Vortex Ranger 1000 vs 1500

[ctwiggs1]

Any experience on differences between the 2?  I am thinking the 1000 should suffice.  It's extremely rare I can even see 1000+ yards in my hunting areas, much less have to range anything.  Is the 1500 more accurate at shorter distances or give me any other advantage other than the extra 500 yards in capability?

[bobcat]

You should only expect them to work reliably at half the distance they say. So the 1000 is probably good to 500 yards and the 1500 to 750 yards. But maybe 500 is all you need? It really just depends on what you can afford. If you have the money for the 1500 I'd go with that one.

[blackpowderhunter]

from what I've read the 1500 is a big improvement over the 1000 in terms of speed.
that appears to be one of the main gripes people had with the 1000, that it was slow.
now...i don't know exactly how slow "slow" is to them, but im sure it's faster than my redfield.
anyways, im currently looking at the vortex 1000,1500 or sig kilo 2000 right now as well.
i've almost ruled out the vortex 1000 though as it seems some solid upgrades were made to the 1500.

[Jpmiller]

Buy the best you can afford.

[blackpowderhunter]

another improvement of the 1500 over the 1000 is the 2 button vs 3 button. I guess with the 1000 you had to press the button a few more times to get it to range.  With the 1500 its once to turn on, once to range, and holding the button gives you a nice scan mode.

[highside74]

Hands down the 1500 is better than the 1000. Way faster and more accurate than the 1000. Personally I'd get a Leupold but the 1500 vortex is a close 1a.

[Jellymon]

I own the Vortex 1000 and the sig Kilo2000.
My vortex will not range past 15 yds if there is moisture in the air, even with miles of visibility. There is also a large variation between light and dark targets. I use mine for archery mostly, and if you range a deer and bear 3d target right next to each other the difference is about 6-8yds at 20-60yds. That could cause a miss or wounded animal with archery.  It is also 3 yds off of actual yardage. Under most conditions I can get 700, sometimes 800yds out of it, the glass is very bright, and it is waterproof. The delay of the reading didn't really bother me, but was there. Maybe mine is just a lemon, but that is my experience. Maybe the 1500 is better? I didn't try to warrantee it, I just replaced it with the sig, which is in a different league.

The Sig ranges instantly. When the button clicks, you get a range. I messed with it a lot on a rainy day, not once did I get a bad reading. Haven't used it in light fog yet. The difference on light/dark targets was about half a yard, if that. It is dead on for yardage. Easily hits it's yardage rating, 1200-1500 on most things. It's rated for 2000 on reflective, which I couldn't find to test out. It's waterproof. The red LED display auto adjusts for brightness, which I found I really liked. It does have a large aiming circle which some don't like.

Both have the red LED display, can auto adjust for an incline, and both have nice uncluttered displays that are easy to use.

You can find the kilo2000 for about the same price as a vortex1500, sometimes cheaper( I found my kilo at sportsmans warehouse for $330)  Under $500 I haven't found anything close, not even the Leupolds.

[ctwiggs1]

I own the Vortex 1000 and the sig Kilo2000.
My vortex will not range past 15 yds if there is moisture in the air, even with miles of visibility. There is also a large variation between light and dark targets. I use mine for archery mostly, and if you range a deer and bear 3d target right next to each other the difference is about 6-8yds at 20-60yds. That could cause a miss or wounded animal with archery.  It is also 3 yds off of actual yardage. Under most conditions I can get 700, sometimes 800yds out of it, the glass is very bright, and it is waterproof. The delay of the reading didn't really bother me, but was there. Maybe mine is just a lemon, but that is my experience. Maybe the 1500 is better? I didn't try to warrantee it, I just replaced it with the sig, which is in a different league.

The Sig ranges instantly. When the button clicks, you get a range. I messed with it a lot on a rainy day, not once did I get a bad reading. Haven't used it in light fog yet. The difference on light/dark targets was about half a yard, if that. It is dead on for yardage. Easily hits it's yardage rating, 1200-1500 on most things. It's rated for 2000 on reflective, which I couldn't find to test out. It's waterproof. The red LED display auto adjusts for brightness, which I found I really liked. It does have a large aiming circle which some don't like.

Both have the red LED display, can auto adjust for an incline, and both have nice uncluttered displays that are easy to use.

