Which rangefinder do you use?

[yakimanoob]

Hey folks.  Curious what your experiences have been when Vortex vs Leupold vs Nikon rangefinders. 

I've been looking at things like the Aculon by Nikon and the RX-650 Leupold, but after looking over warranties I realized that not even Leupold offers their usual lifetime warranty on their rangefinders. 

So my choice now is to spend ~$150 on a Nikon or Leupold and live with the fact that I might have to replace it, or blow a little more $$ and get the ~$300 Vortex Ranger 1000, knowing Vortex will fix or replace it for any reason ever. 

What do you think?  This will be my first rangefinder.  I'm a rifle hunter for deer/elk/bear and currently use a 7mm-08 so I don't mind the 500-650 yard range limits on the cheaper units--I won't be shooting that far anyway. 

[dscubame]

You won't get 500 to 600 on the cheap units even though they claim it.

Leupold for archery and Leica for rifle.

Then the Sig Kilo came out and I would have gone that route in place of the Leica.

[yakimanoob]

You won't get 500 to 600 on the cheap units even though they claim it.

Leupold for archery and Leica for rifle.

Then the Sig Kilo came out and I would have gone that route in place of the Leica.

Why not the Vortex?  Is there something about it I should know?

[kselkhunter]

My Leica has been reliable for years. 

[dscubame]

The reviews I recall on here and the impression I get is you will not get consistent read outs at the range you mentioned with the vortex.

[dscubame]

My Leica has been reliable for years.

Agree.  Don't regret the Leica at all.

[dscubame]

Research the threads on here and I bet you set your sights on the Kilo.

[Dan-o]

Agree that you don't get near the claimed range with hunting conditions.   

In my experience you get about 50-65 percent of the optimal range claim.   

I went cheap the first time. Wish I'd saved the money.   

I do like the longer range Vortek.... but I'm a Vortek fan. 

If you'rer interested in Vortek, hit up elknut1 on here. He sells it, and I have found him to be very knoledgeable and totally trustworthy.   

[JoeE]

I have a Leupold Rx 600 that has served me well. I upgraded last year to the Sig Kilo 2000 and it's great.

[G-S]

Just spend the extra few dollars and get a leica best rangefinder you can get

[trophyhunt]

I went and looked at most of those you are looking at.  A lighted cross hair is the best way to go, I bought the vortex ranger 1000.  Haven't recieved it yet but it was very impressive in the store. 

[Bob33]

I have a Leica 1600 and a Sig Kilo 2000. The Sig gets more use.

[dscubame]

Sig Kilo.  $209 on Camofire right now. 

[trophyhunt]

Sig Kilo.  $209 on Camofire right now.

FYI, I don't believe that one has lite up redicles.

[dreadi]

Vortex 1500