[feedthehogs]

Birthday coming up and the wife is bugging me for gift ideas.

A laser range finder is about the only thing I don't have.

I am interested in a binocular type.

Pro's and con's. Do they work in the real world.

Always estimated range good in the past without one but the old eyes are fading.

Thanks for the input.

[Zak Smith]

I recommend the Leica LRF800, 1200, or the "scanning" variant.

These are physically smaller than some alternatives and have very high quality optics. I love my LRF1200.

-z

[clown714]

i've owned a bushnell 400 for a coupla years now.

quite large by todays standards.
still a nifty little piece of eqipment.

haven't messed with any of the others,(newer ones)
because,it fills my needs;)

just my $.02

clown

[RifleScopes.com]

If you want a binocular type you will really limit your selection.
Leica Geovid 7x42, Leupold 8x32 Windriver or Bushnell Yardage Pro-Quest. The problem is that only one of them has above average optics in it and you would have to sell your car to buy it.

http://www.swfa.com/binoculars/leica/geovid.jpg
http://www.swfa.com/binoculars/leupold/54570.jpg
http://www.swfa.com/binoculars/bushnell/200836.jpg


Go with a good binocular and a small Leica 800 and you will be very happy.
http://www.swfa.com/binoculars/leica/LRF.JPG


http://www.swfa.com/500e2.jpg

[iamhistory]

I agree with Clown. I also have the Bushnell 400 yard laser. It is a tad big, but it works really well.

Takes a 9 volt battery and holds up over a good period of time. It's quite accurate and easy to read and use. It reads from 20 yards (sometimes at few as 17 but no less) out to 400 yards (I've gotten it to read out to nearly 500 on a few occasions.)

It's not real useful in thick areas as I suspect all the others wouldn't be either.

I did notice however that getting this little gadget has suddenly caused me to begin carrying yet one more piece of gear into the field as now it is "essential". And one more thing.......it made me want to go out and get a more powerful and longer range one!

I love mine. You don't think you need something like that until you have it and it makes life a lot easier. It's nothing I can't do without, but it sure is nice.