. With that being said if you are getting a range finder "archer's choice" is a great pick. Either way practice is the key to shooting acurately, shoot daily!

[sakoshooter]

I've been using a Nikon Monarch Gold 1200 for a few years now and it's been great.

[Shooting Stix]

Leica, shoot some 3ds and learn how to compensate or the angles. Angle isnt needed!

Shoot some 3ds and learn how to estimate yardage. A rangefinder isn't needed.

There's always got to be that guy that always has the best advise when your on a hunt of a lifetime and you have an opportunity to range the animal that is what I am going to do. One thing is to hunt deer if you wound him and lose him its heartbreaking but you continue to hunt but if you are on a high dollar hunt a wounded animal will cost you so thanks for the advise I have been bowhunting for over 20 years

[kentrek]

Maybe I'm weird but when a giant bull is coming in and screaming at me I kinda need all the additional help i can get....

Im a vortex guy for archery, Leica for rifle all the way

[Shooting Stix]

Mine has the angle comp. in it I Love It... BUT this year 45 yard shot on my spike elk at a 45 degree angle not using the range finder, smoked him one shot quartering away. Late archery about the same yards and angle on a muledeer in wenatchee. Had all day ranged him and screwed the pooch. I should have just went with my head. Still love it

What type of range finder you have and how much does it cost?

[Shooting Stix]

Maybe I'm weird but when a giant bull is coming in and screaming at me I kinda need all the additional help i can get....

Im a vortex guy for archery, Leica for rifle all the way

That's funny right there I find sometimes I have to slow myself down or I get too excited so I use the range finder to find out the range but also get my nerves to settle down then rushing my shot especially with a rifle.

[kentrek]

Maybe I'm weird but when a giant bull is coming in and screaming at me I kinda need all the additional help i can get....

Im a vortex guy for archery, Leica for rifle all the way

That's funny right there I find sometimes I have to slow myself down or I get too excited so I use the range finder to find out the range but also get my nerves to settle down then rushing my shot especially with a rifle.

Typically people have a "check list" type procedure.....

I can think of three times I was so excited I could barely walk....let alone remember a freaking check list...so I keep it as dummy proof as possible 

[RadSav]

Typically people have a "check list" type procedure.....

I can think of three times I was so excited I could barely walk....let alone remember a freaking check list...so I keep it as dummy proof as possible 

I carry a cut chart with me, but I always forget to use it when horns get big!   More reliable for me to have a rangefinder with the compensator.  I like the readout and accuracy of the Leupold however, they really suck in rain, snow and fog.  The cheaper Leupolds do a much better job in rain and snow so I try to have one as backup if weather turns to crap.

I ran Leica for years.  Loved those!  It was hard giving up on Leica for the compensator option Leupold.  In the long run I think it has been worth it.  My success has never been better.  I hear that the Leica CRF 1000-R now has the compensator to 600 yards.  I'll likely be getting one of those before next spring and hope it solves the weather issues.

I bought the Vortex and used it on one single hunt.  Could not get rid of that thing fast enough.  Loved the shape and the belt clip.  But the function was the worst.  I'd take a $49.99 Bushnell over that thing.

I think the drive for "More Power" has really ruined the archery rangefinder market.  Never had problems with fog and snow until they started making them for 1,000 yards plus.  Now they are so sensitive even light fog gives me fits.  I'm praying the Leica is the answer!  We'll see come spring!

[Jellymon]

Leica, shoot some 3ds and learn how to compensate or the angles. Angle isnt needed!

Shoot some 3ds and learn how to estimate yardage. A rangefinder isn't needed.

There's always got to be that guy that always has the best advise when your on a hunt of a lifetime and you have an opportunity to range the animal that is what I am going to do. One thing is to hunt deer if you wound him and lose him its heartbreaking but you continue to hunt but if you are on a high dollar hunt a wounded animal will cost you so thanks for the advise I have been bowhunting for over 20 years

Sorry if it came off that way. I was making fun of the comment I quoted, not you. I use a rangefinder whenever possible as well.

[jstone]

I have the leupold. I only archery hunt. I think it goes out to 600 yards. It has differant adjustments for bow speeds and angle reader. Maybe payed 300.00 for it. I dont have the money for those other ones. Daughter in college. Still for the price its worth it.

[kentrek]

Typically people have a "check list" type procedure.....

I can think of three times I was so excited I could barely walk....let alone remember a freaking check list...so I keep it as dummy proof as possible 

I bought the Vortex and used it on one single hunt.  Could not get rid of that thing fast enough.  Loved the shape and the belt clip.  But the function was the worst.  I'd take a $49.99 Bushnell over that thing.

 I'm praying the Leica is the answer!  We'll see come spring!

Was it the slower read out for the vortex you disliked ? During nasty weather I found its best to keep the things completely dry....seems like they don't like to read once water hits the lower lense

The Leica is definitely geared toward rifle hunters but it sure is nice ! Seems like you can seek a range through some pretty thick brush  much better then leupold/vortex

[CAMPMEAT]

We went shooting steel last Sunday and the Leica my friend had, dd not work with a little bit of fog. So, I guess, they're not as perfect as all claim.

