Best rangefinder for $500

[Big Uncle]

Anyone have actual experience (not just something you read) with the latest offerings in rangefinders? There are several models that are priced form $350 - $500 available, but which is good value? Readings on deer/antelope (non-reflective) type targets at an honest 500 yards would be good enough, but more is better.

[Sheridan]

I use Nikon Monarch Laser 800............Works just fine !


Do yourself a favor and buy the tether also.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...box.jsp.form23

I myself love the leica 1200. I was using one during a long range shoot. I also have all the bushnells and played alot with the leupold. I can't beleive how disappointed I was with the leupold. Very unclea image at 500 yards. You just can't beat leica. Really picks up reflective objects out to 1200 yards. My bushnell legend pro could not.

With all that said, its hard to range find a small animal past 400 yards. You almost want a binoc type. Its hard to push the range button while keeping right on that animal. This is where continuous mode comes in handy.

[Ridge Runner]

most of the ragefinders available today will range a deer at approx half they're published max range. till you get to leica and swuaro. my leica 1200 has ranged deer to 1210 yards. it will range soft targets as far as it will reflective ones, they just came out with a 1600 so you should be able to pick up a used 1200 at a good price.
RR

[VAhuntr]

If you do a google search for "cameraland new york" you will find they sell the Leica CRF 900 for $429. Pretty good deal IMO.

[Big Uncle]

Quite a few vendors are "out of stock" on the Leica 1200, and others have them for sale at discounts ($600 or so). It makes me wonder if the 1200 will be discontinued now that the 1600 is on the market.

[skeeter 7MM]

Originally Posted by Big Uncle

Quite a few vendors are "out of stock" on the Leica 1200, and others have them for sale at discounts ($600 or so). It makes me wonder if the 1200 will be discontinued now that the 1600 is on the market.

I was told the 1600 is to replace the 1200.

I have had a lieca 900 for years, works awesome and have ranged animals beyond the 700 yard mark on numerous occasions. For my hunting needs the 900 model is all I require. I have owned bushnell and nikon, played with leupolds and swaro's. If money isn't an option the swaro's but for practical and bang for your buck lieca. Repeatability, accurate, good battery life, optics, RED LED and easy. Some of the models by bushnell and leupold have way to many modes/options and clutter.

[SlowDraw]

I have a luepold rx-1000tbr and it is very clear and has fuctioned great so far. I have only hunted here in the flat country since I purchased it last fall, so I have not had a chance to try and range a deer out to 500 yards yet. the 1000 defentaly has a clearer image than the lesser modles by luepold.

[Big Uncle]

I ended up with a Leica 1200. It was close enough to $500.

[TRACKER]

Leica 1200 is what I bought a few years ago .
NO Compaints here ...