Author Topic: Rangefinders (Read 12670 times)

lamar_hunter · « **on:** February 04, 2009, 01:52:05 PM »

Im looking to buy a new rangefinder. On cabelas im looking at the Nikon Monach 1200 Gold and The Bushnell Elite 1500. What do u guys think? they are the same price.

stumprat · « **Reply #1 on:** February 04, 2009, 01:53:45 PM »

Go nikon!

ghgetter · « **Reply #2 on:** February 04, 2009, 01:58:08 PM »

Spend a bit more and buy a Leica...you wont ever need to upgrade.

dbllunger · « **Reply #3 on:** February 04, 2009, 02:02:15 PM »

Get a Leica...have used the Leupold and it is a POS and complicated to run. As far as angles is concerned just hold low.

huntnphool · « **Reply #4 on:** February 04, 2009, 06:09:59 PM »

Quote from: adnahoundsman on February 04, 2009, 01:53:45 PM

Go nikon!

+1

lamar_hunter · « **Reply #5 on:** February 04, 2009, 06:37:06 PM »

i would really like to go lecia but i have a set budget. i just want something to read out to 500 yards at least. i have a burris blasticplex scope and would like to be able to use the little marks in the scope. how much is the Lecia?

firecrotch · « **Reply #6 on:** February 04, 2009, 06:40:26 PM »

lamar_hunter you dont need a range finder, a true whitehunter doesnt use one.

Gobble · « **Reply #7 on:** February 04, 2009, 06:44:50 PM »

I have the Cabelas CLR 800 by Bushnell and its great. I think both are decent. Go to the store and try them out and make your own decision

lamar_hunter · « **Reply #8 on:** February 04, 2009, 06:56:44 PM »

Quote from: firecrotch on February 04, 2009, 06:40:26 PM

lamar_hunter you dont need a range finder, a true whitehunter doesnt use one.

oh so you dont use a rangefinder fire_crotch?

firecrotch · « **Reply #9 on:** February 04, 2009, 07:07:43 PM »

i never said i was a true whitehunter

huntnfmly · « **Reply #10 on:** February 04, 2009, 07:10:26 PM »

I just got a nikon riflehunter550 very easy to work and very clear

bowhuntin · « **Reply #11 on:** February 04, 2009, 07:55:34 PM »

I bought a bushnell yardage pro scout with arc. It is easy to use, some what affordable and it compensates for the angle you are shooting from. It works for what I wanted in a rangefinder.

lamar_hunter · « **Reply #12 on:** February 05, 2009, 11:30:36 AM »

im thinking im gunna go with nikon.

Skyvalhunter · « **Reply #13 on:** February 05, 2009, 11:40:57 AM »

There was a post and other threads on here one time about some Nikon Monarch's decent priced on EBay. I myself have a Nikon

blindpig · « **Reply #14 on:** February 05, 2009, 01:27:15 PM »

I would second the Bushnell Yardage Pro due to its ease of use and small size. I have had one for years and I love it.

BlackTail · « **Reply #15 on:** February 05, 2009, 06:51:52 PM »

Lamar, the Leica CRF 900 is only $429.99!! In that price range you won't find better. They are fantastic!

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/site.pl?page=leicacrf900

muleysgirl13 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 05, 2009, 06:57:05 PM »

just fyi I heard the cameralandny.com website is kind of shady I have never dealt with them myself but have talked to people who have tried to buy digital slr lenses from them and got ripped off. Just what i heard though

BlackTail · « **Reply #17 on:** February 05, 2009, 07:01:28 PM »

Quote from: muleysgirl13 on February 05, 2009, 06:57:05 PM

just fyi I heard the cameralandny.com website is kind of shady I have never dealt with them myself but have talked to people who have tried to buy digital slr lenses from them and got ripped off. Just what i heard though

You're thinking of a different camera store in New York. I know what you're talking about but can't think of the name. Doug at Cameraland is a sponser on many hunting websites and is absolutely first rate to deal with. I can give you the link to literally thousands of satisfied users, myself and others on this website included.

lamar_hunter · « **Reply #18 on:** February 06, 2009, 09:29:50 AM »

wow i didn't realize that they were only 30 bucks more. i think i will go ahead and get it.

