Rangefinder

[Waterboy]

Ok so looking for a rangefinder under $500. I’d like to stay around $300though.
. Must be reliable,accurate, and have angle compensating feature. Must have lifetime warranty (on electronics). Thinking vortex, athlon, maven. Must be a monocular. The smaller the better but I’d carry an vcr player if it had a lifetime warranty. Any other suggestions? Any input?

 

[Waterboy]

Sorry must have red reticle, and mainly rifle hunting with some archery. Probably 80% gun 20% bow. Range under or around 1k yards accurately

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Have you looked at the Athlon Midas 1 Mile Rangefinder, on sale for only $199.99?
Displays distances in yards or meters and 3 different ranging modes: Horizontal (line of sight), Vertical and Angle compensated. Waterproofing and non-slip grip Rubber Armor protect the Midas 1 Mile on the toughest hunts.

Fully Multi-Coated Lenses
Fully Multicoated optics effectively reduces reflected light and increases the transmission of light giving you a brighter image than normal single coated lenses

Waterproof
Waterproof to protect the product in the harshest weather conditions or if accidentally submerged underwater

Diopter adjustment
Adjusts for precise focus on display

Angle Compensation Mode
Provides true horizontal distance to target

Line of Sight Mode
Provides actual line of sight range

Scan Mode
Allows you to get quick readings on different objects or tracking a moving target

Dual Units of Measurement of Distance (Y/M)
Ranges in yards or meters

Effective Ranging Distance
5-1700 yards

 

[Waterboy]

Have you looked at the Athlon Midas 1 Mile Rangefinder, on sale for only $199.99?
Displays distances in yards or meters and 3 different ranging modes: Horizontal (line of sight), Vertical and Angle compensated. Waterproofing and non-slip grip Rubber Armor protect the Midas 1 Mile on the toughest hunts.

Fully Multi-Coated Lenses
Fully Multicoated optics effectively reduces reflected light and increases the transmission of light giving you a brighter image than normal single coated lenses

Waterproof
Waterproof to protect the product in the harshest weather conditions or if accidentally submerged underwater

Diopter adjustment
Adjusts for precise focus on display

Angle Compensation Mode
Provides true horizontal distance to target

Line of Sight Mode
Provides actual line of sight range

Scan Mode
Allows you to get quick readings on different objects or tracking a moving target

Dual Units of Measurement of Distance (Y/M)
Ranges in yards or meters

Effective Ranging Distance
5-1700 yards

How would you rate it against some of the vortex options like the diamondback or viper line?

 

[gr8fuldoug]

How would you rate it against some of the vortex options like the diamondback or viper line?

We have sold literally hundreds of the Athlon Midas 1 Mile Rangefinder and the feedback has been excellent and at this sale price nothing competes with it

 

[Waterboy]

We have sold literally hundreds of the Athlon Midas 1 Mile Rangefinder and the feedback has been excellent and at this sale price nothing competes with it

Is there a difference in the g2 model or is that cosmetic. I notice the g2 1 mile is grey.

 

[gr8fuldoug]

Is there a difference in the g2 model or is that cosmetic. I notice the g2 1 mile is grey.

To the best of my knowledge it is a cosmetic change

 

[sndmn11]

Ok so looking for a rangefinder under $500. I’d like to stay around $300though.
. Must be reliable,accurate, and have angle compensating feature. Must have lifetime warranty (on electronics). Thinking vortex, athlon, maven. Must be a monocular. The smaller the better but I’d carry an vcr player if it had a lifetime warranty.

All boxes checked, and you can demo it at no risk. (Also not made in China)

Demo Unit RF.1

7X25 | 5-4500 YD At Maven we only sell direct. That allows us to put more money into our products and allows you to get twice the product for your money. And since you can't find us in stores, we feel it's important to offer our potential customers a way to test a Maven before making that final...

mavenbuilt.com

 

[Gseith]

I am really liking the Maven. I have had it about a year so far.
One draw back is the size. I think only marsupial gear makes a pouch that fits it.

 

[sndmn11]

I am really liking the Maven. I have had it about a year so far.
One draw back is the size. I think only marsupial gear makes a pouch that fits it.

The Alaska Guide magnetic one does too.

 

[Waterboy]

All boxes checked, and you can demo it at no risk. (Also not made in China)

Demo Unit RF.1

7X25 | 5-4500 YD At Maven we only sell direct. That allows us to put more money into our products and allows you to get twice the product for your money. And since you can't find us in stores, we feel it's important to offer our potential customers a way to test a Maven before making that final...

mavenbuilt.com

The crf looks like a good one. I wish I can demo that model. I’m not crazy about the steering wheel on the side of the rf1 to be honest. I just feel like it would get moved unintentionally.

 

[Venom One]

The crf looks like a good one. I wish I can demo that model. I’m not crazy about the steering wheel on the side of the rf1 to be honest. I just feel like it would get moved unintentionally.

Agree. And getting it IN/OUT of a pouch with that wheel sticking out - nope, not for me.

 

[sndmn11]

The crf looks like a good one. I wish I can demo that model. I’m not crazy about the steering wheel on the side of the rf1 to be honest. I just feel like it would get moved unintentionally.

