Rangefinders

cannonball

cannonball

Very Active Member
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I probably should have put this in the Optic section but figured more would read it here. I am in the process of purchasing a 1000+ yd range finder. I have reduced the selection to either Leupold or Vortex. I liked the Leupold a little better, but have no faith in a two year electronic warranty from anyone. Vortex is lifetime.

What I would like to know is there anyone out there that has a working Leupold rangefinder for any length of time and how long?

Would appreciate any input.
 
I decided to go with Leupold. I called their service & technical representative. He told me that if the range finder was out of warranty and went bad they(Leupold) would sell you a new one for 60% off retail.
 
Lynn,
I would not go with a Leupold. Vortex is great for the warranty . Do not overlook the SIG rangefinders. I have been very impressed with them. If did not have my BR2 I would have a SIG.
 
Muley, Why not go with the Leupold. Most of the writers that I have read said that Leupold was easier to use and a clearer lens than the Vortex. The Sig was a good one, but still most rated the Leupold higher.
 
My experience is the guys using the Leupolds have not been happy with them after a season or two. I personally have not used the Leupold. Brother picked up a SIG before his ibex hunt 2 years ago. He's been very happy with it. I've been very impressed with it when I been out shooting with him. I believe it also depends on how far you really want it to read. I've seen the SIG read out to 1500 yards. I've seen the Leupold struggle at 800. I've never seen you shoot anything other than a bow or a traditional Muzzy, you working on a new sidelock long range Muzzy???
 
Do you want a rangefinder or a RANGEFINDER ? The Sig and others are ok. But a G Seven is a rangefinder but so much more. The old version does shoot calculations out to 1400 yards. The new one goes out to 2500 yards. If you want my old G 7 it could be up for sale. ?
 
I have a leupold rx 1000 I and it's great I've used it 4 years with no problem. Can?t go wrong with the real deal.
 
Thanks for the information ALL. Muley, I just built a long range side-hammer ML with a 16" twist that should shoot to 1000 yards and that is mainly why I need a new one, along with letting the kids and grandkids use it for hunting. My 18 year old RangeF will only read to 250 yards. I called the Leupold organization and they told me that with proof of an OUT-OF-WARRANTY defective unit you can purchase a new one for a 60% discount. 40% of the retail cost is pretty good, along with a good share of the writers who say Leupold has a clearer image, is faster, and more accurate then most of the 1300 yard units. While I realize soft targets are not nearly that. Their specs will do me. I sure like the Vortex warranty though.
 
Lynn,
I'm sure you'll have good luck with the Leupold. Looking back I think you were the first person I ever knew with a rangefinder. The old dial bowhunting one. I remember looking at it out on the towers chasing velvet bucks!

John,
If you find a buyer for you G7 see if they want two! I love mine but wouldn't feel bad if I upgraded to the new version!!!
 
For hunting the older version is perfect. But the long range target guys are always trying to get me out with them. That would be the only time it would be necessary. I also use my Leica range finding bino's . When you need a range in a hurry there are always there around your neck.
 
I have the Leupold RX-850i TBR. I just bought it after my 13 year old Bushnell yardage pro quite when I dropped it.
I like the Leupold a lot. It will easily go out to 850 yards on a house or barn. Not sure about a hillside yet. I also at the same time bought a Nikon Aculon. I got the Leupold for my rifle and muzzleloader hunting. The Nikon is for my air rifles. I figure I use the Nikon a TON more so it is more likely to be dropped. The TBR True Ballistic Range is perty close for my Air rifles when I shoot up into trees when it is set for Bow. The Nikon is 130 bucks so it is a good deal for varminting.
I don't like the case with the Leupold. The latch or lack of one is an issue. it has a rubber band keeping the range finder from getting lost. I don't like that at all.
The Nikon is just as accurate and a lot easier to learn to use. It also has a focus to clear up the sight picture.
The leupold is a very nice range finder but it is a lot more cluttered with stuff in the view finder.
The Nikon is not water proof. That was why I got the Leupold.
 
Muley, Thats funny you would remember that. Just before my son was going on his mission, we drew out for Elk Ridge. I kept asking him if he didn't want to use it and he refused because it was so cumbersome and took so long to dial in, the deer would be gone. You would look thru the eye piece, dial until the two objects would come into one. I haven't seen it nearly thirty years. It is probably around the house somewhere. After he had missed a couple he finally relented, dialed the big buck in and tagged out. He will be 50 this year.
 
Idahoron, What do you mean latch? Doesn't it have a place to attach a lanyard? I wouldn't have a RF that couldn't be tied off.
 
Sig kilo 2200, no contest. Have had a couple different Vortex rangefinders and they are garbage if you want to range anything over 700 yards.
 
LAST EDITED ON May-01-18 AT 09:01AM (MST)[p]I also was looking at the vortex and Leupold rangefinders. After testing both I chose the Leupold1200 TBR. Why?
1-had a clearer optic and seemed to let light in better
2-vortex took too long and one too many button pushes to get a reading.
3- the Leupold 1200TBR didn't have any problems ranging out to 850-900 yards. Which is plenty far enough for me even during rifle hunting.
4- Leupold makes quality products and has a history of competing with some of the best optics on the market.
5- vortex has a great warranty but from at least a few different people that I personally know...have often had to use the warranty due to problems with their equipment which include spotting scopes,
Riflescopes, and binoculars. (Twice!)
I've had Leupold products for years and have never had a problem even once.

