Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Scopes and Optics => Topic started by: crowinghen on November 25, 2016, 09:40:26 AM

Title: Choosing a rangefinder
Post by: crowinghen on November 25, 2016, 09:40:26 AM: I am in the market for a new rangefinder. Looking for tips as to what features are worthwhile.
We bow hunt and rifle hunt, need one that will work in rain and fog and low light conditions ( unlike the one I have now that works only when you don't need it to)
Are red reticles worthwhile? I think I would like one that shows compensation for angles- but is there a distance limit on that? ie is it necessary for long rifle? I have my ballistics figured out, so I don't really need something to tell me the holdover for a straight shot. I don't want anything too confusing or that you need to click multiple times to get a reading.
I am kind of leaning towards a Leupold, something in the 300-ish range.
Would love to hear people's thoughts on this
thanks!
Title: Re: Choosing a rangefinder
Post by: pianoman9701 on November 25, 2016, 09:42:15 AM: check out Cabelas, B&H Photo, and Walmart online today. Don't miss the Black Friday sales.
Title: Re: Choosing a rangefinder
Post by: Bluemoon on November 25, 2016, 09:49:53 AM: I have had a love - hate relationship with a Vortex the past three years, This year a few clients came out with Leica range finders. They were amazing and what I will be going to before next season.
Title: Re: Choosing a rangefinder
Post by: hunting4sanity on November 25, 2016, 10:12:13 AM: I've used a few over the years; Bushnell, Leupold, Nikon, Leica, Zeiss and .............. the Sig Kilo 2000. Unless you're going to spend money for something like the Leica Geovid range finding binoculars, I'd recommend the Sig Kilo 2000. I think it was even on a good sale at Cabela's. The Kilo is very fast, great scan mode and has a great deal of reach even on deer size targets.
Title: Re: Choosing a rangefinder
Post by: Oh Mah on November 25, 2016, 10:22:09 AM: This thread is of great interest to me as well,Does anyone have any feedback on HALO RANGEFINDERS?
Title: Re: Choosing a rangefinder
Post by: bobcat on November 25, 2016, 10:25:14 AM: I would consider none other than the Sig Kilo.
Title: Re: Choosing a rangefinder
Post by: crowinghen on November 25, 2016, 10:28:26 AM: Quote from: bobcat on November 25, 2016, 10:25:14 AM
I would consider none other than the Sig Kilo.
I was just reading the reviews on that one- it said that it has a blue-ish display that is sometimes hard to see in low light.
Is this your experience?
thanks!
Title: Re: Choosing a rangefinder
Post by: Bob33 on November 25, 2016, 10:41:53 AM: Quote from: crowinghen on November 25, 2016, 10:28:26 AM
Quote from: bobcat on November 25, 2016, 10:25:14 AM
I would consider none other than the Sig Kilo.
I was just reading the reviews on that one- it said that it has a blue-ish display that is sometimes hard to see in low light.
Is this your experience?
thanks!
I don't have a problem with mine in any light I'd consider using it. It does have a slightly bluish tint. The pros far outweigh the cons in my opinion.
Title: Re: Choosing a rangefinder
Post by: Oh Mah on November 25, 2016, 10:56:31 AM: Wow Sniper Central did a great write up on the Sig.They say there testing showed it to be even better than Sig advertises it to be.They were quite impressed.Thanks for bringing that one up.
Title: Re: Choosing a rangefinder
Post by: JimmyHoffa on November 25, 2016, 11:32:05 AM: I have the older leica lrf900 and it has been pretty good in most conditions. The exception has been when it rains for a few days and it gets really soaked, a bit of fogging occurs inside the optic lens. The laser and sensor lenses stay clear, just the optic one will fog. It won't clear if I wear it on the outside. If I put it inside the rain gear or fleece if cold out, it clears up pretty fast and stays clear for the day or until more rain soaks it.
Title: Re: Choosing a rangefinder
Post by: crowinghen on November 25, 2016, 12:01:51 PM: Snagged the Kilo2000 at Cabela"s... seemed like too good of a deal to pass up. With ebates and free shipping comes to 372.
Title: Re: Choosing a rangefinder
Post by: Bob33 on November 25, 2016, 12:14:17 PM: Quote from: crowinghen on November 25, 2016, 12:01:51 PM
Snagged the Kilo2000 at Cabela"s... seemed like too good of a deal to pass up. With ebates and free shipping comes to 372.
That's a very good deal.
Title: Re: Choosing a rangefinder
Post by: dreadi on November 25, 2016, 01:11:23 PM: I bought a Vortex Ranger 1500 this year and the longest I've ranged game was 934 yards in prone using my pack as a rest. It was about 40 minutes before end of hunting hours and I was facing southwest.
Title: Re: Choosing a rangefinder
Post by: lamrith on November 25, 2016, 01:26:58 PM: That is a very good deal at Cabela's. I ordered a Sig 3-4 weeks ago from SWFA for the same price and have yet to see it. So if you can get hands on for that price do it.
Title: Re: Choosing a rangefinder
Post by: MacAttack on November 25, 2016, 03:32:49 PM: tagging along,I think I left my range finder in the rental truck :bash:
Title: Re: Choosing a rangefinder
Post by: Stein on November 25, 2016, 03:43:51 PM: I have the Vortex and have been happy other than one glitch. I sent it in and had a brand new unit delivered to my house in under a week. With the amount of electronics in them and the cost, I wouldn't consider buying one from a company that didn't have a 100% proven customer service program. Several mfrs do, many don't.
Title: Re: Choosing a rangefinder
Post by: wsmnut on November 25, 2016, 03:51:35 PM: I've had a Leica 1600 for about three years now. Flawless performance and I would buy another.
Title: Re: Choosing a rangefinder
Post by: yorketransport on November 26, 2016, 09:41:15 PM: I think the Sig would be hard to beat for what you're doing. The other option is to look for deals on used Leica or Vortex rangefinders that people sold to buy the Leica.

