Range Finder Advice

[For The Love of It]

My dad is going to be buying a land owner elk tag in for the 2012 rifle season. Im looking to replace my curent range finer which is the leupold vx-ll. I want something that is easy to use and reliable. I often am out hunting in open country with very little to range so I want something that will display a range with out having to have a tree to range. I am looking to spend 500 or less on this device any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[waspocrew]

I've been happy with my Nikon 550 for the most part... only downside is that it won't work too well unless I'm ranging an animal. It's hit or miss with hillsides. So I guess I'm telling you to not look at this one. Maybe that'll help narrow your search a little bit!

[gilamonster8]

Just my two cents. Cabelas has the zeiss prf on sale right now for 599.00 spend the extra 100

[ABert]

Just a little FYI to the OP, I don't know of ANY range finder that will give readings without some kind of bounce back. Shooting at flat ground out to 100 yards plus will not give you what you want without something out there to bounce back the signal. Probably less.

[derekp1999]

I have the Leupold RX-600 and I can point it at anything (rock, tree, bare hillside, animal), click it and get a range. Maybe mine is just "super great" or something, but it works EVERY TIME. I used a friends Leupold RX-700 and couldn't get a reading. Rangefinders are fickle things, when you find one that works for you hold onto it like grim death!

[dahlmer]

This is one of those areas where I believe its worth it to spend the money. Leica's are far superior in terms of accuracy and readings to anything else out there. If it says it will read 900 yards, it will read 900 yards and in good conditions beyond that.

[waspocrew]

A new range finder would be something I would love to pick up down the road.... Slowly but surely, my gear will improve haha. I received my Nikon as a gift so I couldn't be picky! It works pretty well for the most part, but on a few occasions, I haven't been able to pick up readings (even on some animals that are WELL within 500 yards). A little annoying at times!

[bh107]

Always be sure to read the fine print in the specs. Some will advertise their rangefinders at 600 yards, but in the spec it makes it clear that it must be a reflective surface to read that far. Some will even say 600 yards, but only 350 (or whatever) on a deer.

[oldcp]

I have the Nikon 550 and I have been really happy with it. It is super easy to use and if you have a good object to bounce off of it will give readings out past 550.

[Milesaway]

I had the Nikon 440 and it seemed to do the job, and I recently got the Nikon Riflehunter 550 and love it. I wouldn't get a rangefinder that doesn't have the angle-finding technology, period. If you plan to do any uphill or downhill shots, you will be way off if you don't get the right one.