I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on an affordable rangefinder (200$) that is as good for archery and turkey hunting as it is with 300rum across a canyon. I had a redfield raider for several years and it was a good 1 but it only ranged 400yds or so. It fell from my treestand in dec and took a swim so I need a good all around option at an affordable price.
all around rangefinder
- Thread starter swampokie
- Start date
WapitiBob
Veteran member
Musket Man
Veteran member
I dont think you will find anything thats reliable over 300 yards for $200 unless you find a good deal on something used. I have a Leica CRF 1200 that I really like and Leica is the only rangefinder I have used that I would recommend but they are alot more money.
I dont think you can ever go wrong with leupold! Havent ever had a leica but I will look at em. Thanks guys
Musket Man
Veteran member
I tried a Leupold range finder (700 tbr I think?) and I didnt like it at all. Very complicated and was not reliable past 300 yards. Really was no better then my old bushnell. I returned it and got the Leica 1200 and am very happy with it and its reliable to 1000 yards and I have got it to read out to 1321! They dont make the 1200 anymore, I think they have a 1000 and 1600 now.
wolftalonID
Very Active Member
You can go VERY wrong with Leupold range finders. They are not their scopes.... And don't do well in snow or ice. Their laser just wont read well at all in the white conditions. I own the rx1000 before the extra letters were printed on the plastics.
nice bright red color, works well in archery season and rifle....just not worth a damn in snow.
Save a bit more, sell an extra rifle, buy the Leica and you will smile for a long time to follow.
nice bright red color, works well in archery season and rifle....just not worth a damn in snow.
Save a bit more, sell an extra rifle, buy the Leica and you will smile for a long time to follow.
Ok. I can say one thing for sure leupold backs their products 100 percent. That is more than I can say for Nikon. I had a Nikon rangefinder that malfunctioned and I sent it in and they told me they really appreciated me but this one was on me. I will not ever own another Nikon product. I had a Nikon scope also at the time. I never had any problem with it but I traded it immediately for a leupold. I will be cautious before I purchase a leupold rangefinder. Thanks
Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
I have used a Bushnell Elite 1500 rangefinder for many years, and it is tremendously reliable. I go through a lot of optics, but I have never justified the upgrade there. I can still get 1200 yard ranges on trees.
My hunting partner bought a Leupy RX4 and couldn't get reliable readings. Now he has an Elite 1500.
I haven't tried one yet, but the new "TBR" Leupold rangefinders have a good reputation.
My hunting partner bought a Leupy RX4 and couldn't get reliable readings. Now he has an Elite 1500.
I haven't tried one yet, but the new "TBR" Leupold rangefinders have a good reputation.
Musket Man
Veteran member
My Leupold TBR was when the TBR first came out. They could be better now? The Bushnell I had would be close to 10 years old now and I think its a 600 or 700. It was my first one and what I could afford at the time. I still have it but have not used it since I got the Leica. The Leica is also very compact and simple and easy to use.
I am not a big bushnell fan, but I do own the scout 1000. I found it to be the most reasonably priced range finder for getting true distance for archery and can range further than I'm willing to shoot with the rifle. It only ranges true horizontal distance out to 100 yards. It has some other bells and whistles that I haven't ever used but might be important to you. I grabbed it from B@H photo for 225ish and bushnell was running a 50 dollar rebate. Don't get me wrong, it isn't a leica, swaro, or leupold, but it works well for the price point.
WapitiBob
Veteran member
In my opinion the only Leupold rangefinders to buy are the RX1000i model or the new rx1200i. The older 1000, non i versions used ballistics calcs for bow mode.
Leicas are better and more money. The new 1000r will replace my Leupy 1000i tbr.
Leicas are better and more money. The new 1000r will replace my Leupy 1000i tbr.
tdcour
Veteran member
Well, I used the old leupold 800 tbr for 4 years I believe. The display started going bad on me this year when the numbers started to fade. I got great readings with it, but it wouldn't range deer past 400. I sent that rangefinder in with an explanation what was going wrong and never hear a peep from Leupold. Earlier this week, a brand new rx 800i TBR showed up at the door. No bill or anything. That impressed me a lot... especially since the rangefinder was a few years old. Anyway, I haven't had a chance to test this new one, but the old one worked well with rifle and bow, but needed trees or large rocks to range at long distances. It is a bit cumbersome to setup, but once you set it up you never have to mess with it again. I don't remember the price, but for what I put it through I'd buy it again.
I will say that it doesn't gather light extremely well, but I'm sure thats because of the small lens. Its not real great at ranging through grass, but you will sneak a measurement through there occasionally.
I will say that it doesn't gather light extremely well, but I'm sure thats because of the small lens. Its not real great at ranging through grass, but you will sneak a measurement through there occasionally.
Colorado T
Active Member
Just wondering if anyone has any experience with the Vortex 1000 yd rangefinder? I have been looking at getting it, have a pair of Vortex binos that I really like. Like Leopold their warranty and customer service is exceptional. While hunting last year I lost one of the lens caps and when I got home I sent an email to them. Within a couple days a new lens cap was in the mail, no questions asked.
Musket Man
Veteran member
Talk to hardstalk and I keep it cold. HS is a vortex dealer and I think IKIC has that RF.