Which rangefinder...Bushnell, Nikon, Cabela's?
 

I am new to this site and am looking for some advice on which rangefinder to buy. The models I'm debating between are the Bushnell Yardage Pro 450, the Nikon ProStaff Laser 440, the Bushnell Yardage Pro Trophy and the Cabela's CLR 800 (made by Bushnell). My budget requires me keep the rangefinder at or below $225. It will be used primarily for bowhunting for Whitetails in timber from a treestand but will also be used for rifle hunting in timber and possibly a trip out West for elk. Also, I wear glasses. Any advice on these four models or suggstions on other models would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

RE: Which rangefinder...Bushnell, Nikon, Cabela's?
 

im in the same boat as you, looking for a descent range finder. the Cabelas model seemed pretty consistent on returning distances when moving from object to object( didnt know it was made by Bushnell, that helps) says it will go out to 700 yd but is only a 6x power, but also is only $200.
the others the had were pretty consistent as well and it little better magnification but were pushing $300 would like to get some feed back about these and try to keep it below $250 OTD

RE: Which rangefinder...Bushnell, Nikon, Cabela's?
 

I have the Nikon 440 and it is awesome. $179 at Cabelas. $199 for camouflage. The only thing it doesn't have, and I'm not sure how important it is, is the ARC feature, which may or may not be important for a person in a treestand. All I know is that mine is terrific and performs well. Good luck.

RE: Which rangefinder...Bushnell, Nikon, Cabela's?
 

Take a look at these, i just ordered two of them, one for me and one for my brother in law. These normally run run 319.99 at Bass Pro. But it is just an idea.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Leupold-RX-2-Digital-Rangefinder-CAMO_W0QQitemZ330195858701QQihZ014QQcategoryZ31712 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

RE: Which rangefinder...Bushnell, Nikon, Cabela's?
 

Thanks for all the great responses. I see that the Leupold RX-II has something that is similiar to the ARC system? Is this something that is needed when hunting from a treestand 12 to 18 feet above ground? I've heard feedback that the Leupolds have complicated features that make them harder to use and that the view through them seems a bit "cluttered". Is this true? Thanks again!

RE: Which rangefinder...Bushnell, Nikon, Cabela's?
 

I know it's a little out of your budget but I just bought a Nikon Monarch 1200 in camo off ebay from suncoast something or other but with shipping was 349.99. I love it I have ranged buildings and such out to 1180yrds.

RE: Which rangefinder...Bushnell, Nikon, Cabela's?
 

I purchased a Nikon buckmasters 660 rangefinder about 18 months ago.I,m not sure what caused it to malfunction butit was never dropped or abused.After sending it back to nikon they informed me that it would be cheaper to replace than repair.They were sorry that it was no longer covered by warranty and offered to replace it at a discounted price.I requested a monarch 800 and they said it was on it's way.After six months and countless calls to nikon Canada in toronto I was becoming frustrated.After almost a year they finally ended up sending me a monarch 1200 which works ok but is physically much larger than an 800 and not really suited for bowhunting.I hope Nikon USA has better customer service than canada but I wouldn't hold my breath.I guess I have really learned my lesson.

RE: Which rangefinder...Bushnell, Nikon, Cabela's?
 

Can anyone provide any feedback on the RX-2? How does it compare to Nikons and Bushnells?

RE: Which rangefinder...Bushnell, Nikon, Cabela's?
 

Go to wal-mart and check out what they carry...the price is more than reasonable and they carry a couple different models.

RE: Which rangefinder...Bushnell, Nikon, Cabela's?
 

I have a pair of the bushnell yardage pro 450's there all right for a tree stand other than that I'm not really impressed with them,at the time I did'nt have alot to spend on a pair,mine were $150.00 the clairity is not good on them if you put the nikons next to them I'm sure you would take the nikons,you can't scan an animal in the brush or thickets with mine the nikons I'm pretty sure they will,and I wish I would have put another $50.00 with it and got the nikons the bushy's may say 450 on them but around 220yds. is the farthest I could ever range with em........Ted

RE: Which rangefinder...Bushnell, Nikon, Cabela's?
 

