Leica 1200 real world measurements!

[AckleyImproved]

Hi

I had this posted under the Optics, but it just made its way down to where nobody see's it.

Therefore I'll try here under main message board. Sorry!

What is the real world measurements obtainable used the Leica 1200 rangefinder??

example... slightly hilly, not much though, grass terrain. whats the maximum distance achievable? Will it give a reading to 600yds.. or am I dreaming???

What about on a dead flat grass field... maximum reading!

Its time to update my rangefinder for some serious varmint popping!

Thanks

Ackley Improved

 

[AckleyImproved]

So the Leica is sounding real good???? Anyone else out there with any facts or reviews on the Leica 1200??

Ackley Improved

 

[JamesnTN]

I copied this off of another site.


All laser rangefinders have a maximum computational limit plus limits for various targets depending on their reflectivity, size, and enviromental conditions like sunlight and smog.

The Impulse 100 XL by Laser Technology has a computational limit of 2200 meters which is a bit over 2400 yards. In broad daylight "soft" targets like trees can be reliably measured to about a mile. Near sunset I've measured individual trees right up to the computational limit with mine, though that's dependent of the kind of tree. It's solid anytime to 2400 yards off of reflective targets. Furry critters,deer for example) are poor reflectors of infrared light. You're better off ranging a tree or bush they're standing near. The Impulse is handheld but a bit bulky to carry long distances in the field. I believe it's the same rangefinder sold by Lamsa and NAIT with the difference being the label and the aiming scope. They look the same. Another feature I like about this rangefinder is that it has a Weaver style rail. By puttiing a night vision scope on the rail it works on moonless nights to it's full range. It has an easy to read backlit LCD display. Price is close to $2000. I lucked out and got a used one on ebay for $1050
http://www.geosolution.com/LTI_Impulse.htm

The Leica 1200 is a very good rangefinder but it has a computational limit of about 1220 yards. The good side is that it's sensitive enought to usually be able to work to that distance off of soft objects like trees. It has better sensitivity than any of the Asian rangefinders I've tried. I haven't tried the newer "scan" version but that should make it even easier to find reflective targets. If you can live with the 1220 yard limit it's a "best buy" in my opinion. It's LED readout is easy to see at night but after sunset it's hard to see targets. That's true of most laser rangefinders. The LRF-1200 is about $500 and in my opinion the "best buy" of the compact handheld's.

There are several Asian rangefinders which have a 1500 yard computational limit. I have a Bushnell Yardage Pro 1000. Off trees or similar objects it's good to about 750 yards. It has a "scan" feature and would have even less range without it. Off a surveyors corner cube reflector it works solidly to 1500 yards. I got mine from a discount house for $275.

My oldest rangefinder is a Leica Geovid. I paid over $2400 for it when it was the only civilian laser rangefinder on the market. It's a decent set of binoculars, but any of the above outperform it as a rangefinder. It's reliable off of trees to about 600 meters and works to it's 999 meter limit off a retroreflector. Leica has introduce the BRF 10x40 binoculars and claims a renge of 1300 yards with a price of about $1600. I haven't tried them and probably won't since I have the Impulse.

Surplus military laser rangefinders are hard to find. There were some Russian artillary rangefinders imported to the US in the 1990's and sold for $2500-$4000. Those had pulsed YAG lasers with a range of 20km and an accuracy of about 5 meters. They could be used handheld but were too heavy to carry any distance. They are definitely not eyesafe. I've never seen a complete AN/PVS-6,MELIOS) on the surplus market, though parts for various US rangefinders show up occasionally on ebay.

 

[shcal]

Lynn:

Is your Leica 1200 a new scan model? I recently purchased the 1200 scan model and with the button depressed you can hold the red square over the taget farily easily. I have not tried the pre-scan models so I don't know how they work, but the new scan mechanism seems to work well for me.

 

[jarhead1104]

I have a pair of the 1200's and really like them. I have ranged large objects at over 1000 yards and the scan feature is a nice addition.

 

[6BR4U2]

I would have to agree with james that for the money your getting the best value per dollar....mine has gone to a little over 1200 on juniper trees ...took several tries with a steady rest to work and it was a cloudy day...has worked on cows out to 650 .....It takes a thick tree or something by something else, that's big enough to reflect at any extended range ...optics are very clear

 

[Caduceus]

I have an older Leica LRF800 non-scan model and I do not recommend it. Whilst the optics,optic?) are great, the readout is bright and the performance is repeatable up to the designed range, the lack of the scan function is a serious drawback on small distant targets.

Imagine trying to shoot a distant varmint offhand with a rifle which had a 10lb trigger pull and you'll understand what I mean. Pushing the button to range a target causes the reticle to jump around too much. Furthermore, it doesn't have a tripod mount so you can't use that to try and steady it either.

I'll be selling or trading it for a pair of Leica BRF's sometime soon. I need a good pair of Binos anyway.

 

[vegeta]

I have used my Leica 1200 scan in Wyoming with excellent results. I was able to range when other rangefinders were unable to. I have not tried to range beyond 600 yards or so but so far it out performs my friends rangefinders by quite a bit.

Interestingly I received a pair of Leica Geovids as a Christmas present so I can do some head to head testing. However, the rangefinder in the Geovid is the same as the 1200 or so I have heard. So far I have ranged out to 800 yards with the Geovid. The optics are the best I have ever used, but this should be tempered by the fact that this is really the only pair of binocs I own. So far I like the Geovid much more than the 1200 because it is a binolcular and a LOT easier to get on target.

Bobby

 

[alg]

I´m currently using a leica 900 scan;can range up to 850 m. but under very sunny/bright conditions, this is reduced to some 650 m.

The scan feature is very handy.

 

[savet06]

I have a 900 and was able to range a barn at 985yds during full bright daylight. I was able to range a turkey vulture at 685 yards again in full daylight. Mine is a newer model with the scan function, and it works very well. Optics are very clear, and I agree that you need to hold very steady in order to get a reading. Very happy with the purchase.
Happened to look through a swarovski the same day I bought the leica....there really is a difference between the two,though I don't know if I can rationalize another $300).
Mike

 

[BountyHunter]

FYI

Just a word of caution on any surplus military rangefinder that is offered for sale. They are being offered in violation of US law.

US Mftrs have to sign agreements that military rangefinders will not be sold at any point to the general public, particularily surplus. Absolutely zero of the Russian rangefinders you occasionally see for sale, are imported into the US legally. Most are brought into Canada and then brought illegally into the US. If it is US mftr military laser, it is stolen from the military guaranteed.

The FDA,of all agencies) covers lasers and I had to talk to an FDA investigator about a Russian laser I saw for sale on the internet after I mentioned that to a mftr rep here at Quantico at a vendor expo a couple years ago. The mftrs really have their feet held to the fire on this and they cruise the internet looking for military grade lasers/rangefinders for sale and routinely turn them in to the FDA.

They are not eyesafe and can damage eyes at quite a long distance.

Bottom line, is if it is military grade, buy at your own risk.

BH

 

[mikeinct]

I use the Lieca 1200 with the scan feature..no trouble at high noon laser ranging Groundhogs on bright sunny days..I love that unit...I used it for a whole week from 200 out to 600 yds no trouble...easy to use...light enough to carry with you too..highly reccomended..Tested it to 1000yds in the early morning, but sadly no Groundhogs at those extended ranges...mike in ct