Or just go all out and get a Vectronix PLRF-10. :tup:
Title: Re: Choosing a rangefinder
Post by: dan11011 on January 01, 2017, 10:58:15 PM: I bought the Leica CRF 1000-R from Cabela's while it was on some super sale for $350. At the time they were $600 most places. I think they are going for around $500 now? Not really sure. Absolutely love it. Light weight, and works every damn time. It also gives you an angle compensated range for shooting at angles. I occasionally wish it ranged past 1000 yards just for kicks, but I don't shoot that far ever anyways. Glass is great. At 7x magnification, a bowhunter in a tree stand could possibly leave their binos at home and just use this as a monocular. I wouldn't recommend it but the glass is good enough that it's an option. Highly recommend the Leica.
Title: Re: Choosing a rangefinder
Post by: Magnum_Willys on January 01, 2017, 11:45:04 PM: Leica 1600b or save $100 and get the sig. I have both and prefer the Leica but both work.
Title: Re: Choosing a rangefinder
Post by: GedOliver on January 26, 2017, 04:48:02 AM: I personally think Burris can be just good as Leica or Sig Kilo. Or even better because they make scopes with rangefinders. Which are some of the best ones (http://"http://perfectriflescope.com/is-there-any-use-in-buying-a-rifle-scope-with-a-rangefinder/"). And that's not something that can be easily crossed out.
Of course, a dedicated range finder has its own advantages but it's not quite as convenient to use.
Title: Re: Choosing a rangefinder
Post by: Magnum_Willys on February 18, 2017, 10:39:26 AM: The New Leica 2000 at $799 and Sig2400 at $1499 are the top of the pack right now. Both do the same thing with builtin ballistics programs compensating for angle and barometric pressure etc. Sig includes corialis effect. Sig does not give output in equivalent yards only dialup info.

Both generally range deer to 1400. Signs to 2000+.

Whether the leica 2k is worth twice a Sig 2k or whether the Sig 2400 is worth twice the Leica 2k is debatable.

Anyone have these yet?
Title: Re: Choosing a rangefinder
Post by: BULLBLASTER on February 18, 2017, 02:20:07 PM: Quote from: Magnum_Willys on February 18, 2017, 10:39:26 AM
The New Leica 2000 at $799 and Sig2400 at $1499 are the top of the pack right now. Both do the same thing with builtin ballistics programs compensating for angle and barometric pressure etc. Sig includes corialis effect. Sig does not give output in equivalent yards only dialup info.

Both generally range deer to 1400. Signs to 2000+.

Whether the leica 2k is worth twice a Sig 2k or whether the Sig 2400 is worth twice the Leica 2k is debatable.

