Good All Around Range Finder for rifle and archery

[loco4dux]

I need one that can range deer at least to 500 yards, and with angle compensation for archery hunting ("true ballistic range").

I see the Leupold RX-1200i TBR with DNA Laser Rangefinder on sale at Cabela's for 350$ right now and have some points to burn so might go with that. I would like to keep it under $400.

What're you guys using for an all around good rifle & archery hunting rangefinder?

 

[Work2hunt]

I recently moved up from the Nikon Riflehunter 1000. It is a good rangefinder up to about 275 yds. In whitetail country it seemed to be good to 400-500 yds, but this past fall when I had it out antelope hunting I struggled with anything over 275. Not sure if it was the smaller antelope vs a whitetail or the topography in Wyoming, but it was difficult to range longer distances.

 

[Hilltop]

You won't be disappointed in the Leupold IMO. It should work great for what you listed.

 

[buckbull]

You can get a demo Leica 1000-R for $450 from cameraland new york. Leica rangefinders have a solid reputation.

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/site.pl?page=40535

 

[stevevan]

I've used both the Leupold and Leica. I kept the Leica as I feel it's hands down the better of the 2.

 

[Tim McCoy]

The new Leupold's are a very good choice for the $. I see the 1,000 for around $300 often. I borrowed one last year, it worked very well. I was actually impressed vs what I had expected. I do run a Leica myself, like Steve, I too feel it is a better unit. SigSauer is making one that is getting good reviews too, may be worth a look.

 

[loco4dux]

The new Leupold's are a very good choice for the $. I see the 1,000 for around $300 often. I borrowed one last year, it worked very well. I was actually impressed vs what I had expected. I do run a Leica myself, like Steve, I too feel it is a better unit. SigSauer is making one that is getting good reviews too, may be worth a look.

You see them for $300 used, or new somewhere?

Will Give the Leica's a look.

 

[Tim McCoy]

I have seen the Leupold 1,000 yard unit new at a local sporting good store and at Cabelas for $300, on special sales. You can find them used for well under 300, on eBay. The 1,200 yard unit, as you know is, on sale for $350 at Cabelas now. Good units for the $. I'd rather spend a bit more for the Leica, but keep in mind only their 1,000 yard unit has angle comp. If you watch the sales, you will probably find a 1,000 unit for 300 in time, but their 1,200 unit for 350 is a good price too.

 

[bdan68]

[HR][/HR]It's a little over your budget but the new Sig Sauer Kilo 2000 is getting good reviews:

http://www.amazon.com/Sig-Sauer-Monocular-Graphite-SOK16701/dp/B00UZ88E1E


It was available at one online site for $414 including shipping but it's sold out there now.

 

[loco4dux]

Anyone with experience or reviews on the Vortex Ranger 1000?

Lifetime warranty on the Vortex compared to the limited 2 year on the luepold is enticing.

 

[BOHNTR]

Leica Geovid BRF-R.......best of everything.....great glass, bulit in angle compensating rangefinder.......from 19-1000 yards.

 

[88man]

I like my Leica 1600

 

[swampokie]

Leica 1600 would be nice if they would finance me 1 at a low interest rate! I have a Leupold and its fine.

I like my Leica 1600

 

[Hilltop]

Everyone is recommending products without reading or regarding the OPs message. Many of the range finders recommended above are double or more the budget provided. There almost always is a bigger better whatever but the reality is 99% of us are on a budget. Nothing wrong with that and many of the products inside his budget will work great. Just my 2 cents guys.

 

[oldschool.06]

Wouldnt mind hearing more about the vortex range finder myself .

 

[NM_Archer]

I purchased the vortex ranger 1000 about 2 months ago wanting a new one that was a little smaller than the one I had been using. (older leupold rx series) I mainly archery hunt and the leupold was just a bit bulky to carry and use with one hand. I must say I am very pleased with the new purchase...mostly. I love the size and how easy it is to use with a bow in one hand. I like the fact that it has a belt clip that can be used on either side of the rangefinder depending on what hand you use. A couple things I don't care much for however is the carry case it comes with is a real pain in the a$$ to get the rangefinder in and out of with one hand if you like to carry it with the case. Another thing I wish they would change is the reticle being red. It works great in low and medium light conditions but if its in the middle of the day and bright it can be difficult to see. I went with the vortex mainly because I tend to be a little hard on equipment and the warranty is 2nd to none. Hope this helps

 

[Extractor]

Has anyone tried or seen the new Sig Kilo 2000. Runs 499.99. Has gotten good reviews. Price point sounds nice if it lives up to its reviews. I like my Leica 1600 B, but that runs 750-800.

 

[buckbull]

Smart Distance from the Android store. $1.50 for those on a serious budget. Seriously though, i wonder how long it will be before smart phones can do laser based measurements.

 

[missjordan]

Pretty hard to beat the Leica, I bought a vortex last year so my husband and i didnt have to share and I wish I would of spent the extra money on another Leica

 

[JNDEER]

Vortex rangefinder does work, but may have some flaws. It is TRULY at +/- 3 yard rangefinder! So for archers, this can be bad. I have noticed this difference, but mostly on targets in the yard and ones that are black compared to brown. In real life situations, it seems to be very accurate with leupy and Nikon.

The warranty is the best and there are NO other rangefinders that I am aware of that offer a lifetime warranty on a rangefinder like vortex.

It has never had a problem ranging to about 250 yards. Anything above 400 can be hit or miss and I have NEVER ranged anything past 700 yards and I have had mine since they came out.

It is the best compact rangefinder I have found on the market. I have looked at leupy and the warranty scared me. I broke down and purchased a used 1000i. On a recent pig hunt during some serious rainy weather my brother had his 650. His 650 got water logged and stopped working. My 1000 stopped as well, but I was able to soak it in rice when I got home to get it to work again. It was passed two years and my brother called leupold and told them what happened. Leupold told him that this should not happen and they should hold up to that rain. He sent it back 3 months ago and has not heard a peep out of them yet. Hopefully they either fix it or send another one back to him.