I'm going to be shooting anywhere from 100-1,500m and I'm looking for a quality range finder. I'm open to spending what I need to. No idea where to start and I would like to hear what you guys are using and what you would recommend. Thanks.
Range Finder Recommendations?
- Thread starter gunsandgear
- Start date
I'm sure that there are better choices but I've been satisfied with the performance of my Leupold RF-2800. Most targets I've ranged have been inside 700 yards but I find consistent repeatability and the results match my friends with more expensive units.
a couple of threads on here with the same type of question.
if you really want quality kit accurate to the yard every time, small beam divergance so your not picking up other reflections in the area its approx $1 per yard.
for "regular" pretty good range finders there are dozens that are between 4-600$ that get the job done well
if you really want quality kit accurate to the yard every time, small beam divergance so your not picking up other reflections in the area its approx $1 per yard.
for "regular" pretty good range finders there are dozens that are between 4-600$ that get the job done well
If you wish to reliably range to 1500m in a variety of conditions on reflective and non reflective objects find a good used original Terrapin.
I have one and at a mile it’s easy peasy, at 2000 it gets a bit more difficult but you will get a reading
Yesterday at 2287 I had to mount it on a tripod and did get repeated readings but it was definitely struggling.
I have a Burris 1 mile CONX rangefinder that I've found is pretty smart, for the "budget" category.
I've got the Sig Kilo BDX binos and they're fantastic, but not quite as "smart" as the Burris. They're good binoculars, too, so they have a dual purpose. I've used them to spot 600-yard F-class targets with ease.
The "buy once, cry once" category, though, is definitely Vectronix Terrapin.
I've got the Sig Kilo BDX binos and they're fantastic, but not quite as "smart" as the Burris. They're good binoculars, too, so they have a dual purpose. I've used them to spot 600-yard F-class targets with ease.
The "buy once, cry once" category, though, is definitely Vectronix Terrapin.
Terrapin X. Reliable out to 2000m and I've consistently ranged buildings at 3km handheld. EHR feature comes in very handy when shooting at angles.
With my terrapin I ranged deer in sunlight yesterday between 1100-1200 yards, horses @ 2200-2300. In the evening I hit 4876 yards on a boulder along a mountain next to my house.
Lots of good RF’s out there for the $$ for sure. I also own a Leica 2700B and a 2800.com; but I really like the etched reticle in thee older Vectronix RF’s as well as the 3D feature.
The beam on the Terrapin is dead center of the tiny etched reticle circle
️ .
I know when I range and elk head @ 1500 yards I am hitting the elk and not something around it.
I am sure that the industry will continue to improve, but I really want:
1) An etched reticle
2) small beam divergence (with beam centered in the reticle instead of @ 7 o’clock)
3) the ability to discern 3 distances with one shot so I can hit rain / snow @ 35 yards, the grass in front of the bedded buck and then get the 3rd distance - the buck’s body 30 yards behind the grass cover.
4) excellent glass...the Leica products are in this category, but @ 5x I can discern detail at longer ranges with the Terrapin than the Leica 7x units. Glass quality always trumps Higher magnification with poor quality glass.
Lots of good RF’s out there for the $$ for sure. I also own a Leica 2700B and a 2800.com; but I really like the etched reticle in thee older Vectronix RF’s as well as the 3D feature.
The beam on the Terrapin is dead center of the tiny etched reticle circle
️ . I know when I range and elk head @ 1500 yards I am hitting the elk and not something around it.
I am sure that the industry will continue to improve, but I really want:
1) An etched reticle
2) small beam divergence (with beam centered in the reticle instead of @ 7 o’clock)
3) the ability to discern 3 distances with one shot so I can hit rain / snow @ 35 yards, the grass in front of the bedded buck and then get the 3rd distance - the buck’s body 30 yards behind the grass cover.
4) excellent glass...the Leica products are in this category, but @ 5x I can discern detail at longer ranges with the Terrapin than the Leica 7x units. Glass quality always trumps Higher magnification with poor quality glass.
Leupold's are pretty good for the money (personal experience). Sig Kilo's and Vortex are also in that category (i haven't used them personally but have heard good things and that they are comparable). Leica was a solid step above the Leupolds from my personal experience and opinion.
While I have an older Vectronix Terrapin and it works spectacularly, if it ever craps out on me, Vectronix does not offer repair support for US users anymore. I would have to send it back to Switzerland and they would charge me to fix more than the unit is worth. Although Vectronix is now owned by Safran, and the Terrapin X does have US support, their past record of withdrawing US support and screwing over US users would make me shy away from any Vectronix product.
There are many great options other than Vectronix that perform almost as well. I have a Sig Kilo300BDX ranging binoculars and for the money it is an excellent value with reliable ranging capability well beyond 1,500 yds/meters. I have gotten reliable ranges well beyond 2,000 yds and it's Bluetooth link to my Kestrel Elite works well and gives you the range and ballistic solution right in the Sig's display. The same comments would go for the Sig 2400BDX rangefinder.
There are many great options other than Vectronix that perform almost as well. I have a Sig Kilo300BDX ranging binoculars and for the money it is an excellent value with reliable ranging capability well beyond 1,500 yds/meters. I have gotten reliable ranges well beyond 2,000 yds and it's Bluetooth link to my Kestrel Elite works well and gives you the range and ballistic solution right in the Sig's display. The same comments would go for the Sig 2400BDX rangefinder.
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Kind of related question for you guys with more experience with LRF- so it's often hard to measure smaller targets like steel targets at ranges like 700 yards and higher. Usually I look for a feature (small hill, trees, etc) in that area to try to hit with the LRF and then estimate the target's distance in relation to that.