[Karl Blanchard]

We went shooting steel last Sunday and the Leica my friend had, dd not work with a little bit of fog. So, I guess, they're not as perfect as all claim.

low battery maybe?  Mine will basically range it as long as I can see it

[Bob33]

We went shooting steel last Sunday and the Leica my friend had, dd not work with a little bit of fog. So, I guess, they're not as perfect as all claim.

That is an issue with Leicas but understandable. The laser beam in them is narrower than most and sensitive, which is why it can range further than most. When it detects a rain drop or mist from fog it returns a reading.

[jjhunter]

Of the big 3, the Leicas are the least reliable in any kind of weather.   I've owned every one of 'em in the last 15 years and it's always been the case.   That being said, they do make my favorite bino/rangefinder combo - all things being considered.

If I was only concerned with rangefinder reliability (especially in weather), I'd go with the Zeiss.   It is an amazing rangefinder with regard to reliability in weather and responsiveness.



 

[CAMPMEAT]

We went shooting steel last Sunday and the Leica my friend had, dd not work with a little bit of fog. So, I guess, they're not as perfect as all claim.

low battery maybe?  Mine will basically range it as long as I can see it

No, just couldn't pick up the targets.

[Bob33]

Of the big 3, the Leicas are the least reliable in any kind of weather.   I've owned every one of 'em in the last 15 years and it's always been the case.   That being said, they do make my favorite bino/rangefinder combo - all things being considered.

If I was only concerned with rangefinder reliability (especially in weather), I'd go with the Zeiss.   It is an amazing rangefinder with regard to reliability in weather and responsiveness.

Leicas appear to have more issues in fog than others, but others are not immune. All things considered, I still prefer Leicas over all others.

http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1619042
http://forums.bowsite.com/tf/bgforums/thread.cfm?forum=2&threadid=415694
http://forums.bowhunting.com/bowhunting-talk/rangefinders-not-working-fog-58625/
http://www.ifish.net/board/showthread.php?t=868329

[Antlershed]

Has anybody had a chance to check out the new Sig Kilo 2000 rangefinder? It's price is appealing if it is as good as it claims.

[CAMPMEAT]

Of the big 3, the Leicas are the least reliable in any kind of weather.   I've owned every one of 'em in the last 15 years and it's always been the case.   That being said, they do make my favorite bino/rangefinder combo - all things being considered.

If I was only concerned with rangefinder reliability (especially in weather), I'd go with the Zeiss.   It is an amazing rangefinder with regard to reliability in weather and responsiveness.

Leicas appear to have more issues in fog than others, but others are not immune. All things considered, I still prefer Leicas over all others.

http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1619042
http://forums.bowsite.com/tf/bgforums/thread.cfm?forum=2&threadid=415694
http://forums.bowhunting.com/bowhunting-talk/rangefinders-not-working-fog-58625/
http://www.ifish.net/board/showthread.php?t=868329

The guy I was with is a retired Border Patrol agent and everything has to be perfect. He loves and swears by Leicas no matter what.

[Tenkara]

Leica. 

[Bob33]

Has anybody had a chance to check out the new Sig Kilo 2000 rangefinder? It's price is appealing if it is as good as it claims.

The initial reviews sound promising and could bump Leica if true.

[Antlershed]

Has anybody had a chance to check out the new Sig Kilo 2000 rangefinder? It's price is appealing if it is as good as it claims.

The initial reviews sound promising and could bump Leica if true.

Kinda what I was thinking. Cabelas recently added it to their website. I think I'll have to wait until they get one in stock at their Lacey store so I can check it out.

[TheHunt]

I have the Leica and a bunch of others.  I am looking at the Leica 1600.  If there is a better one out there I would love to check it out.   I bow hunt elk but rifle deer. 

[heronblu]

Ive got a vortex 1000 and i love the thing.  I know some people have complained about the slow readout but I have been really impressed with the accuracy of it and I've never felt like I needed it to read any faster. Also you cannot beat vortex warranty and customer service. Plus it's the only one that I found in that price range that claimed to be actually waterproof (a must for where I live).

[Shooting Stix]

I bought a bushnell years ago and that gadget was big and hard to read then I went with a Nikon and it was a lot better but still wasn't that good but when I went to South Africa I gave it to my PH for my appreciation for all the hard work he did to make sure I was successful so now I want one more for bowhunting because when I rifle hunt I don't feel comfortable shooting long distance. I want one that will help with the downhill/uphill shots because once I see antlers I'm not thinking to take away or add it's shoot.

[Bob33]

Has anybody had a chance to check out the new Sig Kilo 2000 rangefinder? It's price is appealing if it is as good as it claims.

The initial reviews sound promising and could bump Leica if true.

Kinda what I was thinking. Cabelas recently added it to their website. I think I'll have to wait until they get one in stock at their Lacey store so I can check it out.

hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,189297.0.html

I have been testing the Sig for a couple weeks. It has bumped my Leica 1600 as the preferred rangefinder.

[CAMPMEAT]

The new Sig Sauer kilo2000 is supposed to be better than anything out there....