Laser Rangefinders

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Laser Rangefinders

Postby Charlie U » Sat Nov 04, 2017 7:12 pm

I've never had a rangefinder, but it's something I have been wanting to get for a few years now. I hunt on property that is a mix of open field and woods, so my shots range from 30 yards out to 300 or more. A good rangefinder would be very useful.

So many models, brands, and options make it a difficult choice. Usually with optics you get what you pay for, but I really don't have the budget to handle a high end rangefinder. What rangefinders do you all recommend that offer a good balance of durability, reliable function, and bang-fer-tha-buck?

Right now I'm considering the Vortex Ranger 1500 and the Nikon Monarch 7i VR.
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Re: Laser Rangefinders

Postby sbrGrendel » Sun Dec 03, 2017 8:36 am

The SigSauer Range Finder is a good one too, the 2000 yrd one. You can get it at a great price too, look at the range it will giv for a reflective item and a animal. Plus look at what they are able to do besides give you distances. You will think I don’t need this or that and over time you find yourself using that feature or need it and don’t have it.

When I get a LRF, I will definitely look hard at the SigSauer Kilo 2000 when I priced them the last time I was about to get one they where in the 325-350.00 range but I’m sure you could find a nice one that’s lightly used for less. I would also look at the Kilo 1250 and I’d definitely look at the 2200MR but that's got a lot of features that I Wouldn't use
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Re: Laser Rangefinders

Postby plant_one » Mon Dec 04, 2017 12:05 am

ive got an older bushnell 800, and it seems to work well - but iw as on a super budget when i picked it up.


if yore shopping at the $400 price point or so - i dont think anything in that class is going to disappoint you. and if it does, a quick trip to the retailer for an exchange should make things easy.


i'd say - if you can - head to a big box retailer that offers several selections, and ask a clerk to escort you out of the store for a demo so you can decide which one you like better. take all 3 out and start ranging targets with all three. see which is the easiest to get a return with, how consistent they are, etc. i'd say within 4 or 5 mins you could have one of 3 or 4 picked out :)
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Re: Laser Rangefinders

Postby Jim in Houston » Wed Dec 06, 2017 5:21 pm

Don't get more range finder than you need. If you are shooting the 450, anything that will give you 600 yards is more than enough.

I have a Redfield, which was bought out by Leupold. When you call Redfield for service, you get Leupold. I have had two problems. The little plastic cover over the battery compartment fell off. I think it is only glued on, and it is not necessary for the range finder to work. Anyway, Leupold sent me a couple as replacements.

After I had not been hunting for a while, I could not get the range finder to turn on. I sent it in to Leupold and got it back, fully functional in a couple of weeks.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1018442512/redfield-raider-650-laser-rangefinder-6x
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Re: Laser Rangefinders

Postby Thom28 » Wed Dec 06, 2017 6:51 pm

I had been using a Bushnell that I bought years ago and it served the purpose, but it puked this fall during archery season. I did a bunch of research on the net. I was down to 2 LED range finders the Leupold RX-1200i TBR/W with DNA Laser Rangefinder 6x OLED Selectable and the Vortex Optics Ranger 1000 Laser Rangefinder 6x Rubber Armored Green.
I use a rangefinder mostly for archery and both these had the features I wanted. They were both in the same price range and then Cabela's put the Leupold on sale for $100 off on their Black Friday sale so that is the one I purchased.

I am very happy with it. I was looking for an LED rangefinder so that I could use it in low light and be able to read the yardage. This was one of the faults that I had with the Bushnell. It was black yardage and unreadable at dusk. This new Leupold works fantastically at dusk. I tried it out the last couple of evening sits of our rifle season.

Well worth the money.
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Re: Laser Rangefinders

Postby Duncan980 » Sun Oct 03, 2021 3:25 am

After trying and getting frustrated with the hunting rangefinder, I set out to buy a new one for golf. The hunting one was ok, but the golf ones “grab” the pins and make it so easy. I went with an inexpensive rangefinder from Amazon that is similar to the one that MG Golf sells. It was just over $100 with prime shipping. This model does not calculate slope and I kind of with I purchased one that did. Overall it has worked very well for me. I have never used a more expensive model so I guess I don't know what I am missing. It is easy to find the flag and get an accurate reading. There is a setting where you shoot something behind the green then go to the flag. When the yardage goes down you know you picked up the flag and have the right yardage. Sure the jolt technology would make it easier but the current process does not slow me down.
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Re: Laser Rangefinders

Postby Hoot » Sun Oct 03, 2021 6:09 am

I inherited an older Nikon Buckmaster 800 from my Dad's estate. It works but sometimes I have a problem determining if it has truly picked up what I'm aiming it at. I have to move the POA around a little and and see if the yardage changes in order to feel confident. In a hunting situation those seconds of indecision could be disastrous. Luckily, at far off distances, the deer usually don't know you're there or don't care, given the separation.

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Re: Laser Rangefinders

Postby Al in Mi » Sun Oct 03, 2021 12:20 pm

I picked up a couple of Sig Kilo 850's on the cheap ($60ish) awhlie back, mostly for bow hunting. They will range my 400yd back stop dead nuts, haven't tried it any farther.
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Re: Laser Rangefinders

Postby Hoot » Sun Oct 03, 2021 9:41 pm

Al in Mi wrote:I picked up a couple of Sig Kilo 850's on the cheap ($60ish) awhlie back, mostly for bow hunting. They will range my 400yd back stop dead nuts, haven't tried it any farther.


I'm insanely jealous that you have your own 400 yd back stop. ;)

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Re: Laser Rangefinders

Postby SAWMAN » Thu Nov 25, 2021 6:22 am

I have been using a Stiener 1600 for some years. It not only has a scan mode,but with some input will output your ballistic drops at ranges.
Please remember,a rangefinder is only as good as the magnification,and being steady enough to hold the aiming point on target while you fire the laser.
As stated above,about 600yds is all you need IMO. --- SAWMAN
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