Home Nikon 8 Rangefinders Tested Head-to-Head: Which was best for hunting and shooting?

8 Rangefinders Tested Head-to-Head: Which was best for hunting and shooting?

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If you’ve done much shooting, you’ve probably been to the counter at the sporting goods store where they keep the rangefinders. And like us, you’ve probably been astounded at the selection. It seems like every name in optics has at least 4 options!

How can you possibly pick the right one? There are known brands with options starting in the mid $100’s and capping out at over $1,000. Is it worth it to buy the expensive one? What do you get for the extra bucks?

So we went out and bought 8 rangefinders that range in price from $140 to $800. We compared them on a bunch of criteria, like accuracy, range, speed, build, quality. What we found, surprised us. We have a clear winner, and it wasn’t any of the ones most recommended by the salesmen.

Here are links to most of the rangefinders we talk about in this video. One is missing, for a reason…

Leupold RX-2800 on Amazon:
Vortex Ranger 1800 on Amazon:
Nikon Prostaff 1000 on Amazon:
Sig Sauer Kilo 1200 on Amazon:
Nikon Monarch 2000 at Sportsmans Warehouse:
Sig Sauer Kilo 2400BDX on Amazon:

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33 COMMENTS

  1. We neglected to mention in the video that the Sigs have the BDX ballistics built in. We don’t love working with that system so it isn’t much good to us, but we should have mentioned it because some people love it.

  2. Based off this video I ended up getting the Leupold RX-1400i. I could not see the lighted range numbers on a sunny day even after adjusting the Display to the highest power. Did you or anyone else find this issue when testing rangefinders?

  3. I was going to buy the bushnell prime 1300 but after watching this I’m not so sure. I have read and heard a lot of good things about the Bushnell so was surprised to get your verdict that seemed to counter everything else I had heard.

  4. So I watch this video multiple times and still want with the Vortex. Two reason: 1) Lifetime Warranty 2) Military Pricing. I was able to take it to work (airport) and was able to range a building at 1397yds. Confirmed the distance with Google Earth.

  5. I would note that the other reason the 2400 bdx is more is because it has bdx that works with the Kestrel
    And Bluetooth to an app on your phone allowing a great deal of extra features

    That’s why I have it

    You can get the 2200 with out that
    Feature for under 400

    I would like to see your test on that compared to the rest.

    That omission makes the test skewed in my opinion

  6. I’ll probably get crucified, but I bought a Muddy outdoors LR650 for about $65. Figured what the hell. And it’s not bad. I’ve had readings in the 600yd range, does very well at picking up stuff up first try out to 400yds or so. Even picks up moving targets and can give a live readout. And from what I have seen so far, it reads accurate. For the price you can’t beat it. I know the glass isn’t to the clarity of higher end models, and it feels light and a little cheap in the hand but I knew that going in.

  7. Should've included the Leica Rangemater CRF line of rangefinders. Performance blows all of these out of the water. My 1600B ranges to 1948 yards consistently as verified by several extremely high end binocular rangefinders. The whole line is amazing.

  8. You guys left out the Leica which will dominate all of what you have on the table in reliability and durability. The 2000 b will range 2000 yards non-reflective every time. Also the sig will fail after a couple months of use regardless of new batteries

  9. I purchased my Vortex Ranger 1800 refurbished from A&A Optics for about $200. Still carries the lifetime warranty, was brand new in the box. If memory serves me correctly I ranged green trees on a hot, hazy ,humid south Florida day at over 1,700 yards. Love it and wouldn't buy anything else.

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