I went prairie dog hunting for the first time last year, and I will be doing this again. My friend had a Bushnell 1000 (?) rangefinder, and it was not up to the task. Optically dim, and the reticle covered so much territory, couldn't be sure what I was getting a range to.

My buddy has a Swiss Wild optical rangefinder we might try, but it's probably too big and slow, plus I don't think it goes below 300 meters.

So which one to get? Cheaper is better, but it has to perform.

I use a Leica 1200 with the scanning function. If you hit the button again, it gives a continuous reading so that you don't need to hold the reticle as steady. We usually range off of the mound or a nearby rock rather than the P dog.

Hard to go wrong with a Leica.

Vortex Ranger 1000
Good optics, Nice reticle, true 1000 yard capabilities. And they hold a lifetime warranty.

$379 street price

There was no way we were going to get a range off a single P dog, we attempted range off the mound, with poor results. The scan feature sounds like what I need.

I think you might be able to get by without it if they had a hair trigger button. You press the button and the reticule goes wild. Then they'd have to put a guard over it so that it isn't always turning on and running the battery down. I've had my leica for probably 5 years or more, so this may have changed, but you need to keep mine warm, or it won't work. Not an issue for pdogs, but once you have it, you will probably want to use it for other things.

Haven't used it on prarie dogs, but my Bushnell Elite 1500 has great optics at 7x and seems like it would be up to the task.

Leica all the way! I had a leupold and returned it after I used a friends old style Leica. I bought the new 1000 about 2-3yrs ago and it's been one of my best hear purchases

Will your leica work when it gets cold, or do you need to keep it warm?

I am not trying to be cute here, but wondering what temp is cold for your Leica?

Don't really know for sure. I've left it in the truck overnight with the outside temp in the 20's and had it give wonky readings until it warms up. I'd imagine that it was slightly warmer in the truck than ambient, but probably not by much. I keep it in an inside pocket and haven't had trouble with it. I wouldn't trust it under 40 until I test it further, but I won't do it while I'm hunting, and I don't think of it when I'm not.

I had a similar problem of my range finder acting wonky when cold and a new battery took care of the problem.

To the O.P. I have had a LeicaLRF 1200 for almost 10 years and have never regretted buying it

Same here.

3AXBAT , you did not specify the maximum Range you are going to shoot . Most good LRFs work for Pdogs up to maybe 3/4 of what the Manufacturers say , and there is quite an amount of variability even within the same Brand and Model due to differences in the Laser Diodes used . I used a Leica 1200 for years and was happy until I wanted to shoot out to 1000 Yards or so . I bought a Swaro and it does everything I want for Pdogs . I have seen a lot of happy users who use a Leica 1600 for Long Range Shooting . If you have very deep pockets there are LRFs way better than both the Swaro and Leica 1600 . You can pick up used or Store Display Sample Models and save that way if you are on a tight Budget . The Wild is a great Optical RF , but it is something to lug around if you're an old timer .

I guess I haven't noticed anything temp wise. Something I haven't thought of really. This past yr moose hunting I'd say it was in the high 20s and it worked like a charm. Other than that I have not used it it any extreme below zero temps. You have me thinking now. I might try to dig it up over the weekend and do some experimenting

Leica 1200 scan for 12 yrs now.......

no probs at all....although I've heard Leica C/S isn't stellar

Must have got a good one......

usull

I don't think I'll shoot anything over 500, at a stretch. That's a good tip about usable range being 3/4 of stated range. Pockets not so deep. I read as much good as bad about Leica customer service. Still a month or two out from purchasing, but Vortex is looking good about now.