Rangefinder recommendation

[charlz]

My son is old enough now to start hunting and is real keen on it. I am thinking of getting him set up with a rifle for next year and we could give antelope and deer a try. We will need to do some scouting and I am thinking of getting a range finder to help teach him how to judge distances as well as use it while hunting.

I figure we won't be taking shots past 300 yards or so on antelope if that far. Is there any reason to get one that does 750 or a 1000 yards? I see some do ballistics calculations for you but I don't think we really need that. I am thinking Leupold but is there that much difference between the brands? Features to look for?

Thanks!

 

[Armed in Utah]

Buy it once.......cry once.....

Leica is one of the best LR's out there......

 

[beersngars]

Buy it once.......cry once.....

Leica is one of the best LR's out there......

^^^THIS^^^

But I also have used a Bushnell for many years before it crapped out. I bought it maybe 15 years ago for banging around in bow season and it worked fine until this year when it just won't lock on and read. Think I paid around $150 for it back then and would buy another.

 

[Andy in Gap]

I am someone who doesn't mind spending more and getting a well made product. I have used Leupold scopes and binocs and would recommend their products to anyone. It is the best domestic glassware you can buy and they stand behind their products. I once broke an eyepiece on a pair of binoculars, my fault, but we sent them in to be repaired. They repaired them free of charge, no questions asked.
However, as a young hunter I can remember misplacing gear, leaving stuff in the woods, putting stuff on the car roof and driving off, etc. In other words, I would buy something entry level in this situation. By the time your son is ready to replace it, he will have a better understanding on the value of money and can replace it with something that will last the rest of his life. Around here, not all young hunters become old hunters, lots of them give it up. Best of Luck.

 

[czechsonofagun]

If I was shopping for a rangefinder - which I am not, since in Virginia long shot is 50 yards:thumbsup: - I would go gor the longest distance since I think it is cool (maybe not practical) to be able to meassure all the way to yonder.

 

[Redbug]

I have an older Bushnell. It's been a good companion, although not waterproof and a bit on the large side. Santa has ordered me a new one...A Nikon rangefinder that calculates heights, etc., I have wanted one of these since I first saw one. I cut a lot of firewood and occasionally take a tree down in backyards, etc. You can measure and compare tree heights, building heights, etc. Waterproof, you take a shot of the base and a shot of the top and it will calculate. Why not get one of these that both of you can use for multiple uses? It cost Santa $300, (free shipping), shopping around on the internet...
Forestry 550/ Hypsometer from Nikon
http://www.optics4birding.com/item.aspx?cid=20824

 

[jlsmith]

I have the nicon scout and it has been great. I just won a Leupold RX-1000 this year and it also is a great RF. Ill be using it for hunting in West Tx.
I looked it up and it is on sale at Cabelas for $350 or they have the RX600 for $200. I think any of these would work great for you.:thumbsup:

 

[skipmarcy]

If you'll just do some searching and read a bunch of customer reviews like I did before buying you'll find that overall Bushnell has the best reviews and Leupold has some of the worst for rangefinders. Nikon was middle-of-the-road and of course the Leica was near/on top. I got a brand new/old stock Bushnell on Gunbroker for $100 and it works fantastic and if it craps in a few years I won't feel bad. Mine does not have the ARC/ballistic calculator so I can't comment on that from experience. You would think Leupold would be a good choice - I own several rifle scopes and a spotter scope from them and am very happy with them but too many bad reviews that I found on their rangefinders.

 

[Toyboy]

I have the basic Bushnell Yardage Pro Sport that ranges to....600yd maybe....can't remember, but it's been fine for me over the last 7 years. I really don't need all that fancy stuff they put on them and will hardly use. I just want to snap several markers so I'll know when the animal is in my shooting comfort zone (325yd is about all I care to shoot). Most shots taken are under 125yd anyway for me. Once I know that, I rarely get it out again that day unless things are slow and I want to play around w/it.

 

[srossman]

not mentioning any specific brand, but you may also want to think about the way that you hold the range finder. I have one that is like a pair of Binoculars, and now that I've used it for about three years, I wish I would have gotten one that only covered one eye like a rifle scope.