Laser Rangefinder Guide

[PainterJohn]

LEICA CRF 1200= Great value ,great performance,great reliability, great accuracy. Simply LOVE this rangefinder.

I am a hunter........and I NEVER hunt without it.

Equip me with a pair of LaCrosse Alpha Burley 1000's, Cabela's wooltimate windshear, an x-bolt stainless stalker 243, Steiner Predator 8x42's and a Leica CRF 1200 and I will NEVER return home without game unless it is by choice.

HIGHLY RECCOMMEND the LEICA 1200 CRF to all...........Merry X-mas!

 

[tactical squirell]

could not afford the leica, i went for the nikon 1200s.
its easier on the budget. optic is good.
sso far, i'l satisfied.

its for hunting and i always end up taking measures on big objects; its easier than trying to aim on a deer at 600M
usually i will map and range the aera before hunting when possible, i just remember my ranges and set my scope to the average.

theres no fancy illuminated reticle, i think i prefer it that way. the nikon reticle have nothing in the middle, just center the target withing the wweird crosshair. as long as you hold the button it keep telling you the range, when i dont get reading i just moove it around and usually it gives me something.

suposed to go at 1200. . . .didnt test it yet.

if you can afford the leica, it seems to be the best, if you cant, nikon isnt a bad one either.

 

[Clark]

My Lecia CRF1200 was perfect, but I had to let my brother have it.

They don't make them anymore, and so I got a CRF1600, the new model.

They are the same to me. The furthest out I have killed is at 510 yards.

I have lost 3 GPS units while stalking in the pre dawn dark. I have started tethering the rangefinder with a lanyard, so I don't loose it too.

 

[dskinner103]

Thank you for the heads up on the article you referenced. Now, after reading it I am torn between the Leica LRF and the Bushnell Elite 1500. I like the waterproof claim from Bushnell, like my 4200 Elite scope as hunting is not always done in perfect weather but I do not want to regret not saving a little longer for the Leica. So many decisions!!!!!!
Thank you everyone in advance for your input. My hunting and reloading mentor will tell me to buy the Leica after I tell him I posted this article.

 

[JamesnTN]

Here's an in depth review of many of the top rangefinders.

http://precisionrifleblog.com/2013/12/03/rangefinder-binoculars-reviews-field-tests-overall-results-summary/

 

[284winner]

Late chimming in on the rangefinder topic. Not to compare my Nikon 1200 with many of the optically superior ranging units out there but I've loved my 1200 since purchased. It actually ranges roughly 1000 yds on many things non reflective. Ive ranged mail boxes in rural areas from over 700 yards. Ground hog burrows on hill sides. Large trees and land marks near shooting locations. I've been very satisfied with this product. For the $$$ I think it's a steal. Looking to upgrade soon. Just because this as a 10+ year old unit.

 

[Nvreloader]

Texas

I am running a 1200 Newcon RF,
Have been using it since they hit the market several yrs ago,
Has numerous kills out to 800yds with Rock chucks sitting on Granite boulders, Coyotes out to 660yds sitting in the Sage brush,
Deer, Speed Goats and Elk out to 550yds+ etc.

It works better than my son's Bushnell etc.
One thing is to have a new battery at the start of hunting season,
works very well in Hot or Cold weather.

YMMV,

Tia,
Don

 

[L W P]

Here is a great deal on range finders, picked one up yesterday. http://www.brownells.com/optics-mounting/rangefinders/elite-1-mile-conx-rangefinder-prod107245.aspx

 

[T-shooter]

I took a chance and bought an off-brand rangefinder from Amazon figuring I'd send if back if it didn't meet expectations. A Uineye for $175. I got the highest rated one which is suppose to be good out to 1,950 yards. I don't know about that but I have measured just over 1,800 yards several times and it is accurate to the yard from what I can see on Google Earth measuring from point to point. At that distance (a house) I had to use a tripod. I have measured out to 1,350 yards handheld and it's repeatable. On closer distances, at 100 and 200 yards, it's within a foot and those locations were measured with a 150' tape measure. Also have a built in level and had 8X magnification. I couldn't be happier with it. Only thing that needs improved is a lighted viewfinder.

