Rangefinders

[thehuntshack]

I am thinking about getting a new rangefinder and am looking at either the Bushnell Legend ARC 1200 or the Nikon Monarch Gold 1200. I am hoping to be able to range game out pretty far and notice the Bushnell says deer only out to 450. Does anyone have any experience with these and is there one in the same general price range that might range game a little better and farther. What is the best ramge anyone has seen on either of these for game. Thanks

 

[riverwolf1]

This is just my opinion, I started out with a Bushnell Yardage Pro 1000.It was a nice unit and worked well for me for a couple of years and I sold it to a friend, and bought a Leupold with all the bells and whistles, but found that you almost needed a college degree to operate it! Then while at a shoot in Raton, NM one of the vendors had a Swarovski and it was absolutely beautiful, clear and I was ranging things to 1500 yds!
the price was about 800.00. Then I looked through a Leica 1200 crf and it was also a quality device and for about 700.00 so that is what I bought. I have been usiing it for about 3 years with no problems. It is small and compact and about the size of a pack of cigarettes. I think that the clarity of the Leica and Swarovski are superior to all others! Once again just my opinion,for what its worth.

 

[thehuntshack]

Thanks Gary, I looked at those and they are awesome but a little out of my price range. I spoke with some tech guys on rangefinders and they said for animals getting much over 500 yards was not likely, is this what you have found? They said trees and such good to about 800 and then heavy big and solid objects could go over 1000, so for long shots to look for trees or bigger objects in the vicinity of the animal. I have never had a rangefinder before and just shot off the cuff but thought I would give one a try, older age seems to be a factor in long range estimates The Bushnell sounds pretty good with good options, I have a pair of Bushnell Binos and love them, they are as good any I have used or had but since I have no experience with rangefinders I wanted some opinions from others who have the experience.
John

 

[riverwolf1]

Hi John,
Yes the tech's are right it is difficult at best ranging things the farther they are away and yes I do find that if i pick out a larger object near the animal and range off of it that works great.Like any or most tools everything has it's limitations and rangefinders are no exception. You also have to take in a number of other factors like altitude weather,and your own abilities.My hunting buddy isn't comfortable with shooting past 200 yards, but since I know my rifle and load and shoot it regularly at 500 yds, I am comfortable when a long range shot presents itself, but if you feel you can't make a clean kill, don't take the shot. Been great chatting with you hope you enjoy your new rangefinder which ever one you decide on.

 

[PHINPAD]

Re: Range finders

I have a set of Bushnell Legend ARC 1200 and if I had not picked them up cheap would be disappointed with them.
Firstly, the optics are not that great, with the reflection of the circuit boards showing when you look through them.
I have found that they will pick up a man size target out to 300 yards reasonable quickly but past that the target needs to be a lot bigger, of the right colour and at the right angle. Perhaps this is true of all range finders, I don't know.
I was on the sea front last weekend where all the houses were white (the ideal colour) and I was unable to get a reading of anything past 950 yards. This surprised and disappointed me, I have yet to get a reading past this distance.
I found the instructions very easy to use and once set up for your calibre there is very little to do other than point and press. There is no Off button but they appear to time out quick enough.
All in all I would not recommend them unless you pick up a pair at a really good price and have seen the rest. I would suggest trying to get access to both these and Leupold's before spending your money. Also be aware that Bushnell are currently facing court action re the use of the ARC, which may have some impact on sales/service in the future.

Dave

 

[wapiti25]

I had a bushnell that cost me a 330-340 class elk that I could not range, I've bought the Leupold RX-IV. I have ranged elk at 600 with it. Animals do not give a good return to the laser so buy a unit that has a much longer range than you think you will need. My unit is rated for 1500yds but trees at 900 and deer 800yds.

 

[jlmurphy]

I have been researching rangefinders for a while on different target and tactical forums. What I have found is that the Swarovski was the best and most expensive, followed by the Leica, both having great glass. Everything else is about half the money. I bought the Bushnell 1500 Elite, based solely on performance for price. I have ranged the Leica 1200 and the Bushnell 1500 side by side, the Bushnell was capable of ranging farther. I don't feel it is a quality piece, but it does have more power.

 

[eagleI]

I have the Bushnell 1500 Elite in mossy oak the one for 499 at Acadamy. I worked Great the farthest I read was 1745yds on a house, I didn't believe it so I took out my rifle and Milled it with the Mil-dot and did the math. I measured a window on my house and milled a like window and was right on. Wow. So far I have read everything I have aimed at and have been right on. The only problem was trying to use it with the sun faceing me didn't work and the light inside at night was not very good. I really like the 8x magnification and the glass was as clear as I need it. If I ever just really want to spend the money then I will get a Swarovski. But past 1000yds if I ever need to shoot that far and anything closer I still have my Mil-Dots.

 

[rustycj8]

I have the Leica and while I have not used anything else ( it was a Xmas gift) I have read a lot of threads on the subject. It keeps repeating itself that the Swarovski is the best and most expensive and the Leica is a great piece for less money. All others seem to pale in comparison to the Swaro and Leica. Just my 2 cents. Dave

 

[CoverDog]

+1 for the Leica's. I purchased a lightly used 1200 LRF Scan model here from a member and could not be happier. Optical clearity is excellent.

IMO I would shop for a used pair, you'll get much more for your money.

 

[Stoner25mkiv]

suck it up and pay the 599.99 for the Leica 1200 CRF, you won't be sorry. I've had 2 of them and have compared many others, side by side, out on the prairie of SD where there is very little to range off of. It's one thing to say I've ranged a house or a car, another to say a particular range finder will read an animal or clump of grass at any particular distance. The cheaper rangers have a larger beam divergence (sp), which makes it hard to know what it is actually picking up on, when trying to range a small object at distance. I've never had a Swavorski side by side with a Leica, but from what you read in the evaluations it is top notch. Oh, and if you're wondering why I've had two Leicas....it's because somewhere out in Dewey or Zeibach counties of SD there is a treasure to be found. That hurt!