hey. my buddy is looking for a new rangfinder and he has recruted me to help, i dont know much about them so i thought i would ask you guys. He is going to start shooting longrange with his new 338 so hes looking for one of the best rangefinders out there. He wants something that can accuratley range out to 1800. But he dosent wany to just throw his money at one either. So i guess he is looking for the best high quality most bang for your buck laser rangfinder. Any help would be much appreciated. Jesse
Best Rangfinder
- Thread starter JxMAN25
- Start date
Re: Best Rangfinder
Vectronix comes to mind....ranging 1800 yards consistently is going to cost him. Has he even shot anything approaching that yet? If he hasn't he is biting off way too much to sink that kind of money in a rangefinder. He's gonna need money for ammo and training.
Vectronix comes to mind....ranging 1800 yards consistently is going to cost him. Has he even shot anything approaching that yet? If he hasn't he is biting off way too much to sink that kind of money in a rangefinder. He's gonna need money for ammo and training.
Re: Best Rangfinder
no not yet. Hes going to wait untill he can get out that far befor he buys one but he want to find out which one he want first. Jesse
no not yet. Hes going to wait untill he can get out that far befor he buys one but he want to find out which one he want first. Jesse
Re: Best Rangfinder
Vectronix if you have the money.
Swarovski RF will get you out to 1800yrds for a lot less than the Vectronix.
Vectronix if you have the money.
Swarovski RF will get you out to 1800yrds for a lot less than the Vectronix.
Re: Best Rangfinder
Tell him to have fun with the gun first and learn to shoot it well with all that goes into shooting long ranges. 500 can be humbling especially for somebody new to long range and shooting a cannon.
Tell him to have fun with the gun first and learn to shoot it well with all that goes into shooting long ranges. 500 can be humbling especially for somebody new to long range and shooting a cannon.
Re: Best Rangfinder
My guitar instructors wanted me to learn crap like 'Mary had a Little Lamb' and 'Yellow Submarine'. Long story short I learned to play on my own using tab to songs I liked and hanging out with people that could play what i was into. If 1800 floats your boat and you already have a 338 I say do it. Get yourself a good spotter and the Swaro laserguide and bang away!
My guitar instructors wanted me to learn crap like 'Mary had a Little Lamb' and 'Yellow Submarine'. Long story short I learned to play on my own using tab to songs I liked and hanging out with people that could play what i was into. If 1800 floats your boat and you already have a 338 I say do it. Get yourself a good spotter and the Swaro laserguide and bang away!
Re: Best Rangfinder
I have a Leica 1600 that is pretty good. I was able to bounce off of a 36" railroad sign at 815 yds off hand. The beam is pretty narrow, which is nice. I have also ranged a water tower at 1999, but who cares? I don't shoot water towers. What is the point? Trying to get the biggest number to read off of the RF?
I have heard about early 1600's having issues. Mine seems to work just fine. There are a lot of Swaro fans as well.
You can step it up to Vectronix. The PLRF10 is about $3,800... but has a very small beam and ranges out to 3,000 yard without an issue. They have a PLRF5 coming out that is slated to be around $1,800. Not released yet, so who knows how long we will be waiting... bets are, it will range better than the Swaro or the Leica with a beam about the same dimensions of the Leica. Worth the extra cabbage? You decide on that. I got impatient and bought the Leica. With enough money saved up, I will probably move up to the PLRF10.
For rangefinding binos, the Bushnell Fusions are supposed to be very good at ranging and have passable glass for a little under a grand. The best (other than Vectronix Vector) are the Leica BRF's. Those run around $3,000.
I have a Leica 1600 that is pretty good. I was able to bounce off of a 36" railroad sign at 815 yds off hand. The beam is pretty narrow, which is nice. I have also ranged a water tower at 1999, but who cares? I don't shoot water towers. What is the point? Trying to get the biggest number to read off of the RF?
I have heard about early 1600's having issues. Mine seems to work just fine. There are a lot of Swaro fans as well.
