Which range finder and why?

[Johnny Crash]

I’ve read and read until my eyes were tired on here about different rangefinders.

I’m curious with the products available right now and the information as to how I’ll be using it, what rangefinder you guys would point me in the direction of.

So here’s how it lays out, I use a cheap ranger finder now that suited me perfectly for mountain hunting in my area but recently have stepped up my interest in long range shooting i.e. a 1000 yards or more.

So I’m looking to replace my range finder with something significantly more capable. I’ve looked at several models and price points but I just can’t get down to brass tacks.

I like the Sig Kilo3000 for the fact that I can carry one piece of equipment in place of 2 and sell my current RF and Binos. Also like that it pairs with the kestrel.

I’ve been reading good things on the new Leica 2800.com too and it also pairs with the kestrel but isn’t a bino.

A few others have caught my attention such as the Fury and Terrapin X. I’m curious with all the products and information on the table today. What would you buy and why?

 

[PFG]

I think it comes down to priorities.

I’m primarily a hunter. So I’m not willing to give up on glass quality. That means buying high end RF Bino or the best RF glass on the market.

I’ve yet to see any RF that can match Leica. For glass quality and glare suppression.

I haven’t held the Zeiss RF Victory Binos, but on paper they look like are incredible.

 

[Johnny Crash]

I’ve seen a lot of rave reviews for Leica products, including the 2800.com and it was kind of my first target as far as a new purchase was concerned but I also like the idea of a BINO RF and the Leica Versions are noooot cheap

 

[isofahunter]

Leica RF and Binos here. For hunting LR needs to fit in my shirt pocket.

 

[catorres1]

Johnny,

I have or have had the sig 2400 bdx and 3k, also the Leica 2700 and 2800. I have not used Leica's binos, nor the Zeiss binos. That said, I am very familiar with Leica ranging tech and run Zeiss FL binos. Leica's RF tech is very refined after over 25 years of ranging products. They no doubt are a leader.

First, let me say that I think there is no right or wrong answer here, in my opinion. It really matters what you do, how you do it, and what you value. Workflow is a large differentiator because lets face it, there are a lot of good rangefinders out there, and the distances we are talking on the top end are very long for all of them. Some fare better than others under different conditions or on different targets, but all the higher end ones are pretty capable in that regard. So it's complicated, which is why I would offer that if you want to take this offline into a phone conversation...feel free to PM me and I'll be glad to jump on a call with you if that would help.

But to put it in an oversimplified nutshell, between the Leica and the Sig binos....do you want alpha glass? Then you have to choose the Leica. I run Zeiss FL's, and I love that glass. While the glass and the overall package of the 3k BDX is nice, it's $1200. It's a bargain for what it is, but obviously you are not going to get alpha glass for that price. Does it range well, yes it does. While the aiming takes a little getting used to due various issues I won't go into now for brevity's sake, once you get the hang of it, it reaches way out there, even in bright sunlight. And from a tech perspective...for long range shooting...having all your data dumped right to the kestrel and then displayed back in the RF....it's fast and efficient. Take it a step further and use a BDX scope and I can't think of a faster system, particularly for a hunter.

But it depends on what you value most for what you do. If you value the glass over the connectivity workflow, then Leica. Leica ranging is precise and refined. They really know what they are doing when it comes to ranging, probably more than anyone else. And even if the Leica 3k is not hitting 4-5000 yards on certain targets, if it follows their other RF's, it'll do 3k on trees, rocks, etc. and under most conditions. And of course, the glass is top drawer.

I can tell you that if you are into long range shooting, I love AB Elite products, and a device that connects with them has great value to me. So the 2800.com, the Sig 2400 BDX and the 3k BDX have appeal to me. It's not that you can't do it without that connection, obviously...my 2700 with a Kestrel has served me well. But my experience this year has shown me that taking that workflow one step (in the case of the Leica) or two steps (in the case of the BDX) further pays dividends when time is at a premium. But that's for me, not necessarily everyone.

So maybe rank the answers to these questions in order of importance to you:

Do you want a bino RF, or a CRF and seperate bino?
Do you want integration with a Kestrel or other external device (Sigs also connect with the Foretrex 701)
How important is glass in a bino
How important is glass in a CRF
Would you also consider using one of Sig's BDX scopes, or do you have something else already

I think maybe at this point, the ranging capability is not the main determinant. It's the stuff around it...workflow, use profile, form factor, connectivity, glass quality etc.

Maybe attack the decision by sorting some of those things out in terms of what you really like, and then maybe your decision will become more clear.

Again, really just hit the high points here. It really is a personal decision with lots of permutations, so don't hesitate to reach out if I can help.

 

[Soulezoo]

I like the above post. I can't answer for the sig in any respect but am extremely happy with my Leica LRF.

 

[sodakhunter]

Have had lots of Leica stuff and really like the glass quality and the tech seems to be pretty decent. That being said I like it so much haven’t got too much experience with others.

 

[Evolution 9]

Leica. For over a decade they were the ONLY range finders that consistently ranged FARTHER than advertised as opposed to not as far. Light, accurate, fantastic glass.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Leica's are dependable as well as having the finest optics

 

[Jefe's Dope]

< VERY happy w/ me Leica. The glass is stellar.

