Leica Rangemaster 1600-B - Time to buy?

[Griz231]

Can't decide if I should jump on these at $599 at Cabelas?  I know they are on sale everywhere and they get great reviews.

Other rangefinder recommendations?  I want something compact to use mainly for archery but I'll be using for rifle deer too.

[Dr. Death]

Just bought a Sig Kilo...its awesome

[jrebel]

Just bought a Sig Kilo...its awesome

 

Got my sig kilo in the mail last wednesday and used it for 4 days bear hunting.  The thing is absolutely amazing...and for $200 bucks less, it is a great deal.  I paid $408 shipped to my door.   The thing is extremely fast and ranges well past any range I will ever shoot.   

[Griz231]

So the Sig is $499.  Claims a range of 3400 yds which I will never need. 
what's the pros and cons since you probably have been through all the research already?

Cabelas has both.  I was going to head up and compare them this afternoon.

[Griz231]

Just bought a Sig Kilo...its awesome

 

Got my sig kilo in the mail last wednesday and used it for 4 days bear hunting.  The thing is absolutely amazing...and for $200 bucks less, it is a great deal.  I paid $408 shipped to my door.   The thing is extremely fast and ranges well past any range I will ever shoot.   

Who did you order from?
was it the Kilo2000?

[jrebel]

So the Sig is $499.  Claims a range of 3400 yds which I will never need. 
what's the pros and cons since you probably have been through all the research already?

Cabelas has both.  I was going to head up and compare them this afternoon.

I thought the leica had better glass, though the sig is extremely clear and also has great glass.  The leica also has some weather features (thermometer / baro pressure) that I would never use, I don't shoot long range.  I primarily bow hunt but also rifle and muzzleload so I wanted one that would range 1000 yards with out any issues.  The Sig was hitting ridges at 1800+ with absolutely no problems and was fast doing it.  I am sure it would hit well beyond that, as the reviews state, but I was in a valley that I couldn't really see further.  At the end of the day, I just couldn't justify the additional $200 for fetures I wouldn't use.  So far, it is hands down the best rangefinder I have ever used. 

I bought it from www.savinglots.com   Shipping was a little slow, but otherwise I was plenty pleased with their service.  Had it at my house in about 10-12 days. 

[Griz231]

So the Sig is $499.  Claims a range of 3400 yds which I will never need. 
what's the pros and cons since you probably have been through all the research already?

Cabelas has both.  I was going to head up and compare them this afternoon.

I thought the leica had better glass, though the sig is extremely clear and also has great glass.  The leica also has some weather features (thermometer / baro pressure) that I would never use, I don't shoot long range.  I primarily bow hunt but also rifle and muzzleload so I wanted one that would range 1000 yards with out any issues.  The Sig was hitting ridges at 1800+ with absolutely no problems and was fast doing it.  I am sure it would hit well beyond that, as the reviews state, but I was in a valley that I couldn't really see further.  At the end of the day, I just couldn't justify the additional $200 for fetures I wouldn't use.  So far, it is hands down the best rangefinder I have ever used. 

I bought it from www.savinglots.com   Shipping was a little slow, but otherwise I was plenty pleased with their service.  Had it at my house in about 10-12 days.

I'll definitely check it out.  Right now at Cabelas the Sig is $499 (not on sale) and the Leica 1600-B is $599. 
The Sig is out of stock at savinglots but is posted at $427.

Thanks for your input.

BTW, I'll be finally moving to your neck of the woods in two weeks 

[Bob33]

So the Sig is $499.  Claims a range of 3400 yds which I will never need. 
what's the pros and cons since you probably have been through all the research already?

Cabelas has both.  I was going to head up and compare them this afternoon.

I thought the leica had better glass, though the sig is extremely clear and also has great glass.  The leica also has some weather features (thermometer / baro pressure) that I would never use, I don't shoot long range.  I primarily bow hunt but also rifle and muzzleload so I wanted one that would range 1000 yards with out any issues.  The Sig was hitting ridges at 1800+ with absolutely no problems and was fast doing it.  I am sure it would hit well beyond that, as the reviews state, but I was in a valley that I couldn't really see further.  At the end of the day, I just couldn't justify the additional $200 for fetures I wouldn't use.  So far, it is hands down the best rangefinder I have ever used. 

