Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Should I upgrade my rangefinder?

I have a Simmons 4x20LRF 600. It has received good reviews online but I am wondering if I should upgrade to a Vortex or Sig Kilo 2000. Is the only real difference the distance at which they will range? The Simmons is supposed to range out to 600 yards which is further than any shot I would take. I am planning some Mule Deer and Elk hunts for out west so I am trying to accumulate some versatile gear. Also, are there any that are good for both rifle and bow or is ARC not really all that important?

No thoughts huh? Well I think that I will upgrade so now I am trying to decide between the Sig Kilo and the Vortex Ranger. Based on what I have read it seems that the main difference is in the value one places on Vortex lifetime warranty vs the Sig 5 year warranty. Maybe ill wait for Black Friday and see which is a better deal.

How does the Simmons work? I've noticed the different units of the same model and manufacturer behave different. I have had good and bad Leica's, Zeiss, and Bushnell's.

If you're Simmons ranges out to 600 yards (or whatever distance you're happy with) reliably in almost all conditions, I'd keep it. If it doesn't, trip it for a Sig.

Kilo, the 2k is really useful for planning stalks.

How does the simmons work in the field? Typically a rangefinder will only reliably get to about 50% of the rated range on game in the field in my experience. The actual rating is under ideal conditions with a reflective target. If the Simmons is only reliable to 300 yds then it would be pretty useless.

I have the Sig Kilo 2000 and it's great. Cabela's has them on sale for $379 right now. 5 years is plenty of warranty, you'll be ready to upgrade to the latest and greatest by then.

Just bought a Vortex Ranger 1000. Have not had it out yet but it will get used on Saturday!

The Simmons doesn't work great. I am going to upgrade but can't decide between the Vortex Ranger 1500 or the Sig Kilo 2000. Looking forward to reading through a bunch of reviews.

I'm happy with mine. On my elk hunt last week I was able to reliably range trees out to about 625 yds which is a hell of a lot further than I'd ever take a shot.

I had a Nikon Monarch that was OK to about 400 on animals. It was pure crap if snow was on the ground. I bought a Sig 2000, and immediately sold the Nikon.

I like it!

Sig 2000 beats the crap out of my Nikon. This spring I was ranging ground squirrels on flat terrain to 400yds reliably and the Nikon would stop working past 125. Best money I've spent on an optic in quite a while. The prices have come way down on the Sig too.

Sig Kilo 2000

If You have to ask you already know the answer. Especially if you admit your Simmons isn't that great.
I like my sig kilo. Clear view and fast readings.
Much better than my old redfield when it comes to clarity and ranging.
I also like it better than my friends vortex.

I don't look at any thing with label such as Simmons, tasco or bushnel. Throwing money away with those brands .

Had a chance to use the Vortex this week deer hunting and it worked well. The farthest deer that I ranged was 430 yards

If I was buying a range finder today it would be a Sig