 

[ICU22250]

I really like my 1600B, but I'm also considering selling it toward funding a 2800.com. The Leica glass is great and the rangefinder electronics are really good as well... I just like how the 2800.com interfaces directly with my Kestrel 5700 elite, one less step to worry about...

 

[BigRed308]

I am using a Leupold 1200. I purchased it as a bow hunter with the idea of potential getting into LR shooting later on down the road. It works well, have verified it with other brands and gps, out to 1134 yards. However, as I progress, I will be updating my RF before too long.

 

[seansmd]

Johnny,

I have or have had the sig 2400 bdx and 3k, also the Leica 2700 and 2800. I have not used Leica's binos, nor the Zeiss binos. That said, I am very familiar with Leica ranging tech and run Zeiss FL binos. Leica's RF tech is very refined after over 25 years of ranging products. They no doubt are a leader.

First, let me say that I think there is no right or wrong answer here, in my opinion. It really matters what you do, how you do it, and what you value. Workflow is a large differentiator because lets face it, there are a lot of good rangefinders out there, and the distances we are talking on the top end are very long for all of them. Some fare better than others under different conditions or on different targets, but all the higher end ones are pretty capable in that regard. So it's complicated, which is why I would offer that if you want to take this offline into a phone conversation...feel free to PM me and I'll be glad to jump on a call with you if that would help.

But to put it in an oversimplified nutshell, between the Leica and the Sig binos....do you want alpha glass? Then you have to choose the Leica. I run Zeiss FL's, and I love that glass. While the glass and the overall package of the 3k BDX is nice, it's $1200. It's a bargain for what it is, but obviously you are not going to get alpha glass for that price. Does it range well, yes it does. While the aiming takes a little getting used to due various issues I won't go into now for brevity's sake, once you get the hang of it, it reaches way out there, even in bright sunlight. And from a tech perspective...for long range shooting...having all your data dumped right to the kestrel and then displayed back in the RF....it's fast and efficient. Take it a step further and use a BDX scope and I can't think of a faster system, particularly for a hunter.

But it depends on what you value most for what you do. If you value the glass over the connectivity workflow, then Leica. Leica ranging is precise and refined. They really know what they are doing when it comes to ranging, probably more than anyone else. And even if the Leica 3k is not hitting 4-5000 yards on certain targets, if it follows their other RF's, it'll do 3k on trees, rocks, etc. and under most conditions. And of course, the glass is top drawer.

I can tell you that if you are into long range shooting, I love AB Elite products, and a device that connects with them has great value to me. So the 2800.com, the Sig 2400 BDX and the 3k BDX have appeal to me. It's not that you can't do it without that connection, obviously...my 2700 with a Kestrel has served me well. But my experience this year has shown me that taking that workflow one step (in the case of the Leica) or two steps (in the case of the BDX) further pays dividends when time is at a premium. But that's for me, not necessarily everyone.

So maybe rank the answers to these questions in order of importance to you:

Do you want a bino RF, or a CRF and seperate bino?
Do you want integration with a Kestrel or other external device (Sigs also connect with the Foretrex 701)
How important is glass in a bino
How important is glass in a CRF
Would you also consider using one of Sig's BDX scopes, or do you have something else already

I think maybe at this point, the ranging capability is not the main determinant. It's the stuff around it...workflow, use profile, form factor, connectivity, glass quality etc.

Maybe attack the decision by sorting some of those things out in terms of what you really like, and then maybe your decision will become more clear.

Again, really just hit the high points here. It really is a personal decision with lots of permutations, so don't hesitate to reach out if I can help.

Did you say the BDX pairs with the kestrel 5700?

 

[catorres1]

Did you say the BDX pairs with the kestrel 5700?

Yes, that is the purpose of the BDX line, ballistic data exchange. It pairs with a Kestrel 5700, also with a Foretrex 701, and scopes in the BDX line. There may be additional items that will connect in the future.

That said, it is good to note that the 2400 BDX lacks an onboard compass, so you still have to set DOF manually for those very long shots. Of course, that is probably not an issue until you are pretty far out there, when you would have time to spare anyway.

 

[seansmd]

Yes, that is the purpose of the BDX line, ballistic data exchange. It pairs with a Kestrel 5700, also with a Foretrex 701, and scopes in the BDX line. There may be additional items that will connect in the future.

That said, it is good to note that the 2400 BDX lacks an onboard compass, so you still have to set DOF manually for those very long shots. Of course, that is probably not an issue until you are pretty far out there, when you would have time to spare anyway.

Thanks @catorres1 does it display the solution in the RF like the Leica 2800.com, or just send the range and angle back to the Kestrel?

 

[catorres1]

Thanks @catorres1 does it display the solution in the RF like the Leica 2800.com, or just send the range and angle back to the Kestrel?

It all displays back in the RF, just like the 2800. The 2800 has the added benefits in that it has an onboard compass, so true hands off with the Kestrel if you want. And it will display two wind holds from the Kestrel if you have your Kestrel setup that way (constant and gust). The Sig only displays the one.

That said, in Sig's corner, with the Kestrel running but the the RF waking up....it is much faster to re-establish a connection with the Kestrel and be ready to range, and the way it displays your hold data is better than on the 2800. The 2800 shows you the data once, and then stops on the last parameter IIRC. The 2400 cycles through the various holds several times so you get a chance again if you miss it.

There are other differences, of course, but those are the ones that come to mind in terms of their connectivity etc.