Vortex Ranger 1000 vs other 1000+ yd Rangefinders

[bobhunts]

I have two Leica's and neither have failed. The Nikon Rifle hunter 1000 I also have. Don't overlook the Nikon. It also has served well but does not range as well as Leica. Never used a Leupold so no experience with that other than in the parking lot at Sportsmans Warehouse. It was consistantly reading different than all brands I tested. Not painting with a broad brush just the one I had my hands on.

 

[BeWitty]

How does the Riflehunter do in hunting conditions? How far can you 'really' get in a reflective target? And how far out does the angle compensation work to? I like the Nikons price point if it compares to the Leupold!

Thanks

 

[BeWitty]

Has anyone had experience with both the Leupold RX 1000/1200 and the Nikon Riflehunter 1000? Which performs?

 

[idelkoholic]

View attachment 24489
Here's a quick cell phone pic through my rx-1000 (at least I hope so...first time trying). I've never played with the others but I've left my binos in the truck and only used this 6x rangefinder as a monocular when going light. Ranging seems fast and consistent in the field.

 

[ReddingArcher]

I have the vortex and a couple hunting buddies have the leupold, I wish I would have went with the leupold. While I like the vortex it has a hard time ranging in any type of fog in my experience. I couldn't get mine to read past 30 yards at all. I was able to get mine to read 1080 yards once over the summer on a boulder. I'll keep the vortex for early season archery hunts but want to start looking into something more for later in the season when fog and rain is more likely.

 

[Blockcaver]

I realize fog density is not a constant, but the type that blows up around the cliffs in northern BC pretty well renders a rangefinder useless in my experience. The Leicas (old Geovid binos, new R1000 and two year old 1600 B) do not range properly in fog, nor does the two year old Leupold RX1000i with TBR in my experience. Never had a Vortex. The yardage was always coming up really short in the fog (like reading 15 to 30 yards when it was actually 2 to 6 times further) when I was archery stone sheep hunting over the past several years. Your results might vary but I'd be very leery of any ranged yardage in foggy conditions.

 

[In God We Trust]

I realize fog density is not a constant, but the type that blows up around the cliffs in northern BC pretty well renders a rangefinder useless in my experience. The Leicas (old Geovid binos, new R1000 and two year old 1600 B) do not range properly in fog, nor does the two year old Leupold RX1000i with TBR in my experience. Never had a Vortex. The yardage was always coming up really short in the fog (like reading 15 to 30 yards when it was actually 2 to 6 times further) when I was archery stone sheep hunting over the past several years. Your results might vary but I'd be very leery of any ranged yardage in foggy conditions.

I now own the Vortex beacuse I sold the Leupold 1000 TBR to get it instead. I agree that almost all if not all range finders have a hard time ranging long distances in foggy/ heavy snow conditions. I am happy with the Vortex for the price. Most guys that have bought the high end Leica units swear by them.

 

[ColoradoTCE]

Call Steve at S&S Archery.

 

[BeWitty]

Call Steve at S&S Archery.

Will Steve typically beat his online advertised price. Or were you suggesting I call to discuss the pros and cons of the Leupy and Vortex because he stocks them both?

Thanks for the replys. I have it narrowed down to those two.

 

[BeWitty]

Ended up buying the Leupold RX-1200i TBR. Hopefully I made the correct decision. Thanks for all the opinions and shared experiences.

 

[Bughalli]

I bought the Vortex (gen 1) when they came out with them. I mention this because they may have changed it. Returned it after a week of elk hunting in NM after continually doing side by side comparisons in the field with my guides Leupold TBR 1000i. I like Vortex products but the Leupold was better and nearly the same price. Slightly better glass, but noticeable. Slightly slower to give a single reading. Both of those differences were marginal and minor in most situations. My frustration with the Vortex was the extra click of the button to range something. The Leupold was much faster to use when ranging multiple objects and speed was a factor. Ie archery elk hunting and you range a few bushes, trees and rocks right before an elk comes in. The Vortex was frustrating to use in that setting.