looking to get a nice range finder 400-600 yard max. just was wanting to know what to look for. and something that doesn't break the bank. this will be my first "nice" range finder. appreiciate the suggestions!!!

using for groundhog/p-dog

thanks!!!

Get whatever lecia you can afford. Anything less will leave you guessing if it is a correct reading or not.

Nikon makes a dandy, good as any I've tried.

Leica makes the best ones, IME.
Whatever brand you choose, remember this: the max range they tell you the rangefinder will work to (like 600)... it will, on steel barns, large trucks, billboards, and other large, highly reflective objects.
On game animals, figure the rangefinder will really work at about 1/2 the maximum distance the manufacturer states.
In other words, if you want to range an antelope at 300 yards, reliably, get a rangefinder that is listed as having a 600 yard range.

Leica makes the best ones, IME.
Whatever brand you choose, remember this: the max range they tell you the rangefinder will work to (like 600)... it will, on steel barns, large trucks, billboards, and other large, highly reflective objects.
On game animals, figure the rangefinder will really work at about 1/2 the maximum distance the manufacturer states.
In other words, if you want to range an antelope at 300 yards, reliably, get a rangefinder that is listed as having a 600 yard range.

I'm also in the market for GOOD rangefinder and was wondering about the combo rangefinder/ bino models. Any opinions?

If money is no object the best of them all is the Swarovski rangefinder. IMO, it is better than the Leica but they are both high end and quality rangefinders. The Leica 1200 or the Swarovski should range 600 yards on those little prarie dogs no problem. But they are both expensive...if you are on a budget, the Nikons are a good buy and Cabelas has their own brand made by Bushnell. I've never been a huge Bushnell fan but recently they've turned out some decent stuff and I've heard decent things about their rangefinders and they are much less than Leica or Swarovski. As said, the rated "range" is on a reflective target. So you can imagine what you would need on a small non reflective prarie dog. Good Luck.

thanks guys!!!! headed out tomarrow to look em up!!!!

No experience with combo rangefinder/binos, so I can't comment.
I can tell you that a Leica 1200 will range a woodchuck to at least 650- every time. the older 800 model would range a woodchuck out to about 475

I've been using the Bushnell Yardage Pro Legend (http://www.bushnell.com/products/rangefinder/specs/20-1319.cfm). Great product! I bought it through D&R Sports Center (https://www.dnrsports.net/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=DSC&Category_Code=rangefindersbsn). Bushnell will not allow D&R to publish their prices as they are so much lower than other dealers. Email them for a price.

I don't have one myself, but have used Leicas, both 900 and 1200. Flawless, but both $400+ now. Friend had a Bushnell (to be fair, one of the older models) and he was always questioning its accuracy and often it wouldn't read. When it comes to optics, buy the best you can afford, and try them out first if you can.

When it comes to optics, buy the best you can afford, and try them out first if you can.True, but would add that occasionally there are some good values out there. I've seen several folks allude to the virtues of the Bushnell Banner series of scopes and they are very modestly priced. There's a good thread on the Bushnell Banner 1.5x4.5 Banner on Marlinowners (http://www.marlinowners.com/). I recently picked up a Burris Signature Semi-Compact 8x32 binoculars (http://www.burrisoptics.com/binoculars.html) for $207 at D&R, and I think you would have a hard time finding a better balance of size, weight and optical performance. There is definitely a diminishing return in quality for the buck as one moves higher up the performance ladder. But if you can afford it, I'm sure the super high-end optics are a real pleasure to work with.

Well, here I am rambling off the topic of the thread really, so I'll bug off ;).