Range Finders

[Buckrub]

Cool Tools.......they litter this sport. Sometimes I wonder if have too many.

Nahhh.

One thing that seems to be extremely important in ML, even more so than modern rifle, is knowing distance to the target in the field. Because of ML hunting, coupled with my annual antelope trip, I've come to lean heavily on the need to know exact distance to the target. Add to that my recent crossbow acquisition, and a decent rangefinder became indispensable.

I've owned 2 before my current one. One was a Brunton, and it was a POC. It might range my foot if I held it steady enough.

The next was a Xmas gift, the bottom of the line Bushnell. The Yardage Pro I think (?). It was ok, but the button was hard to press and it wouldn't range an actual animal past about 50 yards. It might get a barn to 200 yards. To be fair, other guys' Bushnells did better. So maybe I got a bad one.

I promised myself after the heart attack that any company Bonus I got would go to 'toys' for me, and not to pay down debt (I wish now I'd not have done this, but I did). So a year ago I got a bonus and bought a Leica CRF 1200.

Folks, there is no comparison. None. If you want to pay for, and take chances with, all the gee-gaws and gidgits and gadgets that, for example, a Leupold RF-III or IV will do, fine. Compensation for height, etc...... I hope you can hold it still enough without a tripod. Good luck.

But this Leica will do one thing, and one thing only. It will instantly tell you the distance to just about any object. And it will do it to 1200 yards. So there.

You don't have to hold it that still. You just point, acquire the target in a little red box, and press the button and VOILA, the distance is displayed.

The end.

It's pretty amazing to sit in a deer stand and point it at some far treetop and get back "789 yards", or such.

Minimum distance is 11 yards. Readout is instantaneous. There's no peripheral junk to learn or worry about.

Price is high. I got mine for $650. They're now a bit more.

If you can steal the money, it's worth it. Never again will you ever wonder how far something is from you.

I always seem to find SOME problem with every product. Not this one. If a product can be perfect, this one is.

My two cents.

[dougedwards]

I have heard nothing but praise about them. Now if I can only find that bank to rob so I can buy one ;D

Doug

[chickenhunter]

Buckrub, I agree 100% with what you said. I bought the 800 lrf when they first came out about ten years ago. One day I put it in my pack without casing it first and the eyepiece got scuffed. Still usable to 350 yd's, but have been going to Wyoming mule deer hunting for the last two years so I decided I needed something better. One of my hunting buddy's is a salesman for Zeiss so I bought two Leica 1200's for 420.00 each and give one to my brother for Christmas. The only negative is they wouldn't repair the glass.

[ET]

Buckrub

If you can afford top quality equipment then by all means go for it.
For me I’m the type to buy just what I need for my purpose or task.
I simply have a Bushnell I believe yardage prop 600. Good pocket size and will range deer over 250yds field trial. Can easily use with one hand and pocket size.
I hunt farmlands and woodlots so real long range shots are not common. If anything I often use my rangefinder on landmarks to reference distances should a shot present itself when I’m on watch. So for my current purpose it works well enough to be content with it.

Now for those that hunt open land where long range shots are the norm my range finder would probably be inadequate.
Whenever I get back to some jackrabbit hunting with my .223 I’d like to try mine on one out in a field and see what range reading I might get. Preferably sitting out there soaking up some rays. ;D

Ed

[raf]

ET I agree it's important to know the range when muzzleloading but even more so when bow hunting. There 5 - 10 yds can make a difference.

[Buckrub]

Guys, I'm a poor boy. But I'm old, kids are gone, and I am lucky to have a job that has paid bonuses for the last several years, off and on. I just promised myself after the heart attack I'd spend bonus money on stuff I'd NEVER be able to afford otherwise. I should have paid down credit cards, but I didn't.

That's the only way I can afford this stuff. I just know that so few folks really get to see or use something like the Leica that maybe it'd be good to hear from someone who has one, file it away for future reference.

I sure hope I wasn't sounding like I was bragging. I wasn't. I just had NEVER even seen a Leica and bought one on a whim, and just tell everyone how amazed I am.

[youp50]

A couple of years ago I found a 800 LRF on the ebay. It was shortly after the 1200s came out and guys were needing the newer and improved. I really don't remember what I payed for it, I do know it was considerably less than new. I like the fact that I can mash the button twice and will read through limbs and leaves. 800 yards is farther than I would ever shoot.

I know first time to the mountains of Colorado the RF I had with me saved lots of ammunition. That elk sure didn't look like it could be 700 yards away...