BlackTail · « **Reply #19 on:** February 06, 2009, 12:46:14 PM »

You'll be glad you did!!

lamar_hunter · « **Reply #20 on:** February 06, 2009, 01:52:09 PM »

yeah i hope so 430 bucks is a big chunk of change. at least for me anyways haha

Wacenturion · « **Reply #21 on:** February 06, 2009, 03:30:17 PM »

I've got a Bushnell Elite 1500 with Arc...........love it.

Steve C · « **Reply #22 on:** February 06, 2009, 03:46:42 PM »

Quote from: muleysgirl13 on February 05, 2009, 06:57:05 PM

just fyi I heard the cameralandny.com website is kind of shady I have never dealt with them myself but have talked to people who have tried to buy digital slr lenses from them and got ripped off. Just what i heard though

It's one thing to carefully relate an experience with a dealer, either positive or negative. provided you are relating your experience. Blacktail has it right in that Cameraland NY is a top notch place. I imagine Doug has his share of ulcers due to some of the NY rip off joints. But Cameraland NY is one place of two or three I deal with online that I trust. I also have this feeling that a lot of people who buy online are going to be just as impossible to please, or to deal with generally, as they would be if the went to the store and actually did their shopping.

bobcat · « **Reply #23 on:** February 07, 2009, 08:47:15 AM »

I've bought three binoculars and one spotting scope from Camerland and never had a problem.

Great company to deal with.

whacker1 · « **Reply #24 on:** February 07, 2009, 08:51:30 AM »

Leica was the best decision I have made in the last several years for gear. I have the 800 - several years old. And it sitll works like a champ and consistently gets me ranges past 800.

Bofire · « **Reply #25 on:** February 07, 2009, 09:46:53 AM »

I bought a Nikon 550 for 200, 2 months later sold it for 150, put the money toward a Lieca. Smartest move I made in years. The Nikon would not read at all in dim, non reflective light.
Carl

muzzleman · « **Reply #26 on:** February 07, 2009, 06:29:30 PM »

I have the bushnell elite 1500 and they are great Ive shoot 1000yds with them. I use them for both golf and hunting. I love them

muleysgirl13 · « **Reply #27 on:** February 08, 2009, 02:46:59 PM »

Sorry to get everyone rattled on Cameraland like i said "I have not dealt with them myself" which should be an indicator that I am going soley by hearsay. I mearly wanted to just bring caution to a fellow hunter who was about to make a considerably large purchase and online especially. I apparently had the wrong company but I didn't tell anyone not to shop there was just saying to be cautious before you make a large purchase like that from an online dealer.

Intruder · « **Reply #28 on:** February 09, 2009, 03:15:12 PM »

Leica is darn good, that would be my recommendation. One of my buddies got a Bushnell Elite and he claims the quality is pushing Leica's.

I tend to trust his judgement on most things. No first hand experience w/ Nikon but I've heard both good and bad regarding the their stuff.

Coyote Control · « **Reply #29 on:** February 22, 2009, 02:39:14 PM »

#1 - Leica
#2 - Nikon

Slider · « **Reply #30 on:** February 22, 2009, 03:53:46 PM »

I purchased a Leica CRF 1200 from Doug (cameraland) they are both TOP NOTCH!!!

That CRF 900 is a STEAL!!!

lazydrifter · « **Reply #31 on:** February 23, 2009, 06:35:18 AM »

Are the actual yards advertised true? The Bushnells list their yardage but if you read the specs that is to a metallic target. I think to a deer is only about 1/2 of that. What is classidied as a metallic target? A rock. Tree. Will the Nikon and Leica range a deer to their advertised yardage? I also need to purchase a range finder but am not sure which way to go.

Slider · « **Reply #32 on:** February 23, 2009, 08:45:08 AM »

A metallic target is a stop sign. Or something that is highly reflective. Or anything dense that will not absorb the laser beam. Like a large rock. I have had very good luck ranging distant tree's although you would think they are not very reflective. An animal is non reflective so always look at the non reflective range. The more expensive range finders have more powerful lasers. I have ranged 1140 yds with my 1200.

