looking into upgrading my rangefinder. am looking for something that will consistentlyrange deer out to 200-250 yards. any body have any suggestions..

I have a bushnell legend and i love it. My dad has one in a nikon monarch and his is just a tad bit clearer. But his was also a little bit more expensive.

LEICA

I have a Nikon Monarch 1200 and it works well out to 500 - 600 yards in most situations. My brother in law has a Bushnell 1500 and we were ranging different things and mine consistently read one or two yards farther than his but we were ranging things out to 900+ yards so I was amazed that they were that close.

Any laser rangefinder needs to have the laser reflected back to it to work so they are always going to work best on flat reflective surfaces that are perpendicular to you. For instance we were able to range moving semi-trucks at 900+ yards on the highway near his house, but neither of us could range a windmill fan that was 1/2 that distance.

I've had one instance where I couldn't range an antelope at right around 200 yards (I stepped it off after I shot the antelope) but it was because the antelope was laying down and I was laying down on a stalk and we were both on flat ground with some sage brush. I just couldn't get a return on the laser. If I had stood up I probably could have got the distance, but I wasn't about to do that and have them run off.

On most rangefinders the rating is for a large flat surface perpendicular to you so I've always heard that you should assume that it will work at 50% of it's rating in real life circumstances.

I vote LEICA also! The difference will become apparent in low light situations. Lesser rangefiners will not compare to this in low light. cameralandny.com has the CRF900 yard model for $429. I jumped the gun and bought the CRF1200 yd. model last year. CRF900 is enough for most guys and at less expense. Remember... optics are the most important equipment you will buy for hunting. GREAT VALUE!

Money buys quaility here just as in your other optics. The Leica's and Swarovski will range better than the Nikon or Bushnell's. Speaking from Ive used all first hand. Leica and Swarovski will range just about anything you try to range. Ranges outpast 1000 yards is not uncommon. I like the Swarovski better due to it will work better while its snowing out. Thats my only complaint of the Leica, when snowing a fair bit, is the only time it will not range 100%. Leica however will spit out the range faster than the Swarovski as its as fast as you hit the button. The swarovski you must hold down the button for a second while it reads the range while doing so keep holding on target. Want a rangefinder than will work 90% of the time or better no matter what the object is. Buy a Leica or Swarovski.

Nikon 440. $179 at Cabelas. Don't need to spend a fortune for range 250 yds IMO. Love my Nikon. Good luck with your choice.

x2, on Nikon 440. It goes out to 400yds which is plenty for bow . I tested it out in low and bright conditions and was able to see distance clearly.