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Practical advice on first range finder purchase |
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phatjohn
Optics GrassHopper Joined: February/24/2009 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 16 |
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Posted: February/24/2009 at 22:32 |
Need advice on a first range finder;
Looking to spend 250-300 dollars.
Anticipated distances are less than 500 yards (dual use rifle and archery hunting)
Best value for the money
Any brands or models to avoid
TIA
phatjohn
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Molon Labe
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jonoMT
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: November/13/2008 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 4853 |
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Simple seems better. Some viewfinders are cluttered with info. Others, like the Nikon I have used (a 440) are fast and accurate at the ranges you want. If you are thinking beyond 500 best to consider Leica and Zeiss. (I can't recommend the Swarovski I have very easily since it is now a grand!).
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Sgt. D
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: February/20/2008 Location: North Carolina Status: Offline Points: 4525 |
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There are some very good choices in your budget. I, like you use my range finder for bow and rifle and have used Bushnell yardage pro for yrs. I can vouch for these as being very reliable and easy to use. I've had the older yardage pro 400 for 5+ yrs and it is still working great. But I've recently bought the model 1000 because I am expanding my shooting ability to 800/1000 yds. It is awesome, it is fast to read and unlike the older 400 that takes awhile to read beyond 375, it reads to max range very readily. It was only 200.00. I tried a Nikon 1500 while in Iraq and found it to be too particular on the object being ranged. Not good when ranging for fire on hostiles. I did use it for range cards when there was no rush and it did fine. I have to say the Bushnell has been the best bang for the buck in my experience. Let us know what you find and Good luck!
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Dale Clifford
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: July/04/2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 5087 |
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as rangefinders start to move into the 2nd and 3rd generation the amount of information included in the view will increase, Leos series work very well out to 500 yds, and will adjust for projectile drop in moa or inches, the program chip uses three basic projectile profiles, the smaller nikons work great out to 500 if thats all you need. biggest problem with putting compensating information in the device is how do you enter the variables? as the range increases air temp, velocity, baro pressure, etc, become more critical. will the rangefinders next year become small weather stations also. if your looking into shooting long range 800+ yds pay the money and get the swaro, or the new zeiss.
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phatjohn
Optics GrassHopper Joined: February/24/2009 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 16 |
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Decided to go with a Bushnell Yardage Pro 1000. Had it out coyote hunting Friday and so far so good. Did everything I wanted it to do. Time will tell if this is going to turn out to be a good purchase.
Thanks for the replies.
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Molon Labe
You don't get old by being stupid |
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Rancid Coolaid
MODERATOR Joined: January/19/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9318 |
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http://www.swfa.com/pc-13227-2273-bushnell-5x-scout-1000-laser-rangefinder.aspx
Good for long range, and has an archery mode. IT is an LCD, not LED, which is acceptable in all but very dark conditions. |
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