Slider · « **Reply #33 on:** February 28, 2009, 03:44:42 PM »

I just received the Schnees catalog and the Leica 900 CRF is still $599.00.

rimrock · « **Reply #34 on:** March 08, 2009, 08:23:06 AM »

I have a Leupold that they advertise to go out to 1200 yards on deer. I haven,t been able to get it to range a deer in a stubble feild over 400 yards. If you want to shoot road signs I did get it on a window mount to read out to 1100 yards. I am so far very unhappy with this investment. I am already looking to upgrade so my advice is to try them out and not beleive want you are told are read.

bow-n-head · « **Reply #35 on:** March 08, 2009, 09:24:39 AM »

I have tried the Bushnell, the Nikon, and the Leopold. I could have bought 2 Leica's for the money I have spent on the one I have. I know the Leica is almost twice the money, but it's 3 times the rangefinder. The others are slow to get a reading and most of the time you get no reading. I have a 1200, I know you don't need that much range, but when you get a 1200 yard reading you know you have to get 900 yards closer

oh sorry I thought I was in bowhunting

jjhunter · « **Reply #36 on:** March 08, 2009, 12:45:09 PM »

I haven't seen anyone mention the Swarovski rangefinder? This is the one I bought because it is "hands down" the best rangefinder made for hunting purposes. There is no comparison for speed, reliability, etc. This thing works in any condition including light fog and snow - which the Leica's have trouble with. Also ranges up to 1900 yards, instantly!

lamar_hunter · « **Reply #37 on:** March 08, 2009, 06:17:22 PM »

Quote from: jjhunter on March 08, 2009, 12:45:09 PM

I haven't seen anyone mention the Swarovski rangefinder? This is the one I bought because it is "hands down" the best rangefinder made for hunting purposes. There is no comparison for speed, reliability, etc. This thing works in any condition including light fog and snow - which the Leica's have trouble with. Also ranges up to 1900 yards, instantly!

"most" people can't justify dropping a grand on a rangefinder.

BlackTail · « **Reply #38 on:** March 09, 2009, 03:47:50 PM »

Quote from: jjhunter on March 08, 2009, 12:45:09 PM

I haven't seen anyone mention the Swarovski rangefinder? This is the one I bought because it is "hands down" the best rangefinder made for hunting purposes. There is no comparison for speed, reliability, etc. This thing works in any condition including light fog and snow - which the Leica's have trouble with. Also ranges up to 1900 yards, instantly!

The Leica is smaller, weighs half as much and will reliably give ranges farther than 99.99% of hunters can shoot. All for half the price! I'm a swarovski guy, but I couldn't justify the size and price of the swarovski for ranges that really meant nothing to me (like 1900 yards).

jjhunter · « **Reply #39 on:** March 09, 2009, 04:21:40 PM »

I'll agree that the Leica is smaller, but I know that the Swarovski will range in any condition, every time. That is important to me. I also hunt in snow a lot and can't afford "no reading" in the moment of truth. I have seen multiple occasions where the Leica would not give a range and it cost us animals. The one downside to the Swarovski is the red aiming circle - Hard to see on bright days and too big. I am thinking of switching to the new Zeiss RF binoculars for this reason.

whacker1 · « **Reply #40 on:** March 09, 2009, 04:33:03 PM »

Would you mind shipping me the Zeiss RF binoculars for a couple day demo, once you have bought them?

ha ha. I have been trying to decide whether to pursue the Zeiss RF or the Leica Geovids. I currently have an older LRF 800 that I like and haven't had any problems getting range out to 900, but I keep contemplating getting rid of packing two items.

jjhunter · « **Reply #41 on:** March 09, 2009, 05:17:55 PM »

If I go with the Zeiss, I would be more than willing to meet up and let you try them out in the field. I also looked at the Geovids, but they give up a little in the clarity department, and, not sure about the rangefinder? If I could afford two new pairs of binos this year, I would definitely buy the Geovids and just use them for bowhunting. I always pack my Swaro 15's for serious glassing anyways....so many options, so little $$$$.

Drop-tine · « **Reply #42 on:** May 07, 2009, 01:41:36 AM »

I would go with the Nikon Riflehunter its the best out htere for the price simple to use and all out a great rangefinder I use it myself and i love it you cant go wrong. I worked at Cabelas for a while and the riflehunter was a hot item we had a hard time keeping them on the shelf and we never had one brought back.

Straight Shooter · « **Reply #43 on:** May 07, 2009, 03:39:50 PM »

I have a Nikon Monarch. It doesn't track well in heavier fog, but I don't intend to shoot into the fog anyway. Wasn't too keen on the Bushnell, but if I could go back in time, I would have spent a little more money and got a Leica.

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Author Topic: Rangefinders (Read 12670 times)

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