Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Problems with Newer Leica CRF's?

I am in the market for another rangfinder and I really liked the CRF1200 I had some years ago, was thinking about picking up a CRF 1000 but I have read so many negative responses towards the Leicas that it makes me wonder if the performance or quality of the newer CRF's has gone downhill. Interested in your thoughts.

My old CRF1200 was a great rangefinder. My new CRF1600B is very similar, but much slower in getting readings. It does range way out there (hit over 1800 yds on a pine tree above the house).....but I bought it for angle compensation to use bowhunting stone sheep in the cliffs .....and the angle compensation doesn't work under 100 yds. Disappointing for sure. Too bad Leica never put that fact in their ads or literature before I ordered it and sold the old 1200.

AC,
I am only a sample of one, but believe that simplicity is important here. Earlier this month I was on an elk hunt in New Mexico where I used my Leica 800CRf daily. With temps down to -22*F I felt my only limitations were the distance and the strength of the return signal. Personally I have no use for anything capable of reading further cause I'll never shot that far. The 1600B mentioned above has to be a more complex unit with its multitude of outputs. I am always of the belief to keep things as simple as I need them. If one wants the "B" then I am all for it. But I like KISS.
A call to Leicas' technical department may prove informative as well a call to Doug or Neil. Good luck.

Thanks for the responses, you would think that the technology would only get better over time as opposed to worse over time. I don't understand how the LRF's were so highly regarded and yet guys that have bought multiple models of the CRF's complain about them not being as fast, not getting accurate readings or having difficulty reading at all. I am totally with you BW I don't need a whole bunch of complicated crap (ie 1600 B) when I push the button, I just want reliable distance readings out to say 600 or so yards. It seems crazy to think that I am thinking of going with something like a Bushnell 1000 or 1200 or a Nikon 1000 over a Leica because I have apprehension on whether or not the damn thing will work correctly after spending upwards of $400 or $500. I also considered a Vortex Ranger 1000 but it seems from reports that 1 in 4 are faulty from the git go. Decisions....decisions....

I have had quite a few and am probably going to be getting a set of the new leica combo units but I have been pleased with a Nikon rifle hunter and the new leupy 1000 with tbr.

I own both. The Nikon is much simpler and will get deer sized critters to about 500, trees/rocks to about 700, and reflective things to 950 or so. The
Leupy will get deer to 750-800 and trees to 1000. Both do angle comp. The leupy is really fast too.

Lee

As Ebby said, I've been very well pleased with the Leupy 1000i dna/tbr. My results are spot on with his.

I'm a bit confused as to how someone is experiencing a slower read time with the 1600 or 1600B vs a 1200. The read time is almost 3x as fast: .35 sec (1600) vs .85 sec (800/900/1200). Now if you're comparing initial LOS read time of the 1200 to the ballistic calculation time of the 1600 or 1600B, then that would make sense. The 1600s are always much faster on initial read time of LOS distance. If yours is not, give me a shout. Also, if you want simplicity, just don't program the ballistics portion of the 1600/1600B. Just set it to read yards or meters, and you're good to go. As far as not putting the limitations of the ballistic system into ad copy, I can only say that the CRF1600 and 1600B were designed for Riflemen, not archers, and were never marketed to archers (though many archers do use them with satisfaction). The new 1000-R, however, is built for both users, is simple, and give angle compensation from 10-600y plus LOS readings to 1000y, all for the same price ($599) as the now discontinued CRF1000. If anyone has any questions or need of assistance, please don't hesitate to contact me!

SpanielDog, any chance of a future software/firmware update to the new Geovid units that will allow angle comp at a closer distance for Archers? I've got one on order and will try it out but if there could be an "Archery ballistic curve" then it would become the perfect unit for me. I was just curious since they have the ability to use the micro SD cards and maybe you could program one for Archery. Thanks!

Lee

Hi Lee, I honestly don't know. I can only suggest that you make your purchase decision based on how the unit is currently spec'd. IF upgrade capability happens later, take it a bonus. -IF- I'm not saying it will. Sorry I can't be of more help there.

Before plunking down 3000 big ones, a guy better be happy with no angle comp <100 yards from the new geovid.
Many of us are huge Leica fans, but this sure reads like a major faux pas for such alpha glass.