Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics $600 Range finder, which one?

After trying a number of Leuplod models and finding them to be complete jokes, I cannot bring myself to even consider another one.

A Vectronix PLRF 25C is where the good rangefinder start!

Here you go.

http://www.cameralandny.com/optics/zeiss.pl?page=zeiss524560

I've used a bunch of them and used to buy or trade for a different one every year or so. Until I bought a Leica CRF 1600-B when they came out a couple of years ago. I love it. I have no desire to trade for anything any different. It's a keeper.

It's performed flawlessly for me in all types of weather. Basically, if I can see it, I can range it, if whatever "it" is is within a mile or so.

Edited to say that I have NOT tried any Zeiss rangefinders, so I have absolutely no experience with that brand. They might be the cat's azz, but I've never touched one and have no friends that have one.

I found a Leica CRF 1200 used for quite a bit under $600 and have been very happy with it for the last 2-3 years.

I must have a bad Leupy 1000, won't range trees/hillsides/critters past 450yds or so...my Leica 1600 ($575 mint used) hits trees all day long to 1500yds and as far as 1950yds in perfect conditions.

Looks like the Leica or Zeiss, not many Zeiss reviews

Nope, your leupy works about as good as any of them I think. They really should have stayed out of the rangefinding business.

The Swarovski ranges good but has a terrible view finder. The Leica is the best of all the typical consumer rangefinders. The Vectronix is just, well a little spendy!

I have one of the Bushnell Elite, either a 1500 or 1600, it works fine for me, well over 1000 yards on game. It isn't small, most of the guides seem to like the Leica. I bought the Bushnell for $200 off ebay four or five years ago, so no complaints about it.

I agree, its my first LRF but last year I was able to range individual antelope at 700 yds, and anything more reflective out to 1000yds. The display has 3 brightness settings and the medium setting is plenty clear on bright days. A friend of mine has a new leica 1600 and the display is so dim its almost impossible to see on bright days. I'm sure it has settings for brightness but he hasnt found it yet;)

I need to check the lupy out my Leica is hard to see the tiny red rectangle on sunny days too.

The new rangefinders are amazingly small and sophisticated with good optics at the high end. But you aren't going to see a huge difference in performance from your old Leica. I bought the CRF 1000r last year for elk hunting in CO and am very pleased with it for my uses including archery. But if I had chosen the Zeiss or the Vortex I think they would be perfectly capable.

My decision to replace my trusty Nikon 800 was because I looked through a Leupold 1000 in foggy conditions and it worked where mine failed.

I don't know if it's luck, limited experience or good judgement, but the only rangefinder I've ever owned is the Leica CRF 1200 and it is fantastic. Cameraland of course.

Very impressed with my Zeiss PRF. Fast readings and clear.