View Full Version : Best long range rangefinder?
On Hoser's note about the Steel Safari....
I'm in the market for a new long range laser rangefinder, 1000 yds +. I have older Nikon 600, that off a stable platform, I cannot get a reading past 350 yds w/ new batteries.
Any of you long range guy owned or used the new Leica CRF 1200 or CRF 1600 or the lesser cost Bushnell Elite 1500 or Legend 1200 ARC?
How far have you been able to get a reading? How big was your farthest target that you ranged? Battery life?
Thanks,
Pike10
I have a Geovid. I like it because I dont have to carry any binoculars. Got both bases covered.
Colorado Osprey
01-04-2011, 22:03
1200-1500 yards
http://www.6mmbr.com/rangefinders.html
BEST OVERALL: Swarovski Laser-Guide ($889.00). The top performer among "consumer" laser rangefinders is the Swarovski Laser Guide. Its 8x30 monocular is the best. Past 1000 yards, it ranges deer and man-sized silhouette targets better than anything under $3000, and its maximum reach (on highly reflective objects) beats the competition. The Swaro's only notable shortcoming is its targeting reticle--an illuminated circle that is just too big. Swarovski should provide a variable aiming circle, with large and small settings.
How much money ?
The Nikons , Bushys , Etc are crap in my experience , have not played with the newest ones but after there track record someone else can be the test dummy .
The Leicas , the Geovids and monoculars , are acceptable . The Swaro and Zeiss are better which is to say they range at least half again as far and are pretty equal between each other from what I've seen .
The Vectors are THE SHIT and nothing else comes close on the commercial market .
The price range there is from about 400 to 20k . The entry level Vector , the PLRF10 , being around 3K .
I have a pair of Geovids and on the best day 1300 was all that it would range , the other day we were playing with the PLRF10 and were shooting farmhouses reliably at 3k yards . When my Geovids take a dump the PLRF10 is what I'm looking at because it ranges so well . That being said there is a huge advantage to having your laser in your binos in convience and not having to lug more stuff .
Good luck finding something and remember life is too short to buy cheap gear 2 or 3 times instead of buying quality once . Also be prepared to have what ever You choose be outpaced by technology in a couple of years , My Geovids are not near the laser I could get for the same money today as 6 or 8 years ago when I bought them . Aint progress wonderful .
Thanks for the info. That is a good article on 6mmbr. I think I need to find a place that has them both in stock and play with them a bit.
The Geovids are pretty cool but the price is a killer...I've already got a nice pair of Steiners.
Thanks again!
My Swaro rangefinder ranges pine trees at 1900+ yards regularly. Got mine for $850 out the door. I nether need nor want binoculars, so it's perfect for me.
My Swaro rangefinder ranges pine trees at 1900+ yards regularly. Got mine for $850 out the door. I nether need nor want binoculars, so it's perfect for me.
Would you share where and how you got them for $850 out the door. I can only seem to locate them for $999.
I have the Leica CRF 1200 and I love it. I'll bet the new 1600 is amazing. I've never had issues ranging anything under 1200, no matter what the conditions and have had it range a Juniper at 1390.
Now that the 1600 is out, the 1200 is getting cheaper.
Colby
Would you share where and how you got them for $850 out the door. I can only seem to locate them for $999.
Sure. Here's a link. Ask for Jay or Chris. I've made two purchases from these guys and they are simply the best. Super prices, great service.
http://www.sportoptics.com/
Another vote for the Swarovski Laser-Guide. Mine will range out to 1000 under normal daylight conditions. Ideal conditions, low light, it will max at 1999.
How much money ?
The Nikons , Bushys , Etc are crap in my experience , have not played with the newest ones but after there track record someone else can be the test dummy .
The Leicas , the Geovids and monoculars , are acceptable . The Swaro and Zeiss are better which is to say they range at least half again as far and are pretty equal between each other from what I've seen .
The Vectors are THE SHIT and nothing else comes close on the commercial market .
The price range there is from about 400 to 20k . The entry level Vector , the PLRF10 , being around 3K .
