I've been wanting to do some 3D and I feel like the only thing missing in my setup is the rangefinder.
I've been looking for some budget rigs, but am not sure about the reliability and warranty for the $.
The TIDEWE rangefinder with rechargeable battery seems too good to be true for the $. Has anyone had any experiance with them?
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I've also looked into the Athlon Talos 800Y. (Lifetime Warranty?!)
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Even though the price of those 2 seems quite appealing, the lifetime no BS warranty of Vortex is difficult to beat.......
Would like to hear everyone's input. Thank you inadvance.
Same here with Sig Kilo RF's. I owned a Bushnell and Leupold before purchasing my first Sig. That I bought a second Sig speaks volumes. My thinking is that if I am going to invest in any archery related item, it has to be accurate, reliable and durable to be worth the money. There are low cost options for pretty much everything available to the American consumer....is your track record the best buying low or investing more for the long run?I’ve had several over the years Bushnell, Vortex, and Sig. Hands down the Sig took the cake with constant read, red font readout that is phenomenal in late even hunts and battery life. I would say explore what items are on your wishlist and go that direction.
I don't think it is as simple as buying low or investing for the long run. I think it is more about the right tool for the job. If you are an archery hunter only, and have never or will never have the need to range/shoot something over 40 or 50 yards, then why would you spend $300, $400 or more for a range finder that has functions you will never use? I'm not talking about buying junk as opposed to quality equipment, but there is no need to buy a limo if you are only looking for something to get groceries once a week.Same here with Sig Kilo RF's. I owned a Bushnell and Leupold before purchasing my first Sig. That I bought a second Sig speaks volumes. My thinking is that if I am going to invest in any archery related item, it has to be accurate, reliable and durable to be worth the money. There are low cost options for pretty much everything available to the American consumer....is your track record the best buying low or investing more for the long run?
One way to look at it for sure. But go back into the AT thread archives and note the number of RF threads where folks are noting their RF is ranging a yard or two off from a friend's RF or a competitor's RF. If the use is for 3D and the intent is keeping score.....those 10 and 12 rings are pretty small and any deviation is going to put you low or high. Some of the cheaper models also have black LED readout and are known to have difficulty getting accurate reads on certain color targets.....brown and black make up a lot of 3D targets. If you consider yourself an "average" shooter or hunter, invest accordingly.....I'm the type that wants to continue to improve until they bury me.I don't think it is as simple as buying low or investing for the long run. I think it is more about the right tool for the job. If you are an archery hunter only, and have never or will never have the need to range/shoot something over 40 or 50 yards, then why would you spend $300, $400 or more for a range finder that has functions you will never use? I'm not talking about buying junk as opposed to quality equipment, but there is no need to buy a limo if you are only looking for something to get groceries once a week.
There are a lot of quality rangefinders out there in the $100 range. Might not tell you the distance down to the tenth of a yard, but that really isn't necessary for the average hunter. And I'd even argue that the angle comp isn't necessary, but that comes on just about all of them now.
I agree with what you are saying, but it still depends on the intent. If you are going to use it just for archery hunting, a yard or so doesn't matter.One way to look at it for sure. But go back into the AT thread archives and note the number of RF threads where folks are noting their RF is ranging a yard or two off from a friend's RF or a competitor's RF. If the use is for 3D and the intent is keeping score.....those 10 and 12 rings are pretty small and any deviation is going to put you low or high. Some of the cheaper models also have black LED readout and are known to have difficulty getting accurate reads on certain color targets.....brown and black make up a lot of 3D targets. If you consider yourself an "average" shooter or hunter, invest accordingly.....I'm the type that wants to continue to improve until they bury me.
The folks who suggest Lieca RF's ($550-1200) are the ones who are suggesting others buy the best on the market. I was suggesting the OP consider beyond a TIDEWE and look at their RF as an important investment. Whether it is a Sig or Vortex or Leupold, there are several good options that are below the premium price point. You readily admit that your "better" RF is more accurate.... point made, sir.I agree with what you are saying, but it still depends on the intent. If you are going to use it just for archery hunting, a yard or so doesn't matter.
I have an old Bushnell yardage pro that I carry when hunting. It is good to within a yard or so. It doesn't read well until it is at least legal shooting light. But it is all I need when hunting. I don't shoot known 3d, but if I did, I wouldn't use it. Even when we are at a 3d shoot, I use the my better rangefinder, because it suites the situation better.
Again, my only issue with telling people they need to buy the best on the market is that they may be paying for bells and whistles they don't need or will never use.
Yes, it is better, but it is not the one I use when hunting, and if that was the only use I had for it, I would buy it again, at a fifth of the cost of my better one.The folks who suggest Lieca RF's ($550-1200) are the ones who are suggesting others buy the best on the market. I was suggesting the OP consider beyond a TIDEWE and look at their RF as an important investment. Whether it is a Sig or Vortex or Leupold, there are several good options that are below the premium price point. You readily admit that your "better" RF is more accurate.... point made, sir.
I had a leupold rx-1000i for the past 6 or 7 years that I loved. Unfortunately the red display faded so bad that I couldn't read the numbers anymore. When I reached out to Leupold about it they would offer a discount on buying a new one but wouldn't replace it. Said no matter what after that many years the OLED display will go bad.Leopold all day everyday. Hands down the best customer service and warranty in the business