You can find the kilo2000 for about the same price as a vortex1500, sometimes cheaper( I found my kilo at sportsmans warehouse for $330) 

Just curious, did you contact Vortex about this?  I mean if I bought this thing and it was that big of a spread, I'd want my money back. 

[Russ McDonald]

I just got a 1000.  I got 2017 version.  How old are your guys 1000's.  The are 2 button now push button to turn on then push to range.  I got it for Xmas from my gift cards.  I also archery hunt to I don't need nothing long range but I wanted to see the numbers in low light so I really like the red led numbers.  I will have it out turkey hunting this April so I will be able to test it.

[Jellymon]

I own the Vortex 1000 and the sig Kilo2000.
My vortex will not range past 15 yds if there is moisture in the air, even with miles of visibility. There is also a large variation between light and dark targets. I use mine for archery mostly, and if you range a deer and bear 3d target right next to each other the difference is about 6-8yds at 20-60yds. That could cause a miss or wounded animal with archery.  It is also 3 yds off of actual yardage. Under most conditions I can get 700, sometimes 800yds out of it, the glass is very bright, and it is waterproof. The delay of the reading didn't really bother me, but was there. Maybe mine is just a lemon, but that is my experience. Maybe the 1500 is better? I didn't try to warrantee it, I just replaced it with the sig, which is in a different league.

The Sig ranges instantly. When the button clicks, you get a range. I messed with it a lot on a rainy day, not once did I get a bad reading. Haven't used it in light fog yet. The difference on light/dark targets was about half a yard, if that. It is dead on for yardage. Easily hits it's yardage rating, 1200-1500 on most things. It's rated for 2000 on reflective, which I couldn't find to test out. It's waterproof. The red LED display auto adjusts for brightness, which I found I really liked. It does have a large aiming circle which some don't like.

Both have the red LED display, can auto adjust for an incline, and both have nice uncluttered displays that are easy to use.

You can find the kilo2000 for about the same price as a vortex1500, sometimes cheaper( I found my kilo at sportsmans warehouse for $330) 

Just curious, did you contact Vortex about this?  I mean if I bought this thing and it was that big of a spread, I'd want my money back.

No I didn't. I'm sure vortex would have helped me out, but after using the sig I wanted it anyway. The vortex is now my backup for rifle, where a few yard difference doesn't matter.

My vortex is the 3 button push I got maybe 5 years ago or so.

[TeacherMan]

Save up go with the triple beam Lica... I had a Vortex prior it just didn't do what my Lica 1600 does 

[lord grizzly]

I own the Vortex 1000 and the sig Kilo2000.
My vortex will not range past 15 yds if there is moisture in the air, even with miles of visibility. There is also a large variation between light and dark targets. I use mine for archery mostly, and if you range a deer and bear 3d target right next to each other the difference is about 6-8yds at 20-60yds. That could cause a miss or wounded animal with archery.  It is also 3 yds off of actual yardage. Under most conditions I can get 700, sometimes 800yds out of it, the glass is very bright, and it is waterproof. The delay of the reading didn't really bother me, but was there. Maybe mine is just a lemon, but that is my experience. Maybe the 1500 is better? I didn't try to warrantee it, I just replaced it with the sig, which is in a different league.

The Sig ranges instantly. When the button clicks, you get a range. I messed with it a lot on a rainy day, not once did I get a bad reading. Haven't used it in light fog yet. The difference on light/dark targets was about half a yard, if that. It is dead on for yardage. Easily hits it's yardage rating, 1200-1500 on most things. It's rated for 2000 on reflective, which I couldn't find to test out. It's waterproof. The red LED display auto adjusts for brightness, which I found I really liked. It does have a large aiming circle which some don't like.

Both have the red LED display, can auto adjust for an incline, and both have nice uncluttered displays that are easy to use.

You can find the kilo2000 for about the same price as a vortex1500, sometimes cheaper( I found my kilo at sportsmans warehouse for $330) 

Just curious, did you contact Vortex about this?  I mean if I bought this thing and it was that big of a spread, I'd want my money back.

No I didn't. I'm sure vortex would have helped me out, but after using the sig I wanted it anyway. The vortex is now my backup for rifle, where a few yard difference doesn't matter.

My vortex is the 3 button push I got maybe 5 years ago or so.

send it in for warranty and they just send you a new one in the box. then you can sell it as brand new or just have a brand new 1000. I've turned 2 or 3 of them now. once they start having an issue I just send them in for a new one and im good for a year or so.