I bought a Leupold RX-1000i TBR DNA of few years ago. I hadn't used it in about 2 years until last weekend and discovered that the display was not displaying properly. I installed a new battery but that didn't help. I called Leupold a few days ago but they have not called me back. I am guessing that when I finally do get to talk to them I will be told that the warranty has expired. So I will likely need a new one.

When I bought it I was living in Walla Walla Washington and hunting the Blue Mountains where shots could be long and at a significant slope. Now I am hunting in Michigan where shots are much shorter but I am limited to using my 45/70 so the difference between 100 and 150 yards is enough to cause a poor hit.

Looking for input on a sensible replacement. Thanks.

Just get a Nikon 600. That’s what I started with, and it worked great on muddy pigs and coyotes to 400 yards. Not 420 yards, but it would do 400. It would range non-muddy stuff like signs and trucks to 900 yards. I had it for years. I’d still have if 400 yards was enough, but I needed 500 to range the far side of my hay field. I bought a Sig 1250 to try. Sent it back and got a Leica 2000B. It’s great.

Leica

Vortex is the only laser rangefinder that does not have a time limit on the warranty of the electronics as far as I know.

Disclaimer - I have not owned a Vortex RF so my experience with them is limited to looking through and testing their ranging ability when I was looking for a rangefinder. At that time I did not care for the image of the letters, etc. I ended up buying the Leupold 1000 and it has served me well but I also purchased it with the realization that electronic circuitry is fragile. The rangefinder I had previously owned to the Leupold I fried the circuitry by leaving it laying on a hot dash all day in 95 degree weather.

drover

I had a similar experience and they replaced mine with an RX-1200 at no cost. I’d suggest giving them an opportunity to respond.

Dig makes a decent rf.

Leica

I have a couple Leica LRF 1200 Scan units for sale. Shoot me a PM if you're interested.....

Get a Vortex and forget about it. Vortex has a lifetime warranty. Athlon makes a decent rangefinder for not much money. I have both as well as a Sig Kilo 2200. Leica charges a lot of money and doesn't warranty crap. BTDT with Leica. For your needs, I would say the Athlon will fill the bill but would give the nod to Vortex.

Leica,
does your unit power up? Just the display that is not right? I have seen the battery terminals get dirty and or weak spring tension, especially with a unit not used often. If i powers up and is not working I am afraid that it is beyond economic repair.

Ot does power up but I cannot see all of what it is trying to display. Some characters are not showing up. I will try again to get in touch with Leupold.

Leupold says that with it being out of warranty they cannot fix or replace it but offered me a good deal on some of their newer, more powerful models.

I am considering taking them up on this. Either the RX-1600i TBR/W or thee RX-2800 TBR/W.

Does anyone have feedback on these models?

I have used the 2800 and it will blow your old one away.

Seem Leupy is finally getting into to good range finders.

I've had 3 of the Leupy's, latest one being the 1600 TBR. Every time the same thing has happened in that half the display goes out and quits working. Each time Leupy has replaced it under warranty which tells you how often mine broke down. The Sig runs circles around any Leupy RF made.

I had the same thing happen with my Leupy 1600TBR. Really pissed me off as I didn't use it often, but when I needed it, I expected it to work. I'm not sure it lasted a year and a half.

I bought a Leica from Doug a few weeks back.

Yep, same thing happened to my Leupold 1000Xi TBR, and it was a couple years out of warranty. Couldn't read the display unless you held you hand over the end to darken things up. They offered me a price break on a new one which was the 1600i. I wish I had known about the RX-2800.

I did not end up getting a new rangefinder last fall because I did not really think I would need one where I was hunting and I did not want to get one and not use it for who knows how long only to find that it had gone bad before I ever really needed it. I have moved to Oregon recently and will now be hunting areas that I can benefit by having a good laser rangefinder. So I am seriously looking at getting one. I reached out to Leupold again today and will see if they will still offer me a reduced price on one of their newer units. I am however still leery about their display quality and longevity. I talked to my buddy again today who has a Sig Kilo 2000 BDX and he really likes it. The Sig website does not show that model as available any longer but has a 2200 BDX available for $549.99 which is more than I really want to spend. I might go ahead and get that but will wait to see what Leupold says as well as shop around some. I would be very happy to get some updated input from you all though too.

I actually see that the Sig website says that the 2200 BDX is unavailable but will look around and see if some other companies have it available.

https://battlehawkarmory.com/product-details?id=510235

I had a Sig Kilo 2000, wouldn't come close to ranging advertised distances (most don't, but this was worse than most), so I got rid of it. I'd suggest a Vortex, they're one of the few optics companies that warranty their electronics for life too. No questions asked, they'll fix it or send you a replacement. I've got 3 of their scopes and their range finding binos, never had an issue, but i like the peace of mind if something ever happens.

I have a Vortex spotting scope. I bought it new and after about 10 years the focus wheel quit working. After a call to Vortex customer service, I sent it back to them. In about 3 weeks I had a replacement. No one that I spoke to was anything other than helpful and nice.

I have a piece of junk bushel 400 that ranges 600 yards and is 15 years old. Hate it when things are better tan advertised. Ed

I had that same Leupold range finder for years and never any trouble. You can have it free of charge.

My son lost it last Mule Deer season in NM unit 23 just along the AZ state line. We hiked about 6 miles that day, up and down ridge and zigzag through valleys so I know “about” where it is.

This^^^^^^^*

I decided to buy the Vortex Razor HD 4000. Got it yesterday. So far I like it but have not used it much yet. Ranged a house at 1408 yards across the valley from me this morning.

Yes

For the money, last I knew Sig Sauer.

been using my Leica 1200 scan nearly 20 years

Keep battery out when not in use

Been a good unit....

I have an old Nikon that has been nails. The only thing I wish is that the display was illuminated. Make sure you get one that is. You'll be glad you did in low light conditions.

Please pay attention. Leupold just kicked you to the curb by not warrantying the range finder you already have. But they are nice guys by saying sorry about what we already sold you but we will be happy to still sell you another one.

Buy a different brand that might hold up longer than a couple of years. Leica and Vortex both have been mentioned. I have a Leica that is at least 10 or 12 years old and never a hiccup. I have a Vortex that I bought used that is several years old and it works perfectly.

Maybe you should consider something other than the new Leupold that doesn't put much of a warranty on their product.

That's what I have, wouldn't trade and was going to suggest.
Love it.

Vortex has a great warranty which is good because you’ll probably need to use it.

Another vote for Leica. Buy once, cry once...

I ranged a cement pillar support of a bridge (obviously a large "target") today at 1960 yards and 1961 yards. Google Earth shows it as 1960 yards. Pretty impressive. More testing to do on more realistic targets come hunting season but so far I am liking my Vortex Razor HD 4000.