Vortex Ranger 1000 or Leica CRF 1600?

[lawlu]

Time to get a rangefinder.

I know this is definitely an apples to oranges choice, but I can't decide if I want to pay more for an apple or less for an orange...

Lieca's CRF 1600 just went on sale for $650.
Legendary optics, proven brand, 1600 yards distance.

Vortex's Ranger 1000 is coming out soon for $379.
Better warranty, lower cost, cool belt clip, angle compensator


Which one would you chose? And does one really need to range something out that far?

[Bow Walker]

Your right - how far away do you want to range and to shoot? Target? Hunting? Budget? All these factors go into your decision. Gotta say tho - I'm highly interesred in the Vortex. When's it due out? Is it on their site?

[Bow Walker]

OK - did a search and came up with Grouse River at http://www.grouseriver.com/Vortex_Ranger_1000_p/opt-000498.htm

Price is listed at $420.00

Where you finding it at $380.00?

Good eye relief for eyeglass wearers, 6x22 isn't bad, and fully multi-coated optics is a definite plus. I like the handy, dandy belt clip too.

[open-sights]

save your money for the FAR superior Leica, the 'pos' vortex will quickly become a pocket weight, same as 2/3'rds of the products they make

[Bow Walker]

Come on open-sights, strip the paint off and tell us what you really think.............

For their price point Vortex Optics are the best on the market. Not everyone can afford to shell out over $1K for scopes, rangefinders, and binos...........

[lawlu]

OK - did a search and came up with Grouse River at http://www.grouseriver.com/Vortex_Ranger_1000_p/opt-000498.htm

Price is listed at $420.00

Where you finding it at $380.00?

Good eye relief for eyeglass wearers, 6x22 isn't bad, and fully multi-coated optics is a definite plus. I like the handy, dandy belt clip too.

Stateside as usual. They need to lessen the import fees so that our canadian retailers can compete.

[bc_buckshot]

Spend the extra cash and go for the Leica . I bought the R1000 and won't ever have to switch to another one. Great with low light, and an honest range. Also you can range with on the move without releasing the button. Go with the Leica and you will be happy

[troutseeker]

I've been thinking about replacing my aging Bushnell range finder. Looks like I'll be getting me a Vortex this year. Leica's too expensive and their name is ghey...

[lawlu]

Spend the extra cash and go for the Leica . I bought the R1000 and won't ever have to switch to another one. Great with low light, and an honest range. Also you can range with on the move without releasing the button. Go with the Leica and you will be happy

One of the major reasons I was looking at the Vortex was for the warranty. No other brand will "lifetime warranty" electronics as far as I know. But I definitely hear ya...the Leica sure is tempting!

[REMINGTON JIM]

A friend has a "pos' Leica 1600 right now is going to sell it and buy the new FAR superior Vortex 1000 as soon as he can get one- he tryed one out from the factory vortex rep and loved it - MUCH better then his Leica and 1/2 the price of a Leica ! LOL RJ

[Bow Walker]

For the bucks involved you could get a very good rangefinder - as below

http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/Vortex_Rangefinder.jpg

....and also a very good pair of binos to go along with your rangfinder.....

http://www.grouseriver.com/v/vspfiles/photos/OPT-000391-2.jpg

......or even a very good Riflescope
http://www.grouseriver.com/v/vspfiles/photos/OPT-000374-2.jpg

[604redneck]

save your money for the FAR superior Leica, the 'pos' vortex will quickly become a pocket weight, same as 2/3'rds of the products they make
How do you figure the vortex is a"pos"? Just wondering cause i have a bushnell scope and its only a diamondback 4-12x40 and it is a nicer scope than both my burris and bushnell elite 4200 that were each about twice as much. Also the optics rival that of leupold leica zeiss and many other brands but for a fraction of the cost plus they have the best warranty on the market.

[REMINGTON JIM]

How do you figure the vortex is a"pos"? Just wondering cause i have a bushnell scope and its only a diamondback 4-12x40 and it is a nicer scope than both my burris and bushnell elite 4200 that were each about twice as much. Also the optics rival that of leupold leica zeiss and many other brands but for a fraction of the cost plus they have the best warranty on the market.