[ET]

Buckrub

Never thought your post was bragging and it was entitled Range Finders so I simply responded to the post from another perspective. My post also implied if you could afford one or have long-range shots then go for it. For me such a lovely quality tool would be overkill for my needs at this point in time was what I wanted to express.
Now if my post caused you any concern, I apologize, as this was not my intent.

RAF

Yeah I agree 5-10yds can quickly alter your arrow’s flight path when you start reaching out in yardage. My problem is getting out with a bow to practice and hunt. Need to win a lottery before retirement age. ;D


Ed

[smokeeter]

I would love to get a leica, but just cannot justify the cost ( at least not just yet).
I have had good luck with the bushnell rangefinders and my latest one is their elite line, the 1500 model with slope feature which is similar to the ARC but to be honest I rarely use this. It gives clear accurate readings from 5-1500 yrds. Right now it does all that I need.

[huntingmike]

I have had the 800 LRF a long time. The lighted led sold me in low light and so I sold my Yardage pro. I am glad I did.

I did however see the need for an angle compensator bow hunting steep hill sides. Without an angle compensator a tree stand 25' high on a steep hill, you can be off 8 yards on a 30 yard shot causing you to miss high.
Thus the need for my Nikon Archery Choice. The simplicity and easy use is a must have for bow hunters in my opinion.

I could not do without either unit.

[Harley]

I have the Leica CRF-900 and it's every bit as good as Buckrub says. It will also focus close enough for archery use.

Harley

[dougedwards]

What is the difference between the CRF and LRF?

Doug

[jims]

;D The letter C. Actually I do not know how Leica designates theirs but I have seen those letters used in rangefinders as compact rangefinders (crf) and laser rangefinders (lrf) but again the Leica guys will have to answer that for sure. ;D

[Buckrub]

C is "compact". The older ones were LRF (Leica range finder) and the new smaller ones are CRF.....for compact. That's all.

[ozark]

What is out there isn't nearly as important as being satisfied with what you have. I have used a Bushnell for years and it is simple, accurate and provides me with the yardage I need for the ML or the Crossbow. On tree trunks surrounding my blinds I have used spray paint to print the yardage. I have been ask why the trees are numbered and I can see why it may look odd to some. However, it is a quick reference mark and useful. Out at distances of 50, 100, 150 yards are stakes with survey tape marking the distance plus supplying me with a wind indicator. On a nearby tree therek is a weathervane type (homemade) arrow that swivels to point into the wind. This gives me the probable direction deer will approach the area. None of these things are absolutely needed but they are there and I like them. Ozark

[dougedwards]

I just bought a Leica 800 on ebay for long range shooting and it works well. I can range bails of hay out to 500 yards. I haven't tried to range a deer yet. I just didn't have the money for the CRF 1200. This Leica is a pleasure to use and accurate. Much better than my Bushnell Yardage Pro 450. I wanted the CRF 1200 but I didn't have to rob a bank for this one.

Doug

[huntingmike]

Doug,
Your 8oo should do well on deer to about 650 yards.
I've had mine for several years. I also use it playing golf to shoot the distance of the flag for my approach shot to the green. It works very well.

[12ptdroptine]

I have the old green box Leica I think its about 5-6 years old..Works like a charm every time I use it..No bells or whistle's to malfunction..Just good glass and easy operation. Drop

[Al]

I've had the Leica 1200 since they came out, can't say enough about it.

Did win a 600 Nikon last fall, been pretty impressed so far with the little I've played with it.

[boarhog]

I bought a Bushnell YP 800 several years ago. I have no idea where the 800 number comes from. It sure won't range anything that far, unless possibly a parabolic mirror that will focus all the lazer lite back atcha. It works fairly well on power poles and trees out to about 300 yds, and perhaps a bit more, and I have used it to make good shots on deer and hogs, so it is worth having. Better than nothing.
My Son has a Leupold RX II or III. Not sure which. It works better than my old Bushnell. He has ranged deer out to about 400 yds and harder surfaced objects past 700 yds. He is pretty happy so far.

I would love to have a Leica, especially after reading these glowing reviews. I may start looking on-line for used or demo models. Ooching one high enough on the priority list may prove harder to accomplish.

[Deleted]

I am also a leica user, lrf 900 range finder and 8x32 binos. I waste money on all manners of guns and bows and hunting stuff but of all the things I have bought over the years these two have been money well spent. I seldom carry my binos when I have my rangefinder because the rangefinder has such good quality glass, I always carry the rangefinder during bowseason and it has preformed superbly for the last six seasons.