Anyone have these yet?
If your going that far keep in mind the proven and reliable g7. It's expensive but man it sure is nice to range and then dial... no separate calculator or weather meter is a nice luxury.
Title: Re: Choosing a rangefinder
Post by: Magnum_Willys on February 24, 2017, 05:30:21 PM: Quote from: BULLBLASTER on February 18, 2017, 02:20:07 PM
If your going that far keep in mind the proven and reliable g7. It's expensive but man it sure is nice to range and then dial... no separate calculator or weather meter is a nice luxury.
[/quote]

It looks like the Sig2400 is everything the G7 is and more at $300 cheaper and a much smaller package ?
Title: Re: Choosing a rangefinder
Post by: BULLBLASTER on February 24, 2017, 06:07:59 PM: The 2400 also needs your phone to set up or change any profiles. The g7 doesn't need anything else.
And after seeing my friends' issues with sig rangefinders I'll pass right now.

Realistically any of the ballistic app rangefinders are far more than the op wants or needs based on his post so it's really a moot point
Title: Re: Choosing a rangefinder
Post by: gee_unit360 on February 24, 2017, 06:16:57 PM: I heard the Sig Kilo 2000 range finders are having a lot of problems. They often lose their ability to range long distance and commonly don't reach past 600-700 yards or sometimes won't range at all. Many internet reviews claim they had to send their sig kilo back. Any issues from sig owners who have owned theirs for a couple seasons?
Title: Re: Choosing a rangefinder
Post by: Branden on February 24, 2017, 06:18:20 PM: I've used Leica rangefinders a long time. They are really good. But my brothers Kilo 2000 outperformed my Leica last year, and now he has the 2400 and says it's even better. Our buddy has a Leica and a G7, and is selling the G7 to get the new Sig after playing with my brothers.
Title: Re: Choosing a rangefinder
Post by: Magnum_Willys on February 24, 2017, 06:22:45 PM: Quote from: Branden on February 24, 2017, 06:18:20 PM

I've used Leica rangefinders a long time. They are really good. But my brothers Kilo 2000 outperformed my Leica last year, and now he has the 2400 and says it's even better. Our buddy has a Leica and a G7, and is selling the G7 to get the new Sig after playing with my brothers.

Thanks for the feedback ... I'm going to give em a bit to iron the bugs out then looks like a winner.
Title: Re: Choosing a rangefinder
Post by: Browndawg on March 03, 2017, 06:36:58 PM: I absolutely love my g7 for long range shooting. Works phenomenally. Haven't had the opportunity to use it in a hunting application yet. I've got the old Bushnell Scout 1000 that I use for Archery and golf. Small and compact. Has the inclination correction for Archery. Which is nice. That Sig sounds good. Maybe I need to retire my Bushnell to the golf bag for good.
Title: Re: Choosing a rangefinder
Post by: kbrowne14 on March 04, 2017, 10:20:48 AM: I had to bring mine back because it wasn't working as advertised. Couldn't range anything except a mirrored window on the side of a building past 800 yards. Returned it, now I can range trees easily out to about 1500 meters almost immediately. and Reflective objects out to 2200 meters. I don't have a place to see past 2200 meters right now. but the new one works great.
Title: Re: Choosing a rangefinder
Post by: carpsniperg2 on March 04, 2017, 10:41:33 AM: Depending on the hunting I am doing depends on what range finder I take. For a great all in one unit you cant beat the G7 BR2. I have owned and used most talked about on this thread. It is a awesome tool. It helped me take many big game animals this last season. While its a bit bulky that comes with all the tech in it and well worth the size and weight in my pack.

If I am archery hunting or muzzleloader hunting. I still use my leupold rx1000.
Title: Re: Choosing a rangefinder
Post by: Bob33 on March 04, 2017, 10:46:48 AM: Quote from: gee_unit360 on February 24, 2017, 06:16:57 PM
I heard the Sig Kilo 2000 range finders are having a lot of problems. They often lose their ability to range long distance and commonly don't reach past 600-700 yards or sometimes won't range at all. Many internet reviews claim they had to send their sig kilo back. Any issues from sig owners who have owned theirs for a couple seasons?
Mine has worked flawlessly through multiple hunting trips. I've ranged up to 3200 yards with it.
Title: Re: Choosing a rangefinder
Post by: Eli346 on March 05, 2017, 06:14:54 PM: I love the Sig I bought. I've ranged deer at 1200 yards and a slash pile at 2200 yards.