Hmm ! I think you meant you have a Vortex Diamond Back scope - did ya not ! RJ

[goatdancer]

More power in a range finder equals a better chance of getting an accurate reading, even at lower than maximum ranges. Sometimes the lower powered units can't pick up on iffy targets.

[.330 Dakota]

I have the Leica CRF 1200, works great, have hit hair at 1175 yds or so, no issues, and I use mine all the time.
It wont range anything beyond 1300yds, but will range anything non-reflective and reflective out to 1200
The only other rangefinder I would even consider would be a swaro. If your gonna try and save a buck, dont do it on your optics. Save your buck on less crucial gear.

[BackPackHunter]

Time to get a rangefinder.

I know this is definitely an apples to oranges choice, but I can't decide if I want to pay more for an apple or less for an orange...

Lieca's CRF 1600 just went on sale for $650.
Legendary optics, proven brand, 1600 yards distance.

Vortex's Ranger 1000 is coming out soon for $379.
Better warranty, lower cost, cool belt clip, angle compensator


Which one would you chose? And does one really need to range something out that far?


The Leica went on sale because they came out with a new model, the the company is probably try to move out old stock...
I just sold the 1600 crf it was a very good rangefinder, and I never had any problems with it... I sold it to buy rangefinding binos , one less thing to carry, one less step.

Heres a link to the new Leica
http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2012/03/new-leica-crf-1600-b-shows-hold-overs-and-elevation-clicks/

[Brett]

I recently sent the below to a retailer after reading a few stories like the one inked below


Do you have any Lieca 1600s @#$%&&$#%#@%^? or any plans to order any?

Reason I ask is I would like to buy one, but have read more than one account (here is one case)

http://www.longrangehunting.com/foru...emaster-73650/ (http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f23/rangefinder-field-test-swarovski-8x30-laser-guide-vs-leica-crf-1600-rangemaster-73650/)

of people who have purchased one and it seems to be a "lemon" and will not range repeatedly at distance or not past say 1200. in the above review, the reviewer returned it to Cameraland and had them test it against others in the store and they found a considerable difference in some of the units.

If I order one through you and we test it at the store and it's not reading a building at 1600 can you return it?

The reply I was given was that they had issues with more than 2 units breaking and qc was obviously not great.

So if you need a range finder to accurately range something other than a building at 1000 you only have 2 choices as I can see it, a Swaro or the G7BR2 (which is overkill) the 1600 is a Swaro killer IF you get one that works and it last.......

[Caveman]

Time to get a rangefinder.

I know this is definitely an apples to oranges choice, but I can't decide if I want to pay more for an apple or less for an orange...

Lieca's CRF 1600 just went on sale for $650.
Legendary optics, proven brand, 1600 yards distance.

Vortex's Ranger 1000 is coming out soon for $379.
Better warranty, lower cost, cool belt clip, angle compensator


Which one would you chose? And does one really need to range something out that far?

It's all about the accessorizing!!

[troutseeker]

So? What's it gonna be, Vortex or LeiCaca?

[todbartell]

I think I'm going to try a Vortex 1000 when they come out later this fall. No worries with being stuck with a lemon, since it has a lifetime warranty. Nobody else will do that on an electronic, and the prototype I handled was impressive. Much more so than the two Leica 1200's that died on me or the Leupold rx1000 that should be called an rx550

[RiverOtter]

Does Vortex have a good rep for honouring their warranty promptly?

[BromBones]

I've got my name in for one of the Vortex rangefinders once they make it to the shelves.

They are a good unit and will probably sell very well.

[todbartell]

Does Vortex have a good rep for honouring their warranty promptly?

yes they do

[Dutch Ppoacher]

my hunting parteners leica 1600 will not read past 500yrds. thought it was batteries, that wasn't it... lemon.
i tryed a leupold dna 1000 the other day and it work great. fast readings and out to 1200yrds. impressive!

vortex makes nice stuff, interested in this new rangefinder!

[RiverOtter]

Does Vortex have a good rep for honouring their warranty promptly?


yes they do

I'm in the market for an upgrade anyway, so if they'll reliably read to 1000(or damn close), and they're willing to guarrantee the bastid, they'll have a new customer...