You can step it up to Vectronix. The PLRF10 is about $3,800... but has a very small beam and ranges out to 3,000 yard without an issue. They have a PLRF5 coming out that is slated to be around $1,800. Not released yet, so who knows how long we will be waiting... bets are, it will range better than the Swaro or the Leica with a beam about the same dimensions of the Leica. Worth the extra cabbage? You decide on that. I got impatient and bought the Leica. With enough money saved up, I will probably move up to the PLRF10.
For rangefinding binos, the Bushnell Fusions are supposed to be very good at ranging and have passable glass for a little under a grand. The best (other than Vectronix Vector) are the Leica BRF's. Those run around $3,000.
Re: Best Rangfinder
What GGManning said.
I have researched a ton, and I would LOVE to shoot 1 mile one day, even if for shits and giggles. In the mean time, I want to become proficient with my rifle and equipment while not sinking thousands of dollars on a rangefinder.
I bought a Leica 1200 CRF and it will do what I want at the range I feel comfortable shooting and hunting. Spend $550 on it. Is it the newest latest greatest toy?? Nope, but it works, fits the bill, and I can resell it later if I need to have a 2000 yard rangefinder.
Just shoot and get equipment that fits the bill and then some.
May also look at the Leica 1600 CRF. Have many reports stating that it accurately ranges 1800-1900 yards. Those targets may be mirrors though...
What GGManning said.
I have researched a ton, and I would LOVE to shoot 1 mile one day, even if for shits and giggles. In the mean time, I want to become proficient with my rifle and equipment while not sinking thousands of dollars on a rangefinder.
I bought a Leica 1200 CRF and it will do what I want at the range I feel comfortable shooting and hunting. Spend $550 on it. Is it the newest latest greatest toy?? Nope, but it works, fits the bill, and I can resell it later if I need to have a 2000 yard rangefinder.
Just shoot and get equipment that fits the bill and then some.
May also look at the Leica 1600 CRF. Have many reports stating that it accurately ranges 1800-1900 yards. Those targets may be mirrors though...
Re: Best Rangfinder
ok thanks guys this is really helpfull. I think he is going to go with the Vectronix PLRF10. Where is the best place to buy one? jesse
ok thanks guys this is really helpfull. I think he is going to go with the Vectronix PLRF10. Where is the best place to buy one? jesse
Re: Best Rangfinder
Guy either has so much cash he isnt worried about it, or you have somehow done a hell of a sales job convincing him you knew what you were talking about, LOL.
Guy either has so much cash he isnt worried about it, or you have somehow done a hell of a sales job convincing him you knew what you were talking about, LOL.
Re: Best Rangfinder
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hydro556</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Guy either has so much cash he isnt worried about it, or you have somehow done a hell of a sales job convincing him you knew what you were talking about, LOL.
</div></div>
lol.
No i guess he isnt ready to shell out $4000 so he just ordered a Swarovski.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hydro556</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Guy either has so much cash he isnt worried about it, or you have somehow done a hell of a sales job convincing him you knew what you were talking about, LOL.
</div></div>
lol.
Re: Best Rangfinder
I adore my zeiss PRF. It will range targets to 1400yds. And you don't even have to hold it still until past 1000. Literally i can be shakey and pick up small things at 800, 900 yds easy. Also ranged grain bens at 900yds in the dark if that makes any difference.
I adore my zeiss PRF. It will range targets to 1400yds. And you don't even have to hold it still until past 1000. Literally i can be shakey and pick up small things at 800, 900 yds easy. Also ranged grain bens at 900yds in the dark if that makes any difference.
Re: Best Rangfinder
My Swarovski Laser Guide consistently ranges to 1900 yards on reflective targets, and to 1650 yards on bushes. The Vectronix is a better rangefinder, but for what the OP wants, I am not sure it is necessary.
My Swarovski Laser Guide consistently ranges to 1900 yards on reflective targets, and to 1650 yards on bushes. The Vectronix is a better rangefinder, but for what the OP wants, I am not sure it is necessary.
