Rangefinder review; Leica, Leupold and Vortex

[S&S ARCHERY]

We just posted up a review of the Leica Rangemaster 1000r, Leupold RX-1000 TBR and the Vortex Ranger 1000.

Leica was the pretty clear winner based off of pure performance but the Leupold was a close second with a few features that were really nice and being half the price.

http://backcountryhunter.net/rangefinder-review/

Steve

 

[Ryan Avery]

I agree Leica makes a great RF. The 1600 will shoot out to 2000, very impressive for the price.

 

[MattB]

Nice review. You indicate that a weakness of the Leica is the lack of brightness settings - did its automatic brightness control not work well for you?

 

[kuhn4]

My eight year old Leica rangefinder and my father's 12 year old model have been very good.

 

[rodney482]

Love my CRF, outfoor life just did a review and also came out on top.

 

[S&S ARCHERY]

Nice review. You indicate that a weakness of the Leica is the lack of brightness settings - did its automatic brightness control not work well for you?

I personally like the manual adjustment on the Leupold and did find it lacking in brightness a little during the day but Jason liked how the Leica was in all conditions.

 

[weaver]

Great review. I really wanted to like the vortex rf but just could not get used to the readout delay and also didn't like the display. Went back to leupold a couldn't be happier. Would love to try a leica but for my uses the leupold does just fine.

 

[Jason]

Great review. I really wanted to like the vortex rf but just could not get used to the readout delay and also didn't like the display. Went back to leupold a couldn't be happier. Would love to try a leica but for my uses the leupold does just fine.

Thanks, ya I really wanted to like the Vortex as well. I've been happy with almost every other product I've seen from Vortex. But after owning a Leica 1600 crf and a couple of generations of the Leupold Rx-1000, the Ranger just left me frustrated. Optics are good, red LED display is good, and the construction and warranty is good, they just need to improve that ranging ability. I'm sure it has some redeeming functions for the rifle hunter, but I didn't take that into consideration at all in this review.

Jason

 

[Vandal 44]

Steve, thanks for the review. I am in the market for a new rangefinder and I will be looking at both the Leica and the Leupold this helps out a lot.
thanks again

 

[Mmcan]

No doubt it's nice to range out to 2000 yards.

But If you aren't shooting a .338 lapua, or a 50 cal, why not save some money for other things and go with a rf that excels at mere-mortal ranges, especially for bowhunting? Go for an angle adjusting model with great object discernment out to 100 yds? I tried to talk myself into a high end long range model, but happily ended up with a lesser Leupold, and it works great. My rifle hunting comfort zone is around 300 yds, and the bow need not range past 50-60 yds max.

I totally appreciate long range shooting. But are many on here doing that to hunt? Kudo's to you if you do.

 

[tipsntails7]

I love everything about the vortex except for the outside armour and the terrible fact that I haveto push the read button 3 times to get it going. That really really bothers me.

 

[Solitude]

Tipsntails7
Is pushing the button 3 times typical of these? I have one too and mine operates like yours too and I figured it was just mine. I will say if I have it powered up then it often times ranges in 1-2 pushes. But I am a bit nervous about using it for the first time this season, but u just bought it a couple months back so want to give it a try.

 

[tipsntails7]

I've never had another one in my hand besides this one. It was given to me as a gift last year in August. I beleive it is typical though. It's really a pain. I like my dads Leopold 1000 much better in that regard. I like the basic nature of the vortex and the display is bright and crisp. I think if vortex comes out with another updated version it will be a winner. But at this point I would not buy another of the same make. That being said I dropped it on a rock and Brock the objective. A week later a brand new one in the box showed up at my door.

 

[boom]

I've never had another one in my hand besides this one. It was given to me as a gift last year in August. I beleive it is typical though. It's really a pain. I like my dads Leopold 1000 much better in that regard. I like the basic nature of the vortex and the display is bright and crisp. I think if vortex comes out with another updated version it will be a winner. But at this point I would not buy another of the same make. That being said I dropped it on a rock and Brock the objective. A week later a brand new one in the box showed up at my door.

i remembered this thread and last turkey "Viewing",..no shots

i played with my vortex. mine is two clicks. one to turn it one, the second to fire the lazer. i worked on getting that first push done on the approach to my eye. what a PIA!!

i've often thought it was me, that was missing the button during my nervous ranging of a live animal i am about to shoot. you guys needing Three clicks?

 

[tipsntails7]

It will technically range on the second but a lot of time I don't trust that reading. If there is any brush or fog in the way it will be off. I also worry about not having the cross hair line up to where I truly want it ranged at especially on a smaller animal at a distance. So I find myself on animals at least pounding the button twice before I even put it to my face then holdin the third time so I can use the scan. Now that I'm typing it and saying it out loud it seems quite ridiculous that I should have to do that. This is strictly my perspective as a bowhunter. If the animal was 200 yards away this probably would not be a big deal.

 

[boom]

It will technically range on the second but a lot of time I don't trust that reading. If there is any brush or fog in the way it will be off. I also worry about not having the cross hair line up to where I truly want it ranged at especially on a smaller animal at a distance. So I find myself on animals at least pounding the button twice before I even put it to my face then holdin the third time so I can use the scan. Now that I'm typing it and saying it out loud it seems quite ridiculous that I should have to do that. This is strictly my perspective as a bowhunter. If the animal was 200 yards away this probably would not be a big deal.

Yea. I find myself using my old archers choice more often.

Great review T! I think you nailed it.

Is yours consistently reading shorter than your hunting partners?

 

[tipsntails7]

Yea. I find myself using my old archers choice more often.

Great review T! I think you nailed it.

Is yours consistently reading shorter than your hunting partners?

the first one i had would be short by about 2 yards from my dads leupoold. it was also 2-3 yards short consistantly of a tape measure as well. the new one i have is spot on. i know they had some issues with the early models reading short. call them and they will take care of you,

 

[slim9300]

I bought a Leica CRF 1600b a few months ago and I can't wait to hunt with it this year. The optics are amazing. I have always loved my Nikon rangefinders due to their ability to range to the 'last target,' but have always desired better optics and maximum range. My Nikons have always been able to shoot through brush, fog, screen doors, etc. The new Leica (or every other brand I have used) doesn't seem to have the same ability. Does anyone know how to put the Leica on 'last target' mode or is this not possible? I tried to find it in the manual to no avail.

 

[boom]

the first one i had would be short by about 2 yards from my dads leupoold. it was also 2-3 yards short consistantly of a tape measure as well. the new one i have is spot on. i know they had some issues with the early models reading short. call them and they will take care of you,

Thx! I emailed them. They want me to send mine back again. She said they will just replace them.

I don't think she liked me saying I was going w Leica.

 

[mtnclimber]

Ive had leupold and nikons and just recently got a leica. Im blown away at how accurate it is and never get any ------- readings back like i did with the leupold or nikons