LRF Wars. Is it really that bad?

[Shootinleftyflip]

Hey there been a member for years but somehow my account I think got lost in the transition back to the OG Hide. So please don’t be difficult about my newfound newbie post count status. Anyways hope everyone has been sleeping more than I have. After hours pouring over pages until my head has started to hurt and eyes have started to bleed, I must say, I’m at a total loss. My girlfriend offered to buy me a rangefinder for my birthday, so I happily skipped to here,LRH, LRonly etc. to do some research. Immediately I noticed a gap and a huge one at that. Seemed like the only real solid choices were expensive rangefinders. Being that I am a realistic person and not an A$$hole the obvious choices are out Terrapin, Leica 2700 etc(I’m not making her fork out 800+ for a LRF).. a friend offered me a great deal(Sub $300) on new Sig 2200 BDX and Leupold RX-2800. But after a ton of research the Leu has almost no reviews(and I don’t want to be a test dummy) and the sig 2200 is a bloody war zone of FU Sig vs I love Sig. The only others I feel confident about considering is the older Leica 1600R or 2000B from Euro optic (they are $405 it appears). The Leica 2400 is a possibility consideration but I’m kinda hoping to get a LRF with some ballistics... So is the Sig 2200 really that bad quality and CS wise? If I go Leica which one? I’ve heard some negative stuff about the 2000 which makes me consider the 1600 over it even though they are the same price. Any input over this fiasco would be great. Need the capability to range steel to 1500-1700 yd and elk/deer to 1k yd. I’ll be posting this a few other places to diversify my input data. Thanks Again!

 

[47guy]

I’ve been running a Leica 1600B for 12yrs and it still ranges horses out to 1875-1900 on sunny days and a 12” plate at 1200yds.

I would not hesitate to buy another 1600 or a 2000...I paid $850 for mine so $400 is a smokin deal IMO.

 

[SporterII]

Some bolt handles will fail. Some Leeds too long.
The 1600 was Replaced to correct. The 2400 works twice as good in My experience.
You hit the nail on the head

 

[CUBUFF89]

You might look at the Nikon Black 4000. Right at $400 when my friend bought his. Street price seems to now be closer to $450.
His experience has been pretty positive so far with the ability to range steel to beyond 1000yds. Certainly won't do 4000 as Nikon's marketing might suggest, but seems to be a good value.

 

[Deleted member 113831]

+1 for the Nikon Black 4K. I don't own it, but my shooting partner does, so I have been getting some extensive use of it in varying Pacific Northwest conditions for about a month now.

It will range pretty much anything you aim it at out to 1700-1800 yards. The beam is narrow and tall and there is a "first" and "last" setting to range to display either the first return or last return. So it will range tree trunks and power poles at 1700+ but is only reliable on tree tops to about 1600 yds. One other limitation is that is does not like fog at all. If there is mist between you and the target all bets are off.

 

[ken226]

I have the Nikon RangeX Black.


I consistently range steel out to 1700yds.

Me and Skookum put it through its paces the last cople months. Buried a few pages back theres a post on it where i posted a couple shitty video clips of me ranging some stuff.

 

[ken226]

Here it is:

https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/nikon-black-range-x-4k.6900809/#post-7216428

 

[Luke]

I have the Sig Kilo 2200MR. It's very light and compact and will consistently range trees, grass, and hillsides to about 1300-1400 yards - beyond that you really need a more reflective target to get readings. That being said, assuming you do have a reflective target (buildings/vehicles) I have gotten repeatable readings out to 3400 yards. I picked it up used for about $300.

 

[264win]

I have bought and sold a lot of rangefinders trying to find the perfect one , several leica, swaro, Zeiss, vortex, leupold, Nikon, Bushnell and probably some I am forgetting.
Imho they all have good and bad sides, no perfect option under 2k

Of them all I kept Leica and Bushnell.
I use geovids and when hunting big game I carry my $300. Bushnell 1 mile lrf as well.
Leica has awesome glass but the laser fails in haze,rain,snow, fog, smoke, etc. The Bushnell has mediocre glass, but can range through fog and rain that I can't even see through.

 

[The King]

Look for a used 2700 first IMHO. It was a very good u it in pretty much every way. The only thing better is the terrapin x.

