Rangefinders.

[FemoralArchery]

So, as much as I loved the discussion we got into about calibers, I've decided that maybe I'll buy a rangefinder and some reloading equipment and become more proficient with my .270s.

Now, I've been looking at the Vortex Ranger 1000 and the Leupold RX-1000i.

I like Vortex and their warranty, but the Leupold seems to get better reviews.

Anybody have experience with one or both they would like to share?

[Indian Summer]

You have to carry the manual with you to remember all the functions on the Leupold. Seriously. And there are soooo many icons on the screen when you are looking through it. Plus like lots of rangefinders it rarely gave me readings to the father distances. Rarely! I'm a huge Leupold fan but I would not recommend their rangefinder. I get half off on Leupold products and wouldn't consider one. I sold y RX1200 actually.

Have you looked at Leica? I have the 1600B. WOW!!! That thing gives and instantaneous reading EVERY time and all the way out to 1800 yards. I'm more than satisfied with it. Really easy to use too. When it calculates range, including ones at angles, it has a processor that takes temp and barometric pressure into consideration. I also like the fact that it has 8 power optics so when I'm bow hunting from a treestand I can skip the binos and use it as a monocular.

I have used Swaro rangefinder but they are too expensive and don't have ballistic programs or angle (inclination) capabilities.

Info toward the bottom of this page: http://us.leica-camera.com/sport_optics ... w/crf_new/

[>>>---WW---->]

I agree with Joe 100%. The Leupold rangefinder that I had was just a piece of junk. It wouldn't even range dark-colored objects at 20 yards. And like Joe said you needed a manual with you to figure the doggone thing out.

I now have a Nikon 800. It seems to be a pretty good glass that no angle compensation. After it has seen its better days I'll be switching to vortex. And I'll probably be buying mine from Elknut. I think he has as good of a price as anyone around.

[Swede]

I was offered a Leupold in a straight across trade for my Vortex range finder. I still have the Vortex I purchased from Elknut.

[Indian Summer]

I was offered a Leupold in a straight across trade for my Vortex range finder. I still have the Vortex I purchased from Elknut.

Smart move old man.

[pointysticks]

My vortex are always a tad short in measurements.

For example. Everyone will read 38 yards and mine will say 37. Usually one yard short. Weird. I pulled out survey equipment to check and it is a tad short. I don't think it will ever cause me to send an arrow over an animal tho. Just annoying.

[ElkNut1]

Adam, I have no experience with the Leupold 1000 but did have the RX 1200, it did a good job but never ranged anything over 750yds, that's OK though because I never shot that far! (grin) The thing that bugged me about it most was the 99 yard angle comp limitation.--- At present we use 4 of the Vortex 1000 on our hunts, no problems at all with them, for the price you really do get a nice unit with a lifetime warranty! We have specials on them regularly, drop me a PM if interested!

Cliff, it's not unusual for a rangefinder of different brands to read a hair difference from unit to unit. Yours shouldn't be an issue, after all most hunters will set their bow pins for their personal rangefinder not some else's. Yes, you are correct 1/2 to 1 yd is not going to make a bit of difference no matter who's is reading a hair different.

ElkNut1

[FemoralArchery]

For you guys with the Vortex, what is your max distance ranging soft(non reflective) targets?

My current rangefinder is a Nikon 550. And while its never let me down in an archery situation, anything beyond about 200 yards is a crap shoot.

I would really like something that could range 5-600 yards. Both of the ones I mentioned show in the specs 600 for non reflective and 1000 for reflective targets. The Leupold seemed to get better reviews (on Cabela's website), so I was curious what you guys all thought.

If they had equal reviews, I would go with the Vortex in a heartbeat. How can you beat the warranty? And of course I would order it from Paul.

If things come together this year Paul, I'll be ordering several Vortex items from you. Keeping my fingers crossed and my nose to the grindstone!!

[pointysticks]

Not to hyjack. What is that range strap thing? I need one. My system is tangle prone.

[Willie makit]

I have the Leupold TBR 1000 and the only thing i can say negative about it is in low light even on low setting the led is too bright and will hurt your night vision temporarily, the other i had (Nikon ?, I forget model) with LCD readout was unreadable when light was low except to range it then look to sky quickly before it disappeared.

I have never had any issues ranging anything out to 550yrds and its just right to drop in my pocket. Have to admit I really wanted the Leica 1600 but couldn’t justify the extra$. Mines 2 years old, still on original battery and i do use it a lot. It has a TRIC mode that was not in the book and I figured out it was TRIG function to give you something’s height, like how high is that tower or how many feet to that second floor window. Nothing earth shattering, just that A2+B2=C2 stuff and not like you need it in a rangefinder, just thought it was a cool function.

Ive not used it for gun hunting which is where I’m assuming the confusion is concerning this units display is coming from, best I recall you have to set the rangefinder to your caliber/FPS to be "set up" for your rifles TBR. The vortex looks to be about the same compact size and a little cheaper in the pocket book and no doubt the lifetime warranty is a plus.

Note to Paul: Something that I was looking for when I got my rangefinder was really a binocular rangefinder; the ones that are out now are extremely expensive and/or bulky/heavy. You recon it would go over as an option for a removable clip on secondary optic monocular to attach to the vortex rangefinder? This should not cost over $150 for a premium monocular that could double these smaller rangefinders to binos. I know the width of my 1000 tbr would facilitate this and the vortex 1000 dimensions look similar. Just thought it might be an idea to pitch to vortex

[ElkNut1]

Thomas, not sure about a monocular/rangefinder combo but can ask about a rangfinder/bino combo for future product! Thanks!

I will also mention I've owned the Nikon Riflehunter 550, I had it work regularly to 450yd-500yd but nothing over that, too in low light like early morning & evening it would not pick things up & range no matter the distance until it got lighter even though you could see to shoot a bow just fine.

I know Vortex says on their site that Deer can be ranged to 500yds but they actually reach out much further. We regularly range Deer & Elk 700-800yds & range larger outcroppings such as rock, trees & hillsides to over 1000yds. This is in real life hunting situations. There are times at those longer distances that it's impossible to hold a rangefinder steady enough to hold on a deer/elk so ranging objects nearby is our best bet & gets us plenty close for a rifle shot, a few yards is meaningless when hunting with a rifle. Hope this helps! Also, the Vortex comes with 3 levels of a red led readout, so it's never too bright or too dull to see in the dark timber early or late. We have Specials where Forum members can purchase them for 330.00

ElkNut1

[Toby]

I have never seen the Vortex I have a couple questions. First, does it have black or red readout? And second, is it larger or smaller compared to others?

[ElkNut1]

It is quite a bit smaller than most & has a Red LED readout that you can set for 3 different levels of brightness.

ElkNut1

[Toby]

Thanks Paul.

[scrubs]

Does the Vortex rangefinder have a full lifetime warranty like the rest of of Vortex products?

[FemoralArchery]

I wondered this too as the cabelas site says (off the top of my head) a one year limited warranty? I can't remember and I don't want to look it up on my phone right now, but it didn't say lifetime warranty.

But I'm sure vortex will always take care of their customers.

On a side note, I just sold some of my hunting stuff (sell one project to fund another) and I'm going to be ordering a rangefinder from Paul in the near future.

[ElkNut1]

The Vortex Rangefinder does have a Lifetime Warranty.

ElkNut1