I am finding my old Vortex 1000 just isn't doing it ranging even a car at 700ish yards on sunny days. Want to upgrade but not break the bank. What are people using to consistently and accurately range targets (steel mostly) out to 1K yards. Not looking for top of the line 2 mile ranging.
- Thread starter ackley264
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I run one of these:
www.leupold.com
and one of these:
www.bushnell.com
and would buy both again.
I like the Leupold a little more based on its footprint and that I carry it as well when bow hunting.
My only complaint on the Nitro 1800 is the reticle is a little heavy on 1000 yd targets targets, but otherwise performs well.
A step above entry level, but not Terapin or Leica 3500.com price points.
RX-1600i TBR/W
When it comes to versatile, accurate rangefinders, the RX®-1600i TBR®/W is the Jack of all trades. Whether you're dinging steel at incredible distances, tracking down that trophy of a lifetime, or sitting in a stand with a bow, the RX-1600i TBR/W won't let you down.
www.leupold.com and one of these:
Nitro 1800 Laser, Ballistic Rangefinder | Bushnell
The Bushnell Nitro 1800 Ballistic Rangefinder brings Bluetooth compatibility for use with a smartphone or Kestrel, opening up a wide range of features. Shop today.
www.bushnell.com and would buy both again.
I like the Leupold a little more based on its footprint and that I carry it as well when bow hunting.
My only complaint on the Nitro 1800 is the reticle is a little heavy on 1000 yd targets targets, but otherwise performs well.
A step above entry level, but not Terapin or Leica 3500.com price points.
Just bought myself a Vortex Viper HD 3000 for $325 and from all reports it will certainly handle 1000yards. I haven't gotten any field time with it however as I just received it last week. I went through MANY reviews while researching my purchase and the Leupold 1600i came out tops in many reviews I saw.
Athlon Optics Midas 1 Mile Rangefinder
RANGING REFLECTIVE
5 - 1700 yMAGNIFICATION
6xRANGING DEER
800 yFOV ANGULAR
6 DegreesACCURACY
+/- 1 yBATTERY
CR2-3VAppreciate the feedback. I just know that rangefinders tend to oversell the ranges they will work at consistently, so its nice to hear from people that have experience with particular models.I run one of these:
RX-1600i TBR/W
When it comes to versatile, accurate rangefinders, the RX®-1600i TBR®/W is the Jack of all trades. Whether you're dinging steel at incredible distances, tracking down that trophy of a lifetime, or sitting in a stand with a bow, the RX-1600i TBR/W won't let you down.
and one of these:
Nitro 1800 Laser, Ballistic Rangefinder | Bushnell
The Bushnell Nitro 1800 Ballistic Rangefinder brings Bluetooth compatibility for use with a smartphone or Kestrel, opening up a wide range of features. Shop today.
and would buy both again.
I like the Leupold a little more based on its footprint and that I carry it as well when bow hunting.
My only complaint on the Nitro 1800 is the reticle is a little heavy on 1000 yd targets targets, but otherwise performs well.
A step above entry level, but not Terapin or Leica 3500.com price points.
I like the idea of the Vortex as I can get a decent discount. Have looked at the HD4000 but was unaware of the 3000.
I don't seem to be able to find a whole lot of feedback on the accuracy and reliability.
(in best Japanese Ken Watanabe accent)
"This is a GOOD thread. It is time for sake now."
"This is a GOOD thread. It is time for sake now."
If you want to stick with Vortex, they just came out with several new rangefinders, two of which would probably meet your needs very well.
Anyone have any handy links to RF testing? I recall most of them failing miserably to live up to their manufacturer specs unless they were 4 digits $
Your recollection sucks. Or you are referring to 1st generation products and we are way past that now.
My recollection is pretty poor in general. I may have been thinking of these:
precisionrifleblog.com
You searched for rangefinder - PrecisionRifleBlog.com
precisionrifleblog.com 
I have pretty much stopped using hand held rangefinders and switched over to binocular based laser rangefinders. Its way easier to find targets with binocular vison (and animals).
