Laser Range Finders

[Aaryq]

Howdy, folks.

I'm looking to buy a laser range finder that can perform from 300-500 yards. I intend on using it for Deer, P-Dogs and NKD (Not Known Distance) ranges. Once I get to my new unit, I intend on throwing my name in the hat to work along-side the Iraqi Police or Military (any Marine is welcome to volunteer) so I'd lik it to work in hostile conditions but with my MOS (they've only taken 1 IMRL Manager to my knowlege thus-far) wartime conditions aren't as important as helping me hunt and helping me judge distances for shooting in peace time. What do you suggest?

**Edit**
Just started looking at them. Whooee they are expensive. Try to keep it under 200 (as far under 200 as possible?).

 

[kevindsingleton]

I bought my Bushnell at Gander Mountain for about $170. I don't know how it would hold up in combat conditions (not well, I expect). It goes out to about 800 yards. I've used it bowhunting and rifle hunting, and I trust its range. It pegged the 300 yard target at my gun club, and it's right on with my BDC scope and dead reckoning. The technology is pretty foolproof. The only thing I don't like is that it uses an odd battery. One more thing to pack.

 

[big_bang]

I've got a Bushnell Yardage Pro 1000 that's several years old. Very accurate and fairly robust. The battery lasts a long time.

 

[Hot brass]

I like my Bushnell Yardage Pro Elite 1500

http://theopticzone.com/detail.aspx?ID=3241

 

[TX1911fan]

This one works well for me. Just a bit over your price range. Maybe eBay?

http://theopticzone.com/detail.aspx?ID=3818

 

[Monkeyleg]

You can get the Bushnell Elite 1500 cheaper here, and shipping is included.

If you want something for under $200, there's this.

 

[matrem]

As bad as I dislike "cheap opics",I can't say the same about any "budget" rangefinders that I've used..At least not at the 300- 500yd range.All of them have worked rather well within that range.One disadvantage of the less expensive though,you may not get an "exact pinpoint" on a P dog sized target,but the close surroundings are within a couple of yards.There's no guarantee that you'll get that with the "Ls"(personal experience),or the"Ss"(I've been told).
I see no reason that you can't get a suitable one for around $200.

 

[NvTwist]

I Second the Bushnell 1500, you won't regret it. As far as combat, It is water proof so that will keep the dust and dirt out, does use a standard 9 volt bat that last a long long time & is somewhat rugged housing. My only complaint is the internal lighting that is supposed to illuminate the display at night. If the item your ranging has a dark color (Night, duh) you can't read it with out pointing at something closer to white background, it's like they put the L.E.D. diode on the wrong side of the glass.

 

[Navy joe]

IMRL manager, I'm sorry. At my last unit the IA assignments involuntarily grabbed our IMRL manager. 18 yr SK1, E-6 type driving Humvees. Makes sense somehow.

 

[Aaryq]

Well, Navy Joe, IMRL is a No S MOS in the Marine Corps. WE usually get stuck at the squadron and can't go anywhere fun.

 

[MinnMooney]

I've got a Bushnell Yardage Pro 1000 that's several years old. Very accurate and fairly robust. The battery lasts a long time.

Exactly. Ditto to it all. Bushnell makes cheaper ones that work just as reliably but a little less yardage.

 

[Wildfire]

I stopped .

Hey There:
I had a few in the past. You will find the same thing I did. Using them on P-dogs does not work. It is next to impossible to hold the thing on that size of target.
Deer ? OK. Other things, yes... But P-dogs on flat ground is very hard to do. If you can range a mound of dirt or something near one OK. But to hold on a dog at 500 yards. Not very easy to do.
Good luck with it.