 

[TheGerman]

I have a used SIG KILO 2000 laying around that I used a lot, zero issues other than cosmetic (I actually shoot 5+ times a week and it shows) that I'd sell you for cheap.

 

[Shootinleftyflip]

I ended up going with the Leica 2000-B. Even though info was limited on the 2000 and there were things that really drew me to the Sig 2200 BDX and Leu RX2800.(Ballistics,slightly better price point, “supposed” longer ranging distance than the Leica) I Just couldn’t bring myself to take the risk of it not working in a hunting situation. Given the 1600-B had rave reviews I chose the 2000-B in hopes of the same performance, but guess time will tell. I always seem to get unlucky with stuff. My friends always tease whether if something is “Calli Proof”. Because if it can fail or break, I will be the person to make it happen. I Just got it yesterday so I’m not going to say a whole lot yet but things look promising. I was ranging on coming traffic to 1750 yards last night and bounced the neighborhood horses at 400.(that was the farthest animal I could find) Biggest chore is holding the thing steady. I’ll keep you posted after it’s three day elk excursion later this week. Thanks for your input!

 

[hotload]

I hope the 2000b works out for you. Mine has been excellent. I was ranging rocks and trees at 1950 while elk hunting last week. Pretty good for real world performance I think.

 

[Strykervet]

I ended up going with the Leica 2000-B. Even though info was limited on the 2000 and there were things that really drew me to the Sig 2200 BDX and Leu RX2800.(Ballistics,slightly better price point, “supposed” longer ranging distance than the Leica) I Just couldn’t bring myself to take the risk of it not working in a hunting situation. Given the 1600-B had rave reviews I chose the 2000-B in hopes of the same performance, but guess time will tell. I always seem to get unlucky with stuff. My friends always tease whether if something is “Calli Proof”. Because if it can fail or break, I will be the person to make it happen. I Just got it yesterday so I’m not going to say a whole lot yet but things look promising. I was ranging on coming traffic to 1750 yards last night and bounced the neighborhood horses at 400.(that was the farthest animal I could find) Biggest chore is holding the thing steady. I’ll keep you posted after it’s three day elk excursion later this week. Thanks for your input!

You can take one of those collapsible walking sticks they sell at Walmart and probably fix a 1/4-20 stud to the end to mount it to or else just hold it. The walking stick can double as a.... Walking stick. Or a tripod, I know mine pretty much has to be balanced well for anything far out there. I got a good Sirui tripod from Cameraland for $135, solid, light, works in prone or standing, etc., couldn't be happier. Tell 'em you're from the 'Hide.

You can also mount the LRF and spotting scope together on the same tripod if you wanna go that way. It's handy for me at least.

 

[Mr. Z]

I have a used SIG KILO 2000 laying around that I used a lot, zero issues other than cosmetic (I actually shoot 5+ times a week and it shows) that I'd sell you for cheap.

What’s cheap? Send me a pm/pic if you still have it

 

[RTH1800]

Just sold a great Leica 1600 B on this site for 250 IIRC. It was last week. I liked that unit.

 

[Jefe's Dope]

I'd take a long hard look at the Nikon w/ stabilization. That's a HUGE benefit when ranging looooong distances and first reports have shown it to be reliable and accurate.

Otherwise a used or new old stock Bushnell CONEX.

 

[The King]

These things are sort of like night vision. Gen 2 works if that’s all you needed.

The top tier does perform extra. And other than some military directed units that extra is ok these days for all of our regular shooters needs.

If you are doing King of 2 Mile...well. Get the Vectronics then. The military type ones.

 

[Subwrx300]

I've got some experience with the older Bushy 1Mile Arc and the Sig Kilo 2200. Bushy had good ranging features (first, last, brush mode and scan) but was tough to use under all but perfect conditions.

My first Sight Kilo 2200 wouldn't go past 6-700 on anything. However, I sent it in to Sig and they said it was defective and replaced it no questions asked. The replacement works great out to 1100 on 2-3 moa targets as long as your on tripod or some VERY STABLE platform. Trees and hills no problem past 1600+. Buildings to 1800-2000.

If looking for a sub $500 LRF, the Sig has my vote: small, light, wicked fast scan mode (maybe too fast) and easy to use as hunting LRF if needed. But it seems some here have had good results with a few others in the second range (namely the Nikon 4K and Bushnell ConX).

