Leica 1600 vs Leupold RX-1000i DNA rangefinder

[skeeter355]

Had been considering the Leica 1600 but salesman showed me the Leupold RX-1000i DNA and it seemed pretty nice. Seeing if anyone has opinions between the two.

Leica

Positives
1600yd range capability
7x viewfinder
Temp/Alt readout for density alt calculations for FDAC

Negatives
$$$
Ballistic program not user friendly
No compensation for angles

Luepold

Positives
$$$ (half of Leica)
TBR
Mil/MOA holdovers once programed
3 Reticles

Negatives
6x viewfinder
Limited range
No Temp/Altitude (use other gear)

Both are small (nice) and monoculars so not as steady as RF binos.

Anyone have any experience with the two?

Thanks, Skeeter

 

[jlow]

Re: Leica 1600 vs Leupold RX-1000i DNA rangefinder

A couple of corrections for your data. The Leica actually calculates and compensates for angles and the ballistic program is actually easy to use. You just need to know your dope and find the one that fits it best and choose it. It is GTG after that.

 

[Driftwood]

Re: Leica 1600 vs Leupold RX-1000i DNA rangefinder

I don't like the ballistic program on either rangefinder. The Leica isn't hard to use its just "limited". It only gives you holdovers out to 600 yards. It ranges much better than my Leupold RX VII. I don't like the TBR much more. It has its limitations as well. The Leupold ranges to 1000 yards under optimal conditions The Leica is much more consistant inside 1000 yards with the capability to range further in good conditions. The glass on the Leica is very good. I was surprised just how good it was. I carry my Leica with me at work wherever I go. I find I use it more as a monocular than I do a range finder. I never like monoculars prior to buying my Leica but it takes up no room and gives me a great veiw. If you can swing it I wouldn't hesitate to buy the Leica. A cheap ballistic app will out do both rangefinders when it comes to calculating DOPE.

 

[1bamashooter]

Re: Leica 1600 vs Leupold RX-1000i DNA rangefinder

Look at the Bushnell Elite 1600 ARC I bought one off of Ebay for $350 and have been ranging reflective targets out to 1650, hillsides out to 1200+ and deer to 850+.

 

[skeeter355]

Re: Leica 1600 vs Leupold RX-1000i DNA rangefinder

I did check out the Bushnell 1600 ARC and initial thoughts were that the glass was not very clear as compared to the Leica monocular. Of course the salesman put the Leica rangefinding binos in my hand which were glorius (price also at $2400 I think)so made the Bushnell look worse for obvious reasons.

 

[X-fan]

Re: Leica 1600 vs Leupold RX-1000i DNA rangefinder

Bushy 1500-1600 is fine.
The Leica is great.
The Swarovski is the best at 1000 plus...Very Good!

Would hate to let you walk into this blind, so let me say it so its crystal clear....The Leupold is a piece of shit.

 

[skeeter355]

Re: Leica 1600 vs Leupold RX-1000i DNA rangefinder

X-fan

Which Swarovski? The one the salesman had had a very light reticle inside. He said it washed out in bright sunlight and buyers weren't happy with it.

 

[azslayer]

Re: Leica 1600 vs Leupold RX-1000i DNA rangefinder

I had a leupold rxIII and it was a piece of shit. I ended up sending it back and got the rx1000 as a replacement but I sold it before opening it and bought a ziess.

 

[1bamashooter]

Re: Leica 1600 vs Leupold RX-1000i DNA rangefinder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Skeeter355</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I did check out the Bushnell 1600 ARC and initial thoughts were that the glass was not very clear as compared to the Leica monocular. Of course the salesman put the Leica rangefinding binos in my hand which were glorius (price also at $2400 I think)so made the Bushnell look worse for obvious reasons. </div></div>

The glass is not Leica quality but its pretty good for the price. I'm very happy with the quality of the glass especially for what I payed for it, but if you can afford the Leica or the Swarovski I would damn sure go that way.

 

[Rynham9]

Re: Leica 1600 vs Leupold RX-1000i DNA rangefinder

I did'nt think it couldn't get any better than my Leicas until I looked through a buddy of mines Swarovski's. I changed my mind. Both are great but Swarovski wins. I started w/ Leupolds and gave them to my 7 yr old when I got my Leica.

 

[skeeter355]

Re: Leica 1600 vs Leupold RX-1000i DNA rangefinder

I didn't get much time behind the Swarovskis but wasn't initially impressed with the large reticle and it did seemed washed out inside the store. How are you making sure what the rangefinder is ranging with such a large circle?

