What are the pro and con views of various lazer rangefinders?

That depends on what you want it to do and how much you want to spend.

If you want a good unit that won't break the bank, I'd look at the Bushnell Scout 600.

If you can afford to spend a little more $$ and want a rangefinder that will knock your socks off, I'd opt for the Leica LRF 1200.

I've owned Bushnell, Nikon, and Leica and am very happy I upgraded each time. It gave me a good idea about what I was really getting for my money.

To me, the Leica is 150% of what I've been looking for in a range-finder. It's quick, compact and clear and scans an aweful long way!!

I also have owned bushnell and now own a 1200 leica.It is far superior at longer distances and situations such as snow,rain and fog.It is also much smaller than the longer ranged bushnells.Whatever you get realize that they will only range smaller low reflective targets such as deer or antelope to roughly 50% to 70% or so of their rated range.Moose and elk are ranged farther but still nowhere near the rated range of the unit.

[ 05-19-2003, 07:47: Message edited by: stubblejumper ]

How far will they pick up a prarie dog and give a good range? A pronghorn?

My leica will range pronghorns from 500 to 600 yards in most conditions.My bushnell 800 would range them no more than 300 yards on the last hunt due to extreme wind and rain and that is why I replaced it with the leica.I couldn't tell you about prairie dogs.

Can you range rocks, greasewood etc. near the target better than the animal itself?

Absolutely, and by the way, all the rangefinders are terrain sensitive. Recently i was doing some testing with a Leica 1200, comparing my plex reticle set up for rangefinding. I was on flat terrain in the middle of the day, and had stalked up to an antelope between 600 and 400 yds. the Leica could not give me repeatable readings farther than about 400 yds. But from an elevated position, where i can range off the ground around the target, 1000-1200 yds. in ideal conditions, and the Leica's are the best.

I used to have a Ranging 1000 but sold it as my tired old eyes couldn't see well enough to focus the double image. About 2 weeks ago I was given a Bushnell Legend by Dave Watson and although I have vertually no experience with it yet,it does appear to be one dandy little unit. derf

Is the newer Leica scanning LRF 1200 that much better than the plain jane Leica LRF 1200?

I use a Bushnell 1000 and don't see any reason to upgrade.It does all I need it to do. BTW the Bushnells and Nikons are the same unit,made in the same factory. Not sure what they do to them after they leave the factory that makes the Nikons worth more money.
Jeff

How about the new Leupold Wind River binocular model? It looks convenient (bino and RF in one unit.) Anybody tried one yet?

I just bought a Newcon 1500 model Rangefinder,(less than $300),have an Bushnell 800 and Simmons 800 models also, this Newcon reads circles around the other two, this last weekend I was reading antelope and deer out to 500+yds and the others would not read that far.
Have done some long distance ranging out to 1450yds on large objects Pickup trucks etc. and the other two won't read that far in side by side tests, I did find out that the reflections of the sun angles will effect the readings from all of these models. More tests later, the rock chucks and popguts(sage rats)are really showing up and then I'll give this Newcon a through test.
Has anyone else tried this model?
Thanks,Don

I've heard the new Leica scanning model is supposed to have a stronger laser, but i don't know this for fact. The 6/03 edition of Accurate Rifle magazine has one of the best writeups on the Leica's that I,ve seen so far. It's available at PS Publications-- 860-645-8776-- GET IT! In it Bob Jourdan (writer) says that the beam dispersion is about 1/2 all other competitive models like Bushnell, Nikon, etc. Also if you want to know more about the rangefinders, there was an article written about them in Varmint Hunter mag. about 4 or 5 years ago, and was very detailed. I can't remember the issue, but if you call Varmint Hunter mag. i bet they'd tell you--800-528-4868.

T_bob38: I have owned and used many different models of Laser Rangefinders in the past. My present choice is the Leica 800 model. It works very well in my opinion. The new model of the Leica with the scanning feature I have used in stores only and have decided at this point not to trade up to that model.
The Leica 800 fits in my Hunting shirts breast pocket and therefore is easy to get at and use! I Hunt Varmints and Big Game year round and the Leica is plenty of tool for me! I do not plan on shooting at any Varmints or Big Game past 600 yards so I am happy. The Leica is very accurate and very consistent for me. I have used it on measured (with steel tape by me) ranges to 800 yards. By the way the designation 800 stands for 800 meters in the Leica! I have been told that corresponds to about 880 yards - again plenty of ranging for me! I Hunt spring Turkeys, spring Bears and Varmints I chase all summer fall winter and spring as well as the long and varied Big Game season here in Montana. The Leica Laser 800 works in snow, at night, in rain (light rain only so far), in the bitter cold and the heat and in high humididty and mirage conditions very well.
It comes in especially handy for Antelope Hunting and spring Bear Hunting when the Bears are often spotted across steep sloped valleys and canyons where ranging "free hand" (without a laser) is very difficult! I also use my Leica often when Hunting Ground Squirrels with my rimfire Rifles!
I say go for one!
Now to advise you on the decision to spend the extra $100.00 (approximately) for the 1,200 yard Leica model! I would say this - if you can afford it easily and if you shoot out to 1,350 yards then go for it! If you limit your shooting and Hunting to 500 yard ranges then save the money and go with the 800 model.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy