Low Cost Range Finder

K

kentactic

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Dec 26, 2010
422
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38
Southern, CA
#1
hey guys... i didnt find what i was looking for in the search engine. bassically im looking for a "decent" range finder in the $300 dollars and below range. maybe they all suck at that price but im just looking for the best i can get in that range. or.... if its a major benefit.. lets say $600 is my limit. and what do i gain over the $300 ones. any suggestions are appreciated.

-Kenny
 
#2
Re: Low Cost Range Finder

It really depends on how far you need to reach. I have an older Lieca 900. It does great out ot its' limit, most of the time. I have ranged past 900 several time on certain objects. The other day, I was trying to go what must have been past 1000. If I would have had a flat rock wall, I think it would have worked, but there was only a Pine tree at 938. I could not get a fix on a rock approximately 4' in dia. that was past it a ways. It usually takes a few tries to get something past 800, mostly because it is hard to hold steady enough to get a good return. I have heard good things about the Bushnells. they seem to work pretty good for the money. The Leupolds seem to be finicky. Everyone will have their own story. If you are trying to go any distance, you will need to pony up, at least close to you $600 limit.
 
#5
Re: Low Cost Range Finder

Bushnell Elite 1500. They're not the best LRF on the market, but they're pretty dang good for the money. The little light they put in there to work in lowlight conditions doesn't really do much. The display is in black, but unless it's night, you can usually work with it and see it. Even if you take a reading and hold it up to see the reading on a lighter area like the sky. The glass isn't bad, and it gives accurate readings well past 1,000 yards. I've never tried to range a reflective target further than 1200 yards, but I've gotten returns on buildings at 1187 yards. I've seen reports of people getting hits at much further ranges on reflective targets. For the money they're pretty hard to beat. If you're breaking up to the $600 mark, you could get you a Leica 1200 CRF. They're more compact, red display, so easier to see in the dark, and probably a bit faster return. It's still quite a bit more money to get one over the Bushnell Elite 1500. The Leica does have better glass, but from what I've heard you won't stretch it out as far as the Bushnell Elite. Both are good options, and something for you to check out, they're kind of "different tier" products. Hope that helps.
 
#6
Re: Low Cost Range Finder

I use an older model Leica 1200. I love everything about it. The quality of the glass and accuracy of ranging are top class. It's the model that is horizontal vs. the new vertical ones. You can hold it like binoculars and get a steadier hold for long range. They are listed in the optics section here quite frequently. They have been selling close to your price limit, usually under.
Also mentioned are the Busnells. I havn't used them but they have been getting good reviews from the majority of the users here. I would recommend either of these, just watch the optics section on here.
 
#9
Re: Low Cost Range Finder

I got a Bushnell Yardage Pro 800 when they first came out about ten years ago. It has been used for hunting, measuring fence lines, been in and outta packs, thrown on the truck seat, bounced to the floor, left in direct sunlight, soaked by rain, you get the idea. The only failure came about five years ago when the short distance mode quit working but it will still give correct readings for short distances on the regular ops mode. Glass is decent. The display is easy to see. Battery life has been good. It is light in weight. It will take hard use at least this one has.

I know you specified a minumum of 800 yds. and it will do that on large reflective objects. I have no need for that so what it will do on game size objects is more important to me. I just stepped out back and lased a 20" tree trunk at 692yds, a 14" tree trunk at 576yds (may have been off of background but it repeated three times) and a horse at 380yds. I have used them many times to range elk out to just short of 600yds.

These say Made In China and considering the passage of time they may well now be made by a different contractor so YRMV. Current price about $180.00. I've been looking at the 1600 Fusion binoculars and with the exception of an ARC feature can not, as yet, justify them.
 
#10
Re: Low Cost Range Finder

I had the Bushnell Elite 1500 ARC and they were great for my usage. Hit 1100 very consistent on game. IMO, it's probably the best distance you're going to get for least amount of money.

I sold mine used here for like $250 IIRC just a couple months ago and someone a few weeks before me sold theirs used for $300. Both buyers got a great deal.

I sold mine because I got the 1600 FUSION for Christmas and couldn't be happier. You have to think about it as getting two items for the price of one to really see the value.
If you already have a pair of HIGH quality binoculars, then I would suggest something along the lines of a Leica LRF. If your binocs are only "good" then I would suggest selling them for a few bucks and getting the Bushnell Fushion 1600's
I stopped by Cabelas and the optics guy let us (my cousin and I) take both the 1600 FUSION 10x42s and Leica Geovid 8x42s outside to test and compare.
The Leica was the clear winner in glass clarity, but the Bushnell LRF dominated in range finding ability.

IMO, being able to get a LRF that can consistently hit beyond 1500 METERS and double as your daily use binocs is a no brainer. (I've lased the side of a grass hill at 1681 meters, the tops of telephone poles to avoid getting a false reading at beyond 1400 meters and even flying black birds out of the air at beyond 200 meters)
With the Leica, you're dropping more than $2000. The Bushnell can be had for around $700, and the best part...you only have to carry around one unit instead of two.
 
#15
Re: Low Cost Range Finder

I picked up a Nikon Manarch 1200 that has really been working well for me. I was able to range a full sized buffalo silhouette steal target out to 1120 yards. I get more readings on that than I do the older Leica 1200 that my work issued me. It's simple, compact, and can be had for around $370.
 
#16
Re: Low Cost Range Finder

I picked up a Nikon Laser 1000A S, I really like the features. It will calculate actual distance regardless of inclines or declines.
 
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