I wrote the home page review here for both the RF.1 and the CRF.1. How far do you want to range?

 

[Venom One]

I wrote the home page review here for both the RF.1 and the CRF.1. How far do you want to range?

Hey Kyle, I'm glad you posted up. I wasn't aware that Maven made the CRF.1 without the side dial which makes it much more appealing to me. I really appreciate guys like yourself taking the time to do these reviews.

The video showed that the readings are quite hard to read depending on the background. Was that just a problem when trying to capture it on video or is it that washed out by eye also?

I'm also curious about the ergonomics of those front buttons. I'm used to having the ranging and mode buttons on top where they're easily accessible with one hand. With the buttons located on the side in the front, it seems to be a two-handed operation. Is that a fair assessment? I don't use the mode button that often so maybe it's not a big deal, but it sure is convenient having it on the top.

I've been considering the Full Draw 4 from Leopold, a Sig, or maybe a Vortex. The CRF.1 might be a possibility. I currently have a Nikon Monarch 3000 Stabilized. Any thoughts?

 

[sndmn11]

Hey Kyle, I'm glad you posted up. I wasn't aware that Maven made the CRF.1 without the side dial which makes it much more appealing to me. I really appreciate guys like yourself taking the time to do these reviews.

The video showed that the readings are quite hard to read depending on the background. Was that just a problem when trying to capture it on video or is it that washed out by eye also?

I'm also curious about the ergonomics of those front buttons. I'm used to having the ranging and mode buttons on top where they're easily accessible with one hand. With the buttons located on the side in the front, it seems to be a two-handed operation. Is that a fair assessment? I don't use the mode button that often so maybe it's not a big deal, but it sure is convenient having it on the top.

I've been considering the Full Draw 4 from Leopold, a Sig, or maybe a Vortex. The CRF.1 might be a possibility. I currently have a Nikon Monarch 3000 Stabilized. Any thoughts?

The visibility of the display is what I think you are asking about.
I think the video and even photo shows it about half as well as it is in real life. There is also an anomaly with video where it appears the display pulses on and off, so that leads me to believe that the phones camera/video processor has trouble with how the LED is displayed. I don't believe that a person would have difficulty in 95% of the conditions they encounter hunting. There are quick workarounds to the other 5%, like if you were to range, have difficulty reading the display, just move the image over to a better background or down to the ground in front of you and the reading will still be displayed since it sticks around for several seconds.

I think changing the menu options while looking through the CRF.1 requires a grip shift, but isn't a two handed situation. I also don't personally put much value into it because I am always set on angle and yards. Since the CRF.1 is auto illumination, I don't find a need to fiddle with anything in an urgent moment.
In contrast, the RF.1 has the wheel is in the perfect spot to fiddle with in a normal grip. This is why to me the wheel occasionally rotating when I put it in the pouch (it only happens when putting in because it still may be "on" whereas taking it out it is presumably off) it is super easy and intuitive to adjust the brightness. Since it is an infinite wheel, a little roll any direction gets me to usable. I don't change any of the other functions in a moment of urgency for either model.

The rangefinder both myself and my wife had prior to the RF.1 was the Nikon Black4k. I think that the RF.1 bests it handily, and that the Black 4k, Stabilized 3k, and RF.1 are all of the same class and design intention. I do not believe that the CRF.1 was designed to be in that class. If your distance to range needs fit into what was shown in my video review (~975ish if I remember right on hair?) then it deserves consideration. If you are having zero issues with your 3k Stabilized, the only "upgrade" that I assume is that Maven has a functioning customer service for the unit since Nikon stopped selling them. I suppose that would apply to warranty/repair service as well. The CRF.1 is for the "classic" person who doesn't care about ranging their elk at 1500 yards, and just wants it to work every time at 500 and in, or the primary bowhunter.

If you watched the CRF.1 video and said "yeah it is nice it ranges that far, but I want to go farther, or I want it done a lot faster", then the RF.1 is the ticket. My kid uses mine for entertainment at the 3d range since that review was done; he was three years old that first summer, four this past summer, and just turned five. My nieces use it and my brothers when they come a long, and one is a few years older than my kid, the other is a year younger. I knew the CRF.1 was in the works for some time, and we waited to replace my wife's Black4k to see what it was like. She ended up choosing an RF.1 because she grew to like the dial as well.

 

[Venom One]

The visibility of the display is what I think you are asking about.
I think the video and even photo shows it about half as well as it is in real life. There is also an anomaly with video where it appears the display pulses on and off, so that leads me to believe that the phones camera/video processor has trouble with how the LED is displayed. I don't believe that a person would have difficulty in 95% of the conditions they encounter hunting. There are quick workarounds to the other 5%, like if you were to range, have difficulty reading the display, just move the image over to a better background or down to the ground in front of you and the reading will still be displayed since it sticks around for several seconds.

