Looking for a recommendation on a in-field-use laser range finder.

Never used one. Never owned one.

Want one for when I go on my "armed nature hikes". I'd hate to glass a big game animal out in the distance and not really know how far away it is. Tough for me to guess out those 1,500 yard shots!

Gotta be portable, dependable, and a pretty good product that won't break the bank - or is reasonable for such a device.

I have one of the ARC 1000's. Second rangefinder I've owned, and it works fine. Only really used it to range Ryan and Hunter's deer in AK.

I have the Leica 900 but they are the top of the line and are a bit expensive...

There's a handful out there that claim 800-1500 yards but need hard defined flat surfaces to rebound at those distances. The Leica is the only one that I've seen that actually reads out over 600 yards consistently, my 900 consistently produces readings out to 850 in all applications. The Leica 1200 is off the charts amazing, I've used one a few times and it will consistently get you readings over 1000 yards...

If I had to go with a runner up, I'd look at the Leupold line of rangefinders. But again you don't get much for under $300 that's worthy...

But if you're looking for something that will consistently range under 500 yards you could get by spending $2-300....

Keith

I was kidding about the 1500 yards.

Honestly, 500 is probably the farthest I'd ever want to shoot.....

...until I get the NULA -08!

Leica CRF 900 or 1200.

Mine was less $300 (bought with Cabela's bucks, so really it was free). Works in rain, and if I lose it, it wouldn't be hard to replace it. Notice that this is my second one, as a strap on my old Bushnell Yardage Pro 500 broke and I didn't notice until I got back to the truck.

I spent good money on glass. For my range finder, I use it occasionally, and of 5 animals we took so far this year, I used it before the shot on 2 animals. It isn't a tool I depend on based on the hunting I do, which is usually up close and personal, within 75 yards.

It was a good tool to have when I was out guiding the boys. I would gauge how much you spend based on how much you will need it. If you want to "be like Big Stick", and shoot across canyons, get the Leica, otherwise, the Bushnell or Leupold will do.

Good tool to learn "guesstimation" of distances. Guess, then range. Practice that so that when your batteries die, youy'll be able to make the shot.

Sent you an email about one for sale on another fishing board...

Keith