Can anyone recommend a decent quality, moderately priced and very portable range finder?

Shaky.

I think I can Shaky - I have a Nikon 440 and I am thoroughly satisfied with it. It's very small, light, easy to use, and it was priced well below much more expensive models. Ergo-friendly too. I got mine through Midway. You could also try www.discoveryoptics.com and see if they sell them, they have competitive prices and quick turnaround.

I just checked and yep they have the Nikon 440 in green and camo. I think that's just what I paid at Midway but Discoveryoptics covers the shipping on purchases over $150 (I believe).

Peace,

I've got that same unit.. paid ~200 at Cabelas. Been happy with it so far (two turkey seasons and one big game season).. I've used it from 85 90 degrees at the range to ~0 during big game seanson. had it for 1.5 yrs original battery (as a prcaution, may look at a fresh one for this yrs season)

I carry it in it's case on my belt on left hip, never notice that's it's there till I need it. I carry it instead of bino for turkeys.. Would likely work for big game in most cases, but in the mountains I like a little more magnification.

best o luck
nate

Shaky,
Look at the new RX series by Leupold - they are surprisingly affordable for all the options you get on them (especially the RXI) and they are not very big or heavy at all. They are new this year, but have been getting very good reviews for performance and durability.
John
Discovery Optics

Thanks alot, I will investigate your recommendations.

I have looked at the Leupold, but only in an advert in a magazine, it seems to be very complicated to use/understand.

Shaky.

Shaky,

It does have a lot of "bells and whistles" - I think it even has 13 different reticles you can use/change for bow hunting, target shooting, rifle hunting, ect. That what I was impressed with is how many options you had for the $. The Nikon 440 is a way to go (like the other guys are describing) especially if you don't want all the "extras" like on the Leupold.
John
Discovery Optics

ntjaxn -

We'd look like twins in the field - I too have mine around the waist and never even think about it until I want to use it. It also fits perfectly in one of my fanny pockets also from Cabelas when I have extra gear with me.

Just yesterday I realized the target does need to be 10 yards away for a reading on the 440. My wife and I went yote hunting and the following morning I wanted to chrony some of my handloads. I wanted to put my chrony 5 yards away (as recommened) but realized I could not get a positive reading until I was 10 yards away.

Other than that I have been thoroughly happy with the 440. It's got a very clear image as well and very good magnification. You can adjust the focus as well. The Leupy I am sure is a solid investment and if John is recommending that than I am sure it has its pluses. I wanted a unit that was very simple, point and shoot, and the 440 is that; just point and click and it tells you in a heartbeat what the distance is. Some people are feature-oriented (which is cool) and if so than maybe the Leupy is the way to go.

Peace -

PS: the yote 'hunt' was good; unfortunately the one dog I did lure in was peeking through some bushes (all I could see was the head) when I tagged it with my 7mm Rem Mag Sendero (154gr Hornady Interbond and H4831) and I'll be darned if I was going to be able to find its ears. Thing came apart like a watermelon in my sights and I just dumped the torso in the Turkey Bush thicket. Oh well; the county I hunt in VA offers $100 bounty per yote, but I need the ears to collect...

I too carry the Nikon 440, and like it. It does more than it says it will. I am not impressed with leupolds rx models. Hopefully they'll get the kinks worked out. The concepts are great.

Hi Shaky - what did you settle on?

Acrsaved,

I settled on a leo RXII, but haven't purchased one yet.

Cool! Let us know how it works for you please in the future.

Shaky - I think this is an excellent choice! It is advertised in many places as a great choice for bowhunting, but the features on it make it just fine for rifle hunters as well. They have been selling extremely well & I still have had no one complain about them.
John
Discovery Optics

I bought my first rangefinder just yesterday, and it is a refurbed Nikon 600 in Realtree. I am amazed at how small and light it is.

Well, I've been out in the field a few times since my last post re:Leupold RX11.

Seems to be OK. Not being an expert, I wasn't sure what to expect.

I'll be out again soon to answer a few more of my own questions on the unit.

I'm happy to say that it is easy to use, light and compact and the TBR function is helpful in the type of country I sometimes hunt in.

I'll keep you posted.

Shaky.

Well, I've been out in the field a few times since my last post re:Leupold RX11.

Seems to be OK. Not being an expert, I wasn't sure what to expect.

I'll be out again soon to answer a few more of my own questions on the unit.

I'm happy to say that it is easy to use, light and compact and the TBR function is helpful in the type of country I sometimes hunt in.

I'll keep you posted.

Shaky.

Shaky.
I think you find a fine choice and the RX Leupold rangefinders have been very popular for us since they came out. I really haven't had anyone complain about them other than they are a little hard to find in the RXIII and RXIV's.
John
Discovery Optics

I am finding it very difficult to get it to read at times. The game I shoot is small, so I have to use the hill or closest tree and sometimes I can't getting a reading.

What am i doing wrong?

These things can be finicky at times.

It takes a good target to get a reading with most range finders I'm familiar with. Don't own any of the high priced ones, so can't say how they respond.

The Bushnell 800 I have gives pretty good readings as long as there is a definate target to bounce off of. A solid object such as you mentioned work best.

Next thing - how's the batteries in the unit? Checked them for strength lately?