The "400 yards Is a Chip Shot" post make me thought that maybe a range finder is a MUST for deer hunting.

Usually my hunting shooting distances are under 100 yards and when I have taken those looong 200+ yards shots I ended discoverying that they were more close to 150 than to 200+...

I don't wont to imagine how tiny a deer must look at 400 yards

Any good good range finder you can recommend me ?

L

Leica (I have the 1200CRF)
Swaro
Zeiss


Here is a good article.
http://www.6mmbr.com/rangefinders.html

Leica, but I'll give you a Bushnell 800 (which I think is a POS but the price (free) is right)if you can figure out a way to get it to you. BTW you wouldn't happen to know Hector Sarasola would you?

Of course if you have an unlimited Budget--

http://www.vectronix.ch/#/en/p...ngefinders_day_night

I use a Nikon Monarch 800. I think they can be had for about $200 US. I can range deer/antelope to 400 using something to rest on and assuming no obstructions between. I have troubles beyond that. Livestock (range cows) can be ranged up to about 600 but beyond that nearly impossible.

I discovered quickly that if you spend the money for a Leica or Swaro then you will be happier in the long run.

I really like my Leica. Very good glass to spot the game in the rangefinder and very accurate.

ddj

Lorenzo,
A couple of thoughts,
Most rifles will shoot plenty good at 200 yds or less. Most of the game I kill is under 200 yds. I've only had the occasion once to make a shot over 500 yds. A range finder is nice, but unless you are making shots over 250 yds its convenient to know the distance its really not necessary. Where I find a range finder works best is ranges in excess of 250 yds. or in the mountains where the air is thinner. I find at altitudes above say 6,000 ft., or in big country, I have problems estimating range. Over 6,000 feet in elevation I range everything.
Second,
I find that you are rarely ever dissapointed by going first class. Like several other posters I use a Leica. Mine are the 1200 LRF. Not as compact as the CRF, but I think they are easier to use and more accurate. I love them.
When I first started collecting rifles and hunting in earnest, I bought cheap stuff. Fifty dollar scopes and $75 or less for bino's. Over the years I've traded up. I don't think you can go wrong with good glass, be it bino's or scopes.
I live adjacent to the city of Houston Texas. I haunt pawn shops and gun stores for quality used equipment. In the past I have bought Zeiss Diavari 3 x 9 scopes as little as $200 US.
The leica 10 x 42 binos I have used for the last 5 years I bought used for $500 US. I can look through them all day and not get eye strain or a headache. Buy the best quality you can, even if its used and I don't think you'll be disappointed.
GWB

I own and use the Swarovski Rangefinder. I think I paid about $800 for it. Lots of money for a rangefinder. But I wouldn't trade it for another one. Highly recommnded.

I would also vote for the Nikon Monarck 800. Fast, very clear from 11 yards out to 800. Best part it's inexpensive.

Steve

I've got a bushnell, but it was another that the price was right (a gift). It works fine however.

leica A1+++

I also use a Leica 1200 crf but would like to compare it to the Swaro sometime.

Just got the Leupold RX 1000 TBR. My 1st one, so have nothing to offer as comparison, but it seems like a quality unit. As I got it brandy-new from a bud at 30% less than wholesale, I'm quite happy. Not many long shots here in New England, but one use I have wanted one for is to range distances from semi-urban and urban areas I waterfowl hunt. Legal distance is 500' from a dwelling in use. In the past we've argued with EPOs about whether or not we're far enough. Now, I have something to back me up for these cases.

I had a Bushnell, and consider it not worth the weight to carry. I have used the Leica and the Swarofski. Of the two I prfer the Swarofski simply because of ergonomics for me. My buddy who I borrowed it from prefers his Leica. You would not go wrong with either.

Dave

My buddy has a Leupold rangefinder. We used it in the field last week. While it will give accurate readings, it's difficult to get readings because it's so small and you need to set it on a monopod.

You also look through blank glass and essentially take stabs at what you're aiming at. A good fixed crosshair reference point would help get quicker readings.

I'm not for lugging around lots of gear, but these things are too light for quick readings. I would go with binocs with built in rangefinder if I could afford them.

I've heard the swarovski is the best, but have not used one.

I had the swarovski first then bought the Leica and sold the swarovski. The swarovski definetly ranges further but I hated how slow it was to get a reading back. Plus it was bigger. For ranging most typical distances under 800 or so yards the Leica can't be beat for the speed and size of the unit. However if you do the majority of your ranging over 1000 yards the swarovski is the ticket....
Mac

I use a leica 1200 a bit it was really nice to use I like the lighted reticle.

I had a chance to use a Nikon 1200 today seem like a very nice unit had no trouble ranging the targets at the 600 yard line. Seemed very fast easy to handle.

My bushnell 1000 went teats up after 10 plus years Iam in the market for a new one mostly likely Leica.

I used to use a Leica LRF, it was not convenient to use in conjunction with binoculars though, (that wasn't the rangefinders fault). I sold all the optics I used and bought the Leica Geovid 8 x 42 HD. Very expensive, but convenient and solves the duplication of tools problem.
Thanks, Doug

I just picked up a Nikon 550. I bought it primarily for bow use, but the idea of possibly using it in Africa was in the back of my mind as well. Check it out. It has a good 6X eyepiece that works well with glasses on, and could serve as a scope/binoculars in a pinch if time were short. The "crosshairs" are large which aid visibility but may hamper precision. Anyway, I have not used it at rifle ranges but it is supposedly good out to 550 yards which is past my hunting distance!
Peter.

For the price, it will be hard to beat the Nikon Monarch 800. I have a Bushnell 400 that's only good on deer out to around 125yds unless they are in a broad open field, then it will get close to 200 at times. I've used the Monarch 800 on several hunts over the past 4 years, it still has the original lithium battery and ranges deer sized game out to 600 just fine. While I'm confident out to 450, the longest shots I've had to make in the past few years were 312 and 325. On those two, the Nikon 800 came in handy. I prefer the 75-150 shots, but staying prepared for the longer shots is golden when you need it.

Good Luck

Reloader

Leica binocular combo range finder is the way to go. Expensive but worth every penny.

I have friends with the Leica Geovid HD combo units and I don't think that the optical quality compares to the Leica Ultravids or the Swarovski EL bino's. This has kept me from buying a combo unit.....I kind of wish I don’t have lots of experience with the EL's or the Ultravids because a combo unit sure would be handy, but loosing optical quality for convenience is not an option for me.

I have Swarovski SLCs (10x50) and the Leica 8x56 Geovid combo - the Geovid is as sharp (maybe a bit sharper) than the Swarovski, and the Swarovski is unbelievable. I don't carry the Swarovski's anymore, just the Leica, because it does everything I need.

quote:

Originally posted by Reloader:
For the price, it will be hard to beat the Nikon Monarch 800. I have a Bushnell 400 that's only good on deer out to around 125yds unless they are in a broad open field, then it will get close to 200 at times. I've used the Monarch 800 on several hunts over the past 4 years, it still has the original lithium battery and ranges deer sized game out to 600 just fine. While I'm confident out to 450, the longest shots I've had to make in the past few years were 312 and 325. On those two, the Nikon 800 came in handy. I prefer the 75-150 shots, but staying prepared for the longer shots is golden when you need it.

Good Luck

Reloader

I also have the Nikon Monarch 800 but it wont range a deer more than 500 yards. I had my father stand by the side of the road while I backed up with the Jeep to get the furthest distance. I am kind of disapointed, but I bought it on sale and it ain't a Swarovski or Leica but it didn't cost as much either.