Re: Best Rangfinder
Here is a stat comparison:
Leica 1600 CRF
View Angle: 6.6 deg
Eye Relief: 15 mm
Diopter Compensation: +/- 3.5
Waterproof: 1 m
Divergence: .5 X 2.5 mrad
Laser Wavelength: ?
Scanning Mode: yes
Magnification: 7X
Error: 1 yd to 400 yds, 2 yds to 800 yds, .5% after 800 yds
Range: 10 to 1,200 yards
Weight: 220g
Dimensions: 4.5 inch X 3 inch X 1.3 inches
$800
Zeiss PRF
View Angle: 110 yds at 1,000 yds
Eye Relief: ?
Diopter Compensation: ?
Waterproof: 100 mbar
Divergence: 4.0 X 2.0 mrad
Laser Wavelength: 904nm
Scanning Mode: yes
Magnification: 8X
Error: 1 yard to 650 yards, 0.5% > 650 yards
Range: 10 to 1,300 yards
Weight: 310g
Dimensions: 5.12 X 3.85 inches
$700
Vectronix PLRF 10
View Angle: 6 deg
Eye Relief: ?
Diopter Compensation: ?
Waterproof: ?
Divergence: .3 X 1.5 mrad
Laser Wavelength: 905nm
Scanning Mode: yes
Magnification: 7X
Error: 2 yards
Range: 5 to 2,600 yards
Weight: 620g
Dimensions: 3.97 X 1.96 X 4.9 inches
$3,700
Swaro
View Angle: 7.8 deg
Eye Relief: 15 mm
Diopter Compensation: -5 to +14
Waterproof: 4 m
Divergence: 2.0 mrad
Laser Wavelength: 905nm
Scanning Mode: yes
Magnification: 8X
Error: typically 1 yard
Range: 9 to 1,600 yards (on reflective objects)
Weight: 375 grams
Dim: 4.7 in X 3.9 in X 1.8 in
$1,000
What I like about the Leica is that it has a small beam. The downside to this is that you don't get a reading every single time you press the button after about 900 yards or so. The advantage is that when I get a reading, I know it is right.
Another thing not mentioned is that the Leica has a built-in inclinometer, which is handy, built in ballistic calculator, which sucks, and atmospheric pressure and temp readings, which is marginally useful to me.
A lot of these rangfinders project a giant beam, which allows them to pick up the laser every time, but the number could be wrong.
Clearly, the PLRF 10 is in another league. Smallest beam divergence AND longest range. The PLRF10 does not have an inclinometer, but the PLRF10C does. The PLRF10C is significantly more expensive than the PLRF10, but it will hook directly to your PDA, allowing you to feed data directly to Field Firing Solutions.
Here is a stat comparison:
Leica 1600 CRF
View Angle: 6.6 deg
Eye Relief: 15 mm
Diopter Compensation: +/- 3.5
Waterproof: 1 m
Divergence: .5 X 2.5 mrad
Laser Wavelength: ?
Scanning Mode: yes
Magnification: 7X
Error: 1 yd to 400 yds, 2 yds to 800 yds, .5% after 800 yds
Range: 10 to 1,200 yards
Weight: 220g
Dimensions: 4.5 inch X 3 inch X 1.3 inches
$800
Zeiss PRF
View Angle: 110 yds at 1,000 yds
Eye Relief: ?
Diopter Compensation: ?
Waterproof: 100 mbar
Divergence: 4.0 X 2.0 mrad
Laser Wavelength: 904nm
Scanning Mode: yes
Magnification: 8X
Error: 1 yard to 650 yards, 0.5% > 650 yards
Range: 10 to 1,300 yards
Weight: 310g
Dimensions: 5.12 X 3.85 inches
$700
Vectronix PLRF 10
View Angle: 6 deg
Eye Relief: ?
Diopter Compensation: ?
Waterproof: ?
