Help me find an affordable rangefinder

[SteveL]

I never know whether to necropost a thread or just start a new one. Anyway I'm soon to be in the market for a rangefinder. I would prefer to stay in the neighborhood of $200. I understand this won't get me a cream-of-the-crop model with all the bells and whistles, but I just want a basic unit that will range accurately out to 500-600 yards/meters. I've tried searching through old threads, but the most recent one I found is over a year old and the majority of recommendations were for models that are far beyond my price range. Bushnell, Nikon, and Redfield all make models in my price range. Are there any other brands I should consider? Are there any I should avoid? Specific recommendations and experience with various models would be greatly appreciated.

[Nightvisionary]

The Leupold RX 600 is right around $200. The problem with a $200 rangefinder is you will limit yourself to rangefinders that offer a maximum range of 500-600 yards under ideal conditions.

Since you are looking to range from 500-600 yards you realistically need an 800 or preferably a 1000 yard range finder if you want to get relaible readings at that distance under field conditions.

[SteveL]

The Leupold RX 600 is right around $200. The problem with a $200 rangefinder is you will limit yourself to rangefinders that offer a maximum range of 500-600 yards under ideal conditions.

Since you are looking to range from 500-600 yards you realistically need an 800 or preferably a 1000 yard range finder if you want to get relaible readings at that distance under field conditions.

Thanks for the feedback. So you think I would be better off with the Leupold RX 750?

[Jack-O]

Not to be a negative nancy, but the problem with rangefinders in your price range is that they just dont work when you need them.

the operative question then becomes how much are you willing to gamble on a LRF? then just pick one.

[Jack-O]

natchez is having a sale on some nikon refurb's

http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm...e=NZ&src=BE894

read some reviews on amazon...

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-ProStaff...owViewpoints=1

[SteveL]

Thanks for the info. Would it make any worthwhile difference if I could add another $50-$100 to my budget?

[Jack-O]

Thanks for the info. Would it make any worthwhile difference if I could add another $50-$100 to my budget?

probably not.

to be frank even the better LRF's like the Leica and Swarovski have trouble sometimes in some light conditions or on some targets, so it's really hard to expect the cheaper units to perform reliably.

for a $120 i'll bet that Nikon would be a safe expenditure of funds, and if it didnt work like you wanted, you wont be out much.

[Kokopelli]

I would give the Niko a try as well. Buy it from Amazon and if it doesn't work, send it back.. Ron

[Failure2Stop]

I picked up a Bushnell Legend 1200 ARC a while ago.
I think I paid about $250 for it during a sale.
It has some features that they emphasize on that I don't use, but the unit as a whole is pretty good.

I mostly use it to range from 25 meters to 600 meters.
I have had some issue with it in certain conditions, but they are rare.
I have ranged with it out to over 1,000 meters on large targets (definately need to stabilize the optic at those distances).

http://www.bushnell.com/products/ran...gend-1200-arc/

Looks like amazon has them for about $280.

[SteveL]

Thanks for all the responses. I really doubt I would use it very often past 300 or 400 yards (probably not even past 200), but I would prefer to be able to go a little farther on occasion.