 

[Flouncer]

I took a chance and bought an off-brand rangefinder from Amazon figuring I'd send if back if it didn't meet expectations. A Uineye for $175. I got the highest rated one which is suppose to be good out to 1,950 yards. I don't know about that but I have measured just over 1,800 yards several times and it is accurate to the yard from what I can see on Google Earth measuring from point to point. At that distance (a house) I had to use a tripod. I have measured out to 1,350 yards handheld and it's repeatable. On closer distances, at 100 and 200 yards, it's within a foot and those locations were measured with a 150' tape measure. Also have a built in level and had 8X magnification. I couldn't be happier with it. Only thing that needs improved is a lighted viewfinder.

I also bought a Unieye off Amazon and tested it against objects later confirmed with Google Earth GPS at 1,000 yards. I have not used it to make a game shot with. But IMHO some of the high end units are throwing away about $0.90 on the dollar if you only need a simple single function accurate range finder. I haven't dropped it on rocks, submerged it, stepped on it or thrown it yet but so far working as advertised. It's 8x and only has one single function, on or off. I don't need a $800 lens on a plastic range finder that fits in my pocket.

 

[KY_Windage]

Quality of glass matters! I recently got a Leica 2400 for $550 and I am delighted with it.

 

[nilebartram]

I had a Nikon but with my aging eyes, I went to Leica. The glass is way superior, bright , clear, true to color and accurate. nilebartram

 

[ronsatspokane]

Wow, old thread. How times and technology have changed. I picked up Sig Kilo 2000 last year. First test was ranging a house across the valley. It reported ~1800 yards. Backed up 20 yards, ranged again, it reported 20 yards more. These things have come a long ways from the days when a 1000 yard range finder would only report 1000 yards if you were pointing at a very reflective surface. Usually 600 yards at best if the surface did not absorb the beam.

 

[338 dude]

I'm looking to buy a laser rangefinder before too long and am interested in the Leupold RX-1000 TBR. Has any body used or bought one of these yet, how does it compare to others. I've not seen any reviews on it other than the ads that Leupold puts out.

I’ve had one for quite some time while it works OK I had trouble trying to range a deer past 450 or 500 yards and as far as a true ballistic range there are three or four categories that certain cartridges fit in no way to adjust for BC or velocity so that part of it is not all that accurate either As I said I’ve had mine for years I don’t know if there is a newer version out at the moment or not I have a gun works G7 BR two for rifle hunting I just use a Leupold for bow hunting now

 

[VaRandy]

Gentlemen,

If you haven't checked out the main page lately, here's the link to our latest feature--a very lengthy guide to premium Laser Rangefinders, including a TECH section.

http://www.6mmbr.com/rangefinders.html

The Swarovski came out on top, but we've provided some darn good reasons to spend less on competing products if you don't need 1200+ yard ranging.

Thanks to Chris Matthews for writing up his field tests with a half-dozen sample in the Wyoming high country.

This tome is over 8000 words, and probably represents 70 man-hours,not counting field testing time). But I guarantee you'll learn something new,hint: beam divergence is key).

 

[VaRandy]

Would like to see if anyone in the US has had their hands on the Kahles rangefinder?

 

[VaRandy]

Hope someone is available to bring this post up to date. Units mentioned and evaluated were back to 2007. It is now 2020 and much has happened in the meantime.

 

[Ackman]

Gentlemen,



This tome is over 8000 words, and probably represents 70 man-hours,not counting field testing time). But I guarantee you'll learn something new,hint: beam divergence is key).

Yes. Ranging small things on the ground, from a standing height, beam divergence makes all the difference.....the smaller the better.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

A few years ago I needed some new bino's. I purchased a pair of Leica range fining bino's. Don't know how I ever got along w/o em..

 

[nilebartram]

I have had two Leica range finders ,LRF 900 and the 1200 and I still have them. The optic's are great for the aging eye. Had a Nikon for the bow, was not as clear and bright as the Leica's. nilebartram