I agree with this. Ranging gets a lot better when you tripod mount them. I have my rangefinder mounted on my glass on a tripod. When I see something it is a matter of looking into rangefinder and pushing the button. I had a Swarovski and it worked well most times to around 1500 yards. Then I got a Terrapin and it is good to 2000 plus on most days. Most of the rangefinders suffer in snow, rain and fog. Matt
What Range Finder would you recommend
- Thread starter sstkmkrr
- Start date
I use my Zeiss for big game and it has never failed me at the ranges, (max for me is 800 yds,) I will shoot at animals. Not much love for the Zeiss but, I like mine and that's enough.
If your sitting I a spot for a little while and hunting from shooting tables, it's hard to beat a Swiss Wilde or other type optical rangefinder. They are also considerably cheaper than some of the high end laser rangefinders and from my perspective they work better for groundhog/ . They will range a big flat field easily with a little practice. I've got a ziess laser and I use it for hunting deer and to verify my Wilde when I first setup. They pop up on eBay from time to time.
I have a Leica 1200 Rangemaster and it worked fairly consistenly out to about 900 yards. Anything past that was a question as it was based on how steady you could hold it. It also would not range close yardages such as 20 yards and in. I never could get it to range prairie dogs in South Dakota.
Enter the Sig Kilo 2000. For less than $500, this range finder has capability and features found in much more expensive rangefinders (think Vectronix here). Right out of the box, I was ranging things at 1400 yards with ease. The angle feature (AMR) is nice as it the incredible speed in which it returns distance. It makes the Leica look like it processing range at Commodore Vic 20 speeds. The optics are quite as clear as the Leica but are clear enough to find objects to range....Items in view seem to have somewhat of a blue hue to them. Time will tell how well it will work but first impressions are that my Leica will be replaced.
Enter the Sig Kilo 2000. For less than $500, this range finder has capability and features found in much more expensive rangefinders (think Vectronix here). Right out of the box, I was ranging things at 1400 yards with ease. The angle feature (AMR) is nice as it the incredible speed in which it returns distance. It makes the Leica look like it processing range at Commodore Vic 20 speeds. The optics are quite as clear as the Leica but are clear enough to find objects to range....Items in view seem to have somewhat of a blue hue to them. Time will tell how well it will work but first impressions are that my Leica will be replaced.
Tried my boys SIG KILO great value. It ranged out to 2000 yds in a hurry. We were hitting tree branches at about 200yds. This is a one that I will buy if I sell my Leupold. Any body want to buy a Leupold TBR in real good condition?
Steve , here's my experience with LRF's . Most of them I tried were good to about 3/4 of the stated Maximum distance . Since almost all of my shooting was for Pdogs , my experience is mostly in bright sunlight . I never had much problem with semi-flat terrain . The Leica 1200 was good out to about 900 Yards or so . The Swarovski LRF goes way beyond that . I wanted to go to 1000 Yards plus and the Swaro goes to 1500 Yards plus ...which is way beyond where I would be shooting if I ever make it out West again ..... which now seems unlikely . The Leica was also more sensitive ( than the Swaro ) to very bright sunlight conditions . I did prefer the ergonomics of the Leica better ( sighting reticle shape and color , feel in hand . etc .) . Some folks like the smaller Laser "Field / Targeting Area ) dispersion of the Leica , but shooting long distance I have always found something right near the Pdog location I could sight on . Anyway , Long Range Wind Effects to me over-rides a ranging distance error of a few Yards . The Leica 1600 was not available when I bought last ( if I remember correctly ) , and would be right at the top of my choices today . As was mentioned previously , the Sig Kilo 2000 has some great write-ups by owners and is a lot cheaper than a Leica 1600 or the Swaro LRF ( I'm not talking about the big bucks Swaro Bino LRF ) . The Sig runs right around $400 if you shop around , and ( I think ) compensates for big changes in Elevation between the Shooter and the Target . Bottom Line : the Swaro does everything that I need , but I would sure check out the Sig if I were buying today . I should mention that I purchased the Swaro when it first came out , and I got two duds before I got a good one . However , Swaro. Service was excellent .
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I tested a few over the years. I agree with xring that the Swaro was the best till I got a Terrapin. One thing about all the lasers was, if it was tripod mounted they worked better. I mounted them on the side of my Kowa Highlanders. That way whatever I was looking at I could range. Rain and fog can make them not read. Matt
powderbrake
Gold $$ Contributor
I used the Lieca 1200 on prairie dogs for years, they switched to the Lieca rangefinding binoculars. It is much easier and faster to locate and range with the binocs.
At sig in NH. Only had the one in stock. They are offered on amazon.
Sig Sauer Kilo 2000 7x25 Laser Range Finding Monocular, Graphite https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UZ88E1E/?tag=accuratescom-20
i have the lieca hd binos 10x42 glass is great ranging is good i would say better than the chart above.my problem is i am color blind and in sunny conditions i cant see the box or read the numbers but the glass is to good to replace for what it would cost. so i carry a lieca 1600 i can always see it.also own a terapin vectronix and have seen nothing yet that compares to it unless you get a better vectronix. thats my take on it.Cody
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