There was a podcast on the Precision Rifle Network a few months back that someone was discussing LRF technology and said the FCC relaxed some of the restrictions on laser strength and potential eye danger. The gist of the discussion was that end of 2018/2019 would allow manufacturers to increase laser strength and this get better returns for same equipment. This could mean we will see improved range and competition for dollars in the coming season. Just FYI in case it's not a time sensitive purchase.

 

[Mooncake]

There was a podcast on the Precision Rifle Network a few months back that someone was discussing LRF technology and said the FCC relaxed some of the restrictions on laser strength and potential eye danger. The gist of the discussion was that end of 2018/2019 would allow manufacturers to increase laser strength and this get better returns for same equipment. This could mean we will see improved range and competition for dollars in the coming season. Just FYI in case it's not a time sensitive purchase.

This is an interesting development. I've been so tempted by the Leica 2000-B on sale but maybe I'll hold out and see what comes down the pipeline next year.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

The Leica Rangemaster CRF 2400-R is the way to go:

• Eye-Safe IR Laser
• 10-2400 Yard Measurement Range
• 0.1-Yard Readings for First 200 Yards
• Scan Mode Measurements Every 0.5 Seconds
• AquaDura Coated Lenses
• Integrated Inclinometer with EHR System
• Red LED Display with Auto Brightness
• Phase-Corrected 7x24 Monocular
• Waterproof and Submersible

 

[stello1001]

The Leica Rangemaster CRF 2400-R is the way to go:

• Eye-Safe IR Laser
• 10-2400 Yard Measurement Range
• 0.1-Yard Readings for First 200 Yards
• Scan Mode Measurements Every 0.5 Seconds
• AquaDura Coated Lenses
• Integrated Inclinometer with EHR System
• Red LED Display with Auto Brightness
• Phase-Corrected 7x24 Monocular
• Waterproof and Submersible

If in no rush, and if one can wait, how much can these be had for more less, if a sale or deal popped up?

 

[gr8fuldoug]

I'm back in the store tomorrow, 516-217-1000. Please give me a call

Enjoy the rest of the weekend

 

[VaRandy]

If you will not use it till after the Shot Show, you might wait and get a better offering at an attractive price. If not using before, it makes sense to wait on next years offering.

 

[Prebanpaul]

So I will through in my very limited knowledge on these. I have owned the Bushnell arc800 Leupold BTR 1000. and Just bought the Leica 2000b from Camerland, as a clearance range finder direct from Leica for $350 delivered. I shoot a lot of groundhogs, a year (250+) hunt deer with a bow and a gun.

I have used the other rangefinders for the last 6-7 years. I have found that rangefinders range about half of what they say they will. Unless its bright metal.

I got the Leica and hands down kick my self in the Ass for not getting one way sooner. The glass is as good as my Leica Binoculars. It ranges literally at the push of a button. I ranged a deer at 1103 the other night and a building at 2088. It was crazy the difference in quality. I have not even placed this on my tripod yet. I ranged a dove at 344 yards on a power line while standing up. It will double up as my bino and range finder on most hunts now.

 

[jb1023]

I ended up going with the Leica 2000-B. Even though info was limited on the 2000 and there were things that really drew me to the Sig 2200 BDX and Leu RX2800.(Ballistics,slightly better price point, “supposed” longer ranging distance than the Leica) I Just couldn’t bring myself to take the risk of it not working in a hunting situation. Given the 1600-B had rave reviews I chose the 2000-B in hopes of the same performance, but guess time will tell. I always seem to get unlucky with stuff. My friends always tease whether if something is “Calli Proof”. Because if it can fail or break, I will be the person to make it happen. I Just got it yesterday so I’m not going to say a whole lot yet but things look promising. I was ranging on coming traffic to 1750 yards last night and bounced the neighborhood horses at 400.(that was the farthest animal I could find) Biggest chore is holding the thing steady. I’ll keep you posted after it’s three day elk excursion later this week. Thanks for your input!

Just curious how the Leica worked out for you on the hunt? I'm leaning towards a Nikon (3000 or 4K) but Leica and Sig are still in the mix.

 

[Prebanpaul]

You pay for what you get. I will only use a high end range finder for now on. The lieca is way better then anything I have ever used.