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General Discussion => General Forum => Topic started by: bamahunter on April 21, 2015, 11:58:16 AM

Title: Range finder recommendations?
Post by: bamahunter on April 21, 2015, 11:58:16 AM
Anyone use a range finder while turkey hunting? I have hunted turkeys for 20 yrs now and not "missed" until this season... ended up being about 53yds away, ugh, still hurts even though I've taken a bird since then. I completely misjudged the distance but realized i was taking a risky shot... that's a feeling I don't want to ever experience again. Thinking of getting a range finder but since I'm not a deer hunter either, never been in the market for one (don't need em for ducks and doves, ha). Anyone have recommendations?
Title: Range finder recommendations?
Post by: alloutdoors on April 21, 2015, 01:20:58 PM
I carry a Nikon Riflehunter 550 and am very happy with it. It's nice and compact, lightweight, and easy to operate with one hand.
Title: Re: Range finder recommendations?
Post by: Dr Juice on April 21, 2015, 01:33:10 PM
A Nikon is my choice.
Title: Re: Range finder recommendations?
Post by: Dtrkyman on April 21, 2015, 02:02:51 PM
vortex
Title: Re: Range finder recommendations?
Post by: Chilly on April 21, 2015, 02:15:29 PM
LEUPOLD
Title: Range finder recommendations?
Post by: Tennessee Lead on April 21, 2015, 03:09:01 PM
I bought my first a Rangefinder this year for deer season and have attached it to my Turkey vest. It's great for quickly ranging a few trees to know the distance.
I got the Bushnell Truth caught it on sale for $149 on Amazon


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Title: Re: Range finder recommendations?
Post by: Wolfey on April 21, 2015, 04:25:41 PM
Really like my leupold.
Title: Re: Range finder recommendations?
Post by: zelmo1 on April 21, 2015, 04:37:19 PM
 :funnyturkey:Simmons, got it on Amazon. Really good deal, I like it so far. I did the same thing you did last year, but I got lucky and stoned him. Still gave me a bad feeling so I went ouy and got a range finder. Never happen again. Good luck, Al Baker
Title: Re: Range finder recommendations?
Post by: turkey_slayer on April 21, 2015, 04:47:55 PM
Leica 1000r
Title: Re: Range finder recommendations?
Post by: kjnengr on April 21, 2015, 05:19:25 PM
Quote from: alloutdoors on April 21, 2015, 01:20:58 PM
I carry a Nikon Riflehunter 550 and am very happy with it. It's nice and compact, lightweight, and easy to operate with one hand.

Same here.  I use mine for bow hunting as well so I appreciate the angle compensation feature. 
Title: Re: Range finder recommendations?
Post by: grayfox on April 21, 2015, 06:56:11 PM
Been using the Leupold RX-1000i TBR for about 3 seasons now.  Use it for bow & turkey hunting.  Great rangefinder with pretty nice optics.  On sale for $300 at Cabela's.  I've been very pleased with mine.  If you want the best go with Leica but for just turkey hunting you can get by much cheaper.
Title: Re: Range finder recommendations?
Post by: kyturkeyhunter4 on April 21, 2015, 09:00:08 PM
Quote from: mlisandro on April 21, 2015, 01:33:10 PM
A Nikon is my choice.
I've got the wildgame halo it works great, and it won't break the wallet either.
Title: Re: Range finder recommendations?
Post by: NJGobblerHunter on April 21, 2015, 11:44:20 PM
I also bought my first rangefinder this deer season. I got the Nikon Riflehunter 1000 on ebay for $175. It was a great price. Good luck!
Title: Re: Range finder recommendations?
Post by: mgm1955 on April 22, 2015, 12:59:50 AM
Quote from: Wolfey on April 21, 2015, 04:25:41 PM
Really like my leupold.
Agree. Owned Bushnell and Nikon as well. IMO opinion Leupold is the best.
Title: Re: Range finder recommendations?
Post by: bamahunter on April 22, 2015, 08:09:49 AM
Wow, some great suggestions here so I appreciate all the responses!

I was looking for a common theme to pop from the responses but it appears folks have good experiences with all the major brands and as grayfox alluded to, I'm just hunting turkeys so I only need to be able to mark trees/birds within 50yds.

I'm an engineer and I'm "thrifty" (nicer word for "cheap") so that means I usually overthink every purchase  :-[
Title: Re: Range finder recommendations?
Post by: mwr on April 22, 2015, 08:52:07 AM
Nikon... It has 2 buttons on it 1 for range, and 1 to changing from yards to meter. Simple!  I want to push one button and it too tell me how far!!  I don't want the mode button, unless you want to read and check read and check. IMO
Title: Re: Range finder recommendations?
Post by: kjnengr on April 22, 2015, 09:20:11 AM
Quote from: bamahunter on April 22, 2015, 08:09:49 AM

I'm an engineer and I'm "thrifty" (nicer word for "cheap") so that means I usually overthink every purchase  :-[

Yep, I know the feeling.   I often get criticized by a couple of buddies for how much I over think and research purchases.

See if you can look at a few at sporting good store.  You may find that one is clearer than the other.  Or the function of one is more intuitive than another.  Let us know what you get.
Title: Range finder recommendations?
Post by: sasquatch1 on April 22, 2015, 10:42:16 AM
Leica, buy once, own and love forever! Another nice thing is the 7x magnification it has!


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Title: Re: Range finder recommendations?
Post by: Greybeard11 on April 22, 2015, 11:26:32 AM
I had a Bushnell for several years, when it crapped out I bought a Nikon Riflehunter and I love it. For what you're doing I'd say any brand would work.