I'm thinking of getting on of these newfangled items and would like some input from those of you that have or have used one or several. I see that there are many models available and each have diffrent capabilities.

For general specs I would like one that would range a whitetail no further than 450 yards and I would like to spend 300 or less on it, what would be your recommendations, likes, dislikes etc.

Thanks for your help. Flint54

I bought a Bushnell YardagePro 650 5... maybe 6 years ago. I use it alot more than I would have guessed. It only ranges off "soft bodies" out to around 300 yards. More than sufficient for my Muzzle loader needs.

The new ones are pretty spiffy. More yardage, smaller profile. I wouldnt get anything less than a 1000 yard one because the distance you range off softbody objects is about half the max yardage of a hard object (ie rock).

I dont have a clue on current prices though. I like mine and am glad I bought one.


-DallanC

For a sense of reassurance it is the best thing i have used!
My buddies and i have owned quite a few different makers and we all agree on Bushnell in either the 'Elite' or 'Quest' models (i currently own the quest model 8x-36mm) but with others, we have had numerous problems with Leica and Nikon. Also (and me being slightly biased toward Burris) I have the Burris 'B-1500' (7x-40mm) as well, and feel with better optics than Bushnell you do get a clearer sight picture.
They are equil in accuracy and ease of use, I more so like the features in the Burris (auto rain mode, accuracy indicator, and a target quality indicator) over the Bushnells' features (bullseye, brush, and scan modes) which in essence are the same but my eyes just like burris a bit more.....However, i like the feel of the Bushnell better (the way it fits in my hands) and from using their range finders from when they first came out, i guess i have found sort of a "comfort zone" in still using them. But if you can justify the extra $260 (over the bushnell) at roughly $689 you wouldn't be disappointed AT ALL with the burris!

Best thing i suggest is (because i can tell you about features and what i like and feel) go out to your local sporting goods store and on an overcast day and ask for one of the sales clerks to show you the features "OUTSIDE" (and if they don't, tell them you are going somewhere else) because it won't do one darn thing for you to zero in on an object in the store BECAUSE they act totally different in artificial light.

Hope this helps!

I have a Leica 1200 and I am very happy with it. I have ranged out to 1087 yards on a clump of white birch, something that My buddy was unable to do with his Nikon rangefinder at the same distance. The Leica is more expensive than some models, but, as with anything, you get what you pay for. I also like the simplicity, in that there is only one button to push. Everything is automatic, all you have to do is place the object in the square and range it. This is the model that our snipers are requesting in Iraq and Afganastan.

Good luck

I would say it depends on what you want out of your range finder. I have a Bushnell Yardage Pro Trophy and it does everything I need. It ranges hard objects (buildings) out to 800 yds trees out to 500 yds and deer out to 300 yds. It cost me 300 bucks tax paid here in Sask.
www.bushnell.com/produ...finder.cfm

Leica 1200 for this old bird. I had a Bushnell 800, will work for your needs. Also had a Newcon 1500, junk....

Just to throw a wrench in the works, I purchased an optical rangefinder a couple of years ago. it works well. But, One, It is not a one handed device. Two, It needs to be calibrated from time to time. Third, It is significantly less expensive than a laser reangefinder.

I reasoned, If needed a range it was because the target was out there a good ways. Hence less need for speed. I wasn't as worried if a deer was at 327 yards as I was that it was about 325. And I wanted to be able to range objects that were obstructed. For example a Prairie dog in front of a mound.

Is the "optical" solution for everybody? No, but they do have a place I though so at least.

longwalker

To JO422 & BSSS:

Have you guy's had any problems with them at all? Why i ask is because the answers we got from Leica after we sent ours in for repairs "twice" (lenses were fogging 'unit was not waterproof', LED went out, and some internal screw had come loose) for the same thing was that they had a bad batch going out and doing everything to fix them (i do believe them though because we all bought them within a month from eachother, and from the same store...but we all totally lost faith in them with a reliability being the issue).

I am glad to hear you guy's are having luck with them because while the "short" time they worked for us, they worked well.

Only problem with my YardagePro650 is that that model has a known voltage drain on it... which basically means if it sits unused for a year it will drain the 9volt battery dead. But as I replace them anyway every 6 or so months its never a problem.

Mines been dropped to many times to count, stepped on a couple times... bounced around in a toolbox on my ATV for countless miles... still works like a charm!


-DallanC

10 Ring
I have had no problems with my Leica 1200. It has been dropped, kicked, lay'd on, wet, sat on, and baked in the Sun.. It also gets used quite a bit, I'm not a once in a while Groundhog hunter, I hunt most Saturdays so it does get used....
BSSS

10 ring,

I've only had mine since May of this year but it has been used quite a bit. I've used it for shooting and on the golf course and it's really a neat tool. I haven't had it go through the Minnesota winter yet, but it has baked in the car several days that it was in the upper 90's and it still works great. I've also dropped it on concrete a couple of times (once in the case so maybe that doesn't count) and I've had it out on the golf course in a couple of soaking rains and all is still well. I think that the winter will be the acid test. No probs so far.