Can your range finder do this?

harbinger

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 7, 2011
112
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Missouri City TX
I use a Leupold RX-IV range finder and can only get it to range deer at around 400 yards (longest was 448). Anybody else have experience with your range finder getting further results on white-tail sized deer? Im not looking for the "I ranged a water tower at 2000" mine will do that, but Im guessing the size and color of the deer limit the effectiveness of the Leupold. Any help is appreciated, don't want to spend the money to upgrade if it isn't going to pay off while im hunting. Thanks
 
Re: Can your range finder do this?

I have a leupold rangefinder that I only use for archery. Leupy says it will range to 1200 yards.....bullshit. I have had a hard time getting it to read 18" steel plates at 600 yards.

With the Swarvoski, I aimed it at a sagebrush hillside and got a reading of 1976. I am now in the market for the Swarvoski. Caylen from Central Cascade Precision had a Zeiss that seemed to work out pretty well also. I think the Leica's work pretty good too.

But the Leupolds leave alot and I mean alot to be desired in my opinion.
 
Re: Can your range finder do this?

I use Zeiss, shot in a match last weekend and compared ranges taken with the Zeiss binoculars and ones taken with Vector range finders.Ranging steel targets from 300 yards to 1025 and the maximum difference on any of the 20 targets ranged was 5 yards. I haven't had any complaints with Zeiss and used them for hunting coyotes and deer.
 
Re: Can your range finder do this?

I have a swarovski and use it on a 1000 yd range regularly that is marked in 100yd increments along the side. We set up 1/2 size gray steel silhouettes at varying distances and then range them after and it is always very acccurate all the way out.
gary
 
Re: Can your range finder do this?

+1 for the zeiss binoculars, no complaints here. Beam divergence is on par with vector. Might not be as strong of a laser but works great to at least 1k on game sized targets.
 
Re: Can your range finder do this?

I owned the Zeiss PRS and now have Leica Geovids. Both range steel as far as I shoot....9-1000yds and both range deer as far as I tried....6-700yds. I expect both are capable further. Leica, Swaro and Zeiss are all very good.
 
Re: Can your range finder do this?

We did a test out at the range one day using a Suburban as the target . We had a Leupold RX-IV , Bushnell yardage pro , Leica 1200 and a Swarovski . The Leupy quit ranging at about 500 yards , the bushnell gave up next at about 675 and the Leica and Swaro made it all the way out to nearly a 1000 . The difference was that at 976 yards the Swaro was able to range a 4X4 fence post whereas the Leica was struggling with the Suburban . The Swaro is on my list of kit I would like to pick up but until then the Leica is riding in the pack .
 
Re: Can your range finder do this?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: spotswood</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have a swarovski and use it on a 1000 yd range regularly that is marked in 100yd increments along the side. We set up 1/2 size gray steel silhouettes at varying distances and then range them after and it is always very acccurate all the way out.
gary </div></div>

That's been my experience with Swaro. On larger objects a great deal past 1000 and they will repeat.
 
Re: Can your range finder do this?

The zeiss binos are different than the minocular. Binos have a much smaller beam divergence. I ranged a 12x15 plate at 1025yds in less than ideal conditions. Haven't tried ranging anything beyond that of similar size.
 
Re: Can your range finder do this?

Not to sidetrack the thread, but has anyone tried the Nikon 1200? I've heard that it's better than the Bushnell's and Leupolds, though obviously not in the same class as the Swaro and Leica.
 
Re: Can your range finder do this?

At work I use Vector 21's, and I have no problem ranging anything....ever. But my budget does not allow me to enjoy that kind of quality at home. So I always do a simple little thing that speeds up my shooting/hunting. I use a Bushnell that will go to 1500 meters. Whenever I sit down at any spot to hunt coyote, ground hogs, or anything else for that matter, I make myself a little range card. It takes me about 4-5 minutes to laze and draw a quick little range card of terrain features that I can use to make quicker shots whenenever a target does present itself.
This works just fine here in the East, but doesn't work out too well in the open desert. Usually though there is something that I can use to make guessing the range to a target much more accurate. Instead of throwing down more money, maybe this can help you better use what you already have. It certainly helps me.
 
Re: Can your range finder do this?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Michael N</div><div class="ubbcode-body">We did a test out at the range one day using a Suburban as the target . We had a Leupold RX-IV , Bushnell yardage pro , Leica 1200 and a Swarovski . The Leupy quit ranging at about 500 yards ,</div></div>

That mirrors my experience. Couldnt range a jeep cherokee at 500
 
Re: Can your range finder do this?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LRS_Ranger</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Nikon 1200</div></div>

It is good to 500 yards reliably. 700ish if the conditions are favorable.

The Bushnell Fusion 1600's Have been in use on my range non-stop. We're very happy with them.
 
Re: Can your range finder do this?

Had a Leica 1200 that wouldn't range a elk at less than a 1000. Didn't have much time to check everything around it and I was on the move before, so no time for a range card. I have owned Swaro's since the time I got back from that hunt.
 
Re: Can your range finder do this?

My Swaro always ranges beyond 1K.
It has always ranged further than any other LRF that I have compared it with that can be bought for $1000
 
Re: Can your range finder do this?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AMMOWASTER</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Michael N</div><div class="ubbcode-body">We did a test out at the range one day using a Suburban as the target . We had a Leupold RX-IV , Bushnell yardage pro , Leica 1200 and a Swarovski . The Leupy quit ranging at about 500 yards ,</div></div>

That mirrors my experience. Couldnt range a jeep cherokee at 500</div></div>

Cars can be difficult to range because of all of the windows, which allow a lot of the beam to pass through, and the square angles, which reflect pretty well if the surfaces are perpendicular, but if the car is askew to you, it can be difficult to find the best point to bounce off of.

Hitting a suburban broadside should be pretty easy, though.

Luckily, most animals reflect pretty well. I guess it is the shininess of the coats and the lack of sharp angles.
 
Re: Can your range finder do this?

Good thread, my Leupold blows for hunting because you can't see the reading at the times you are most likely to see a big buck. So I have to range as much as I can humanly remember, put it back in my pack and spend the next few hours telling myself... that tree is 450, the edge of that foodplot is 500, etc, etc. F'n blows.

My brother has a Leica, its more accurate, easier to pinpoint deer and is <span style="color: #FF0000">illuminated red</span>. Take that into consideration as well when choosing, I will never buy another non lit range finder
 
Re: Can your range finder do this?

I have a lecia 1600 crf, its super fast, it hits beyond 1600, and is nice and compact. No complaints it hits deer, trees, elk, rocks no problem. I am impressed so far.