I bought it from www.savinglots.com   Shipping was a little slow, but otherwise I was plenty pleased with their service.  Had it at my house in about 10-12 days.

I have both a Leica 1600, and the Sig Kilo 2000. The Leica has a better image, and is probably a bit more reliable but the Sig measures at longer distances, hands down.

The argument that "I'll never shoot that far so I don't need a rangefinder that ranges that far" is one that I don't buy. I use a rangefinder not only for shooting, but quite often for planning a stalk. I do a fair amount of antelope hunting, and they are often spotted at distances of a mile or more. I can range the hills and valleys between me and the animals, and plan the stalk accordingly: "the antelope are at 1600 yards; that hillside is at 1300 yards so if I can get to it, I will have a 300 yard shot." It's also true that optimal distances are rarely achievable in the field. I've had game animals at distances of less than 600 yards that I couldn't range with the Leica even though it can range a white barn at 1800 yards.

I bought my Sig for $400, and consider it well worth that price. I take both with me when hunting, but end up using the Sig more than the Leica presently.

[Griz231]

So the Sig is $499.  Claims a range of 3400 yds which I will never need. 
what's the pros and cons since you probably have been through all the research already?

Cabelas has both.  I was going to head up and compare them this afternoon.

I thought the leica had better glass, though the sig is extremely clear and also has great glass.  The leica also has some weather features (thermometer / baro pressure) that I would never use, I don't shoot long range.  I primarily bow hunt but also rifle and muzzleload so I wanted one that would range 1000 yards with out any issues.  The Sig was hitting ridges at 1800+ with absolutely no problems and was fast doing it.  I am sure it would hit well beyond that, as the reviews state, but I was in a valley that I couldn't really see further.  At the end of the day, I just couldn't justify the additional $200 for fetures I wouldn't use.  So far, it is hands down the best rangefinder I have ever used. 

I bought it from www.savinglots.com   Shipping was a little slow, but otherwise I was plenty pleased with their service.  Had it at my house in about 10-12 days.

I have both a Leica 1600, and the Sig Kilo 2000. The Leica has a better image, and is probably a bit more reliable but the Sig measures at longer distances, hands down.

The argument that "I'll never shoot that far so I don't need a rangefinder that ranges that far" is one that I don't buy. I use a rangefinder not only for shooting, but quite often for planning a stalk. I do a fair amount of antelope hunting, and they are often spotted at distances of a mile or more. I can range the hills and valleys between me and the animals, and plan the stalk accordingly: "the antelope are at 1600 yards; that hillside is at 1300 yards so if I can get to it, I will have a 300 yard shot." It's also true that optimal distances are rarely achievable in the field. I've had game animals at distances of less than 600 yards that I couldn't range with the Leica even though it can range a white barn at 1800 yards.

I bought my Sig for $400, and consider it well worth that price. I take both with me when hunting, but end up using the Sig more than the Leica presently.

Very good point about using for a stalk.

[High Climber]

The Leica doesn't do angle compensation until past 100yards, I didn't figure that out until after I bought mine a few years ago when they were $899. Other than that, it doesn't leave much to desire. I think the sig compensates throughout its range? Not sure

[Sakko300wsm]

I've been using my new Sig Kilo bear hunting and it hits everything I point it at and it's super fast. I ordered mine thru Als Pawn in Boise. $399 and no tax

[Bob33]

The Leica doesn't do angle compensation until past 100yards, I didn't figure that out until after I bought mine a few years ago when they were $899. Other than that, it doesn't leave much to desire. I think the sig compensates throughout its range? Not sure

It does.

[Karl Blanchard]

If you don't need the weather features for long range shooting then hands down go with the kilo.  I've been contemplating very hard on going to the sig and a kestrel and selling my leica.  I'm not a fan of the leica when I have my bow in hand.  Having a rangefinder that does yardage cuts is very helpful with archery tackle 

[Eli346]

I bought the Sig Kilo 2000 from Cabela's. I had a 'Friends and Family' discount and it came out to $461 with tax. I've ranged deer at over a 1000 yards this weekend up at St Helen's and got a slash pile across the canyon at 2200 yards. I can't see getting anything else. It's clear, easy to read, easier functions than some of the more advanced ones but you can put it into different modes that get more complicated. Love mine.

[dmoua]

Yup, just sold my Leica 1000 and upgrade to the 1600-B. Can't wait for it to get here.