Divergence: .3 X 1.5 mrad
Laser Wavelength: 905nm
Scanning Mode: yes
Magnification: 7X
Error: 2 yards
Range: 5 to 2,600 yards
Weight: 620g
Dimensions: 3.97 X 1.96 X 4.9 inches
$3,700
Swaro
View Angle: 7.8 deg
Eye Relief: 15 mm
Diopter Compensation: -5 to +14
Waterproof: 4 m
Divergence: 2.0 mrad
Laser Wavelength: 905nm
Scanning Mode: yes
Magnification: 8X
Error: typically 1 yard
Range: 9 to 1,600 yards (on reflective objects)
Weight: 375 grams
Dim: 4.7 in X 3.9 in X 1.8 in
$1,000
What I like about the Leica is that it has a small beam. The downside to this is that you don't get a reading every single time you press the button after about 900 yards or so. The advantage is that when I get a reading, I know it is right.
Another thing not mentioned is that the Leica has a built-in inclinometer, which is handy, built in ballistic calculator, which sucks, and atmospheric pressure and temp readings, which is marginally useful to me.
A lot of these rangfinders project a giant beam, which allows them to pick up the laser every time, but the number could be wrong.
Clearly, the PLRF 10 is in another league. Smallest beam divergence AND longest range. The PLRF10 does not have an inclinometer, but the PLRF10C does. The PLRF10C is significantly more expensive than the PLRF10, but it will hook directly to your PDA, allowing you to feed data directly to Field Firing Solutions.
Re: Best Rangfinder
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Carter Mayfield</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Here is a stat comparison:
Leica 1600 CRF
View Angle: 6.6 deg
Eye Relief: 15 mm
Diopter Compensation: +/- 3.5
Waterproof: 1 m
Divergence: .5 X 2.5 mrad
Laser Wavelength: ?
Scanning Mode: yes
Magnification: 7X
Error: 1 yd to 400 yds, 2 yds to 800 yds, .5% after 800 yds
Range: 10 to 1,200 yards
Weight: 220g
Dimensions: 4.5 inch X 3 inch X 1.3 inches
$800
~SNIP~
What I like about the Leica is that it has a small beam. The downside to this is that you don't get a reading every single time you press the button after about 900 yards or so. The advantage is that when I get a reading, I know it is right.
Another thing not mentioned is that the Leica has a built-in inclinometer, which is handy, built in ballistic calculator, which sucks, and atmospheric pressure and temp readings, which is marginally useful to me.
A lot of these rangfinders project a giant beam, which allows them to pick up the laser every time, but the number could be wrong.
Clearly, the PLRF 10 is in another league. Smallest beam divergence AND longest range. The PLRF10 does not have an inclinometer, but the PLRF10C does. The PLRF10C is significantly more expensive than the PLRF10, but it will hook directly to your PDA, allowing you to feed data directly to Field Firing Solutions. </div></div>
Excellent post.
I have never owned any of the highest end stuff. They sound absolutely amazing, but to me they are like the Hensoldt spotter. Absolutely stunning capability, but just more than I need and way above my pay scale.
That said,I have owned a few LRF's from quality mfg's.
I have had a couple of the LRF1200's from Leica. They were good, but not consistently reliable to their advertised range. At least on the targets I needed them for. (especially deer). They were quality units, but in my experience, they should have been called LRF 800's. Not 1200. Sold them.
I had the Zeiss unit. Again, quality LRF, but over promised. Pretty much the same performance as the LRF1200 from Leica. As an aside, I didnt feel the overall quality and fit/finish was up to the Leicas standard.
I then decided the Swaro would be my best bet because they review consistently well and seem to reach the greatest distance on deer like targets.
But being a big Leica fan, I decided to give the the newly released CRF1600 a shot before getting the swaro. Thinking I would just sell it if it didnt impress.
That was about 6-7 months ago and I have it still. Havent really got to wring it out on deer at 1K plus, just havent had the chance yet. But the especially quick and precise results it gives have me really impressed. I love the way it will give a really quick read on small targets at extended range. 1k plus. With a good rest you can really hit little targets, and it can pick up one target at say, 1050 and then with a slight correction can pick up something 50 yards behind the first target.
I have gotten really long reads on large targets, like distant hillsides, etc. Much longer than I could with either the earlier L12oo's and especially the Zeiss.
