Range finder recommendation
- Thread starter muleman69
- Start date
Ledd Slinger
Silver $$ Contributor
Fair enough. But once you use a high end optics in the field, you’ll never go back to using anything cheaper. The more you use high end optics in the field with varying lighting and weather conditions, the more you start to truly realize the difference in the glass. Can never see the benefits playing with them for a few minutes in a store against other cheaper glass.
In my opinion Meopta is the only mid priced glass that comes really close to Leica and Swarovski glass at a much more affordable price. You get what you pay for with the rest of the rabble.
Just so happens that Meopta finally released a RF bino. I’ve been thinking about picking one up for my son to see how well it performs. I know the glass will be excellent and a big step above the rest of the competition for the price point.
Ledd Slinger
Silver $$ Contributor
I was thumbing around on Brownells tonight to grab a couple items and noticed they have the Leica 2700-B rangefinder (with “ABC” ballistics calculator) on sale for $599. Don’t think you’ll find a better handheld rangefinder at that price point. And this rangefinder is also marked with the Brownells “Guaranteed Forever” purchase protection.
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Yup. They all work fine in the store, but try ranging p-dog mounds when the ground is real dry. Best of all is the Leica Geovid binos, but I don't want binos, I want a small "pocket" RF. My Leica 2400 is the next best thing. I gave my Vortex RF away once I got the Leica. Not in the same league at all.
I am with LS here I've had my Leica Geovid 8x42 bino rangefinder since they were first introduced. Over the years it served me very well, not a lick of problem. The lens quality is at par with my Zeiss and Optolyth spotters. Besides being a little heavy for its size, it is very handy, it stays sort of permanently in my hunting day pack. I don't see ever changing brand if I were to replace it with more modern features. 3200.com might be in my future for all its bells and whistles.
Coyotefurharvester
Silver $$ Contributor
If I was going to spend more than 600 on a rangefinder it would not be a monocular. I would go binoculars. I haven't made the leap because we often have temps below 10 while hunting and most diodes will not function well. So I am staying with my Sig 2000.
muleman69
USMC -1st marine Div. RVN
Ledd Slinger
Silver $$ Contributor
I was using my Leica Geovid 3200.com at -19F last year in the high country with no issues whatsoever. Not sure about other brands
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For $1200 you will not get anything better than the Vortex Fury HD 5000. I have owned a quite a few and used a bunch more, these are the best LRF around. The laser is excellent and fast, the glass is pretty good and the warranty is better than we deserve.
Have you tried those Meopta LRF that Ledd Slinger posted? If so is the Vortex pair better in your opinion?
I believe these two fit my budget and I have had my hands on the Vortex Fury HD 5000.
Ledd Slinger
Silver $$ Contributor
I think it would boil down to what’s more important. Glass or rangefinder power?
But also consider that the ranging capability of the Meopta will go much farther than anyone should ever even dream of shooting at any animal. Probably farther than most people will ever shoot at a paper or steel target as well. So although the RF is not as powerful as the Vortex or some others, it’s not lacking in power by any means considering it will range targets at 1.6 miles out. And I’d wager money that the Meopta has better glass than anything else in its price point.
In hunting you will spend 98% of the time glassing with an RF bino just like you would a standard bino so for me, the best glass I can afford is the most important factor. My Leica 3200.com may not range as far as the some other brands either, but the glass is far superior to anything in a cheaper price point and is an absolute pleasure to use with the amazingly crisp resolution and vivid color contrast that make animals pop out from their background like no other glass I have ever seen. My 3200.com will pick up non-reflective targets reliably out to 2700-2900 yards (much farther on reflective targets) but anything that ranges much farther than about 2000 yards is not actually very practical in real world situations.
Here are a few reviews of the Meopta MeoPro LR.
www.gunsamerica.com
www.gunsamerica.com
But also consider that the ranging capability of the Meopta will go much farther than anyone should ever even dream of shooting at any animal. Probably farther than most people will ever shoot at a paper or steel target as well. So although the RF is not as powerful as the Vortex or some others, it’s not lacking in power by any means considering it will range targets at 1.6 miles out. And I’d wager money that the Meopta has better glass than anything else in its price point.
In hunting you will spend 98% of the time glassing with an RF bino just like you would a standard bino so for me, the best glass I can afford is the most important factor. My Leica 3200.com may not range as far as the some other brands either, but the glass is far superior to anything in a cheaper price point and is an absolute pleasure to use with the amazingly crisp resolution and vivid color contrast that make animals pop out from their background like no other glass I have ever seen. My 3200.com will pick up non-reflective targets reliably out to 2700-2900 yards (much farther on reflective targets) but anything that ranges much farther than about 2000 yards is not actually very practical in real world situations.
Here are a few reviews of the Meopta MeoPro LR.
Meopta Optika LR 10x42 HD w/Rangefinder Tested & Compared
Meopta has long had a great reputation for quality European glass at reasonable prices. So, you can imagine how excited I was to learn that they were introducing the Meopta Optika LR 10x42 HD Rangefinding binos. I've been field testing them since they came out and can say they are a solid option.
See It Far, Hit It Long: Meopta's MeoPro Optika LR 10x42 Rangefinding Binoculars
Meopta is pleased to introduce the MeoPro Optika LR series. Available in 10×42 HD and 8×50 HD models.
First Look: MeoPro Optika LR Rangefinding Binoculars
MeoPro Optika LR laser rangefinding binoculars are available in 10x42 and 8x50 and are capable of ranging 2,600 to 2,950 yards respectively.
gundigest.com
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I have not seen them in person, so cannot help you there. I will tell you that the Vortex rangefinding is as good or better than anything out there. You would really need to spend a lot more money ($4-$10k) the get better performance. It's good on steel, trees, critters, etc. If ranging is the #1 priority, Vortex Fury 5000 for sure.
When it comes to the glass, there are better. But that's always the case with glass. If great glass + ranging is what you need, the budget will need to start at $3k. I base this on fast accurate ranging out to 2k yards and glass good enough to make your friends jealous. Zeiss, Leica and Swaro (inside 1000y) in that order.
We are lucky to have this many quality choices in rangefinders.
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