This shouldn't stir up too much controversy.
At least not in the vein of "What constitutes a real big bore?"
What in your opinion is the best laser rangefinder for under $500.00? Nikon?Bushnell?Leica? Others? Useless features? Something the one you bought doesn't have that you wish it did? Thanks in advance , Russ

Russ,
I've found the Leica LRF 800 to be the best laser rangefinder under $500 for my use. With that said realise that defining what is "best" involves tradeoffs even under the best of circumstances. The Leica LRF 800 uses a precise, and traditionally expensive, laser that has very little divergence at range. This makes it easier to get very accuracte ranges on targets that are not ideal(small, on a hillside, non-reflective). The other cheap LRFs use a diverging laser, as in it gets bigger as it leaves from the unit. The problem is that as the laser diverges, or becomes bigger, you wind up rangeing the ground in front of your target, especially on a hill, or any vegetation that may be between you and your target. The upshot to the cheaper lasers is that they are not as critical about being held perfectly steady. The Leica LRF 800 requires a very steady hold because of the pinpoint sized laser beam your shooting. Frustrating to use off hand, however, if you have a solid rest you can range through obstacles that would befuddle the other units and obtain more accurate ranges on smaller targets. But realise you are trading ease of use for greater precision. My opinion is that if your trying to range a distant target without a steady rest your probabely could'nt hit it anyway;-). Regards, Matt.

[This message has been edited by Matt in Virginia (edited 08-21-2001).]

I've used the Leica Geovid (the best around),
the Bushnell Lytespeed, Nikon, and the Leica LRF.

The Leica LRF works for me on p-dogs and pronghorns; as Matt said, it requires a very steady rest, but it's light years ahead of everyone else's econo-rangefinder.

George

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Shoot straight, shoot often, but by all means, use enough gun!

The Leica LRF hands down. I have used mine on Montana gophers all the way to wildebeest in RSA with antelope in Wyoming and my local elk in between. Even in rain or snow it works well. Just saw one at a local gun show for $340 in the box brand new. For the performance, the clear optics and the Leica warranty thats a bargain IMHO.
Frank N.

Matt, George, Frank and others,thanks a heap. I was leaning towards the Leica already, but I'm convinced now.Russ