Leica LRF 900

Hi,

I am in the market for a new set of binoculars as well as a rangefinder.  Due to finances being limited, I may need to choose one or the other.  I hunt in Georgia, both open fields and woods.  I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on the quality of the 7X optics on the LRF 900.  Is there anyway this could compensate for the lack of binoculars?  In other words, could it serve a dual role?

Also, for low light conditions, are the Steiner Night Hunters the best choice out there?  Are there any that are brighter in near dark conditions?

Thanks in advance for all the help.  This is a really helpful forum.

To answer your first question, no.  It is a true monocular rangefinder and not meant to be used to glass constantly.  If you just want something to count points, you could probably get away with it.  If you are looking for optics to constantly scan for game, you need a good set of binos.  Chris recently posted the finer points of a new Leica rangefinder/bino combo that you could use, it will cost you though.  On the cheaper side I know that Bushnell also has a combo you might want to look at.  Your second question, there are a number of binos brighter than Steiner.  Examples come from Leica, Swarovski, Zeiss, Nikon, and others.  Don't get me wrong, Steiner makes good binos, but there are some better ones out there.  Also, if you go with the Steiner Night Hunters you are going to have to put up with some rather large porros to really get some positive effects in low light.  For general deer hunting in most situations, I don't want to lug anything bigger than a set of 10x42 roofs unless I am somewhere that is truly wide open and then I think you need to start looking at spotting scopes. 

 

ranburr   

I have the LRF 800 7x and can tell you that the optical qualities are not very good for glassing.  I mean you can use it but it will not substitute for even a mediocre pair of binos.  In fact other than the Leica Geovid or maybe the bushnell combo,  I have not seen a laser rangfinder with really good optics (the LRF is better than the others I have seen).  As far as which one to buy if you can only pick one.  I would buy the binos.  Binos have made a huge difference in the quality of my hunt.  I have had the rangfinder for two years and although it is somewhat helpful, I don't think it has really made a difference.  In my opinion, the rangefinder is not necessary, but binos are.  Good Luck.

I would take a look at the new Swarovski Rangefinder/Binocular combo. It is an 8X30 binocular with a built in rangefinder. I think it retails for around $800. The only drawback would be using it in low light because the exit pupil is so small.

This is all good info.  Thanks to those who've replied.

Any other thoughts are welcome too.  Especially about the top choices in low light binos.

Thanks again!

I have not seen the new swarovski laser guide, but from the picture it doesn't appear to be a binocular.  I believe it is a monocular.  With out seeing it I don't know how good the optics will be.

 

 

 

For me....part of the LRF's appeal is the moderate price.

I think the $50.00 mark is as high as I'm able to go for either the bino or the rangefinder

Don't forget about Leupold.  They make an 8x32 binocular/rangefinder.

Sorry...not $50.00.......$350.00.

Any other input?

You could get these two items off the samplelist and be in your target budget.

 

3344

Nikon 8x28 Laser 800

8x magnification combined with an 800 yards laser rangefinder, realtree hardwoods green camo, new in the box, display model

$600.00

$299.95

 

 

3267

Bushnell 10x42 Explorer

Great all purpose binocular, roof prism, rubber armored, multi-coated lenses, twist out eye cups, over sized center focus wheel, 15mm eye relief, factory demos. in like new condition, lifetime warranty

$179.95

$49.95