Rangefinder under $500

[Chontkleer]

For .308 shooting out to 1,000 yards, what do you think is the best choice here?
Bonus if you've actually used one or more of these.

- Leupold RX-1000i TBR Compact Digital Laser Rangefinder with DNA
- Nikon Monarch Laser 1200 Rangefinder 8358
- Bushnell Elite 1600 ARC 7x26 Black Laser Rangefinder

If the Bushnell can range dependably to 1600 yards, that's probably the way to go, yes? Especially if I ever get a rifle that can shoot that far.

[ExtremeX]

This isn't going to answer your question, but it might give a little more perspective. I learned a few things after buying mine.

I have a range finder that has a max reflective distance of about 500 yards which is really want I wanted. I am able to measure glass buildings around town (480-490 yards) and Ive went back to confirm distance with google earth, everything looked good. But the problems came when I went to the field with it. I typically shoot in the desert, and my 500 yard range finder wouldn't yield more than around 350 yards in a bright sunny day, I was taking measurements off the land, dirt and sand dunes... Anything past 350 it would just give me a read error.

Depending on what and where you shoot, if you are looking for a 1000 yard range finger, you might want to look into something that can provide more range to level out the maximum distance.

[Chontkleer]

This isn't going to answer your question, but it might give a little more perspective. I learned a few things after buying mine.

I have a range finder that has a max reflective distance of about 500 yards which is really want I wanted. I am able to measure glass buildings around town (480-490 yards) and Ive went back to confirm distance with google earth, everything looked good. But the problems came when I went to the field with it. I typically shoot in the desert, and my 500 yard range finder wouldn't yield more than around 350 yards in a bright sunny day, I was taking measurements off the land, dirt and sand dunes... Anything past 350 it would just give me a read error.

Depending on what and where you shoot, if you are looking for a 1000 yard range finger, you might want to look into something that can provide more range to level out the maximum distance.

It's desert shooting for me too until I find a home at a long private range. And that's just what I've heard too -- that the practical limit of these things is a lot less than advertised. What is yours supposed to be able to do? Which make/model is it?

[ExtremeX]

I went with a Redfield Raider 550 rangefinder, and I paid about $170...

I bought it since it was small and affordable. Its probably one of the better ones in that price class too... Its max reflective range is about 550 yards which it can do

All range finders typically have a max, reflective, tree, and deer range. The Bushnell Elite 1600 ARC is 1600 reflective, 1000 tree, 500 deer...

The main reason I bought it was to make sure my targets were at 100 or 200 yards when zeroing or confirming zero in the desert. It would be nice to get a better one, but im learning to range my targets using the reticle in my scope.

[Chontkleer]

Ah gizmos. I took my gps to measure off distance to target last time, and of course it crapped out.

[ExtremeX]

Ah gizmos is right haha.

I did the same thing before I got the rangefinder. GPS unit worked pretty well too, but for the lazy in me, I didn't want to get off my shooting bench to range various random targets =)

[runway1]

Anybody else?? OP asked about
- Leupold RX-1000i TBR Compact Digital Laser Rangefinder with DNA
- Nikon Monarch Laser 1200 Rangefinder 8358
- Bushnell Elite 1600 ARC 7x26 Black Laser Rangefinder

So far....a $170 Redfield was addressed. C'mon CG'ers! We have lurkers here!

[brando]

I wasted a ****ton on rangefinders - Bushnell, Leupold, Newcon, Swarovski, Leica. All were pretty good inside of 600 yards, some more than others. Beyond that they all started to have problems. The best all-in-one is the Vectronix 05 "Terrapin", but it runs $2k. It's the civilianized PLRF-10 essentially and is deadnuts accurate to 3,400 yards. Yeah, so its designed for ELR shooters.

The Bushnell 1600 is probably the best value for the average shooter who doesn't plan to shoot too far.

[Chontkleer]

I wasted a ****ton on rangefinders - Bushnell, Leupold, Newcon, Swarovski, Leica. All were pretty good inside of 600 yards, some more than others. Beyond that they all started to have problems. The best all-in-one is the Vectronix 05 "Terrapin", but it runs $2k. It's the civilianized PLRF-10 essentially and is deadnuts accurate to 3,400 yards. Yeah, so its designed for ELR shooters.

The Bushnell 1600 is probably the best value for the average shooter who doesn't plan to shoot too far.

Oh thanks! I did want a vectronix, but if I spent $2,000 I think my kids would disown me. Went with the Leupold and played with it a bit today out in the desert. It does what it says it's supposed to... shiny objects out to a thousand yards, trees out to 5-600. The real trick is holding it steady enough at the longer ranges on smallish targets.