Rangefinder question

[shaneman153D]

Hello,

I'm new to the rangefinder game.  My stepdad let me borrow his bushnell 450 (Low-end) and I've noticed that it's max range on anything but a mirror is about 220yds.  (Bushnell's claim is that it can range a deer at 200, so it's not like they lied)   I know the model numbers are usually what the manufacturer claims it will range to, but does anyone have personal experience with one that will range dirt/grass/rocks/trees/animals at up to 600?  If so, what brand and model?  Am I going to have to spend $400? 

[GoldTip]

My Bushnell 1000 will range dirt, bushes, rocks and game at 600 yards reliably and is under the $400 mark.  But were I you and willing to spend the $400, I'd spend $500 and get the Leica 1200.  Better readout and a smaller package then the Bushnell I have.  It has not been more accurate or icked up animals when mine can't when used side by side with my Bushnell.  But is as said abone a more convenient and usable package.

[DUGANDEER]

I have the leica 1200 and it works great in clear weather. I can tell you that in rain, snow or fog there is no chance of the leica will work at all. In clear weather i have ranged things out to 1400 yards. I have not used other range finders  and I don't know how well they work in rain, snow or fog. I do like how the leica works in prime weather. Its fast and accurate. 

[huntergreg]

I have the Bushnell scout 1000 with arc. It works good. I like the Nikon 500 with ID. I bow hunt so I don't need to really get out there 300-400 yards. It is nice to have one that will go out that far if you need it. Mine retails for $299.99. You can go onto Ebay and get one for around $200.00. I got mine off Ebay for $185.00 shipped to my door.

[hirshey]

My family and my boyfriend's family teamed up this year for Christmas to get him a) the backpack of his choice and b) the rangefinder of his choosing also.

He looked at a LOT of rangefinders... and ended up with the Leupold Rx1000.

They are priced a lot of places right now just under $400... and its been outstanding thus far. Ranged and killed our first coyote with it yesterday (should have had a double but I insisted in bringing the .22 instead of the .243 for some reason yesterday. ) at 300 yards. Its interesting to have either the option for the true ballistic range or the holdover for whatever kind of caliber gun you're using (not completely accurate for what round/gun he is using).

He likes it a lot; works great, great quality and is waterproof. He's able to get pretty good readings on deer around 500 or so thus far, and reflective objects around 700 I think is the furthest he's ranged with me around. More than we'll ever need, that's for certain.

Also, the case it comes in is pretty slick too... metallic clasp belt case makes little to no noise to retrieve.. and is among the most compact available right now. 

[whacker1]

I have an older leica 800 and have ranged out to 900 on occassion, but reliable to get 700.

[mossback91]

I have a Nikon riflehunter..........it works good in clear weather......forget it in the fog rain or snow. I think the farthest Ive gotten was 520 on a summer day on a house. Hunting farthest deer body range was 300 some I think?? i was playing with it while bowin..............so most of my ranges were all under 100.......but foggy days coyote hunting it sucks a big one.

[MtnMuley]

Depends on your circumstances shaneman.  If you do a lot of hunting in the rain, light fog, or snow, forget the leica.  I use the crf1200 and it's worthless in any slight amount of weather.  Other than that, they work awesome.  I used to use the older bulky bushnell 1000, and it worked pretty well in foul weather conditions, however, the leica far outpreforms it in decent weather.  Unless you're shooting past 900 yds, I would probably recommend the crf900.  You should be able to find one in dandy shape for $400, if not cheaper.

[jjhunter]

Agree with all of the above.....the CRF is the best "bang for the buck".   I chose the Swarovski because it will range in nearly any condition.   The leica has trouble in fog and snow.    There are still drawbacks with the Swaro....the "aiming circle" is too large IMO and I still have a hard time picking up the red LED readout.

[high country]

I have an older leica 800 and have ranged out to 900 on occassion, but reliable to get 700.

mine too. for almost 10 years that thing has never missed a beat. it does do fine in the crappy weather. pretty much if you can see it...you can range it. mine has been to 990 yds and is also big time fast at 700

[Intruder]

My Bushnell 1000 will range dirt, bushes, rocks and game at 600 yards reliably and is under the $400 mark.  But were I you and willing to spend the $400, I'd spend $500 and get the Leica 1200.  Better readout and a smaller package then the Bushnell I have.  It has not been more accurate or icked up animals when mine can't when used side by side with my Bushnell.  But is as said abone a more convenient and usable package.

+1... what I've noticed (it's been a few years ago) is that the Leica's would work in poor conditions (rain, snow, fog) better than other models.

[Bofire]

 :)I bought a Nikon 550 rifle last year in spring for 200 at Sportsman wholsale, in shade it would not work, if it was not bright open sun I got no reading at all.
I sold it for 150 after 2 months.
Carl

[rougheye]

Man im surprised to hear about leica complaints ,  I have a Leica 900 , dont know if they still make them but this thing is amazing . I hunt late archery deer only and deal with snow and fog almost every time out and it works flawlessly . Infact , i was the only one in our camp to get a reading on a doe in the fog . Bushnell and leupold couldnt cut it . Maybe the new 1200 isnt as good  

[uplandhunter870]

i picked up a luepold RXII last summer and put it through its paces this last hunting season.  i can consitantly range deer out to 500 and rocks and trees out to 600.  it has the bow hunter arc compensation and a rifle hold over mode.  i really like that it has both, only reason why i got it im a nikon fan.  didnt really get any crappy weather to try it out in but it does have a rain mode.  i got it from opticsplanet.com for $375 to my door so far im happy with it and it far exceeds my needs

Steve

[MtnMuley]

I'm talking about the CRF models from Leica.  If anybody on here says they have this model and can get ranges in snow or fog (light or thick), I will call them  .  I've used at least 6 different CRF's and none work in these conditions.