For a value prices option, I like the Sig products:
www.bisontactical.com
For a value prices option, I like the Sig products:
Sig Sauer KILO3000BDX 10X42 MM - Bison Tactical
The Sig Sauer KILO3000BDX 10X42 MM is an advanced lazer range finder providing top of the line tech at an affordable price point.
www.bisontactical.com That is exactly the decision I reached last year. I don't have binoculars or a LRF. I was watching DLO review some LRF binos. I was thinking that would be the way to go.I have pretty much stopped using hand held rangefinders and switched over to binocular based laser rangefinders. Its way easier to find targets with binocular vison (and animals).
For a value prices option, I like the Sig products:
Sig Sauer KILO3000BDX 10X42 MM - Bison Tactical
The Sig Sauer KILO3000BDX 10X42 MM is an advanced lazer range finder providing top of the line tech at an affordable price point.
I didn't pull the trigger, because I can't justify the use (don't have the need) yet for them.
I've gone through quite a few handheld LRFs from Leica, Sig, LTI, and a couple of others. I switched to the Sig binos, but I keep the Vortex 4000 in my bag as a backup for 3 years now. It's been good out past a mile and I picked it up for $425
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I bought a maven rf1 to try out and was quite shocked with the performance. I had 2 targets at a prs match that I just couldn’t get ranges on. There were relatively small and if memory serves me around 600-700 yards. My friend borrowed it and ranged all the steel at another match out to 1400 yards. I think they will be really hard to beat.
I ended up replacing them with kilo 10k binoculars but was very impressed
I ended up replacing them with kilo 10k binoculars but was very impressed
The Leica LRFs typically will meet or exceed the distance they are advertised at.
I have a 2400r (basic model, no ballistics or anything) and it easily ranges to a mile on non-reflective targets.
I have a 2400r (basic model, no ballistics or anything) and it easily ranges to a mile on non-reflective targets.
While I'm lusting after a Sig Kilo 8K-ABS...
The Vortex Razor HD 4000 checks a lot of boxes for a basic LRF at a good price of about $500.
Vortex Razor HD 4000
The Vortex Razor HD 4000 checks a lot of boxes for a basic LRF at a good price of about $500.
Vortex Razor HD 4000
The data it spits out has been dead on out to 2k.
Leica is the only brand I’ve used that consistently ranges well past (as opposed to well under) it’s rated range.
They increase range and features of the CRF model every year or two, so, just like an IPhone, if you’re ok using a model or two older than the newest, you can pick them up for $250-300.
Combine that with great 7x glass and back pocket size, and (for my particular needs) there’s nothing even remotely comparable in value.
Find animal, range animal, ballistics displayed, return to back pocket, shoot.
They increase range and features of the CRF model every year or two, so, just like an IPhone, if you’re ok using a model or two older than the newest, you can pick them up for $250-300.
Combine that with great 7x glass and back pocket size, and (for my particular needs) there’s nothing even remotely comparable in value.
Find animal, range animal, ballistics displayed, return to back pocket, shoot.
This is what everyone wants, I know litz/nick vitalbo did some actual objective testing of LRF's, but beyond that this information almost doesn't exist, you just get shitty youtube "oh looks like it ranges good!!" type reviews
Which are completely worthless
The "rated range", is a misnomer anyways.
There is NO industry standard on what the number is supposed to be for, a 100% reflective target? Square to the laser? A 100% reflective target of a certain size?
THAT'S why you get such a variation in ranging performance, what most people care about is can it range a small non reflective target that isn't facing the user, that's almost the worst case scenario
What does the manufacturer want to print on the box? Yeah, 100% reflective mirror that is aimed right back at the user that is the size of the moon.
Read bryan litz/nick vitalbo books... he actually goes into objective testing of LRF and you start to understand why it's not as simple as "the manufacture lies on the box" type deal
Very true, but my point is, when you buy an XYZ brand 1600 model, you’ll be very lucky to get to 1600 on just the right day and target…
My experience:
When you buy a Leica 1600, 2000, etc., you can EXPECT to range objects further than that.