I've used the Leupold rangefinder only last season but it performed flawlessly and ranged elk out to 800 yards.

I keep my rangefinder in its case until I find what I'm after. Then it comes out and the lanyard goes around my neck until it's needed.


Hope this helps






"Wildlife and its habitat cannot speak. So
we must and we will."
Theadore Roosevelt
 
I've had 2 Leupold range finders and was very happy with both of them. A buddy of mine bought a Sig Kilo. I should have never looked through it. Leupold is now an emergency back up only now. The Sig is faster, clearer, more accurate and ranges twice as far as the Leupold.

"You can fly a helicopter to the top of Everest and say you've been there. The problem with that is you were an a$$hole when you started and you're still an a$$hole when you get back.
Its the climb that makes you a different person". - Yvon Chouinard
 
LAST EDITED ON May-01-18 AT 10:50AM (MST)[p]I returned 3 leupolds. I bought the LEICA and have loved it.

Get the best and never look back!
 
Another vote for the Sig Sauer 2200 Kilo rangefinder. It is far and away the best rangefinder I have ever owned. Very fast & accurate readings out to long distance.

I hated my Vortex rangefinder-especially that it required 3 button pushes to get a reading-way too slow & frustrating in a real life hunting situation.
 
You guys have almost convinced me to purchase a Sig. I don't need a lot of the extras. Has anyone purchased or used a SIG kilo 1250? How are they?
 
ive messed with all of these rangefinders. the vortex is good, although you do have to use the warranty eventually. clarity isnt the best, worst overall. its small compact and works fine. ive personally ranged targets at 1350 with the 1500. the sig and new leupolds are very close. the leupold seems more clear to me. the leupold is more compact and slimmer to the touch. i have ranged targets out to 850 with both with no issues. both will only do compensations out to 800 yards or so. if you buy the 2400 abs from sig it will go further, but at that cost i think i would buy the G7 as stated. the next one would be the leica. best rangefinder on the market in my opinion. a little too much to spend in my opinion. but, the most consistent, reliable unit i have used. with that said, i own the leupold 2800. its brand new and it is awesome. i like that leupold is made in america, they support my public lands. they have a phenomenal history. it fits in my hand perfectly. it ranges what i need with a little extra. it doesnt break the bank. just my .02 cents


"Shoot Straight"
 
I bought a leupold and vortex 1,000 at the same time to compare to each other with the idea of returning the lesser of the two. Leupold was much better, no question. Clearer, brighter, would range about 150 yards further consistently. Vortex has a great warranty, but leupold makes a superior product. That being said a couple of my friends have purchased SIG?s and I have been very impressed. If I was going to purchase another rangefinder in that class it would be a SIG.
 
I use the Leupold 1200i for bow hunting, and leica for Long range rifle. Leica is hands down better at longer ranges over Leupold
 
cannonball,
I was cleaning out an old closet this winter and stumbled on to my old dial to focus range finder from years ago. Kinda like finding an old arrowhead! :)
 
Leupold. Own the 850 and 2-1200tbrs for the past 8 yrs. All have worked without issue.

"Courage is being scared to death but
saddling up anyway."
 
Thanks for all the input. I just couldn't resist ordering the new 1300i model of Leupold's rangefinders. No one in the USA seems to have one yet, but it is on backorder - - Guess I'll wait. I was looking at the Sig, but mainly the leica, but decided on less money with this new generation of Leupold. If I don't like it I know some grandkids who would love it.

Little big horn, I've still got to look for mine. It probably isn't here. Around our house, my wife's policy is, if it has not been used in the last two year it needs to be given away, thrown away or donated. Yard sales we do not have. Hoarders we're not.
 
Personally I haven't been impressed with my vortex at all and several guys I know have the same experience with them. One now has a G7 and the other got a sig. I'm not into the price of the G7 so I'll be looking into the SIG finders myself!!! I'm sure the G7 are worth the money I just can't justify it!!
 
I bought the g-7 when they first came out in a group buy for around 1400.00, that has been quite a few years ago. I have never had a problem with it and it is dead on accurate. I seen about every range finder on the market and used them with clients. I would take a used g-7 over the others
 
I have had the g-7 since they first came out. I have carried it a lot of hard miles. It was a lot of money at the time and it's a little bit bulky, but it's deadly accurate. I would not sell it or trade it
 
I had a vortex, it was crap, so I returned it. I have been using a zeiss PRF for 4 years, and it has been excellent. Ranges deer and antelope to 1400 yards, reflective items over a mile. If you want the best, get the new Leica 2700 B, but europtic is having a sale on their older 2000 and 1600 models for about $400 or so. Spend a little extra money and be much happier, or spend a little less and be frustrated, and possibly miss the trophy of a lifetime.
 

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