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buying 1st rangefinder

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feklar View Drop Down
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    Posted: November/15/2010 at 21:52
I'm looking to buy my first rangefinder for hunting deer/elk.  I would like to be able to range those animals out to 500-600 yards without pushing the button 12 times to try to get a reading. 
 
I'm not cheap, but I'm not drying my hair with 100 dollar bills either.
 
Suggestions?
 
 
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lucytuma View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote lucytuma Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/16/2010 at 08:54

Most of the current range finders will range reflective objects out to your desired 500-600 yds, but theres a big difference between ranging objects vs animals at those ranges. I know the Leica, swaro and zeiss will, but I'm not sure the lower priced units will.  I'd look to the marque models from bushnell, nikon and leupold as a starting point.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bitterroot Bulls Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/16/2010 at 11:37
Find a Bushnell Elite 1500 w/o ARC.  It is the best at ranging long distances, fast.
-Matt
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jonoMT Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/16/2010 at 11:52
Generally, the longer the advertised range, the better off you'll be at those shorter distances. My first rangefinder was a Nikon 440 and it could barely ever hit 400 yards. It was also off by 1 yard @ 100 yards (verified on a measured range). My second and current rangefinder is a Swaro and while I think they've gotten too expensive compared to the Leicas or Zeiss (which is saying a lot), it has ranged out to 1980 yards. I feel confident when using it to range comparatively short distances like 500-600 yards. It has one other advantage - a relatively large objective. If I know I won't be glassing a lot and want to travel light I don't bring bins along. It's a decent monocular. The glass is first-rate.
Reaction time is a factor...
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Dan View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: November/17/2010 at 11:07
I have used a Bushnell Scout 1000 w/o ARC and it had no problems when i ranged it out to 330 yds but i have not tried at 500 or 600 yards, but at 330 I only had to hit the button once. I know it's not the best but it is still pretty good and doesn't hurt the wallet to much.



Dan@SWFA.com
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