Rangefinders

I got a Simmons LRF 600 from Menards last winter for $60. I couldn't pass it up for that price. The 4x glass is barely better than the naked eye, but the range finder operation works just fine. I've never checked anything behond 450 yards. When I 1st got it, I double-checked it out to measured-by-me distances up to 100 yards. I know it's accurate from 15-100 yards for sure. Beyond that, I assume it's good, or good enough.

I've also stuck an inclinometer on it to create my own ARC system :) (who knew trigonometry would ever come in handy)

http://www.amazon.com/Company-201-F...1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1326385895&sr=1-1-catcorr
 
Taylorce1, Try Cameraland,
Click to expand...

I buy from them all the time, got two Vortex Viper scopes on closeout awhile back in 2-7 power. I've been using Doug since 2006. The OP was already looking at SWFA just didn't want him to overlook the "Sample List". I picked up my Minox binos from the list and they were NIB demo's as well but $50 cheaper delivered than Cameraland had their demo binoculars.
 
I've got the Nikon 600 and it'll read trees and such out to 500 or a bit further. On critters, it's good to a max of about 400 yards. I ranged a coyote recently to 356, but I had to try the reading about 8 times. I got to 386 on a big hog, and I believe that's the farthest I've ranged a critter. My rangefinder use is more to range objects to get a feel for how far I have to shoot if the buck walks past that tree or dirt mound or whatever. When the big buck walks out, I don't want to spend time on the Binocs (wow, that's a whopper), then switch to the rangefinder (yup, 430) and then switch to the rifle. I've already lost a couple of keepers like that.

If I was to buy another RF, I'd love to have the Leica (which I think is the best available), but would probably settle for a Nikon or Bushnell 1000. Either one of those should range to 600 on a critter, and that's more than I'll need. And there's another reason for going on the cheap side. These rangefinders just get better every year and if you spend a ton on one this year, you may be reluctant to spend a ton on the 'latest and greatest' next year - at least I would. My present plan is to eventually give my RF to the grandson and then get that Nikon 1000 or equivalent.
 
For the money, I think the Leupold range finders are a "Best Value"

http://www.opticsplanet.net/leupold-rx-750-tbr-range-finder.html

Do you need one? - NO. Do you want one? - YES.

All my scope rectical's are P-4, Mil-Dot or range finding.

You would be better off to learn how to use these type of recticals (no batteries needed) and ranging with then is not that hard, if you know the size of your target.

It is hard to explain, that electronic range finders are not all that acccurate or easy to use.

Most use a laser that is bounced off the target you are ranging. Depending on the composition of the "skin, pelt or reflective surface" you are ranging will make your findings different. (how reflective is your target)

Ranging large surfaces that are vertical to the gound is easy, ranging a curved surface like the body of a deer will bounce most of the signal of the laser to the ground as oposed to sending the laser back to your unit.

The best use of a range finder is to range the objects around where you are hunting to give you an idea of the ranges that your target might appear at. Trying to range a moving target will be useless unless you know your distances to start with.

As to range, all you need is a decent range finder out to 600 yards or meters anything beyound that is really a shot in the dark unless you shoot at Camp Perry every year.

Good Luck
Jim
 
I picked up a Zeiss Victory last year. It is rated to 1300 yds....I don't know as I've only tested its accuracy to 1050 yds. That was on a 24"x36" target, set out from the shooting line using a GPS equipped surveying tool. The Zeiss said it was within 2 yards of what it actually was. That was good enough for me. This past weekend, I was at a range out in the desert. I could consistently range the 12"X12" steel at 600 yds. Never had a German optic before but I'm liking it so far.

As for having a rangefinder built into my rifle scope....not me. I've got 80 acres in Minnesota that I'll be using the Zeiss on this summer to kick start the plans for our new house, driveway, etc. Easy enough to take my rangefinder on the airlines....no nearly so with a rifle.
 
I got a bushnell 800 for 80, it was used but in good condition. Has gotten the job done. It ranges up to about 500 yards jst about anything, but past that its hit or miss.

The farthest I've ranged with it was around 900, but in general past 700 is when you really gotta try a bunch of times to range something.

If your using a rangefinder for up to like 200-300 yards like most people, I'm sure you can get away with using the cheapest one. Aren't they all guaranteed to like 1-2 yard accuracy? Contrary to popular belief in the internet world, you don't need the absolute best equipment if your not pushing any kind of limits.
 
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