A short story about leica binos, a couple years before I got mine I went to a store that sold high end optics and such. the owner told me a story about a leica rep trying to get him to carry his line, the owner said he already sold zeiss & swaro binos and didnt see the need for more high end binos. the leica rep took out a pair of 8x32 compacts and said, ok lets see you do this with your zeiss and zwaros, he threw them against a block wall in his store and they hit the concrete floor. the rep said ok pick them up and if they are damaged I will leave and not bother you any more, but if they are not broke I would like for you to take them & your zeiss & swaros out side and give them an honest evaluation. he said he thought the man was crazy but went over and picked them up. he said obviously he had preformed this demo before because they looked like they had been dragged behind a truck but they were working perfectly.

he now sells leica two to one over zeiss & swaro combined, needless to say after hearing this story I looked at leica very intensely before I actually bought them, I dont regret that decision......Bill

[dougedwards]

I kept looking on ebay for a Leica rangefinder and finally got a Leica 800 for $200 + $12 shipping cost. I haven't found it to range anything out to 800 yards but will easily range trunks of trees out to 650 yards. I haven't ranged a whitetail with it yet. I ranged a tin roof out to 750 yards so this unit does what it is designed to do with some very clear glass. However I do wish it had a tripod attachment. I hear that you can buy an attachment for it but I haven't seen one online. The moral of the story is that even a used Leica rangefinder will do an excellent job and can be had without robbing a bank if you are patient. The patience part is what gets most of us I think.

Oooops......I just realized that I had already responded to this thread concerning the Leica rangefinder. If anyone knows where a tripod attachment can be found for the Leica CRF please share that info.

Thanks


Doug

[Buckrub]

Doug, here you go.

This is about the only place I buy optics any more.

www.opticsplanet.net/leica-stabilite-tripod-adapter-for-laser-range-finders.html

[dougedwards]

ahhhh.....that's it. Thanks Buckrub. I have only bought accessories from Optics Planet never scopes. This should work fine.

thanks again
Doug

[rangeball]

So, if a guy was going to go looking for a used leica, which models should he be looking for and what would a fair price range be?

On the other hand, anyone know of a good rangefinder that has 8x to replace binoculars and a digital camera? That would be sweet

[Buckrub]

CRF 1200 on sale at Cabela's now for $600...............the CRF 900 is on sale for $500. Cheapest prices I've seen, even cheaper than Optics Planet. Course, Cabela's charges shipping, Optics planet does not.

FYI.

[Harley]

Rangeball, I love my CRF 900, but it took practice to learn to hold its 7x steady; I'm not sure you'd enjoy 8X.

Harley

[rangeball]

Thanks fellas.

The new price is out of reach for awhile, I was hoping to find a good deal on a used one like Doug mentioned.

So, basically any of the older leicas with the scan option are good?

[lwh723]

Jan 27, 2009 18:11:23 GMT -5 smokeeter said:

I would love to get a leica, but just cannot justify the cost ( at least not just yet).

I justify the cost by using them as a pair of binocs too. As others have said, the glass is amazing in them. Last fall when I was shopping for a RF, I walked into Gander Mnt. Maybe the focus was little off or something, but I could barely read/see through the Leupold RX IV. I pulled up the CRF900 up, and it was instaneous love. I ended up going with an LRF model since the only differenc between the two is size & $300

Currently, I've got a LRF900, but have also owned a LRF1200 (just didn't need the 1200 yard read out, so "downgraded" to the 900 and made $150 ). If you're looking for a used LRF, I would recommend looking on the buy and sell over on Archery Talk. There always seems to be a couple of 800 & 900 yard models for sale over there for around $2-300. Although I bought my 1200 & 900 on longrangehunting.com & ar15.com, respectively. If you've got your heart set on a CRF, you might as well buy new. You'll probably only save $75-100 buying used on them.

Also, to my knowledge, the glass is the same in the 800, 900, & 1200 models. I surely couldn't tell a difference between my 900 & 1200 models.

[huntingmike]

Posted by rangeball on Jul 27, 2009, 12:46pm
So, if a guy was going to go looking for a used leica, which models should he be looking for and what would a fair price range be?

On the other hand, anyone know of a good rangefinder that has 8x to replace binoculars and a digital camera? That would be sweet.

I believe my LRF800 is 8x. It might be 7X. I do not remember for certain. It is how ever the only glass I carry. Hunting with my rifles. There is no need for binoculars.