I'm told that some primitive societies (Amazonian tribes, Irish, Welsh etc.) have a simple counting and language system that has numbers for 1 and 2 and anything beyond that is considered "many." Unfortunately I'm the same with guestimating ranges: I do "about 50 yards" and "about 100 yards" and then "really far away."

Some might suggest that a visit to an opticians might be the solution but I've decided that a laser rangefinder might help. I don't really have a long term use for such an object and so was wondering if anyone has one they are looking to sell 2nd hand or if anyone could recommend a source of them at not too much money? My plan is to keep it a while to improve my performance and then stick it on ebay so I want to spend very little. I don't need performance to 1200 yards as I'm not a tall bloke and by my calculations 1200 yards is over my horizon. As a rule I don't climb a lot of trees, unlike some.

I'm also keeping an eye on ebay and there seem to be some reasonable items going for under the £100 mark but I'm open to all suggestions.

Take a look on Cabellas and look at some of the Leupold rangefinders. I think that once you get used to using the little gizmo you will hold onto it as it is a great way of finding your comfort zone when in unfamiliar locations.

you sort of turn up, get in a new seat, ping some trees and settle in with the knowledge that if it gets past point X he's gonna be fair game.

The leupolds are good and great value when bought in the states. I also hear the Bushnell is a decent bit of kit for even less money.

Rgds,
FB

Thanks for that FB, I've taken a look at Cabellas and also ebay plus what offers are on with normal UK retailers but I haven't made up my mind yet.

I'd like to be able to travel pretty light with my shooting. When I fish I carry my fly rod, reel, tippet material, small box of flies and fullers mud to sink the tippet plus a knife. While I will never get my shooting gear down to quite that level I'm going to try my best and so my intention is to get rid of the range finder in due course but you might be right and it might find a home.

Reports will follow.

I think my little Leica weighs about 400 grams,

and is about the size of two large cigarette boxes,

no way that is going to slow you down.

I second FB:s way of using it, heck I even used it the other week on a hunt for hare with dog, shooting along a road it´s easy to underestamate distances, had I not measured I would not have been confident enough.

I have heard ok stories about Nikon should you find one.

Best regards Chris

My solution, though not one I would recommend, is to lose your left eye in a car accident, then just use the Swaro 8x30SLC for everyting, no need to carry Bins and a LRF...

If at all possible I'd like to avoid the road accident option Brian, I'm even willing to pay the extra for binoculars if I get to keep both eyes.

I've a friend with only one eye and it didn't impact upon her at all, in a shop she can spot all the things she wants just the same as anyone else :-)

You are going to hate me, just sold my pld (but perfectly good) Bushnell rangefinder 2 weeks a go for £80, was gathering dust as I splashed out on a Leica!

If you can stretch to a Leica (small, water restant, excellant and hold value if u want to sell down the line - u will not?), then go for it. I found that because the Bushnell was bigger I didn't take it, wheras the Leica is always in my pocket, AM + PM ambushing, night calling and night vision work.

You just get into the habit of pinging ranges!!

Good Luck with your search...

I have a Nikon Buckmasters that works to a claimed 600 yards, which as all range finders does vary according to the conditions. Optically its better than most of the cheaper models, so if you can afford a Leica. If mine got stolen/damaged it would be replaced by the same model.

Similar to this but not camo Ebay link