Budget range finder

[Jethro21]

I know you get what you pay for, but are there any budget minded range finders out there? Ideally able to range reflective out to 800, trees out to 4-500? I realize this may not exist, but does anyone have any experience with a poor man's lrf?

Thanks,
Jethro

 

[pkt1199]

I was gifted a Leupold 600 yd range finder. Its only 4x but I can range plywood target backers at 600 yard without much problem. I've had it for 3ish years and have had no problems. I can't recall what ranges I was hitting trees with though...

 

[The Godfather]

I have a Leupold that is not currently working. However, to be honest I never really found it to be reliable. Next time I'm going to spend enough to have a useful unit that will work in the real world.

 

[Ultraman550]

I have a Nikon Range finder 1000 and it ranges moving cars out to 800+ and a stationary pickup truck out to 999. The pickup might have been farther than 1000 yards so the Nikon couldn't read it because I doubt it was exactly 999 yards. It'll range trees out to 700-750 but they have to be big ass trees. It ranges a 12x24 steel target out to 550 no problem but once it gets further out it doesn't fare to well. When I want to shoot past 600 I force my wife to go with me and we use the walkie talkies. I'll have her stand where I'm shooting from and then I'll drive my truck out to however far I want to shoot that day past 600 and well talk on the walkies and she'll use the range finder on my truck. I'm lucky, I live in an area where I can drive to any spot I want at any distance and set up any target no matter how big or heavy it is then have the luxury of driving back and pulling up right next to my shooting mat. The only thing that would make it easier is if I literally brought my bed and used my down comforter for a shooting rest. The range finder was $300.

 

[Jackalope33B]

Love my vortex. Life time warranty also!

 

[JC Steel]

Jethro, I have a Nikon Monark Gold sitting here I would sell for a decent price. It ranges all kinds of stuff out to 800 or so yards. After 800 and up to 1000 it is pretty spotty. But for up to 800, its a great little unit really.

 

[deadnbrkn84]

Bushnell Elite Arc 1600. Best for the price period.

 

[Shortcut]

I made a test some days ago between Bushnell Legend ARC 1000, Vortex Ranger 1000, redfield, a couple of no name chinese ones and a Leica 1600-B. I can say that none of them came even close to Leica. The Leica measured precisely every time and gave me the same result. It had the easiest time picking up targets at long distances.
The other ones were quite embarassing in comparison to Leica. Vortex and the rest could not even pick up a chimney at about 470 yds. They also gave me different measurements despite me pointing at the same target.

If we are to look at the optics, then Leica is magnificent. Vortex colours the image in a strong blue colour. The Bushnell made it very dark. The rest of the china stuff was horrible. You don't get the perfect sharpness and light transmission you have with Leica where the range finder is so darn good that you can use it as a monocular.

I would rather suggest you saving some money and going for a Leica. You will be sure to get a range finder that is actually useable.

 

[USW.260]

Man I've been a range finder snob for a while. Well I went and bought me a Bushnell 6x21 G Force 1300 ARC. This has been one handy range finder. The ballistic info tide into it is pretty damn close to matching my loads for my .308. I have ranged moving box trucks out to 1115yds and everything in between. Now if it won't read it not the range finders fault. Find something reflective other than what you want to range and ping it. I like the brightness settings and the option of Mil or MOA plus the degree indicator. I have ranged tree tops out to 900 with the "Brush" mode through some thick shit and everything was right on. I'm impressed to say the least for shots up to 1100 and just a damn fine working range finder for 400 form Academy you can't beat it.

Bushnell 6x21 G Force 1300 ARC Laser Rangefinder

 

[woody76]

Jethro21 I was in the same boat as u .. so I went to serval places and looked at range finders. I bought the leica 1600 b three days ago, could not be more happy . ranged a coyote at 834 yards to day with it. 24"x24" paper target at 1000 yards. im glad I saved a little more and bought it.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Man I've been a range finder snob for a while. Well I went and bought me a Bushnell 6x21 G Force 1300 ARC. This has been one handy range finder. The ballistic info tide into it is pretty damn close to matching my loads for my .308. I have ranged moving box trucks out to 1115yds and everything in between. Now if it won't read it not the range finders fault. Find something reflective other than what you want to range and ping it. I like the brightness settings and the option of Mil or MOA plus the degree indicator. I have ranged tree tops out to 900 with the "Brush" mode through some thick shit and everything was right on. I'm impressed to say the least for shots up to 1100 and just a damn fine working range finder for 400 form Academy you can't beat it.

Bushnell 6x21 G Force 1300 ARC Laser Rangefinder

+1

The display could be better...but it does the job...I checked mine against known distance targets out to 1200 and its right on the money.

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[kansas]

I've been looking at and reading reviews for the Bushnell 1300 Arc and the 1600 Arc and the 1300 gets much better reviews and according the the companies web site the 1300 is very close to being able to range as far as the 1600. Actually is rated higher on ranging deer. (600 vs 500). Cabelas have both on sale right now. The 1300 is $350 and the 1600 is $399. I'd really like to have the Leica 1600b so I may hold out for one of those however I have an older 800 Bushnell that was a factory refubished for probably 8 or 10 years and it still works pretty good. I can get targets up to 300-400 yards. It will go a little farther than that much not much. The OP didn't say exactly what his budget was but he sure should be able to find something new from bushnell in the $200-250 range that will range 400-500 yard targets and 800 yard trees.

 

[Jethro21]

Thanks for the input guys, jcvibby hooked me up on the unit he had. I would love to move up to a Leica, but honestly I don't shoot at distances far enough to justify it. If the unit I have coming can get me to 800 on steel that is great.

 

[drjimmy]

Check EuroOptic. They have last year's Leica 1000 rangefinder for $399. I checked it against several others in Bass Pro. Leica clearly better optics.

 

[Genhawk]

I know its not exactly what you are looking for, but I just got a Lecia 1600b and it is so freaking clear and fast; I'm amazed! You would think with this quality, even their 1000 version would be amazing!

 

[mercracing]

I ended up with a Wildgame Innovation. Ranges out to 1000 just fine. Very consistent in different weather conditions.


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[wigwamitus]

I have a Leica in my budget for later this year, but was thinking it would be nice to have a less expensive back, which I could afford now. Won't get my chunk of $$ until June. I'm struggling with measure ranges accurately on my land where I mostly shoot. I've walked them off and also shot from most of the positions several times and compared actual drop the predicted drop. I had a friend come out with a Leica 1200 and measure some of the FPs as well. But a range finder that I could use to get +/- 1 yard per 100 out to 650 yds would be very useful right now. Target budget is $150. I'm willing to range a couple of intermediate spots and add up the results if necessary. I've looked at GPS apps, but based on the reviews, don't think I can get the accuracy I'm looking for. I will also practice reticle estimating, but still would like an accurate measure so I KNOW what the real distance is.

Looking at Bushnell and Simmons options ...

here is a Simmons 600yd "water resistant" for $147.

http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=SN801405

And last but not least, here is a Bushnell Sport 450 for $130.

http://www.natchezss.com/Category.c...hnell Yardage Pro Sport 450 Laser Rangefinder

Any input welcome.

 

[roggom]

Jethro, sounds like you picked up a LRF. The trick with cheaper units is to set up your steel and laser back to your vehicle. I have had nice Leica and Zeiss LRF's but usually sell them each hunting season. I kept a cheapo Simmons and do just that. good to about 800Y to my Jeep Xj.