I have a pair of Geovids and on the best day 1300 was all that it would range , the other day we were playing with the PLRF10 and were shooting farmhouses reliably at 3k yards . When my Geovids take a dump the PLRF10 is what I'm looking at because it ranges so well . That being said there is a huge advantage to having your laser in your binos in convience and not having to lug more stuff .
Good luck finding something and remember life is too short to buy cheap gear 2 or 3 times instead of buying quality once . Also be prepared to have what ever You choose be outpaced by technology in a couple of years , My Geovids are not near the laser I could get for the same money today as 6 or 8 years ago when I bought them . Aint progress wonderful .
Nice to meet you this morning at TJ's. Thanks for all the thoughts and advice! You're right - I think I need to pick a few up and try them out in Raton over the next month or two before I make that purchase.
We all started where Your at and will share what weve found over the years so ask away . The learning curve can be steep and expensive in the long range game .
We all started where Your at and will share what weve found over the years so ask away . The learning curve can be steep and expensive in the long range game .
You're absolutely right! But you know what really makes the long range game fun? The guys that do it! Everyone I met so far has been openly enthusiastic to sharing their thougths, experiences and tricks. I haven't been so lucky in some of the other shooting disiplines I dabble in.
You're absolutely right! But you know what really makes the long range game fun? The guys that do it! Everyone I met so far has been openly enthusiastic to sharing their thougths, experiences and tricks. I haven't been so lucky in some of the other shooting disiplines I dabble in.
Very true.
My Swaro has measured to 2420 meters, so it is about 2650 yd. Never measured yards, though.
mrfish83
01-20-2011, 14:59
Any actual experiences with the new Bushnell Fusion 1600, LRF Bino combo? I've seen one good review, but I'm looking for more reviews from current owners. I've seen plenty of speculation (postive and negative), let's try to avoid that here...
mrfish83
01-26-2011, 13:22
Well, I ended up getting the Bushnell Fusion Bino/LRF combo. So far they seem pretty nice. I'll be bringing them to the February SRM Raton match and trying them out. Feel free to take a look through them if you are at the match. I'll post a review after some field experiences.
My sawarvo's do great. I wish Swarvo would come out with a combo EL series bino with LRF built in, but in the meantime I will keep dreaming.
DocMedic
01-31-2011, 15:15
+1 on swaro, though if you can get them cheaper then a grand. do it.
I am hoping to be able to look through a few at this weekends SRM in Raton but the forecast isn't looking real good right now. I would really like to look through the Swaro and new Lieca.
We shot in a blizzard last February so all hope is not lost yet . Should here from Brad , the Program Director , wendsday ish . What it boils down to is if Mike and Me go down there were going to shoot rain or shine . There may only be us two fools there but that means at least a 2nd place finish .
I didn't rush through load development on the new barrel to stay here this weekend .
We shot in a blizzard last February so all hope is not lost yet . Should here from Brad , the Program Director , wendsday ish . What it boils down to is if Mike and Me go down there were going to shoot rain or shine . There may only be us two fools there but that means at least a 2nd place finish .
I didn't rush through load development on the new barrel to stay here this weekend .
That's what I was hoping to hear. I'm looking forward to it!
mrfish83
02-01-2011, 14:07
We shot in a blizzard last February so all hope is not lost yet . Should here from Brad , the Program Director , wendsday ish . What it boils down to is if Mike and Me go down there were going to shoot rain or shine . There may only be us two fools there but that means at least a 2nd place finish .
I didn't rush through load development on the new barrel to stay here this weekend .
Make that at least a 4th place finish... If it's on Pike and I will be there, although I'll probably be towards the back of the pack. :)
michael_aos
02-01-2011, 14:54
I've been using a pair of Zeiss Victory Compact 10x25 binoculars and a Leica LRF 1200 for several years.
Just bought a pair of Zeiss Victory RF 10x45.
