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Need Help Deciding.

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SLIVER View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SLIVER Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Need Help Deciding.
    Posted: August/24/2009 at 22:38
I am torn between which rangefinder to buy. I just compared them side by side, and am torn.
Which one should I buy?
 
Bushnell Elite 1500---------- I really like this finder, however I don't like how big it is.
 
Leica CRF 900-----------------I don't want to spend the big dollars on the the leica, however I think this is a superior optic.
 
Leupold RX-1000 TBR.------This seems good, however I am leery about it due to the history of the old RX models, and I can't seem to find to much info in the way of reviews because it's too new.
 
Please help me choose.
 
Thanks a ton guys.
 
 
 
 
 
))--SLIVER-->
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Sgt. D View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Sgt. D Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/25/2009 at 08:26
I can't speak for the other two, but I've had the Bushnell 1500 for two yrs and the only thing I would improve on is the low light capibilities. Unless you have oppertunity to take each one to the field for comparison I can't imagine there is enough real difference to justify the higher cost of the others. I have tried the more expensive Nikons and some others only to come back to the bushnell. The others were slower to range and didn't pick up woodland objects as well. I am biased, but from experience. The newer models may be better, but I haven't heard enough said to justify trying one yet. If you do opt to buy one of the others I would be very interested in your field tested review. Let us know what you decide and Good luck!
Take care of Soldiers, Show em how its done and do it with em, Run to the Fight & and hold your ground! I die my men go home! If you're a NCO and this ain't you. GET OUT! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
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supertool73 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/25/2009 at 09:33
I have compared my Leica 1200 to the Bushnell elite model during a rifle class I was taking.  We also had a Swarovski a high end Nikon and a Leupold RX3 and some other lower priced models of different brands. 
The Bushnell and Nikon ranges a bit farther than the Leica which they should based on the 1500 rating.  All three ranged everything I tried at 1200 yards and under without any problems. 

The Leica was a lot better optically than either the Bushnell or Nikon.  THe Bushnell was better than the Nikon.   That will be especially noticable in low light as Sgt D said.  Personally I am glad I have the Leica and would buy it again.  But if it were out of my budget I think the Bushnell would be my first choice in its price range.  I prefered it over any of the others we were playing with. 

The Swaro was the shiznit, but that is way out of most peoples price range.

Also unless the new Leupold is somehow much much much better than the RX series I would stay away.  I had the RX3 or 4,  (can't remember now) and it sucked.  I could not range anything non reflective over about 400 yards.  And even big reflective objects like our cargo trailor would not work past about 650.  Depending on where the sun was shining from would affect it greatly.  And the worst part was the glass quality was horrible.  It was just a POS all the way around.  I traded it towards the Leica and it ranges everything I try out to about 1300 yards without any problems at all.  It is a great unit.


Edited by supertool73 - August/25/2009 at 09:34
Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.

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JF4545 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote JF4545 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/25/2009 at 11:46
Jason,
My wife is buying me a Leica 1200 for my B-Day, She wanted me to check into them and now I know. Thanks for the report, it does not sound like either one of us will be disappointed!Yippee May as well and get a nice one!
Thanks!
JF
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 3_tens Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/25/2009 at 12:00
JF you have a very good wife. Be good to her. I have the Leica 1200 and the Nikon 400. The Nikon optics are very dim with their green tint coatings. The Leica is excellent and fits in a pocket.
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supertool73 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote supertool73 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/25/2009 at 12:18
Julio, you will be happy with the Leica, they are a fine piece of gear and the optics are easily good enough to be used as a monocular if you are not up to lugging around the bino's.
Lifetime warranty and excellent customer service don't mean a thing when your gun fails during a zombie attack.

"A Liberal is a person who will give away everything they don't own."
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NV Hunter View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote NV Hunter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/25/2009 at 16:29
I have had a Leica LRF 1200 for years and it has always given me fantastic service.  The CRF models are even better! A faster processer, waterproof and they will fit in your shirt pocket.  WHile a bit more money, you won't be sorry you bought the best and you will enjoy using a quality rangefinder.  NV Hunter
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brodeur272 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote brodeur272 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/26/2009 at 10:44
Have the Leica CRF 900.  My first rangefinder and glad I spent the money on it!  I only wanted to buy it once...
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Roy Finn View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Roy Finn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/26/2009 at 13:50
I really like the concept of the Leica CRF, but I have read that some of them were giving their owners problems and that Leica would not fix them or even stand behind them for service. I have heard more bad stories about Leica customer service than good. I am putting this out there only to perhaps hear some feedback from Leica owners that have had dealings wth Leica customer service.

Edited by Roy Finn - August/26/2009 at 13:51
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SLIVER View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SLIVER Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/26/2009 at 20:55

Well I bit the bullet. Thanks for all your responses. I liked the bushnell alot, however I hated the large size.

So I compared the three side by side outside at cabelas. They all were nice.
So I ended up buying the Leica. Cabelas was all out of of the CRF 900. But they did have the CRF 1200.
 
So I bit the bullet and got it.
 
It was a chunk of change, but as my grandad once said
 
"You can't afford to buy cheap things"
 
I used this wisdom today.
 
Thanks again for your help guys.
 
 
 
))--SLIVER-->
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