Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Sick of Battling LRF's

It's a cold, dreary, dull day here in mule deer country. The rut is kickiing off, and I proceeded to a good opportunity at a really nice, old mature buck this morning because i couldn't get a range and didn't want to SWAG it.

I've tried numerous LRF's in this type of weather, and none of them have been worth a crap as far as I'm concerned. These stand alone's include the Leupy 1200, (best so far) Swaro , Older Leica 1200 (worst I've had BTW), and a Vortex. Farthest I could read on any target (I realize in these conditions the "non-relfectivity issues) has been a shade over 300 yards. That's OK most of the time, but I like gear that Works! Not bashing my Geovid's, but when the temps got below 30* it had no better RF capabilities than any of these other ones. An acquaintance wanted them worse than I did so I sold them.

I'd really consider the Nikon Laserforce if it would halfassed do what it's supposed to do in these dull, dreary conditions. Will it work? Got the redass over this situation.......

Thanks for the feedback.

ZEISS Victory 8x26mm has worked the best in those conditions (cold, damp, dreary, hanging rain/mist) from my experience.

I’ve never had a problem with my Swarovski ranging through any condition including dreary foggy days.

That's good for you, but I did on several occasions. Not interested in Swaro. Thanks anyway.

Wasn’t offering you mine.

No kidding?

Only hunt on sunny days.

I ain't that old yet ct.......

I've never had any rangefinders work in poor conditions either and relinquished to hunting the old fashion way when its nasty.

I have nothing but good to say about my Leica 2700. Light snow and single digit readings didn't slow it down.

I just use a Nikon Aculon. Nothing fancy, if it won't range quickly then I know it's over 300, I'll just pick out something half way there and range that, double it - close enough for rifle hunting.

I'm really surprised you rate the Leupold 1200 so high. A good friend and elk hunting buddy is on his 3rd unit. Good warranty/CS, but not a great product. At least in his experience. Shows how mileage varies I guess.

I was out deer hunting with another buddy a few weeks back. Sunny, clear, cold, approx. -20C. His Geovids were struggling to range anything. My 2700b was performing well. But I carry mine in a cargo pocket. His Bino was on a harness, outside all his layers. Maybe it was just body heat making the difference?

Form seems to think highly of the Nikons. Maybe give one a try and let us know how it goes.

Never had that issue with newer Leica CRF-1000 unit. Used in Colorado down in single digits

I hear you Wrongside, maybe these chinese LRF's have wide sample variations, I don't know. My first Leupy 1000 TBR had half of the display go out so Leupy sent me the 1200. Can't say I'm in love with it though because every freaking one I've tried has been halfassed. (sorry, rant over). GregW and I had this conversation yesterday and karma has come around to me, today.

Stick a hand warmer by the battery. PIA, but it helps those batteries that suck in the cold.

From what I've heard the Terrapins do not impress in the fog/rain, and they are cream of the crop.

After buying my 2700 Leicas, I sold my Terrapin, however I never gave it a good workout in lousy conditions...

JGRaider: I am rather happy with my Leica LRF 900 - and I live and Hunt both Big Game, predators and Varmints year round (day and night!)!
I am not sure but am willing to bet it gets WAY colder where I often Hunt (7,000'+ elevations in SW Montana) than there in West Texas Mule Deer country.
Maybe this is your problem (which I had many years and many rangefinders ago!) - you are not holding your laser rangefinders STEADY enough?
Once I started resting/steadying my laser rangefinders COMPLETELY, I started getting lasered readings at the needed longer ranges.
I either clamp my Leica 900's with my hands to a tree or use my Hunting pack as a "tripod" etc then I get range readings I am confident in.
My "needs" for ranging anything in the way of Big Game ends just under 600 yards - I won't shoot any further than that. If I get ranges past 600 yards I get closer!
Good luck in what ever you try next - I recommend steadying the LRF to close to absolute stillness and that should help extend your laser distances.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Read this post and grabbed a RF off the table by the back door too see, it's a cold, wet, misty, foggy day here as well, just ranged 710 yards up on the mountain, all the way up to low fog level in the trees, everything else visible in the pasture all the way back to 25 yards flashed a reading.

The Nikon Black RangeX is what I used, don't know what they cost, don't figure they're too expensive, an old Bud gave me that one over six months ago.

I’ve owned several Leicas as well as the Zeiss and the Sig Kilo 2000 I’m using right now is as fast and as reliable as anything I’ve tried. I did learn that if it gets down below 10 deg I shove in my coat or it won’t read the longer distances. But other than that it’s a rockstar out well past any range I’d shoot. 1200 + easily.