Hunting Forum

I am looking to purchase a new laser rangefinder.  I will primarily be using it for archery but would like to have the versatility to range longer distances for rifle hunting as well.  I have been interested in the Nikon Rifle Hunter 1000.  I like the ability to range long distances and still have horizontal and line of sight settings.  I have read mixed reviews on the illuminated LED display.  Some have said that it is too bright and makes picking a target in low light difficult.  Does anyone have any experience with this particular range finder?  How well does it acquire targets?  Can you "thread the needle" through branches to a spot on the ground?  Does anyone have another brand/model that they recommend?  Thanks in advance for any input.  Lang PGH, PA

I was about to ask this same question. I want one for low light, 500 yard minimum, and with the angle comp feature.

Two of the guys in my elk hunting party have the Nikon you list.  They are satisfied and it does all 99.9% of what most hunters need.  It is quick and quiet and I have never had an issue with LED display.  It is a very good range finder.  It will not keep up with the Leica 1600B.  That little guy is very impressive.  You pay for the added range for sure, but we got ranges close to 2000 yards earlier this month on our elk hunt in optimum lighting.  The thing I liked the most about the Leica is the ability to range open grassy land.  We were at a lookout looking slightly down on a large grass and dirt meadow that was just over 700 yards away.  The Nikon would not range a spot in the middle of the opening.  It would range trees on the far side at about 825 whereas the Leica would range any spot you picked anywhere in the meadow.

One guy has a new Swarovski EL Range 10x42 rangefinder binos.  Very sweet.  It did everything the Leica would do and maybe a bit more in a very clear and bright pair of binos.  I am going to upgrade binos and rangefinder before next year and at this point after playing with the 3 rangefinders above I will most likely get the Leica and some Leupold 10x50 Mojave binos.  In low light conditions in the field I felt the new Leupolds were very close to if not as good as the Swarovski EL Range and the Leica did as well on the rangefinding side.  Having them both in one package is very nice, but I can get the Leupold and Leica for less than half the Swarovski.  Unless I have some big windfall hit me I will pack a separate rangefinder.  If I were to get rich before next season, then the Swarovski would be my choice for the convenience.

 

Thanks for the input. The Swarovskis are definitely out of my league too. I actually ended up going with a Bushnell ARC 850 Chuck Adams edition. I realize its not in the same category as the others price wise but that is one thing that I really liked about it. It was around $100 less than the Nikon but the optics on it were very comparable. Not quite as good but close. Plus, I convinced myself that I don't REALLY need to range anything more than 300-500 yards in the areas that I hunt and even that would be a really rare occasion.

As for the Leupold binos you mentioned, I don't have experience with the Mojaves but I do have a pair of 8x42 Cascades that I absolutely love. Crystal clear, good light gathering, true colors, perfect eye relief for me. They are just really a pleasure to use. If the Mojave is anywhere near as good (which I'm sure that it is) you won't be disappointed.

Good luck!

I have a Bushnell I bought a long time ago when rangefinders were all the size of the avg pair of Binos. It still works great out to 800yds. Sometime later I bought a Nikon that's pocket size. I've used both on the same targets and get the same results. Neither has the angle compensation feature but for my needs I don't need it. More $$$$$ doesn't always equate better quality usually in higher ticket item $100 just means more features. Kinda like the price of two identical cars but more options.

Truer words were never spoke.

"More $$$$$ doesn't always equate better quality........." Gutpile


Try to buy it only "once" though !!!

Had one thim ranger finder thangs wid uz onct in Africa ....whin we culling Springbok and our money was placed on head shots over 300 metres.....don't remember ever using one any other time....esp from a tree at 25 yds.....kilt a hawg and a few deer wid my old recurve with NO sites.....guess those days are long gone.....ain't got no high tech sheit wid you, you ain't a real hunter....just ask any marketing agency....

Leica all the way I have the 1600 model and I'm looking to get another since I moved to the midwest and left the other with my dad and I can say its the only one on the market that will range game at 1000yards