What RangeFinder

[fredhorace77]

I am in need of a range finder...i have never owned one so this one will be a first for me...needing it to range a coyote at 600yrds and under. price is not a factor as im looking to purchase once....cry once. i will be carrying this unit with me on calling stands

 

[Forum Boss]

The Zeiss Victory, Leica CRF, and Swaro LaserGuide we have tested. They all work very well. The Leica is small enough to fit in a pocket, but because of its small size, it is harder to aim with precision. The Swaro has an issue when attached to a tripod, because of its two-part design. I prefer the Zeiss aiming point over the Swaro's.

We also tested a lower-priced Bushnell and a Leupold and the beam divergence was significantly worse with both. Consequently they would not range a deer-sized object (we actually used a mounted life-size bushbuck for testing), much past 400 yards with any consistency. The Bushnell we had was very disappointing.

I haven't tested the Vectronix units, but they are highly regarded. Pricey though -- starting at $1995.00.

EuroOptic.com now has the CRF1600 on sale for $649.00, normally $799.00 it offers angle read-out. The Zeiss does not. The $649.00 Zeiss does offer a Ballistic hold-over feature.

At $649.00 my first choice would be the Zeiss (11 ounces) because I like the controls, the monocular is very bright, and most importantly it is the right size, width, and shape to hold steady. This makes is easier to aim precisely than the Leica CRF. I do understand why some hunters prefer the ultra-compact, 7.8 ounce Leica CRF.

You should hold the Zeiss and the Leica in your hands, try ranging small objects, and make up your own mind. 3 out of our 4 test helpers preferred the Zeiss over the Leica. None of the 4 would by the Swaro give the current $999.00 price. It simply doesn't do anything better than the Zeiss or the Leica.

I want to make a comment about claimed yardages with LRFs. Yes we can take a CRF, mount it rigidly with bungees on a tripod and range a barn or a large water tower at 1200 yards+. But that is a very different than ranging a coyote at 700 yards. If you can't aim the LRF with great precision you'll get a reading at 800 yards, but it may not be what you think. I think the practical ranging limit for the under $1000 units is about 750-800 yards on a deer-sized target, and on some days, you can't even do that reliably due to mirage, dust etc.

 

[40X Guy]

Forum Boss covered it very good. I currently own the Leica CRF 1200 and absolutely love it. It is small enough to carry in your pocket and is quick and reliable. As mentioned you have to be pretty still to range something or have some kind of rest.


Frank

 

[effendude]

I really like my older Leica. Looking through the less expensive models was like looking through dirty sunglasses. I use it for both bowhunting and rifle hunting. At longer distances, you typically have much better luck getting readings off reflective targets such as rocks or terrain features near game, not the game animal itself.

I did get to play with the new Gunwerks rangefinder this spring while grizzly hunting in Alaska. It was an impressive unit, but hiking 5 to 20 miles a day, I was glad to be carrying my Leica and the guide had the Gunwerks unit.
Scott

 

[fredhorace77]

Amazing info Boss...thanks to all the other replys also... this site never ceases to amaze me..thanks again.

 

[LRPV]

There is a lot of great information on this site right here: http://www.accurateshooter.com/


Just scroll down the left side and click on the topics sometime. Not trying to be a smart@#$ but I think a lot of times people just overlook it.
Jason

 

[Glenn Powell]

I really wish i had read that article before I bought the Leupold. Mine will not range much past 250, and the view through the glass is overly clustered, and not very clear in low light. You get what you pay for.

 

[rvn1968]

I have a Leica LRF1200 that I bought new over 10 yrs ago.Tested on humans to +-1100m and on deer @ 850m. I would not trade for any other. The deer measurement was at Catskill game park after hours. It's good.

 

[MrMajestic]

Leica CRF 1600 here. Works great and the biggest number I saw was 1740 yds to a garage. It is difficult to hold steady offhand so when the ranges get long I use my Walking/shooting stick for support.

 

[holstil]

I have a Swaro. I am curious, what issues were having with it on a tri pod boss man?


Jim

 

[Phil]

Vectronics,if you only want to buy once.......

Lasered out over 2000yds. with one....

 

[XTR]

Leica CRF 1200 here.

It is small enough that you'll have it when you want it; I agree however that it's small size makes it harder to hold steady to get good readings.

Oh yea, the glass is great, it makes a good 4x scope for sweeping the tree lines out to a couple of hundred yards.

 

[TheSnake]

We also tested a lower-priced Bushnell and a Leupold and the beam divergence was significantly worse with both.

What were the lower priced model numbers if I may ask?

 

[fredhorace77]

We also tested a lower-priced Bushnell and a Leupold and the beam divergence was significantly worse with both.

What were the lower priced model numbers if I may ask?

this is the article boss was speaking of...should answer your questions...it really enlightened me..

http://www.accurateshooter.com/gear-reviews/laser-rangefinders/

 

[Trapper243]

I have had a Leica for several years now. It is a solid unit and works great. I use mine on coyotes all the time.

 

[toothman]

I too have the Leica 1200 and like it very much. It is small and light, but that is one of the things I like about it. It is very handy--just slip it in your shirt pocket and it is there when you need it. Very accurate also.

 

[nosualc]

I got a Leica 600 more than a few years ago on sale.

It's a little dated now and doesn't range as far as the newer models, but for my purposes it's been perfect. Glass is very good, and it's small/light enough to put in a jacket pocket without feeling like I'm lugging around a cinder block.

If I were to buy another I'd get the Leica 1600 without batting an eye.

I've always coveted a pair of Leica Geovid binoculars (with integrated range finder) as they are suhweet!, and I like the idea of one thing to carry. Unfortunately, the price is crazy expensive, and range finders are advancing technologically fast enough that I don't want to sink that much into one, only to have it "obsolete" in a few years.

-nosualc

 

[lpreddick]

leica CRF 1600 after buying a bushnell, and leupold. the latter two ranged from points in the viewfinder other than the center aimpoint! was a real problem at long range. wish the leica had the threaded screw thing for mounting on a tripod. i was able to fabricate a holder that screwed onto a small tripod. ranging a ghog at 350+ yards is easy and steady. BE SURE no matter which one you get to carry extra batteries!!! mine died once and i had to estimate the range and behold, i guessed right and varmint was harvested. i practice guessing ranges now and you can get good after awhile.

 

[model 12 toby]

i have bushnell elite 1600. I can range varmints out pretty far especially if the suns not blaring. that's when I have problems. the problem I'm having is out past the 800 range. got it to range steel plate with white posterboards taped to it at 960 yards last week. it would do it fairly easy if the sun wasn't pounding. it had a hard time. Need soemthing that's going to pick out my steel plates at 1200 or so. leica 1600 will do it on a very sunny day? Maybe I'll check it out. it usually does pretty easy out to 800 or so even if it's just dirt.

 

[AP2020]

..Leica LRF 1200....good article here on 6mmbr on rangefinders:

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