Would appreciate feedback on what you are using for range finders.

Anyone using the new Leupolds?
Do you use it 99+% of the time just to get range, or are you using them with all the new bells and whistles.

I have not yet owned one, so I am just starting the research and alwasy appreciated feedback from AR members.
Thanks

I have Leica 800 it doesn't have any whistles and bells

I have the Leupold with the bells and whistles, I have not used them all but I use it a lot when hunting. I am sure when I want to use the bells and whistles, they will come in handy.

I have sold two of my other range finders since I got the Leupold range finder. I still have a Bushnell Yardage Pro 1000 that I don't use any longer.

I have a Bushnell 800 compact that I use occasionally. I feel the crosshair sighting system is to big for any kind of precision at greater than 200 yards. It a kind of open cross hair with no middle (the lines don't intersect).

The Leica has a small red box that is much better for aiming at small or distant objects. I would prefer something lika a duplex crosshair with maybe a 1/8 minute dot though.

Redhawk1
Quote: If you're going to make a hole, make it a big one.


I know that's right!

Nikon Monarch 800.

Works great. I've used it on several hunts. Very pleased.

I tried Bushnell and was very disatisfied.

Good Luck

Reloader

Leica 1200.... as much a part of my gear as the rifle

I had been using a Leica 1200 for the past 5 years or so and really liked it. I handled a new Leupold RX IV and bought one and am happy I did. I am sure the other rangefinder companies will follow suit and offer the same features that are in this one but until they do, they are way behind the eightball.

I really find myself questioning the frequency of their use in general. It never ceases to amaze me how often I see situations where a hunter gets a brief opportunity at game somewhere around 100 to 150 yards and they reach for their range finder instead of their rifle.

Too many people have become paralyzed to shoot unless they know whether their quarry is 126 or 132 yards. WHO CARES! What sort of different hold is someone going to have for their .300 FLATTEST EVER ULTRAHUGE SUPER MAG whether the distance is 75 or 150 yards... or 0 to 200+ for that matter?

I see tons of hunters just carrying their 4x rangefinders and not even bothering with binoculars anymore. It boggles my mind.

Okay, okay, it's a pet peeve of mine...

With that off my chest - there is definitely a time and a place for them. I use a Leica I'm pretty happy with and I had a Bushnell that worked great for the money.

But please people only use them to learn how to judge distance or when you REALLY need to know a distance to make a longish shot.

Kyler

quote:

Would appreciate feedback on what you are using for range finders.

Anyone using the new Leupolds?
Do you use it 99+% of the time just to get range, or are you using them with all the new bells and whistles.

Gee. I thought my Leica 900 was "bells and whistles!"

Leica BRF rangefinding binoculars. Always used bino's, having the rangefinder built in is just the best!

I've owned and used 2 Bushnells (early and/or first models), a Nikon, a Schwarovski, the Leica 900 and now the Leica 1200.

Happy with all at the time of their use.

The Leica 1200 is my favorite thus far. I use mine quite a bit, but never to figure out if the game is 126 or 132 yards. Anything that appears over 300, I use it. I also use it while bowhunting a new area, and mentally mark some of the surroundings in my shooting lanes.

I have to agree with Kyler on the over-utilization of a rangefinder when it is not necessary....have seen that occur many times myself. I think it is a waste of a good shooting opportunity when the animal is between 100-200 yards and the hunter is using a rifle, but has his mind made up that he must know the EXACT distance.

I range quite a few of the closer shots after i have shot the animal,just out of interest

Just another gadget unless open long range with lots of time. I've never had too much time to shoot. But, that just my opinion and I could be wrong.

I've got a pair of Leupold Wind River range finding binoculars. I like them but I mainly use the rangefinder when I'm setting still marking some landmarks for known distances, similar to what a lot of guys do from a tree stand. I hardly ever range a target before I shoot. I like having the range finder built into my binos, as I do not want to carry any more than I have to when hunting.

I have an old Bushnell Yardage Pro 800 that has never failed me yet.

I saw someone posted that their rangefinder had "bells and whistles". Do these rangefinders tell you where to aim after they tell the distance?LOL!

I am one of the Leica owners as well.


Those new ones look neat that compensate for uphill/downhill shooting.

I have used my Leupold RX-IV for a season now.

It's great, blows the doors off the leica's I've used, but even those are very good ranging systems.

There are a lot of bells and whistles on it. Mostly Pre-programing. An example is that you have to set it for 150 yards or more, or 150 yards and under, which is the bow setting.

It will bounce off everything inside 800 yards with no problems. Past that you need something at least a little more solid that just grass to bounce the lazer off of. The longest range I've had so far with it was 1282 yards just holding the device. I'm going to put it on a tripod and see if I can get the whole 1600 yards out of it.

Even though I don't use a bow, the bow settings are amazing. The ranging is instant. You push the button and you have range, no waiting.

Setting it up isn't hard just go through the book. It's basically: pick a reticle, set your yard/meter settings, "first or last target" mode, and if you're using a rifle there are a few ranging options. It will calculate estimated range with the angle of the shot and display the range or it will calculate MOA clicks of adjustments or inches of hold over to target.

It's neet. It took me an afternoon at the range to get it down. Once you get it's a great tool. AND....the battery's last A LONG TIME!!! I'm not even half way on the battery meter and I'm still on the original battery when it came out in OCT/NOV and I've used it a lot.

I have a Bushnell Yardage Pro 800. It's worked perfect during the last five years. I simply use it to find whats "in bounds" ( for me, 350 yrds) after I take my stand. I've got my moneys worth!!!

For those you you using the range finding binos have you found any problems with them? Any issues using the binos if the battery is out or dead? Not counting price is there any reason to carry a seperate range finder and binos anymore?

My Leupolds work just fine if the battery is dead or I don't have it in. The range finder is the only thing that runs off of the battery, the binos work just fine. I whish the were more than 8X somtimes but that is about it.

I have an older Bushnell and it matches all the others that my pals use in yardage measurements.
It's one of the 1000 yard models. I keep my whistle in my pack.

quote:

Originally posted by taylorce1:
My Leupolds work just fine if the battery is dead or I don't have it in. The range finder is the only thing that runs off of the battery, the binos work just fine. I whish the were more than 8X somtimes but that is about it.

Thanks for the feedback!

I've been using a Leica 800 since it came out and it still works fine. There must be improvements to the new ones on the market. I just haven't heard what they are.

I have the Leupy RX-lV The grey one, not camo.
I used it on a recent sheep hunt. I set the range +150, BDC A-C, and basic reticle.
When my ram appeared, I ranged him, and the unit said +4, instantly telling me that for my load of 150g Federal 308Win, all I had to do was hold 4" high. It didn't matter if it was uphill, downhill, or sideways. Just +4.

Too bads the ram was on the Army base.

The only draw back is that at 8X32, the lenses are pretty small, and it's hard to hold still for ranging. Take your glasses off to use it.
It does exactly what I bought it for. It increases my confidence in taking uphill/downhill shots at sheep and goats. And ironically, hogs. and turkeys.