I've used the Bushnell Prime 1800 for a few years and it is awesome. Automatic color change from red to black on the readout depending on the available light.

 

I have the Bushnell Broadhead works fantastic for me ....very accurate

 

I bought a Tidwe a couple of weeks ago and I'm quite impressed with it. Now it may go caput but works great so far and around a hundred bucks why not.

 

Mine is great but sucks in low light.

 

I don’t know which is the best, but whatever you get, get one with the red OLED display for low light readability. Mine is a Sig 1600bdx. It was under $300. I have blinds with shoot thru mesh in the windows and the Sig works thru the mesh too.

Bisch

 

I also have the Sig Kilo 1600 BDX which was $225 a couple of years ago. It ranges out to long rifle shot distances but works fine for archery, which is to say that it does angle modified ranging and seems pretty accurate. It auto-dims the red LED display in low light and always seems to be at the ideal brightness level for me. Optically it's "only" a 6x22 so it's not pulling in a whole ton of light, but even at the edges of PA legal hunting light (sunrise/set -/+ 30 min) it is still fine for seeing deer at bowhunting distances in the woods. The view through the optics has a bit of a green tinge to it in general, not really a performance issue just thought I'd mention it.

 

I second the Sig Kilo. I have the 1800 but the Red Display is awesome and self dimming as it gets darker so you can still see without getting a star burst effect.

 

I have a Leica 3500.com, got a crazy deal on it several years ago.
Before I got it though I had a Leica 1000-R it was awesome also, they are cheaper.

 

Leupold Dulldraw 4 is on sale for $279.00 right now… I really like the red display.

Leupold RX-FullDraw 4 Green Rangefinder with DNA OLED 178763

FREE SHIPPING on Leupold RX-FullDraw 4 with DNA Green OLED Rangefinder 178763

www.eurooptic.com

 

I second the bushnell broadhead - it’s the most accurate rangefinder I’ve used and it is one of the few that will pick up black 3d targets (if you ever shoot 3d) but in low light the reticle automatically turns to a red so you can pick it up. I use to lose my reticle and it pissed me off because I could still see what I was aiming at but not the yardage.

 

I have demo'd the Bushnell Broadhead, and its awesome, we had gotten one for our son. As a note check your tapes / pins once you get a new RF, as they are not always the same yardage readouts as other brands - minor issue.

 

If you enjoy your current Vortex, I recommend upgrading with the same brand. I had an Impact 1000 that did well, but decided to upgrade to the 4000 HD and what a difference that made. The glass is extremely clear and the red read out is awesome! It is great in low light conditions as well. Since it is also 8X I find myself not needing the Binocular as often either.

 

I have the Bushnell Broadhead works fantastic for me ....very accurate

A game changer for me.👍

 

I hunt in SC as well........IMHO if you can't see deer through the Vortex then you aren't going to be shooting deer anyway.........it'll be too dark. I think that's a non-issue really. Unless you just want to look at them and /or try to range them in hopes that they will still be at that same distance later when it's bright enough to see.

If that's the goal then get a Thermal monocular and use the range finder when it's time to shoot.

 

Unpopular opinion...
Ive been using a $100 amazon special that ranges straight line as well as gives me compensation for uphill/downhill.

As long as it's light enough out for me to be able to see, the rangefinder is able to work. It works before legal shooting light so thats good enough for me, and I won't ever feel bad if I drop it out of a tree or leave it in the bush or something. Therefore, I don't see any need to be spending hundreds of dollars (or even thousands in some cases) on a "brand name" rangefinder, at least in my opinion.

edit, also its been a solid 5 years since i bought it, still working fine just had to replace the battery twice.

 

I have the Bushnell bone Collector edition it does great

 

I agree with the fellas above on the Bushnell Broadhead. I’ve had Sigs, Vortex, Leupold, and other Bushnells over the years and the Broadhead is the best I’ve gotten my hands on. Very accurate, and the dark to light (red changes to black automatically) is awesome for bow hunting.

 

Great thread. My rangefinder at lowlight is as black as …….. u get the point.

 

I have the Leupold RX2500TBR and it is the brightest and clearest rangefinder I have used in low light. None of the Vortex are even close, Sig not as bright either. Some of the ranging bino are quite a bit brighter but way way way more $$ than you want to spend. Bushnell is advertising a rangefinder that is twice as bright as previous models but I am not sure what model it is, if it actually is twice as bright as the Bushnell I have it would be pretty close to the Leupold I have and I would like to check it out. The Fulldraw is one I would like to look through for sure. The Leica that ranges out past a mile is also very good optically but I think out of budget. Lots of options I think, unless going higher end I would probably just get one of the $100-150 units like the Bone Collector from Bushnell.

 

All these brands have what you are looking for. Just have to spend more money! I have a Leupold that’s a bit old but still works great!

 

Maybe try the Maven CRF.1

 

Leopold RX-1200 has been great for me. It has a red OLED display very bright at dawn and dusk. Brightness is adjustable. My brother and another friend both have high end Vortex models and cannot get a read on a black target in low light conditions.

 

I have an older Nikon that I still really like. Does great at low light.

 

I did a lot of reading and research and ended up getting a Vortex 4000HD. The 7x and good glass is great in low light.

 

More bushnell than I expected. Makes me want to pull the trigger on the broadhead! Christmas is coming up!

 

I need a new range finder too. Been using a 13 year old Bushnell. You guys using the Bushnell Broadhead, how bright is the red in low light? All the LED rangefinders I have seen wash out even on lowest settings, which defeats the purpose.

 

Bushnell Prime 1700 works great, and is on sale right now