I have been looking at range finders to help my son and I set out targets for distance shooting and for our occasional deer hunting.
I was leaning pretty hard towards the Vortex Ranger which was good out to 1,900 yards I believe (which means its really good for about half that distance) until I ran across the Maven RF.1; 7x25; 5-4,500yds; $400.

The sensor on this thing looks amazing, out to 4,500 yards as do several of the features compared to nearly any other range finder
out there. I haven't seen anything that can come near to that range for that price point let alone double that price point. Does anyone have any experience with their range finders? I know a few folks here swear by their binoculars.

Bunch of reviews found on line.

https://www.targettamers.com/r...en-rf-1-7x25-review/

This one in particular, if accurate, proclaims the unit as very worthy of consideration.

Bald1,

Thanks! I looked through that review and several others and Maven's binocular reviews...learned a lot this Saturday! Went out and looked and some of Vortex's offerings...unimpressed myself, way too much plastic on critical parts. Some were already broken on the in the under glass store offerings. Vortex has definitely raised the bar on their binocular glass with the higher level HD offering, but after comparing the features and specs of the Maven to the Vortex range finders, it is a no brainer and I save $100. Once I pull the trigger and get it in hand I'll do a review.

I have no idea how you could use a range finder much beyond 1000. The size of the object you would be ranging would need to be huge????

^^^ Some have a tripod mount and let you zoom in showing the item you are measuring to on an LCD screen.

quote:

Originally posted by .38supersig:
^^^ Some have a tripod mount and let you zoom in showing the item you are measuring to on an LCD screen.

I have a Nikon Monarch Gold LR1200 rangefinder good out to 1200 yards I use it primarily for golf, but also boating and shooting. I find the 7x magnification to be the biggest limiting factor when reading smaller targets at 6-700 yards. A lot of folks have an issue locking onto a small target at even half that distance, so the new Nikon Cool Shot Pro designed for golf is now actively stabilized. I'm not sure I could imagine using a rangefinder at much more than 1000 yards with 7x magnification, tripod or no.

I have the Vortex Rangefinder 1800. I like it. Don't use it much and not sure why I bought it since I don't use it much..

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
I have no idea how you could use a range finder much beyond 1000. The size of the object you would be ranging would need to be huge????

quote:

Originally posted by jigray3:
I'm not sure I could imagine using a rangefinder at much more than 1000 yards with 7x magnification, tripod or no.

And this is the crux of using an LRF, even on highly reflective steel targets.

A few years ago, I joined offgrid and Alpine for our first long distance match at Wyoming's Q Creek Ranch. Our first stage of the first day was full size turkeys (side profile, walking with wings folded) at distances of maybe 500-700 yards. 5 targets mounted on single t-posts, 2 shots per target, at various distances, on a rolling meadow, with the bases of the t-posts visible on only the first and one other target. The RO for the stage gave us target distances, but he didn't seem all that confident in the numbers. Our squad measured each target, with variable findings. We used Vectronix, Swaro binos, Geovid binos, Steiner binos, and probably some others. IIRC, I hit the first 2 targets, then missed the other 3, coming out with a score of 3 in 10. Given the terrain and the heavy grass behind the turkeys, it was very difficult to obtain readings on misses. Best on our squad was 6 or 7 target impacts, for a gimme stage that should have been 9s and 10s. Offgrid did a perfect wind call on two different targets, and center punched the t-posts a good turkey-body width below the targets. I believe he was shooting a 6 Dasher at the time, and was likely the most accurate gun in our squad for that stage.

Guess what, most of the target distances on that stage were incorrect. Incorrect LRF readings hit either the terrain in front of or behind the target. I can't recall if the match director threw out that stage, but regardless we started the match on a sour note.

Later that day we had stage with buffalo-shaped plates. The closer of two targets was located in a narrow cut -- bushes in front and pine trees behind. IIRC the actual target distance was around 800 yards to the reduced-size buffalo. But the vegetation made for false readings that were something like 150 yards closer or farther. And the yardage booklet supplied at the match listed an incorrect distance. I recall scoring a 0 on the 4 required shots to the plate, which was common for our squad. One guy on the squad hit that target repeatedly, but we later found out he dialed the incorrect dope for the target's stated distance. Another rough stage on day 1.

I range with either Swaro binos or a Vectronix Terrapin. I stabilize the LRF with a heavy positional sand bag on top of a solid tripod. I still find it difficult to accurately read some targets -- especially targets that are small for their distance. I try to laze the base of the target, if I can see where it touches the ground.

Making things more challenging, not all LRFs are perfectly matched to their aiming reticle. My Vectronix is pretty close to the center. My Swaro's sweet spot isn't exactly in the center of the aiming circle, but instead near the inside edge of the circle, at 10-11 o'clock. It takes practice to learn how to laze distances accurately and repeatedly.