I'm really undecided about a rangefinder right now. I want a decent one for bow hunting that's not going to crap out on me after some use. $200-$300 range ($350 max). Initially I was going to buy a basic Nikon prostaff 3, plain and simple. But then I started reading about the angle compensation that their archers choice has. Have read good and bad reviews about the quality of Nikon but as far as their angle compensation for bow hunting I've read lots of very positive reviews about that feature. I know that Leupold makes high quality products but do their range finders compensate for high angle bow shots from a treestand like the Nikon does? I've looked in person at the Nikon archers choice and archers choice max and really liked the Max, but some of the negative reviews have me nervous about it. Like when the display turns orange in low light, does it really totally wash out your view like some people say? I'm referring to legal shooting light, not night time viewing. I haven't gotten to use one in low light so I don't know what the orange mode looks like. For quality I'm leaning towards a Leupold but want the to know true distance to target for my bow. What about the Vortex....does it have an angle compensation system? For those who use just a regular rangefinder do you feel like you have missed shots because you didn't have something that told you the compensated distance to target? I feel like I've read so much information and so many different reviews that I'm totally undecided what to buy now. And no, I'm not going to spend $800 on a Leica even though it probably could make my coffee and still work after getting run over by a mac truck lol.
a&pmech
I was in your boat about the max or just the reg archers choice, I ended up not going with the max - the illuminated retical "TO ME" IMHO is junk in low light. I absolutely love my archers choice, besides my bow- it's the greatest purchase I've made as an outdoorsman. Nikon often runs rebates sales on them - google Nikon promo's it will bring up the page. You won't be disappointed with the reg Archers Choice Sir
I have the leupold 800i TBR. Bow specific setting, shot inclination compensation and 110% awesome in every other way.
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I tried them all at the store including the Vortex and Nikon. Which is what you should do. The Leupold is better quality, faster, better illumination with the reticle, and better size. The Leupold was faster acquisition than all the rest which is really important when you have see walking. It's had compensation for you height in the deer stand.
I just bought a Leupold. Couldn't be happier.
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I tried them all at the store including the Vortex and Nikon. Which is what you should do. The Leupold is better quality, faster, better illumination with the reticle, and better size. The Leupold was faster acquisition than all the rest which is really important when you have see walking. It's had compensation for you height in the deer stand.
I just bought a Leupold. Couldn't be happier.
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I had a Nikon Archer's Choice, good range finder. The button to activate the laser came out and called Nikon to get a replacement. They wanted me to send it in, 6 week turn around time in the middle of bow season. My brother found the button and he gently pulled the rubber piece back and put it back in, super glued the rubber back down and gave me $120, it was bought in 09.
I ordered a Leupold RX800i tbr with dna rangefinder. My only complaint is with it. It need's a deeper eyecup, I have to hold it away from my eye a little to get a full circle, with the Nikon I didn't have to do that.
Both are great range finder's, the Nikon is limited on range, great battery life, still have original battery in it.
If you rifle hunt to I would go with a rangefinder that has more than a 100 yard range. Bowhunt only the Archer's Choice is a great rangefinder.
I ordered a Leupold RX800i tbr with dna rangefinder. My only complaint is with it. It need's a deeper eyecup, I have to hold it away from my eye a little to get a full circle, with the Nikon I didn't have to do that.
Both are great range finder's, the Nikon is limited on range, great battery life, still have original battery in it.
If you rifle hunt to I would go with a rangefinder that has more than a 100 yard range. Bowhunt only the Archer's Choice is a great rangefinder.
I have and really like the Nikon Archers Choice , but another great one is the Bushnell Scout 1000 Arc .
I've got buddies with them all and have had hands on;
Nikons; good, economical
Vortex; Great optics but you have one extra button push over the others
Leopold; Great optics, I bought the Rx1000 with the OLED display- pricier than the nikons
Nikons; good, economical
Vortex; Great optics but you have one extra button push over the others
Leopold; Great optics, I bought the Rx1000 with the OLED display- pricier than the nikons
I have a Archers Choice and I hate it. When I put it beside a cheap Bushnell the Bushnell wins. I have used it on 3d targets and cannot get a reading. Last year I had a buck in the open and could not get a reading. Very Poor. I would recommend testing the range finder against a cheap model and see what happens.
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