[BromBones]

I'm in the market for an upgrade anyway, so if they'll reliably read to 1000(or damn close), and they're willing to guarrantee the bastid, they'll have a new customer...

They'll go to 1000 easily on reflective targets. They are rated for 500-600 yards on deer sized game.

[lawlu]

I will probably be doing the Vortex thing. I like the Euroglass, but don't need it on the rangefinder...I'll save the cash for the spotter and be satisfied with the lifetime warranty, me thinks.

[Fisher-Dude]

You should buy both. Use the Leica to range distances and hunt with, and use the Vortex to pound your tent pegs into the ground.


Cheap shit optics =

http://aatomsmith.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cbed253ef0105357e270e970b-800wi

[frenchbar]

i save my cash and just do the jeff eye ball method ...i think thats 500 yrds ...BOOMMMMMMM..

[Bow Walker]

I will probably be doing the Vortex thing. I like the Euroglass, but don't need it on the rangefinder...I'll save the cash for the spotter and be satisfied with the lifetime warranty, me thinks.
Good decision. Despite what FD is always trying to say.

[RiverOtter]

You should buy both. Use the Leica to range distances and hunt with, and use the Vortex to pound your tent pegs into the ground.


Cheap shit optics =

http://aatomsmith.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cbed253ef0105357e270e970b-800wi

While I completely agree with your analogy, regarding cheap optics, I buy rangefinders to give me accurate distance readings, not a clear picture of my target and a "GUESS".....

I know the Leica stuff is good, but a lot of that price is glass, which is not paramount in a ranging device, since you've already found said critter and are simply wanting to thread a bullet through its heart.

[srupp]

I have the Leica CRF 1200, works great, have hit hair at 1175 yds or so, no issues, and I use mine all the time.
It wont range anything beyond 1300yds, but will range anything non-reflective and reflective out to 1200
The only other rangefinder I would even consider would be a swaro. If your gonna try and save a buck, dont do it on your optics. Save your buck on less crucial gear.


I can echo .330 Dakota..same unit same results..always done what I asked it to do..every time.

After 20 kms hiking and finding the sheep of a life time.... I was waaaaaaaaaaay off on distance...elevation..excitement...whatever the Leica CRF 1200 ranged it as only 318 yards I couldnt believe it..my eyes were saying something totaly different..ranged the ram and his buddies 3 times then held acordingly and literally took out the heart...

optics are a MUST to get top quality..first binos, then spotting scope (will save you miles of walking every hunt...all this will be for naught if you get excited and miss judge the distance..rifle.. binos...and rangefinder what I take on the final stalk...
needed...


Havnt tried the vortex...Leica has done everything Ive needed..

steven

[Singleshotneeded]

Amazon.com, the Vortex Ranger 1000 yards, is $379. For $289 you can get the Bushnell Legend 1200 ARC, rated for an
extra 200 yards and $100 less...I've had the Legend for two seasons now and it works great!

[pescado]

I've always been happy with my Leica 1200 until coyote hunting last week. The light wasn't the best, snowing some, and the unit was having problems picking up the targets between 6-700yrds. They had a deer down on the other side of a bigger slough and I could occasionally get the far shoreline at 700-750 but had no luck on the yotes and everything else feeding on the kill. I found it frustrating as it wasn't snowing that hard. The low 300 range was as much as I could get out of the unit on the slough. Took it out to try it today and am ranging out to 800+, so maybe it was weather related. I've never gotten 1200 out of the unit, in the 1000's yes. Until last week it had been consistently good out to the 7-800range. I'm intrested to find out the reviews on the vortex.

[.330 Dakota]

I've always been happy with my Leica 1200 until coyote hunting last week. The light wasn't the best, snowing some, and the unit was having problems picking up the targets between 6-700yrds. They had a deer down on the other side of a bigger slough and I could occasionally get the far shoreline at 700-750 but had no luck on the yotes and everything else feeding on the kill. I found it frustrating as it wasn't snowing that hard. The low 300 range was as much as I could get out of the unit on the slough. Took it out to try it today and am ranging out to 800+, so maybe it was weather related. I've never gotten 1200 out of the unit, in the 1000's yes. Until last week it had been consistently good out to the 7-800range. I'm intrested to find out the reviews on the vortex.

