I know it is outside your budget, but my son has a pair of ranging binocs from swarovski and one from vortex. He is usually carrying the one from vortex. I think they are about $1000. Might be able to kill two birds with one stone

 

I might go that route if I didn’t already have a couple pair of nice binos, Leupold and Swarovski, that I’m used to. Don’t want to spend extra bucks and relearn a new piece of gear.

 

You went to Colorado to rifle hunt Antelope at long ranges and did not have a range finder? Range finders are plentiful. The technology is fairly old at this point. $50-$100 on Amazon will find you a dozen or more models that will do the job you’re looking for.

or you can splurge and spend a little under $200 and get a Vortex.

Amazon.com

 

On paper, It’s worse than that: I went to Colorado to handgun hunt for antelope, and didn’t have a rangefinder. But having done just that in four or five western states since the late 80s, and having killed more than 50 of them from 20 feet to 400-plus yards, I’ve always been pretty good at estimating range in open country. My hunting buddy and I have always made it a game when we’re in the field. How far is that tree? How far is that rock? Then we step it off to confirm. Doing that for several trips each year, combined with a substantial amount of competition shooting, has always kept the skills fairly sharp.

I haven’t shot competitively since Covid, and have only been able to make one western trip each year the past few years, so my eyes and my skills are no longer at the top of the game. Proved it to myself a couple weeks ago.

Yes, I’ve checked out Amazon and there’s a million options, that’s why I’m asking for input. Do you have a favorite Vortex?

Maybe I should refine the question, I’m looking at Leupold vs. Vortex rangefinders. Pros and cons of any particular models, within the parameters listed earlier?

 

I don’t if it’s the best but been using Sig Sauer Kilo 1200 for several years with zero complaints. Fits in my shirt pocket. Great battery life.

 

I have a Leupold rx-1600. I treat it like binoculars and American Express (don’t leave home without it).
I will probably go to the rx-5000 next.
Mummy uncle has the range finding binoculars and absolutely loves them.

 

Friend of mine has a Leupold that is compact. It ranges things at 7 or 800 no problem. I have a Refurbished Nikon 600 or 800 not sure. I have had it more than 10 years. I have ranged deer just over 500 with it.

 

I have Leupold and have for several years. As you probably know the customer service is great and sooner or later you’re going to have problems with it. I’ve never owned any kind of Vortex.

 

Bought one of these for Bowhunting Antelope in Nebraska..
Love it..Use it all the Time..

 

I have been really happy with my Vortex 1300 rangefinder. I think anything you get from Vortex will be a good quality piece of equipment.

 

Sig kilo series is a good one to look at.

 

I bought the SK2800 last year off fleabag and that rig has to be the best range finder I've ever owned. I have a few certain trees that I range ech time I het it out, 700-1400yd. It is precise each time.

 

I've had Vortex, Sig, and Leupold. I think Sig wins the rangefinder category pretty easy, besides maybe Revic, for a stand-alone unit.

But, I 2nd the rangefinding bino option. Late winter, Midway will (if like most years) have a big sale with some models 40-50% off.

I think after you had them, you'd agree it's a better choice, and your used top tier glass can be resold for good $$

 

20+ years ago I bought a Leica LRF1200 ahead of a Wyoming antelope hunt. I’m still using it. I know technology has advanced a lot since then, but at the time it was the one rangefinder available that I was certain would be able to do what I needed it to do. I was able to range a lone pine tree at over 1050 yards with it.

 

Leica CRF 1200.

 

I have never owned a Leupold RF but knowing the Quality of their scopes I'm sure they would be fine. I do however own a Vortex and I love it. Doubt you would go wrong with either brand.

 

I bought an Sig Kilo ( I think it was a 2000 or 2200) about 5 years ago because my 1000 yard Nikon wouldn’t range deer past about 300 yards. I’ve also had Bushnell. The Sig is way better at picking up game at long distance. With the Nikon, if it was past about 300 yards I’d have to range bushes/ trees near the deer. The Sig has no problems with deer at twice that distance and I’ve ranged hard targets ( water tower, cell tower, etc ) at over a mile.

 

I've had one of these for years.

 

sig 1200, nuff said

 

Another vote for Leupold compact. I forgot it one morning this past week and didnt take a shot cause I thought the deer was over 350 yds. That afternoon I ranged it and it was 200yds. I didnt believe it so I stepped it off. Of course I was wrong. Thankful I had one that open country messed with my judgement bad.

 

Pick a name brand whose scopes & binocs you like. Look at ratings. Get the highest rated one with the features you want, that fits within your budget. You really can’t go wrong. I still use a cheap Bushnell 400 yard unit I bought near 30 years ago for local use. It worked out to near 600 yards on my last elk hunt. If I ever go west again I’ll upgrade.

 

Thanks for the all the input. I’m looking at the Leupold rx 2800 for now. I may ultimately go to rangefinding binos. Think I’m going to drop in at Bass Pro and handle a few items before I make up my mind.

 

Back when I was young, we didn’t have range finders. I had a pickle bucket full of twine and a forked stick. Twine had marks every 50 yds. Would drive the forked stick in the ground, tie the twine to it, and take off walking with the bucket/counting the marks on the twine as I stretched it out…

 

I purchased an Sig 2200 two years ago, very happy with it. Works well in the southeast Texas timber and the west Texas mesquite.

 

Before Range finders,My Dad In the Army " Japan" would use a ..football field is 100 yards..How many football fields between you and The Animal your hunting..He could get pretty Close most of the Time.
Good Shooting and Hunting

 

I have a Leupold rx-1600. I treat it like binoculars and American Express (don’t leave home without it).
I will probably go to the rx-5000 next.

 

I have a Leupold rx-1600. I treat it like binoculars and American Express (don’t leave home without it).
I will probably go to the rx-5000 next.
Mummy uncle has the range finding binoculars and absolutely loves them.

I have a Leupold rx-1600. I treat it like binoculars and American Express (don’t leave home without it).
I will probably go to the rx-5000 next.

I thought this AI stuff was supposed to be some kind of super intelligence 🤔

 

AI will do nothing more than arrive at a wrong conclusion much faster.

And for the 10,000th time, if this site would publish IP addresses for each post, a lot of fake posters would go away.