 

[Driftwood]

Re: Leica 1600 vs Leupold RX-1000i DNA rangefinder

When I bought my Leica 1600, after comparing the Leupold, Leica and Swarovski, it came down to a choice between the Leica and the Swarovski. The Leupold didn't hold a candle to either of them in anything but price. I like the veiw through the Swarovski slightly better, but prefered the smaller size of the Leica. I also thought the Swarovski reticle was a little washed out. I bought the Leica, thinking that if I didn't like it, I would return it and trade for the Swaroski. I couldn't be more pleased with the Leica. It is worth the extra money over the Leupold and its smaller size is a huge benefit for me over the Swarovski. I can put it in my shirt pocket and almost forget its there. The Swarovski isn't that much bigger, but for me it was enough to make a difference. I don't think you could go wrong with either the Swarvoski or the Leica, but you would just be wasting your money on the Leupold.

I don't like the TBR or the Leica ballistic program as I have already mentioned, but where did you get the idea that the Leica that its not easy to use? The Leica has a choice of I think 8 ballistic profiles, you pick the one that closest matches your bullets trajectory. It gives after ranging it gives you your drop in inches for the given range. I think both the TBR and the Leica's ballistic programs are really more gimmicks. I simple DOPE card would serve you better and as I mentioned a cheap ballistic app will out perform both.

 

[Bugaboo]

Re: Leica 1600 vs Leupold RX-1000i DNA rangefinder

Have the Leica Rangemaster 1600 and I am very happy with it. If you don't want to use the ballistic program, it will still give you inclination, temperature and station pressure. I checked the readings with my Kestrel 4500 and it was always very close.

I tested it and my maximum (verified) was a building at 1878 meters. I was also able to range e.g. a cloud of steam and raven at over 100 meters. Even a small recessed sections of building, which takes app. 1/3 of the reticle and the distance is over 1500 meters. In other words, if you steady your hand, the instrument is very precise.

The Leica is great.

 

[skeeter355]

Re: Leica 1600 vs Leupold RX-1000i DNA rangefinder

Driftwood,

The salesman was the one that said it took him hours to program. I have not looked at the owners manual to see what it says, just the input from him.

After the reviews here, I am leaning back to the Leica

 

[Driftwood]

Re: Leica 1600 vs Leupold RX-1000i DNA rangefinder

The Leica isn't ballistic program isn't hard to use, but its really made more for hunting. I wasn't impressed with it. It has 8 preprogramed tragectories. There is a chart in with the instructions. You pick which one best matches the caliber you are using. I didn't like that it gave the hold over in inches. If you are at an angle it compensates for the angle. It doesnt give you the flat line distance but rather the adjusted dope for the flat line distance. There are only two buttons on the rangefinder so it can't be that complicated. I played with it enough to decide the ballistic program wasn't for me, but I love all the other features. As I mentioned I am issued a set of Leupold rangefinding binoculars, with TBR. It's suppose to range out to 1,000 yards and will on a good day. I don't like the TBR feature and I found the Leupold's software to be much more complicated. I would love it if I could get the compass to work properly. It gives me some crazy readings at times so much so that I use a cheap base plate compass that I keep in my logbook. I use the Leica like a small spotting scope that ranges. I think the Leica 1600 has been one of my most useful purchases. I use it far more than I expected.

 

[oneshot.onehit]

Re: Leica 1600 vs Leupold RX-1000i DNA rangefinder

I bought the Leica 1600 after trying out the Leupold, I paid 700.00 and some change back when they came out and have been 100% happy with it. Nothing is really difficult to use on it. The ballistic program allows you to pick what ballistic range your guns in and you run it. I don’t use the ballistic program on it reason being it serves the purpose for most hunters but for long distance tactical or precision, I prefer the Shooter program and leave the range finding to the Leica.

 

[X-fan]

Re: Leica 1600 vs Leupold RX-1000i DNA rangefinder

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Skeeter355</div><div class="ubbcode-body">X-fan

Which Swarovski? The one the salesman had had a very light reticle inside. He said it washed out in bright sunlight and buyers weren't happy with it. </div></div>

Have a look for yourself.
It is not hard to see...Perhaps a second slower to aim than the Leica, but not hard to see.
For normal hunting I prefer the Leicas, but I have several range finders.

The Swaro works excellent and is the best choice at extended range.

Peace

 

[KYpatriot]

Re: Leica 1600 vs Leupold RX-1000i DNA rangefinder

If the Leica has the glass of the 1200 then I would get that. I have the 1200 and love it.

Dont forget CS, I had a problem with mine and they fixed it free even though I wasnt the first owner. Good company.

 

[Ring]

Re: Leica 1600 vs Leupold RX-1000i DNA rangefinder

my pic is the bushnell .. ranging out to 2k for 700$ with the binos is hard to beat

 

[WyomingShooter]

Re: Leica 1600 vs Leupold RX-1000i DNA rangefinder

My Leica 1600 LRF is an excellent piece of gear. I previously owned a Bushnell and a Leupold. The Leica ranges smaller and less reflective targets at much greater distances. The Leica also has nice glass and rides easily in a shirt pocket. I use the Leica purely for ranging. Other tools do the ballistics calculations. Of course, the Leica was significantly more expensive than the Bushnell and Leupold. With best regards from the Big Empty, ELN.