Mine will read rocks and trees to 1300 and game to almost 1200,,,1187yds on a moo cow is my best

[BromBones]

Most hunters cant hit shit past 300 yards... But we need rangefinders that can pick up a moose at 1000+? :)

Way overkill. Any rangefinder that is consistent on deer sized game up to 400-500 yards is more than enough for the majority of hunters.

[RiverOtter]

Completely agree, however I've ranged far more distant rocks, plates, and paper targets to shoot at, than I ever have game.

Thinking plenty of other do exactly the same....

[troutseeker]

LeiCaca goes here =

http://aatomsmith.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cbed253ef0105357e270e970b-800wi

Non, non, non, it ize LeiCaca that goze in ze toilette!

[Mark_S]

You should buy both. Use the Leica to range distances and hunt with, and use the Vortex to pound your tent pegs into the ground.


Cheap shit optics =

http://aatomsmith.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341cbed253ef0105357e270e970b-800wi


I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. Generally I'd agree with you on that.

I have to admit I'm not sold on Vortex products yet but that range finder is starting to peak my interest but only due to price point. My disposable income isn't high enough to buy Leica products at this point but it would be what I would get hands down if money wasn't the main object for me.

[srupp]

When I get to a glassing spot I range trees..ROCKS TREELINES etc etc etc so IF an animal of a life time comes out I have a mental Idea of what tha distance is,,so no time to re;check I hold the correct etched reticle cross hairs over the spot and go collect my game animal..

also helps improve my ability to determain randome ranges....hope it someday makes me better, Mike Campbell is one of the better range estimators I seen However SCOTT who helped us get a sheep was simply the best,..

cheers
Steven

[todbartell]

I ranged a horse last fall at 1400y with my Bushnell 1600 Elite. I still missed though

[goatdancer]

I ranged a horse last fall at 1400y with my Bushnell 1600 Elite. I still missed though

You suck. You need more range time. :mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

[lawlu]

I will probably be doing the Vortex thing. I like the Euroglass, but don't need it on the rangefinder...I'll save the cash for the spotter and be satisfied with the lifetime warranty, me thinks.

What would you do - spend more money on the rangefinder than the spotter, Fisher-Dude? I can't afford to do both, so I have to decide which one is more important, and I'm sure that I am not alone in choosing to dump my money on the spotter rather than the rangefinder. I'm all about quality vs crap, but something's gotta give.

[Fisher-Dude]

What would you do - spend more money on the rangefinder than the spotter, Fisher-Dude? I can't afford to do both, so I have to decide which one is more important, and I'm sure that I am not alone in choosing to dump my money on the spotter rather than the rangefinder. I'm all about quality vs crap, but something's gotta give.

Save your scheckles and buy a Euro-spotter (Leica, Swaro, of Zeiss) and forget about the rangefinder for a while then.

I use my spotter daily, and my Leica rangefinder once or twice a season.

The spotter is far more important if something's gotta give.

Wait until you've saved enough to buy the best of both, and you'll never have to put out the coin again. Start with the $25 or $50 a week savings account.

[BromBones]

I ranged a horse last fall at 1400y with my Bushnell 1600 Elite. I still missed though

Must not a been using berger bullets.

[lawlu]

Checked out the Leica...anyone else find that the led display is hard to see in sunlight or if it is bright out?

[.330 Dakota]

Checked out the Leica...anyone else find that the led display is hard to see in sunlight or if it is bright out?
Nope, mine is easy to see in any light..crf 1200

[.330 Dakota]

I ranged a horse last fall at 1400y with my Bushnell 1600 Elite. I still missed though

You leave Mantracker alone

[REMINGTON JIM]

I got a Vortex Ranger 1000 on order - hope its as good as some people have told me ! Price is very good at about $400.00 - We will see - won`t we ! :-D Cheers RJ

[Brett]

UPDATE??? any reviews yet?

[Gunner]

Hands down,the Leica.Optical quality is outstanding and I have no problem with the display.FD is right,take your time and end up with top quality optical instruments in all categories.Not everyone needs the Euro spotters though,in their case optical quality is often accompanied by weight and bulkiness.If you are hale and hearty enough to pack an 80mm Swaro up the hill along with your rifle and other gear more power to you.I'll stick with my Nikon ED50! Gunner