Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Quality, basic, affordable rangefinder

Forgot to say my rangefinder upgrades were to take advantage of better technology and that I sold my perfectly functional older units.

One more - forgetful this AM. I consider myself to be an excellent rifle shot. The only shots that I had missed were in the same canyon. It was 150 yards shorter shot than I had estimated. Even a cheaper rangefinder is better than 99% of hunters guesses past 250 yards.

I have a Leica 1200 and an older Nikon Monarch 850. Neither has ever failed and work just fine. I’ve had numerous hunting buddies bitch about Leupold and Bushnell on about equal regularity with those who praise them. I would buy the best rated brand you can afford.

At least you're humble about it.

I’ve been using a Leupold 1000 TBR DNA, (not sure model exactly), Since 2013 and it has worked great for me. No problem ranging Stone sheep and goats out to 700 yds. In Wyoming I was able to range an antelope buck at close to 700 yds moving through the sage brush. It still works fine and affordable.

I understand waiting to buy top three quality, but if your gonna do that get a used "junk brand" with arc to use in the meantime. Missing sucks. Coues are little guys and hard enough to hit without guessing if that is 350 or 450yds. And there are plenty of range finders that can tell you that for not too much $$.

If you'd ask this question a year ago I think there'd a been a chorus of SigKilo2000 responses. Has the shine completely worn off those?

Kent

Only difference I could see was the warranty.

I live in Southern Idaho where open county is common. I use a Nikon Aculon - $139 from Cabelas. It ranges off animals to about 300 yards, trees and rock to about 450. If the Aculon won't range it, I need to get closer.

Last year we brought in the Velocity Rangefinders to have a decent entry level rangefinder. They offer 2 models,

A 660 yard @ $99.99 and the 1100 yard version for $129.99. These are good units, made in China, that get the job done.
A bunch of members here purchased them and seem to have been pleased with the purchase. For an entry level unit it's a great deal

Thoughts and opinions....
Which would be a better purchase, sig kilo 1250 or vortex ranger 1300? How does the velocity 1100 that doug mentions above compare? Is there something better in the less than $300 range? For those who didn’t read my first post, I’m looking for a rangefinder that can reliably range deer at 600ish yards.

I have been watching the classifieds but haven’t seen many used come up.
Thanks! KT

If you like we still have a new Sig Kilo 1250 from that store we bought the inventory from for only $169.99. If you're interested give us a call, 516-217-1000

Thanks Doug. Is the kilo 1250 decent for what I’m looking for? Better options in the under $300 range? Do you know if the 1250 will reliably range deer at 600 yards?

I think 600 yards is not going to be an issue. I think this unit will be dependable for you

Sorry for the appalling lack of modesty but If I said that my groups looked like a shotgun pattern and buck fever was my middle name - how could I blame poor range estimation for shooting over the top of 2 nice bucks.

I’m lucky enough to have a 225 yard range and a 490 yard rock in my backyard. Both grandfathers spoiled me with time and ammunition starting before I turned 5. Dad made me shoot a B.B. gun about ten thousand times to get any 22 ammo and living way out in the sticks certainly helped. After shooting that much over 50 years it would be pathetic if I wasn’t reasonably competent.

That awful range estimation after 250 yards is very common and Doug’s under $200 Sig will be a great tool for the OP. All the target turrets, range calibrated reticles and Ballistic calculators that make long range easier don’t really matter if you guess wrong on the actual distance.

That sounds like a hell of a deal. If I did not already have the Leupold Rx 1200i TBR DNA, I would be hoping you passed on this deal so I could have a shot at it.

Just a couple of thoughts. Most laser range finders are rated on reflective targets. One will be very disappointed if he expects a 1200 yd range finder to read on a deer at 1200 yds. It will read on a car, or a possibly a light colored rock at that range, but not a hairy critter.

My Leupold 1200 seems to be reliable on cows, horses, trees, and rocks out to 700 to 800 yds. Now I am jonesing for the Leupold 1600, but it ain't happening. The Leupold Rx 1200 i TBR or 1600 TBR calculates and corrects for uphill and downhill shots. Thus TBR for true ballistic range. It also features stored trajectories for many different cartridges and will give a readout of holdover in inches, or correction in mils or moa.

A Leupold RX 1200 TBR DNA Has done everything I have asked it to do out to 800 yards.

Then a little sign said - "get closer."