rangefinder
- Thread starter martinc
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OIFvet
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Nikon...
grizzlyplumber
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I bought the Nikon 400 several years ago and it is crap. It worked for one season and now wont work past 25 yards. I bought the Leica 1200 for a rifle hunt this past season and really like it, its a little akward for archery use though. I have heard the Nikon 440s and 800s are good but I wont buy one again. For archery purposes I would look at Bushnells, you can get them inexpensively and they are very ergonomically shaped. Good luck.
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SierraFool
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Nikon Scout, its cheap water proof and its all you need.
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HC
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I know it's a bit heavy and bulky, but I use a Bushnell Yardage Pro 1000. I like it for spotting game a ways out and then being able to work my way within shooting range whether bow or gun. It has been very useful when bowhunting elk and rifle hunting black bear and Mule Deer.
Anaconda
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LAST EDITED ON Feb-28-06 AT 10:25PM (MST)[p]Leica is comeing out with a new "pocket sized" unit. About $650, red LED, as small or smaller than a Bushnell scout.
I saw it at the RMEF show in Reno. If I was in the market, this would be it. Should be out in a few months.
I saw it at the RMEF show in Reno. If I was in the market, this would be it. Should be out in a few months.
ICMDEER
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I have the Leica now, too. It seems good, but I've only had it one year. I had two Bushnells before that. Neither held up very well. I sent the new Bushnell in to the factory after it quit working and they would not repair it. Said they'd sell me a new one for a slight discount. I went with Leica quality, like I should have in the first place. All five of us that guide together have Leica rangefinders and we use them for several months a years. One problem so far and it was fixed free of charge.
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robinh00d
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i use my eyeballs and good judgement, works every time
Martinc,
I own the Leica now and like it but it is too bulky for bow hunting and does not fit well in my shirt pocket.
I believe the new Leupold Laser Rangefinders are going to change the entire way we hunters view and use rangefinders. The RX-II is made for the bowhunter in my opinion. With a built in Inclinometer, True Ballistic Range reading capability, scan mode, rain mode, etc, etc... There are way too many features to list but once again in my opinion this is a must look at if you are in the market for a new rangefinder. I believe the suggested retail is $319. They should be out very soon; I have looked through the RX-I but have not been able to get my hands on the RX-II.
If you want to read more about all the features stop by your local sporting good store and pick up the Leupold 2006 optics catalogue.
Good luck in 06',
Splash
I own the Leica now and like it but it is too bulky for bow hunting and does not fit well in my shirt pocket.
I believe the new Leupold Laser Rangefinders are going to change the entire way we hunters view and use rangefinders. The RX-II is made for the bowhunter in my opinion. With a built in Inclinometer, True Ballistic Range reading capability, scan mode, rain mode, etc, etc... There are way too many features to list but once again in my opinion this is a must look at if you are in the market for a new rangefinder. I believe the suggested retail is $319. They should be out very soon; I have looked through the RX-I but have not been able to get my hands on the RX-II.
If you want to read more about all the features stop by your local sporting good store and pick up the Leupold 2006 optics catalogue.
Good luck in 06',
Splash
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slider
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The smallest and the easiest to operate while holding your bow in the other hand is the Bushnell Scout!!! It should sell for $220-$250!!! Good Luck
grizzlyplumber
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Hey Bohunter my buddy just ordered that out of Cabelas, they were on clearance, how do you like it?
BOHNTR
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grizzlyplumber:
I REALLY like them. Especially the fact they're built in a normal sized frame binocular so they're not bulky. Add the quality of Leica glass and the red colored easy-to-read LED and I'm happy. For my backpacking adventures, it's just one less thing I have to carry which adds weight.
If I could change one thing, I'd design the laser button on the right side of the frame. However, even where it is now I can reach, one-handed, with my right finger and activate. I'm sure your bud will like them. Tell him you want to "test" them for a season!
BOHNTR )))---------->
I REALLY like them. Especially the fact they're built in a normal sized frame binocular so they're not bulky. Add the quality of Leica glass and the red colored easy-to-read LED and I'm happy. For my backpacking adventures, it's just one less thing I have to carry which adds weight.
