Range Finder choices?

by **BIG ERN** » 07 18, 2015 • [Post 1]

Probably been beat up a bit before but I'll be needing a new one this year. Are there any of the new models that stand out above all else? Love the warrantee of the Vortex but read that they are slow to register as you need to push the button 2 or 3 times. Thanks, Ern

by **foxvalley** » 07 18, 2015 • [Post 2]

VORTEX!
Never had an issue with mine,I really like it.
By the way......I won mine on this site, along with a t shirt. :shock:

by **AlexG** » 07 19, 2015 • [Post 3]

Can't go wrong with the Leupold RX-1000 no problems so far!

by **BIG ERN** » 07 19, 2015 • [Post 4]

Looked at the Leupold rx1000 and the Vortex. I'll tell you if Leupold would stand behind their product like Vortex it would be a tough call. In the end I own my second Vortex product with no reservations. Thanks for your help guys. Ernie

by **Indian Summer** » 07 19, 2015 • [Post 5]

I had a Leupold and hated it. The functions were such that you had to carry the manual with you to use it. Press the wrong button and you would change setting etc. I ditched it and bought a Leica which I absolutely LOVE. Instant readings every time. Great warranty etc.

No it wasn't cheap but you get what you pay for and it is the last one I'll ever have to buy.

by **elkaholic** » 07 22, 2015 • [Post 6]

Vortex all the way.

by **Mike_Parson** » 07 23, 2015 • [Post 7]

i absolutly love my Wildgame Innovations Halo X-Ray 600 Laser Rangefinder. its not top of the line but it seems to do very well for me. it dows have the angle calculation built in and its accurtate to 600 Yds for my rifle.

by **Fridaythe13th** » 07 23, 2015 • [Post 8]

I just bought a cheap bushnell ($179) from Cabelas it works fine as the ARC. If I had the money the Leica have been on camofire lately.

by **NuBow** » 07 23, 2015 • [Post 9]

I recently picked up a Leupold RX1200i w/ DNA after being in a similar position as the OP. I had a Bushnell Scout 1000 with ARC, but I wanted something that had the red LED display. I had narrowed my choices down to the Vortex and Leupold, like many others, and got to mess with both at my local Sportsman's Warehouse. No doubt the warranty by Vortex is unbeatable, but I liked the feel and features of the Leupold more. Glass on both were very close in the conditions I used them in and both had a slight blue/gray hue. I wouldn't say the Vortex is "slow" at getting a range, but it is slower than the Leupold. The Leupold spits out a range almost instantly while the Vortex has about a 0.5-1.5 second lag from the time you depress the button to when to get a number. I found myself wanting to press the button on the Vortex a 2nd or 3rd time because it wasn't giving a range right away, but it was just the delay time.

The display on the Vortex was a little cleaner and not as busy as the RX-1200 and the built in belt clip was kinda neat, but not something I think I would use. Both do the angle compensation for bow and rifle, but the Leupold does the compensation for a further distance than the Vortex (something like 25-50 yds more in bow mode and 200 yds more in rifle mode IIRC). Also, the Leupold will give distances to the 1/10 of a yard in bow mode; I only noticed the Vortex giving ranges in whole yard readins when I messed with it. The Leupold felt a little slimmer in my hand and I liked the feel a bit better. The Leupold does have a few more "modes" in rifle mode including giving true Line of Sight distance, an "Shoot like" distance, holdover in inches, mil, and MOA as well as trig mode (no too sure where trig mode would be used). The Leupold has 3 selectable reticles to choose from, not sure if the Vortex reticle can be changed but it was nice and useful.

Overall I am happy with the RX-1200i in the time that I've had. I have read nothing but good things about it and don't think you could go wrong with either of these two units. so far, I have been able to range trees up to 1083 yds and a big water tanks at 1345 yds with it.

sidenote: I did look at the Leica and liked the feel as well. No doubt it had the best glass of the 3, but I couldn't get the image and the LED in focus at the same time. Either the image was clear and the red LED was blurry, or vice-versa. Could just be my eyes (I do were contacts) or the particular display unit, but I also noticed the same thing with Leica's Geovid bino's YMMV.

by **_rj_** » 07 23, 2015 • [Post 10]

Beam divergence is a factor you need to look at. Unfortunately most only look at the cost and end up with the wrong unit. I use a Leica 1600 for most everything I do and a Vectronix PLRF10 for long range shooting. Most of my friends run a Leupold RX variant and seem to be pleased. Buy once, cry once.

by **Indian Summer** » 07 23, 2015 • [Post 11]

Love my 1600-B from Leica. A million years ago I had a Bushnell. Eventually I wanted more range and way quicker acquisition. I had been using a friend's Swarovski which was a dream and I was holding off until I could afford it. But by the time I could I felt that Leica was actually making a superior product. When I first tested it I was totally shocked that it would actually compute ranges BEYOND the specs out to almost 1800 yards.... and FAST. Also.. it is the only one that has a micro processor that factors in temperature and barometric pressure in it's arc system.

by **Huntrgathr** » 07 24, 2015 • [Post 12]

I went through the same process as Nubow. Used a Nikon for years and it was fairly slow but the biggest problem was the black display. I ended up choosing the Leupold over the vortex.

If you're just using it for archery and muzzy hunting there are a lot of options that will work. If your trying to join the 1000 yard club you better go with Leica...

Side note : Never trust a belt clip. Ever. They put belt clips on things so you have to replace them more often...

by **Indian Summer** » 07 25, 2015 • [Post 13]

On that side note: I know exactly where there is a Leupold 1000. If anyone wants to go pick it up they can have it. It is 30 miles from the trailhead though. :shock:

by **_rj_** » 07 25, 2015 • [Post 14]

Coordinates? I'm on it