Does anyone know of any real world reviews of the capabilities of rangefinders. What I am looking for is a comparison of the REAL distances that they can range different types of objects (deer, rock, tree) etc. Most of the advertised max ranges on the units is no where near the 'real' use distances.
Rangefinder reviews
- Thread starter bruno
- Start date
Grantbvfd
Active Member
It's rating minus 400-500 yards in real world scenarios. There isn't one out there that is rated for 1200 yards and can range a tree or animal anywhere near that.
Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
I have a Bushnell Elite 1500 rangfinder and ranged a bedded bull elk at over 1100 yards (tripod mounted). I have ranged large trees at over 1600 yards with it. Low light provides the best ranging conditions.
Elkoholic307
Banned
T43
Active Member
I have the $160 Redfield made by Leupold. It's rated at 550 yards. I have ranged elk at 530 in low light clear conditions. I have no trouble ranging deer or antelope out to 400 yards. After that it's hard to hold it still but I have never noticed it falling short of what it's supposed to do.
Take a look at the new G7 range finder. It's sounds pretty cool. I have the bushnell 1500 as well and it's very consistent at 6-700 yards. I have ranged a rock at 1200 once
Grantbvfd
Active Member
I had a lieca 1200 It wouldn't range dark objects in low light conditions every time. My dad has a Leupold and it will range up to about 800 yards most of the time, but not every time. I use a nikon monarch 1200 and I've ranged things at 1100. I hunt with a guy that has a bushnell and wasn't too impressed. What I was getting at in my first comment was most range finders will not range the target every time at those distances. Every time key word. They will range at the yardage they are rated for in perfect conditions.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
After years of carrying an RF and some binos, I decided to simplify it by buying a combo. I bought a Swarovski . The RF portion is really great as is the monocular. I consistantly range out to 1500 yds with no problems. The mono is 8x and crystal clear. I paid less that 1,000 for it...not bad when you consider the price of binos & rf individually. I am very happy with my selection.
Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
To clarify, I only recommend the Elite 1500 rangefinder from Bushnell. The other Bushy rangefinders are pretty lackluster, IMO. The Elite is not great optically, but it is good enough. My friend's Leica 1200 blows the Elite out of the water as a monocular. The Elite is also kind of bulky. What the Elite does do is range a long ways accurately. It consistently gets longer readings faster than the Leica, although the Leica is pretty good too. I think the Swaro, Leica, Zeiss, and Bushy Elite are the best long-range rangefinders available to hunters. I haven't used any of the high-end Nikons, though.
Eventually I am going to move to a binocular/rangefinder combo as the ergonomics improve. So far I really like the Zeiss combo the best. I really hope Vortex comes out with one soon.