I'm extremely color-blind, which I think makes display difficult for me to read. I'm also left-eye dominant and the range is displayed in the right-eye.
michael_aos
02-01-2011, 15:55
the size of the aiming circle is to big for long distance
That's my impression of the Zeiss also. I think I prefer the smaller aiming square on the Leica.
HBAR & Mike,
Are you guys heading to Raton this weekend?
We shot in a blizzard last February so all hope is not lost yet .
I was hoping to make it home in time for the Super Bowl last year...took me 3 extra hours to make it home than usual....on the bright side though the match was a good time as always.
ar15shooter
02-03-2011, 00:40
I have a CRF 1600. I have not had a great deal of time to mess with it but do like the smaller reticle. I have ranged larger objects out to 1800 yards with it and it seems like it measures distances pretty quickly. A plus that is also a disadvantage (if that makes any sense) is its size. It is very compact and light weight which is nice. This also lends to slight difficulty holding it steady or resting it on a bag or such.
Zak Smith
02-04-2011, 00:21
I sold the LRF1200 like 5 years ago because the Swarvo so clearly outranged it. I got tired of the Leica not being able to range big objects at like 600 yards in some conditions.
The Swaro takes some getting used to but it ranges really really well once you get used to it. I used it at the SS in 06 and 07 - even though it is just a monocular - and then have lent it out to buddies to use at that match since then.
Great LRF.
daddygat
02-06-2011, 08:16
Anyone had experience with Binoculars that have an Internal range Finder and Directional Compass. Came across the Barska brand of such. Thanks In Advance.
Anyone had experience with Binoculars that have an Internal range Finder and Directional Compass. Came across the Barska brand of such. Thanks In Advance.
Barska optics are fine for paper weights. That's about it.
When it comes to optics and such, you get what you pay for.
Buy once, cry once.[Beer]
michael_aos
02-06-2011, 18:56
Are you guys heading to Raton this weekend?
I ran down there. The weather was about what they predicted. Not too bad.
The wind kinda sucked.
daddygat
02-06-2011, 18:59
Thanks for the heads up, will do more research rather than shelling out the $650.00 they want for the BARSKA 7x50 WP BATTALION model binoculars.
Any thing more specific as to their usefulness as a paperweight? Bad optics, lousy construction???????,etc.
Zak Smith
02-06-2011, 20:07
Barska is shit.
To answer the other question, binocular/LRF combination units such as the Leica Geovids (new) or the new Zeiss unit are useful because they work better for target location and spotting than a monocular (due to use of binocular vision and wider field of view).
If you have the budget for it, Steiner also has LRF binos. Pretty pricey though.
michael_aos
02-07-2011, 16:39
I've looked through both the 8x & 10x Geovids belonging to others over years.
They were so bulky and heavy, I just wasn't impressed. Never liked them.
I ran a nice set of compact binoculars and a nice LRF for years. Less cost. Less weight. Less bulk. Just seemed like a better setup.
Based on expert recommendations, I went ahead and bought a set of range-finder binoculars. I went with the Zeiss Victory RF 10x45. I can't say they're any better than the Geovids. In fact the Geovid range-finding reticle may be superior.
I used the Zeiss Victory RF 10x45 for the first time this last Sunday and the Sporting Rifle Match. I'm already sold.
I won't say the Zeiss are the ones to get, but in practice range-finding binoculars are awesome.
This is a case where "more than the sum of their parts" really rings true.
mrfish83
02-07-2011, 19:25
I tried out my Bushnell Fusions (as did others) at Raton this past weekend. The LRF functionality seemed excellent, even compared to the other LRFs I tried. The glass does have a tint to it compared to the high end options (i.e. Geovids), but for the price I'm very pleased.
I suggest you look through a pair and try them out if you have an opportunity.
jimmym40a2
03-24-2011, 12:23
http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af311/jimmym40a3/spotter2.jpg
http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af311/jimmym40a3/gunnison09013.jpg
another option if your not worried about weight is a Bar and Stroud like mine here.(1942) It will range past any rifle capability.It's very accurate.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXRtj4Hripo
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