I am thinking of purchasing a laser rangefinder for my birthday (its either that or a 300 WM and 220 barrel for the stevens) I am looking for opinion, models, likes, dislikes, etc. Fire away

jb,

I purchased a Bushnell Yardage Pro 500, back in 99, or 2000 I think. I like it's features, and I actually ranged an elk at 584 yards while hunting in Colorado. My only dislike of it is, it's too big and bulky. It's like carrying around a big cigar box dangling from your neck! Might eventually get a more compact unit someday. Good luck on whatever you decide. Looks like a win/win situation either way.

Learn mil-dots ;)

Get a leica, the best out there short of maybe swarovski. Anything less than a leica and you'll be wondering if it's giving you the right reading. Talk to doug at cameraland.com, he has great pricing on the leicas right now.

Leica LRF 900 or 1200. I don't have one, but one friend has a 900 and the other a 1200 and I've used them both before and they are very nice. The friend with the 900 LRF duct-taped his to the top of his binocular last year because he got tired of the LRF and binoc banging together around his neck. Of course, he got a neverending raft of abuse about his "redneck BRF"!!

I've used an old Bushnell before, and it was maddening, but I think they've improved considerably since.

jb,

I purchased a Bushnell Yardage Pro 500, back in 99, or 2000 I think. I like it's features, and I actually ranged an elk at 584 yards while hunting in Colorado. My only dislike of it is, it's too big and bulky. It's like carrying around a big cigar box dangling from your neck! Might eventually get a more compact unit someday. Good luck on whatever you decide. Looks like a win/win situation either way.

I've had problems getting readings under bright conditions in light colored terrain with my Bushnell Yardage Pro 600 although under better conditions I regularly can get good readings to the 600 yards to which it is rated. Last year I passed up a shot at a HUGE typical muley buck because I could not get a reading.

I did get a reading of 330 yards to three does somewhat closer in an adjacent draw with better reflective conditions. I've shot deer to a measured (property boundry to property boundry) distance of 400 yards in Pennsylvania, but because I did not know the exact distance (and the bullet is rapidly dropping at that distance) I passed on the shot because I did not want to chance wounding him. Unfortunately, he and a smaller buck with him were the only bucks I saw in Colorado during last year's season.

Because of that I am planning to get a better rangefinder and was considering the Bushnell Elite 1500. Do any of you have experience with this model? How does it compare with the slightly more expensive Leicas being recommended?

I am aware that in optics "you get what you pay for", and use Swarovski binoculars for that reason, but I am satisfied with a Bushnell Elite 3200 Riflscope I have on one rifle. In a rangefinder I am more concerned about being able to get a good reading than in exceptional clarity.

Learn mil-dots ;)
I haven't really found that many sights for my bow with mil-dots. Keep it coming

Because of that I am planning to get a better rangefinder and was considering the Bushnell Elite 1500. Do any of you have experience with this model? How does it compare with the slightly more expensive Leicas being recommended?

Irv, I'm not sure going to a new line with the same manufacturer is going to solve a non-read problem. I would be willing to bet that essentially the same technology as the older model would be used, but maybe some better coatings? Just speculating because I don't know any better, but I have yet to pick up one of the Leicas and have a failure to read.

I had one of the early models of the Leica 800, and it was outstanding. Once read a deer at 660 yards with it.
I swapped for the new 1200 model, and it's just the same, only reads farther. Have ranged a woodchuck at 648...and that's the longest I've tried on a woodchuck so far.
The optics are excellent, the readout is readable in any condition I've run across, it's reliable and accurate, the battery lasts a long time.
I'd strongly recommend the Leica.

I recently picked up a Leupold RX-1 at my local shop. At $250 it wasn't a bad deal. The next step up in their product line offers some good features, i.e. the ability to "automatically" pick the next closest or next furthest item in the field of view, inclinometer with built in calculation for shooting up/downhill. (Figures out the real aiming distance based on the incline). For my needs the basic one will do the trick. Shooting lever actions, I'm not worried about a 400 yard shot. One of the items that was a big item for me was the adjustable eyepiece. I can take off my eyeglasses and see clearly through it. Many of the others had a fixed focus that weren't too good for my aging eyes. Good luck with your quest. I highly recommend visiting a dealer who has several brands in stock so you can try them out before you by. I probably paid a few more dollars, but I'm big on supporting my local gunshops and I got the unit that filled my needs. Take care.

I just purchased a Bushnell Elite 1500. Haven't had a chance to use it on game yet but it has come in handy laying out a small one acre orchard and measuring one of my ponds.

So far I am pleased. It works much better that the ones I have borrowed from friends over the years.

Learn mil-dots ;)

But what if you're not using your range finder for something other than what you're going to shoot. I'd like to know how far away from buildings I am to make sure I'm outside of the "Safety Zone". I'd guess the occupants of a house might be concerned with a rifle pointed at them.

But what if you're not using your range finder for something other than what you're going to shoot. I'd like to know how far away from buildings I am to make sure I'm outside of the "Safety Zone". I'd guess the occupants of a house might be concerned with a rifle pointed at them.


I used mine for determing: How far from house? How far to dock? How wide is pond? How far apart to plant pecan trees? How far to certain landmarks (boulders, trees and tree stunps, etc.) It works great.