Looking forward to trying to hit some deer at close to 1K. If it will do that, I am done for awhile with LRF's. This will do just fine.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Carter Mayfield</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Here is a stat comparison:
Leica 1600 CRF
View Angle: 6.6 deg
Eye Relief: 15 mm
Diopter Compensation: +/- 3.5
Waterproof: 1 m
Divergence: .5 X 2.5 mrad
Laser Wavelength: ?
Scanning Mode: yes
Magnification: 7X
Error: 1 yd to 400 yds, 2 yds to 800 yds, .5% after 800 yds
Range: 10 to 1,200 yards
Weight: 220g
Dimensions: 4.5 inch X 3 inch X 1.3 inches
$800
~SNIP~
What I like about the Leica is that it has a small beam. The downside to this is that you don't get a reading every single time you press the button after about 900 yards or so. The advantage is that when I get a reading, I know it is right.
Another thing not mentioned is that the Leica has a built-in inclinometer, which is handy, built in ballistic calculator, which sucks, and atmospheric pressure and temp readings, which is marginally useful to me.
A lot of these rangfinders project a giant beam, which allows them to pick up the laser every time, but the number could be wrong.
Clearly, the PLRF 10 is in another league. Smallest beam divergence AND longest range. The PLRF10 does not have an inclinometer, but the PLRF10C does. The PLRF10C is significantly more expensive than the PLRF10, but it will hook directly to your PDA, allowing you to feed data directly to Field Firing Solutions. </div></div>
Excellent post.
I have never owned any of the highest end stuff. They sound absolutely amazing, but to me they are like the Hensoldt spotter. Absolutely stunning capability, but just more than I need and way above my pay scale.
That said,I have owned a few LRF's from quality mfg's.
I have had a couple of the LRF1200's from Leica. They were good, but not consistently reliable to their advertised range. At least on the targets I needed them for. (especially deer). They were quality units, but in my experience, they should have been called LRF 800's. Not 1200. Sold them.
I had the Zeiss unit. Again, quality LRF, but over promised. Pretty much the same performance as the LRF1200 from Leica. As an aside, I didnt feel the overall quality and fit/finish was up to the Leicas standard.
I then decided the Swaro would be my best bet because they review consistently well and seem to reach the greatest distance on deer like targets.
But being a big Leica fan, I decided to give the the newly released CRF1600 a shot before getting the swaro. Thinking I would just sell it if it didnt impress.
That was about 6-7 months ago and I have it still. Havent really got to wring it out on deer at 1K plus, just havent had the chance yet. But the especially quick and precise results it gives have me really impressed. I love the way it will give a really quick read on small targets at extended range. 1k plus. With a good rest you can really hit little targets, and it can pick up one target at say, 1050 and then with a slight correction can pick up something 50 yards behind the first target.
I have gotten really long reads on large targets, like distant hillsides, etc. Much longer than I could with either the earlier L12oo's and especially the Zeiss.
Looking forward to trying to hit some deer at close to 1K. If it will do that, I am done for awhile with LRF's. This will do just fine.
Re: Best Rangfinder
Yeah, I have the CRF 1600. I understand some bad ones went out. I guess I got lucky because it will range small targets at long range in ideal conditions. In limited visibility, it maxes out at 500 yards or so, but that goes with the territory.
For hunting, most of my shots will be 500 or less, so that is plenty acceptable for my needs. I will admit that I get a thrill at ranging a water tower at 2,000 yards. I don't know why. I don't shoot water towers, but I can kind of see how everyone who reviews a rangefinder wants to brag on the farthest number they have read, even though it is completely irrelevant.
Yeah, I have the CRF 1600. I understand some bad ones went out. I guess I got lucky because it will range small targets at long range in ideal conditions. In limited visibility, it maxes out at 500 yards or so, but that goes with the territory.
For hunting, most of my shots will be 500 or less, so that is plenty acceptable for my needs. I will admit that I get a thrill at ranging a water tower at 2,000 yards. I don't know why. I don't shoot water towers, but I can kind of see how everyone who reviews a rangefinder wants to brag on the farthest number they have read, even though it is completely irrelevant.