If I could change one thing, I'd design the laser button on the right side of the frame. However, even where it is now I can reach, one-handed, with my right finger and activate. I'm sure your bud will like them. Tell him you want to "test" them for a season!
BOHNTR )))---------->
bogey
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Leupold is not introducing anything that wasn't out there before. I think Pentax had the same thingfor about the last 3-4 years. There are also a couple of small companies that did the same thing. I do agree that leupold will make it "main stream" I want to give it a try. Of course I had well over a $1000.00 in Cabelas points and bought the Geovid last year, so I am not buying one. I really like the Geovid but its not perfect. First the prize, the red numbers can be hard to see looking towards the sun, and the button is on the wrong side----if you bow hunt right handed. Other wise it is GREAT.
Martin,
I liked the RX-I; it was clear and felt good in my hand and the readings were quick. It does not have all the options that the RX-II does but it is the same size. As far as how it felt in my hand compared to the Nikon and Bushnell all three are basically the same dimensions. With that in mind it is personal preference - with that said the Leupold and Bushnell are more comfortable for me than the Nikon, but like I say that is relative.
Splash
I liked the RX-I; it was clear and felt good in my hand and the readings were quick. It does not have all the options that the RX-II does but it is the same size. As far as how it felt in my hand compared to the Nikon and Bushnell all three are basically the same dimensions. With that in mind it is personal preference - with that said the Leupold and Bushnell are more comfortable for me than the Nikon, but like I say that is relative.
Splash
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shadowstalker
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I like the bushnell scout or legend ( water proof). Value for dollar . Big names ,Big money ,not always a Big difference in performance !
swbuckmaster
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Nikon 400-I hike a long way to where I hunt so weight is a premium. The Nikon is very small. I also shoot a lot of 3d shoots and I really like the capability to be accurate to 1/2 yard. If you can't split your pins to as accurate as a yard you won't be in the money. I also attached an inclimbmeter to mine for help with cutting yards for uphill and downhill shooting.
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fish4evr
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I would wait a year or two, before getting the new Leupold. I've heard from several people who use them, they all said that they are not accurate past 50 yards. Its new technology, give them some time to work the bugs out!! If you need an inclinometer you can retro fit your existing rangefinder with one available from http://www.getoat.com
HunterHarry
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I use the Nikon 800.
Works well, but certainly room for improvement.
I do like it's small size however.
Works well, but certainly room for improvement.
I do like it's small size however.
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canhunter
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Leupold blows for its rangefinders. I had a RXIII within the last two months and it was garbage for sure. Could barely get readings in perfect conditions. You will be sorry if you get one. I took mine back and paid the extra for a Leica 1200. Buy a Leica and be done with it. As far as a "laser" eye goes someone needs to get them out and pay dollar they are exactly right and collect a dollar every time they are wrong. Bet few if any would take that challenge.
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coonhound40
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Lieca all the way, 3 years of hard back country hunting. Weeks on end without drying out and not one problem. The 9 Volt battery lasts forever on that thing. The only negative I can find is the size, it's not huge just a little bigger than I would like. But the quality, simplicity and reliability are 2nd to none. I would always recommend a range finder with the LED's over the LCD's, in low light the LED's are great.
Of course if you can swing it the Leica combo's would be the ultimate.
Of course if you can swing it the Leica combo's would be the ultimate.
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cpugsie
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Look at the post for Leupold RX II. I would not buy the new Leupold RX series until they have had time to work out the bugs and make it more user friendly. The new Leica pocket sized range finder is the one I will purchase next. It goes for $699.00. If I could afford it I would buy the newest Leica range finding binoculars. I heard nothing but great things about them. If you don't have a "great" pair of binoculars yet this might be the way to go.
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Wallow
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I have about used them all and I have ended up with the Leica pocket sized range finders. I actually purchased the Leica range finding binoculars first but in low light they had a horrible green tint so I returned them. The glass is pretty clear during daylight hours but we all know that early morning and later evening hours are where good optics pay for themselves. I ended up getting the 10x42 SLC Swarovski binos and the Leica pocket 1200 rangefinder. Awesome combo IMO. Together they are about the same price as the all in one range finder binos from Leica.
