Buying a rangefinder...what's the difference?

[zahc]

I'm going to buy a LRF for my father for father's day, but I'm having a hard time choosing. I can only buy online. I've seen great reccomendations for Nikons, but how does the nearly $500 scan 900 compare to the $275 Bushnell compact 800, which claims to work on nonreflective targets out to 800 yards?

http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0027403711049a&type=product&cmCat=search&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=rangefinder&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=rangefinder&noImage=0



http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0020229711739a&type=product&cmCat=searchFeat&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=rangefinder&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=rangefinder&noImage=0



Also, would anyone care to reccomend budget binoculars? Meaning under $100. We need a few sets to throw in all the farm trucks.

 

[nhhillbilly]

Bino's go with Stieners you can purchase them at Sample LIst dot com. For ranger finders if you are using them in dim light the Leica work best you can read the lighted LED screen. THe new Leopolds are have some great spec.. I have not tried them yet. But they should be great.

 

[Richard.Howe]

It's funny you posted this question...I've actually owned both of these models. The Bushnell electronics died on me within 6 months, the Leica is still going strong after one season.

There are many differences, but the ones that matter to me are:

1. Superiority of manufacturing quality, robustness in Leica (by far)
2. Optics are noticeably better/brighter through the Leica
3. Leica uses red LED display, Bushnell uses black LCD display. In the mornings and evenings, the LCD can be very difficult to make out.

Are those things worth the extra money? Of course.

Rich

P.S. -- you may want to copy those pictures to a local server -- sometimes the mods will PM you for direct-linking

 

[zahc]

I suppose when it comes to optics, you get what you pay for. You could almost buy two of the bushnell's for the price of the Leica. What kind of warranty do Leicas have? When I spend $500 on optics, I kind of expect them to have a lifetime warranty, like Leupold.

 

[Zak Smith]

You can find the used Leica 1200's for under $400, if you look around. I recently sold my old non-scan 1200 for $370. The Leicas will range pretty reliably out to their limit. I cannot say the same for some other cheaper brands.

The best-ranging range-finder for under $8000 is the Swarovski Laser Guide, which is usually sold for around $890. It will range rocks and trees reliably to over 1500 yards. I have ranged objects at 1999 yards before. To double its ranging ability requires spending about 10x the cost.

 

[zahc]

Anyone know if Nikon rangefinders are any good? I can get a pretty good deal on a 1200 yard Nikon.

 

[Richard.Howe]

When I spend $500 on optics, I kind of expect them to have a lifetime warranty, like Leupold

Hmmm, here's the thing about that -- I have never, ever encountered electronics that have a lifetime warranty.

Even Leupold's vaunted "Lifetime Warranty" does not apply to their electronics...see below...it's generally either a 1-year or 2-year Limited warranty.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=928939

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=198577

 

[zahc]

Interesting. Anyway, I got a Nikon Monarch 1200 yard on eBay NIB for $338. Here's to hoping it arrives and works.