In other words, most manufacturers over promise and under deliver. Leica under promises and over delivers.
In more recent years, I’m told some other companies have started to do the same.
Well that's exactly what i'm saying.
You ARE going to get 1600 lased on a moon sized 100% reflective target.
What YOU want is for the box to print the worst/average case scenario for ranging.
Has nothing to do with "over promise" under deliver, and more so the consumer has to understand that ONE number alone cannot be used to define the performance of a LRF.
Read Bryan LItzs/Nick Vitalbos treatsies and you will understand why this is the case, it would be great if the industry could come up with a standard and everyone prints a number to that standard, but we're not there yet. Probably never will be.
You’re completely missing my point.
I’m well aware of what’s going on. I don’t need to read a book to understand it. I’ve been using these for a long time. Most of us here know this stuff from actual use over decades, not books or theory.
What I’m saying, is that Leica is different than most companies, in that (other factors being held constant-size of target, humidity, etc.), Leica rangefinders will be labeled more conservatively than the competition.
A Leupold 1200 yard rangefinder will rarely reach 1200 yards in ANY conditions and a Leica 1200 will reach or exceed 1200 in MANY conditions.
I don’t know how to make this any more clear. I’m comparing Leica to other brands from a actual performance vs. stated range perspective. Period.
Disclaimer:
As previously stated, this is MY experience and I know others may have different experience. Also, several companies have started to get better about this, so if I hear someone saying their XYZ brand exceeds expectations, I won’t be surprised.
I’m well aware of what’s going on. I don’t need to read a book to understand it. I’ve been using these for a long time. Most of us here know this stuff from actual use over decades, not books or theory.
What I’m saying, is that Leica is different than most companies, in that (other factors being held constant-size of target, humidity, etc.), Leica rangefinders will be labeled more conservatively than the competition.
A Leupold 1200 yard rangefinder will rarely reach 1200 yards in ANY conditions and a Leica 1200 will reach or exceed 1200 in MANY conditions.
I don’t know how to make this any more clear. I’m comparing Leica to other brands from a actual performance vs. stated range perspective. Period.
Disclaimer:
As previously stated, this is MY experience and I know others may have different experience. Also, several companies have started to get better about this, so if I hear someone saying their XYZ brand exceeds expectations, I won’t be surprised.
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Bringing this back for a sec.
Does anyone know how the Diamonback HD 2000 and the Ranger 1800 compare in terms of resolution under low light?
The Ranger is selling for about $260 right now vs. $299 for the Diamonback. Vortex claims a longer reflective and non-reflective range on the Diamondback. The other features seem mostly similar.
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When you're comparing the MFG specs of 1800 vs. 2000 I'd be hard pressed to think you will see a difference in the field. I've heard the rule 'take mfg specs and cut them in half for real life use'. Is there really a different laser in them with 200yds of granularity? Translation, the Marketing department couldn't come to an agreement so the extra power point slide stayed in the presentation.
The Diamondback claims better glass and coatings, but will have a slightly smaller exit pupil (3.4 mm Vs 3.6 mm) which is better depends on your eyes.
I'm pretty sure the Vortex Razor 4000 will range to 1000. And it's not too expensive.
Others have said this already, spend a little more and get the Sig 3k binos. I've had the Nikon Black 4k LRF and it did okay, but ranging off a hillside I was lucky to get 1200. When a small target was set, if I was stabilized off a tripod, I could get about a mile. With the Sigs, I can usually get a mile or so against a hill, well over 2k when stabilized against a target.
These have suited me very well for my 300 PRC, but I just got my 375, and I'll need longer. I'm either going to go for a Terrapin X, Sig 10k binos, or simply get a Garmin handheld GPS and measure that way.
These have suited me very well for my 300 PRC, but I just got my 375, and I'll need longer. I'm either going to go for a Terrapin X, Sig 10k binos, or simply get a Garmin handheld GPS and measure that way.
