Have been trying to get a Leica CRF 900 Rangemaster at the better prices seen advertised ( $ 429 - 449) but outlets will not ship to New Zealand, of those that will the Nikon and the Bushnell seem to be the better options. The Nikon which I expect will have the better optics ( I have a couple of Nikon scopes and like them) is a little bigger - heavier. Has anyone used the Bushnell 1200 Legend as tyis looks to be a good option.This will be used mostly for to range rabbits for my 20 VarTarg.

Von Gruff.

I have heard from some people that they get about half the distance from the Nikon and Bushnell advertised ranges. Others say they do better than that. I was at a sporting goods store with a friend and he looked at their Bushnell range finder (don't remember the model). He took it outside and tried to range a gas station sign with it and could not get a reading. I later went back there with my Leica and got an instant reading of 521 yards. If you plan to use it for anything over 500 yards, do yourself a favor and get the Leica. Less than 500 yards and the Bushnell will probably be effective. I have also heard the LCDs don't work well in really cold weather. The Leica has LEDs. I am sure you will get some comments from Nikon and Bushnell owners which may help you decide. I believe you could find some reviews on Cabelas.com and possibly Midwayusa.com.

Have been looking at a number of forums and the overwhelming concensus is for the Leica so have just ordered the 1200CRF. Should be here in about three weeks.Scope City has an easily navigable site that is inclusive of international customers. Will let you know how soon they deliver.

Von Gruff.

Hi Von Gruff,

I would have adviced You looking for the new CRF 800...

http://www.titanium-gunworks.c...800-rangemaster.html

(those prices include 19% VAT which don´t have to be paid outside Europe)
and we ship also worldwide if necessary...
Klaus

scubapro, I looked at you site and just did a currency conversion and as it shows 420 Euro it converts to the same price in NZ$ as the 1200CRF does from the States. Besides I had only seen one mention on the new 800 and again no easily accesable sites for international buyers. I did see on English site but the price was (for the 1200) nearly 30% more. Had been trying for thje 900 because it will easily cover my needs but also saw it was a disconued model and explains why it was not available in so many places.

Von Gruff.

@von gruff: i know this affect, but the big companies don´t sell th things for the same prices on each market... (did you substracted the 19%VAT from the price?)...

I just bought a Bushnell Elite 1500 and was able to get a reading at 1367 yards with it how ever that was on a speed limit sized sign which is a reflective target you can usually expect to get a reading at about half the advertised range on a non reflective target.

There is just no comparison between Leica and all other brands when it comes to brightness and optical quality. I have a very, very old bushnell unit that ranges just fine. My son uses it now and it is as accurate as the Leica side by side. My Leica is the old unit that looks like a small book. I would like one of the newer units just from a size perspective.
When I archery elk hunt I generally leave my 8 X 32 Leicas in camp, the optics are suffcient on my range finder.
Leupold is touting a new extra bright unit. I have not handled any yet.
I wish Leica would incorporate a inclinometer in their package like all the other guys.

EZ

I had a reply from Scopecity this morning to say my Leica 1200 is ready to ship. Excellent team to deal with and lookm forward to trying it out. Will not have to range that distance but the ability and optics will be good. It was the size of the respective units that made me ask about the Bushnell 1200 Legend but I am pleased I stumped up the bit extra for the Leica. The reviews they get are universally excellent.

Von Gruff.

I don't know about the new bushnells. I did have a yardage pro legend a couple of years ago that was reliable to a fault. It would pick up between 400 and 500 yards on a good day with a reflective target. I also had a Bushnell pro sport 450 for work that was completely unreliable. One day it would choose to work and the next day it wouldn't. It met a very violent end on a crystal clear day when it wouldn't range 30 yards for me.

I currently have a Nikon 550 Riflehunter that is fast, accurate, but really not that clear and bright. It is on par with the other rangefinders I have or had though. I also have a Leupold RX-I for work and a RX-II for myself. I don't know if the leupolds are any clearer but they definitely aren't as accurate. The only plus is that they do perform better under 10 yards. Out of the rangefinders I have our had I would take the Nikons.

To tell the truth though I will have the Nikon Monarch 1200's or Leica 900 or 1200's soon. I will sell off the leupolds and keep the nikon 550 for work.

Oh! Well I didn't see your last post there.

I have a Nikon 800 and we have succesfully ranged animals as small as springbuck at up to 500 metres.

Very happy with it.

I can't comment on the Nikon, but I had one of the very first model Bushnell rangefinders and it was a very nice piece of equipment for the time. It finally gave up it's electronic soul and I replaced it with the Bushnell 1200 or 1500 2 or 3 years ago, not sure of model, would have to go look. It is a POS and is nearly worthless for ranging anything beyond a few hundred yards. I nearly immediately bought a Leica 1200 and it is another fine piece of equipment. Personally I wouldn't buy the Bushnell, ever.

My Bushnell still works great. I used it for shooting Rockchucks here in Idaho. It works as far as I can see them.

Rich