I think changing the menu options while looking through the CRF.1 requires a grip shift, but isn't a two handed situation. I also don't personally put much value into it because I am always set on angle and yards. Since the CRF.1 is auto illumination, I don't find a need to fiddle with anything in an urgent moment.
In contrast, the RF.1 has the wheel is in the perfect spot to fiddle with in a normal grip. This is why to me the wheel occasionally rotating when I put it in the pouch (it only happens when putting in because it still may be "on" whereas taking it out it is presumably off) it is super easy and intuitive to adjust the brightness. Since it is an infinite wheel, a little roll any direction gets me to usable. I don't change any of the other functions in a moment of urgency for either model.

The rangefinder both myself and my wife had prior to the RF.1 was the Nikon Black4k. I think that the RF.1 bests it handily, and that the Black 4k, Stabilized 3k, and RF.1 are all of the same class and design intention. I do not believe that the CRF.1 was designed to be in that class. If your distance to range needs fit into what was shown in my video review (~975ish if I remember right on hair?) then it deserves consideration. If you are having zero issues with your 3k Stabilized, the only "upgrade" that I assume is that Maven has a functioning customer service for the unit since Nikon stopped selling them. I suppose that would apply to warranty/repair service as well. The CRF.1 is for the "classic" person who doesn't care about ranging their elk at 1500 yards, and just wants it to work every time at 500 and in, or the primary bowhunter.

If you watched the CRF.1 video and said "yeah it is nice it ranges that far, but I want to go farther, or I want it done a lot faster", then the RF.1 is the ticket. My kid uses mine for entertainment at the 3d range since that review was done; he was three years old that first summer, four this past summer, and just turned five. My nieces use it and my brothers when they come a long, and one is a few years older than my kid, the other is a year younger. I knew the CRF.1 was in the works for some time, and we waited to replace my wife's Black4k to see what it was like. She ended up choosing an RF.1 because she grew to like the dial as well.

Well, shoot, Kyle; you provided such a thorough and detailed reply, that I couldn't help but go and read your write up on the RF.1 also. And I came away feeling that my resistance to the "wheel" is based on some wrong assumptions on my part. Hell, you nearly have me talked into getting the dang RF.1.

I don't range at long distances so the CRF.1 is probably "good enough" for my purposes, but the RF.1 wheel is intriguing now, the performance sounds impressive, and clearly you're a fan. It's awesome that you included a review of pouches that will work with this RF as that would be a hang-up for a lot of us.

Thanks for the reviews on both RFs and the excellent reply! The RF.1 has found its way to the top of my wish list....

 

[sndmn11]

Well, shoot, Kyle; you provided such a thorough and detailed reply, that I couldn't help but go and read your write up on the RF.1 also. And I came away feeling that my resistance to the "wheel" is based on some wrong assumptions on my part. Hell, you nearly have me talked into getting the dang RF.1.

I don't range at long distances so the CRF.1 is probably "good enough" for my purposes, but the RF.1 wheel is intriguing now, the performance sounds impressive, and clearly you're a fan. It's awesome that you included a review of pouches that will work with this RF as that would be a hang-up for a lot of us.

Thanks for the reviews on both RFs and the excellent reply! The RF.1 has found its way to the top of my wish list....

You bet.

The two pouches we have are the Marsupial large, and the newer AGC magnetic. Pros and cons to either that are minimal; I can go over those if you wish or take pics later.

Magnetic Rangefinder Pouch

The design of the Alaska Guide Creations Magnetic Rangefinder Pouch (MRP) was inspired by the all new Ravus Bino Pack in that the lid is forward opening and has a magnetic closure. The body of the pouch is semi-rigid allowing quick and easy one hand access to your rangefinder. On the back of the...

alaskaguidecreations.com

Rangefinder Pouch

Quickly access your rangefinder with our magnetic fold down lid system. Attaches to Marsupial Binocular Pack and any belt with our quick release snap. Never be without your rangefinder again.

www.marsupialgear.com

 

[Waterboy]

I wrote the home page review here for both the RF.1 and the CRF.1. How far do you want to range?

Realistically around 5-600 yards and in. With maybe a range day out to 1000 yards once a year. So both rangefinders are available without the wheel? Is the price the same for each model with/without the wheel?

 

[Gseith]

Well, shoot, Kyle; you provided such a thorough and detailed reply, that I couldn't help but go and read your write up on the RF.1 also. And I came away feeling that my resistance to the "wheel" is based on some wrong assumptions on my part. Hell, you nearly have me talked into getting the dang RF.1.

I don't range at long distances so the CRF.1 is probably "good enough" for my purposes, but the RF.1 wheel is intriguing now, the performance sounds impressive, and clearly you're a fan. It's awesome that you included a review of pouches that will work with this RF as that would be a hang-up for a lot of us.

Thanks for the reviews on both RFs and the excellent reply! The RF.1 has found its way to the top of my wish list....

I was skeptical of the side wheel, but find myself using it all the time adjusting the brightness. From the bright afternoon to the low lights at sunrise/sunset; it keeps everything from getting washed out by the red text. I also never have a issue adjusting it with one hand on the fly.

 

[JGRaider]

I wasn't aware there was an RF made that wasn't Chicom sourced? I'd bet most of these brand's RF's are made in the same factories. Good review.