Is there a better way than that if your target can be read correctly with an LRF?
Is there a better way than that if your target can be read correctly with an LRF?
I slowly scan across the plate and usually can detect the plate vs background.
On of my favorite targets is a 8” diamond at 850 yards and it’s too small to catch but I can easily pick up the ground at the base of the T post.
On of my favorite targets is a 8” diamond at 850 yards and it’s too small to catch but I can easily pick up the ground at the base of the T post.
To the OP, this worth reading - all 15 pages
Sig Sauer - KILO3000 BDX LASER RANGEFINDING BINOCULARS
I see KILO3000 BDX LASER RANGEFINDING BINOCULARS posted for preorder on various sites. Kilo300 Binos Don't see them listed yet at Sig's site. Anyone have any info? Have been very happy with their rangefinders and excited about the possibility of decent binos with same lrf capabilities.
www.snipershide.com
The Hide coming through as always with all the info I need. I'm looking into a few of the range finders recommended here and I'm working my way through the thread Detroit posted, thank you for that. I'll either follow up with more questions or let you guys know what I went with. I also need a spotting scope so looking into that too. The research and learning never ends, I kind of wish someone could just tell me exactly what to get but I know that there is a lot of personal preference to all of this, even when all the options are high quality.
I can range a dirt mound at 1100 using the leupold rx2800. reflective out to 2000k. Buildings 3000 yards. Their priced right in my book.
You don't even known who actually makes the unit you supposedly own ? Here is a hint burris dont naked the 1 mile conx .
Oh lol my bad.
You're right it's Bushnell. For some reason I occasionally get them mixed up in my head.Ed: and as made obvious by my original statement, I don't use my Bushnell much anymore. Most of the targets I use a rangefinder for are pretty simple ranging solutions, so the Sig is fine.
Terrapin X I believe there is one for sale on the PX
Here it is. https://www.snipershide.com/shootin...575-shipped-and-insured.7007313/#post-8578378
Here it is. https://www.snipershide.com/shootin...575-shipped-and-insured.7007313/#post-8578378
Here is part of a review i did on the Vortex Razor HD 4000 LRF. It performed far above my expectations especially for about $500.
In the "standard" mode, i was able to easily range trees to about 2100 yards in bright sunlight. In overcast conditions, or late in the day, i could hit trees at 2600 yards. The ELR mode is very impressive and works very well. It is important to realize that you have to hold the ranging button while the ELR mode "builds" on the target so it is best to use a tripod for sure. In ELR mode, I was able to range trees a little over 3000 yards and a house at 3238 yards in bright sunlight. Shortly after, as a storm rolled in and the sky became overcast, I was able to range a water tower at 4352 yards, WOW! That really sold it for me. On a side note, a buddy has a Terrapin X LRF and we ran these two side by side, the Vortex won hands down. The Terrapin basically stopped ranging between 2600 and 3000 yards depending on the target. The one thing the Terrapin did have is bluetooth connectivity, the Vortex did not. Some people may consider this a Con but I have no need for it so YMMV. To sum it up, HIGHLY recommend it and dare I say, the last range finder you will ever need.
In the "standard" mode, i was able to easily range trees to about 2100 yards in bright sunlight. In overcast conditions, or late in the day, i could hit trees at 2600 yards. The ELR mode is very impressive and works very well. It is important to realize that you have to hold the ranging button while the ELR mode "builds" on the target so it is best to use a tripod for sure. In ELR mode, I was able to range trees a little over 3000 yards and a house at 3238 yards in bright sunlight. Shortly after, as a storm rolled in and the sky became overcast, I was able to range a water tower at 4352 yards, WOW! That really sold it for me. On a side note, a buddy has a Terrapin X LRF and we ran these two side by side, the Vortex won hands down. The Terrapin basically stopped ranging between 2600 and 3000 yards depending on the target. The one thing the Terrapin did have is bluetooth connectivity, the Vortex did not. Some people may consider this a Con but I have no need for it so YMMV. To sum it up, HIGHLY recommend it and dare I say, the last range finder you will ever need.
I'm assuming there really wasn't an issue with the readout in the second pic that it was a product of the camera? I am really considering the new vortex razor rangefinder. looks like an awesome "bang for the buck" range finder.
Definitely an issue with taking the photo through the LRF, readout was perfect. Obviously I would encourage you to try one. The pics should speak for themselves.
So, on the lower pic, the blue water tower/tank was ranged. I think I had my hand on the back of the LRF to steady my phone for the pics, probably tipped it upward a little. IIt took a good 5-7 seconds for it to "build" on it but when the range came up I was F'ing impressed!
In the top pic, I wanted to see how far it would range on only trees. So i was ranging the very top of the trees on the furthest mountain I could see off of my back deck. Again, ranging trees at 2600+ yards was also damn impressive. Like you said, it's hard to get pics through optics sometimes, I'm sure that where the blurring came from.
So at what distance did it range actual objects that you would shoot at. Every cheaper range finder I've ever used often ranges things that are 50 times the size of anything you would shoot at. They often even out perform a vectronix. When you try and range animals or a small target your usually left with ranging a tree 50 yards away and guessing the distance
That’s the spec that’s important to me.
At what distance can you get consistent hits on anything.
This is usually where a vectronix wins out but they have a terrible reputation for warranty so it's a gamble. I've used quiet a lot but I still haven't been happy with anything except the vectronix units I've used but I still haven't bought one because each time I've nearly justified it then the warranty issues have made me chicken out
This is an excellent point. Unfortunately, I may not be very helpful. Because I do not hunt, I don't go around ranging deer or animals. The best example I have had was successfully ranging a 36 inch steel target at 2060 yards at our ELR spot.
