Leica Rangemaster CRF1600 Rangefinder

[Alan K]

I was wondering if anyone on here has one of these.  I'm looking to upgrade from my old Bushnell rangefinder at some point before this coming hunting season and would like to go with a top of the line product. I wouldn't be using it for it's little holdover readout because it wouldn't be accurate enough for me, but I am curious about the air temperature pressure reading features.  Also, I know it calculates the angle you're looking at, but does it read out the true horizontal difference or just give you both the slope distance and angle so you have to do the math yourself? It would be silly if it were the latter.  Lastly, what's the furthest distance you've been able to get a reading at? I know it's rated for 1600 yards, but I've heard of people getting near 2000 yards with it.

And no, I don't plan to ever shoot anywhere near that far, I would just like to be able to know how far something is off if I can spot it.  The major benefit for it would be having the spotter set up and spotting something a couple ridges over.  Then you can range both the animal and the next ridge back and get a ballpark estimate for how far away you'll be if you can get to that point on the next ridge.

Thanks for the info!

-Alan

[longrange7mm]

My buddy has one and it is very impressive It calculates the data and angle then displays the yardage. Last season he picked up a doe at 1590 with it. I haven't played with it enough to go into much detail I do know that the scan mode is great for moving targets. I just upgraded from my 900 I will let you know how it works when I get it. I have picked deer up at 999 with the 900

[Hornseeker]

If you want an amazing rangefinder, try to find a used Vectron 21... made by Vectronix... google them....they are unreal. I am not sure if there is a used market or not. You dont want to buy one new... they are $21000.00. They range out to 6 miles...

[Alan K]

Haha that's a ways out of my price range!! 

[Bob33]

I have one.  I started with the Leica 800, then moved to the 1200, and now to the 1600.  It definitely ranges further than the others.  I've had a few readings at around 1800 yards.

Quality optics, light weight, waterproof.  You can get angle readings but would need to compute your own "true ballistics range" if shooting at extreme angles.

I personally think it's the best rangefinder for under $1000.  You can spend less, but if you can't get a reading on that once in a lifetime animal....

[Alan K]

That's the way I look at it.  I've been slowly phasing out my middle of the road gear and upgrading to the real quality stuff.  The way I see it, if I take care of a rangefinder like this, there should be no reason it doesn't last me a loooooong time if not the rest of my life.  I can't foresee needing any more range, so $800 over X years really works out to being fairly cheap.

Thanks for the feedback guys, and if there's any more out there, I'd like to hear it!

[Bob33]

There are many who choose lesser rangefinders because "I'll never shoot that far".  That thinking can lead to disappointment.  For one, even the very best rangefinders can have difficulty ranging under certain conditions.  I've been in situations where my CRF1200 could not range animals at 500 yards.  Sure, it can read a tree at 1300 yards but try picking out a single antelope in sage brush under certain light conditions.  (I prefer the taste of antelope over trees and rocks.)

Second, a rangefinder can be invaluable in planning a stalk.  I often use one to do just that: "the antelope is at 1200 yards, that ridge is at 900 yards, so when I get there I'll have a 300 yard shot".

Having a quality rangefinder like the Leicas can make or break a hunt.  I owned and hunted with rangefinders from most of the companies from Bushnell to Nikon to Leupold to even Swarovski.  I own one now: a Leica CRF 1600.

[MtnMuley]

Bob, I ordered a 1600 a while ago, and am awaiting its arrival.  I was told that it has a better ability to pick up targets in unfriendly weather conditions, like slight rain or light fog.  Have you found this to be true?  As for my older LRF and CRF's, they were pathetic with any kind of weather obsticle. 
Also, I wasn't overly impressed with their target acquisition even on a bright sunny day.

[halflife65]

Good to hear this about the rangefinder.  I, too, am working on upgrading from middle-of-the-road to top-of-the-line gear and a new rangefinder is on the list.  I'm using a Leupold now and it's alright but I lose the reticle in low light conditions and have trouble hitting anything past about 400 yards.

Spotting scope is next but rangefinder is right after.

[Bob33]

Bob, I ordered a 1600 a while ago, and am awaiting its arrival.  I was told that it has a better ability to pick up targets in unfriendly weather conditions, like slight rain or light fog.  Have you found this to be true?  As for my older LRF and CRF's, they were pathetic with any kind of weather obsticle. 
Also, I wasn't overly impressed with their target acquisition even on a bright sunny day.

I cannot confirm it works better because I haven't experienced those conditions with mine very much yet.  It does seem to work better in rain.

[MtnMuley]

That's good news.  Thank you.

[Alan K]

Thanks for the info guys.  This combined with reviews I've been reading elsewhere have me pretty well set on getting this one.  Torn between this or a new GPS right now, slightly leaning towards the GPS for summer scouting and hopefully being able to save enough for the rangefinder by hunting season.

[Bob33]

Bob, I ordered a 1600 a while ago, and am awaiting its arrival.  I was told that it has a better ability to pick up targets in unfriendly weather conditions, like slight rain or light fog.  Have you found this to be true?  As for my older LRF and CRF's, they were pathetic with any kind of weather obsticle. 
Also, I wasn't overly impressed with their target acquisition even on a bright sunny day.

I cannot confirm it works better because I haven't experienced those conditions with mine very much yet.  It does seem to work better in rain.

Here are some weather reviews of the unit.  They sound quite good.
http://ukvarminting.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=10708
http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f18/leica-1600-thoughts-59193/index7.html

[MtnMuley]

Nice!  Thanks again, Bob.

[jjhunter]

That was my only gripe against the Leica.  Is simply would not range in adverse conditions.   I used the swarovski the last 5 years, which did have it's downfalls, but would range EVERY time and WAY out there.

I am now using the Zeiss RF Binoculars which are rated the fastest response and the lowest beam divergence.  Besides having the 2 in 1, the rangefinder is amazingly responsive to about 1300 yards.

I really do like the ergonomics of the CRF and the Geovid HD's (south paw).  I will be interested to hear the reports.