No. They sure want people to THINK it's necessary, though. Like giving an 'example' of the animal being 34 yards out and the 'normal' rangefinder overestimating it (by direct line of sight) to 40 yards, which, in archery, can be quite a difference. But what they conveniently fail to mention is that, in order to have a huge yardage difference like that, YOU HAVE TO BE *63 FEET* UP IN THAT TREE. Who the hell goes 60 feet up???

At normal heights, (i.e 10-15 feet or so) the difference between the angled distance to the animal and the 'true' distance is going to be about 1 yard or less. In other words, there IS no real world difference.

Haven't dealt with them personally, but I know a couple people who bought Leupolds and brought them back because they weren't easy enough to work with.

RE: Which rangefinder...Bushnell, Nikon, Cabela's?
 

I have a Bushnell 800 and its great! never had any issues. It states its accurate +/- one yard. I used a wheel measurement tool and dang sure was right on. At 400 yrds it was dead on! would of measured farther but i wont be making any shots over 250 anyways;)Ive used the scan feature and tracked deer in CadesCove in Tenn. LOL and itwas great at what it indicated, 600 yrds.

RE: Which rangefinder...Bushnell, Nikon, Cabela's?
 

Your 800's are probally alot more quality than the 450's I've got I'm not really that impressed with mine like I said in the earlier statement if I had to shoot over 220yds. with mine I would not be able to check the yardage with mine they will not scan over 220yds. and they do not have a real clear view either..........Ted.

RE: Which rangefinder...Bushnell, Nikon, Cabela's?
 

Well, im sure its like everything else, the more you spend the better quality and featuresyou get. Im happy with mine and i cant see spending $350+++ for ranging way out of my equipment capabilities;)

RE: Which rangefinder...Bushnell, Nikon, Cabela's?
 

I have a RX-1, at the time it was on sale and the same price as the comparable Bushnell. When I compared them side-by-side, The Loopy was much clearer hands down. The next test was picking outobjects and taking repeated readings. With the loopy I got the same reading every time with the exception of one object, I took a short step back and then got consistent readings. Thebushnell was giving me +/- 1 yard on some objects and some times +/- 2yds. I'm not nocking Bushnell it would certainly get the job done and these are the only two I compared. with the Loopy being on sale for the same price it was a no brainer. Had it for a year now with no problems and no regrets.

RE: Which rangefinder...Bushnell, Nikon, Cabela's?
 

mine also on the 450's gives different readings -1 or+1yd or 2 I'm not nocking bushnell either for $150.00 they serve themselves to be ok,but I have never been able to range anything with them over 220yds. I would never take them know where on a hunting trip where I could shoot out to 300to400yds.with a rifle. but for bow and ml they work just fine,when life gives me the opportunity I will upgrade to a better pair.........Ted

RE: Which rangefinder...Bushnell, Nikon, Cabela's?
 

Of those mentioned get the Nikon. IME it is the best below Lieca which are what I suggest for LRF's. After owning &/or using several othersLieca are the most reliable, simple to use, battery consumption, optics and Red LED readout (god sent, should be on all LRF's). If you do some looking you might be able to find the Lieca scan model 900 or 1200 on clearance as they are being replaced by the CRF models of these.

As far as the Leuy RXII, to complicated IMHO. I like push the button and get the range. Arc/Ballistics,etc on a LRF??? K.I.S.S. theory applies!

RE: Which rangefinder...Bushnell, Nikon, Cabela's?
 

I would love to get a pair of the leica 1200's they have them for $429.00 @ www.cameralandny.com I bought a 3.5x10x50 zeiss conquest from doug at camera land excellent people to do buisness with,good prices fast shipping and there customer service is outstanding.......Ted

RE: Which rangefinder...Bushnell, Nikon, Cabela's?
 

I shopped around this fall andreally likedthe Bushnell Yardage Pro Scout. I compaired them to Nikons, Leupolds, and other Bushnell models.

I ended up ordering a demo model from Natchezss.com for $160.00,it looks and works great.

RE: Which rangefinder...Bushnell, Nikon, Cabela's?
 

I have the Leica 800, and am real happy with it.