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