Rangefinders that don’t suck

[MTLabrador]

I haven’t kept up much on the latest in rangefinders, but I’ve been increasingly annoyed with my Sig this year. It probably started out working better than it does now, but this last week it really frustrated me in weather that wasn’t even that cold (low 30s) and couldn’t even range on a herd of elk I was looking at that were probably only 6-700 yards off. It’s also not very precise on picking out a single target vs the sagebrush, trees, or anything else that happens to be close by.

I’m looking for a rangefinder that is reliable in cold weather, can reliably range out to 1000 yards, has a good display/reticle/brightness, is quick enough up close to use for archery hunting elk, and doesn’t cost Vectronix/Garmin money. I don’t want rangefinding binos. Looking at the Leica Rangemaster CRF-R, any other suggestions?

 

[Forkyfinder]

https://mavenbuilt.com/collections/demo-units/products/demo-unit-crf-1

I have the rf1 - but id get the crf1- im suprised about your sig though, mine worked at - 20 below once.

 

[MTLabrador]

https://mavenbuilt.com/collections/demo-units/products/demo-unit-crf-1

I have the rf1 - but id get the crf1- im suprised about your sig though, mine worked at - 20 below once.

It’s worked well for me in the past in the cold. Not sure if it’s age, hard use, or what the issue is. Could be a bad battery I guess, but it should be pretty fresh.

 

[TheTone]

My sig has also been disappointing lately with many of the same concerns you have. Curious to see what others recommend

 

[Big Sky Guy]

I have a Leica, I think it is the 1000R? Never had temperature impact it. I've used it in the late season quite a bit, so definitely below freezing but it's on my bino harness and next to body and sometimes covered not sure how much that matters. I also usually replace the battery at the start of every season regardless, but didn't do that yet this year. Might want to try that first, if it's warm outside you could put it in the freezer for an hour or so with new battery to test it.

I got my Leica used, I think I paid $400ish. I think they are the best and also others have commented how sleek and easily they go in and out of the pouches. Some of the other rangefinders have a "swell" to them.

After a year or two the non-slip coating started peeling off. I sent it in to Leica and they sent me an estimate for more than I was willing to pay. I mentioned switching brands and suddenly they sent me a replacement unit free of charge so I was a happy camper.

The new Leica one (maybe the model you are looking at?) has OnX capabilities, once that gets dialed in will probably upgrade but not going to drop $1k on a rangefinder or if I do I will at least resist it for several years lol. I have no real need to range past 1k yards, but when linked with OnX could see how that would be useful for putting a waypoint on app real quick.

The only time my Leica has "failed" was when it was somewhat foggy and it would not range through the fog, even though I could see the elk easily, could range just below them which was like 2 or 250 and estimate the elk were 300, before we could get a shot the elk disappeared over the ridge. I don't think any rangefinder works in fog AFAIK?