Rangefinder opinions ??

Bait O' Eggs · 08-23-2001, 02:34 PM

I am looking at the Bushnell yardage pro 800 and the Nikon buckmaster 800. Both are the same size, shoot out to 800 yards, appear to be basically the same units

Is one better than the other? any opinions, or experienced users.

The nikon seems to cost about 10% more +/-

other options?? I want to be able to range to 800 yards minimum.

[ 08-23-2001: Message edited by: Bait O' Eggs ]

blast and cast · 08-23-2001, 02:38 PM

Go with the 1000. In my experience the biggest drawback to the 800 is it's magnification. The 800 normally has a 8X magnification which in low light or rainy conditions does not draw enough light because of poor optics. I also think 8X is to high for close in ranging. Just my $0.02

SLEDDER · 08-23-2001, 03:20 PM

BOE, My boss has the bushnell 800 he loves it, has used it for 2 years with no problems. His is the larger frame style not the small unit.

OneLastCast · 08-23-2001, 03:35 PM

BOE:
I've got the Nikon Buckmaster and it has been fine. I did have some erroneous readings in the desert a couple of weeks ago but I think the batteries were to low. It is small, easy to pack, but all in all I don't think there is much difference between the two. Maybe you should buy the Leica.

OneLastCast

Fish Hunter · 08-24-2001, 08:23 AM

I'm happy with my Bushnell 800. It's the more compact one. Haven't used any others. Has allways been accurate at the range out to 300 yds. Seems repeatable in the field. I tend to trust it. One negative is it allways tends to show low batt when the weather is cold. I don't regularly carry it hunting, but feel it's a valuble training tool for yardage est. and long range target or archery practice.

[ 08-24-2001: Message edited by: Fish Hunter ]

jberry · 08-24-2001, 09:50 AM

Take a look at the Bushnell Scout. It's about the size of your wallet and will range reflective targets out to 700 yards. I played with one at our local archery shop and was impressed. It gets the yardage a lot faster than some of the others I've seen. I'd snap one up quick if I didn't already have the compact 600. Anyone want a good deal on a Compact 600????

Bait O' Eggs · 08-29-2001, 08:55 AM

Thanks for the replies,

I pulled the trigger on the nikon last night and now have one more thing to carry around when hunting. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

I was leaning towards the cabelas bushnell because it was $299. Cabelas wanted $329 for the Nikon and it came with a camo coat, w/ $10 freight added. For $40 I could have gotten a coat basically.

Believe it or not GI Joes had the Nikon on sale for $299, and I didnt even have to pay freight or wait.

After looking at both the nikon and the bushnell, I concluded they are identical.

Jberry - I liked the size of the scout, but liked the additional range of the buckmaster unit.

Thanks

Dogfish · 08-29-2001, 11:36 PM

The rangefinder can be used two ways. As a crutch, or as a training aid for you.

I use my Bushnell 500 compact in the field to help me at range estimation. The next time you go for a walk with the kids/wife/dog, take it with you and for the first half of your walk, "lazer" trees, cars and houses to find out how far they are. Then, on the second half of the walk, guess the range of these objects, and then find out how far they are.

This will help you in the field at those times when you don't have time to use your new toy, or the batteries run out, you can't get a good target, you forgot them in the truck, etc. You should see an improvement.

I hunt mostly in the heavy timber and tight brush, so I am not in the habit of carrying them all of the time, but the practice has come in handy when I have busted out of the timber into a clearcut only to find a nice buck 153 yards away. My guess was 150, and I shot the deer dead on with my little .44 mag carbine. I would have probably missed had it not been for the practice as those 300 grain bullets fly like a rainbow. I marked both places and checked the yardage the next day.

Enjoy the new toy! Andy

CHUMSALMON · 09-04-2001, 08:46 AM

here is a little tip for ya, the 800 yard range finder will read out a little father in mornings and evenings, it will read out to 999 yards, the lower light helps with these reading, also during the day you will have a hard time reading clear out to 800 yards. not sure if this will help ya, unless you got a big cannon, and like the long poke shots!!!