Good starter rangefinder?

I am looking to get a rangefinder that will not let me down when I am out in the field. It is going to be my first bow hunt since 1989 and I will not have money to spend on a backup so I need something reliable. I have been drawn to the Simmons LRF600. Cost just over a hundred and it seems to have mostly good reviews. Anyone with experience with this particular rangefinder? Any other choices I may have overlooked. Unless its shoots my elk for me I need to keep the price under 200 bucks. Thanks for any advice you guys can provide!

 

I picked up a refurbished Nikon Riflehunter 500 for about $125 or so, maybe a little more, from Natchez Shooters Supply. It goes out to 500 yds, farther than I would ever shoot anything with my 30.06, and perfect for bow hunting. Only used it once last year as a doe looked close enough but after using my rangefinder determined it was about 10 yds out of my comfortable distance so I waited...until it took off the wrong way :-(

Longdraw #--->

 

I've got the Simmons Rangefinder that you mention and it works great for me.

 

cool, I think I might take a chance on the Simmons unless someone comes up with a good reason not to. Thanks for the replies guys, I checked out the Nikon and although it seems really cool it is just outside my range as I want to have a warrantee on the product so I dont want to buy it used...

 

I am going to have to recommend the Nikon Pro prostaff 440 or 550. it ranges out to 440yds or 550yds, they are inside your budget and are very durable and nikon is a great company to do business with. Ive beaten up a 440 for about 6 years now and I still cant kill it.

 

Thanks man, I didnt think that Nikon had stuff priced in my range. I just picked up a prostaff 550 camo from Cabelas for 169. Reviews show it to be a very nice rangefinder with great reliability!

 

I have had the Simmons for a few years and it's great at bow and turkey ranges. If you were wanting something to range past 300 might want to look else where.

 

Nikon Prostaff is good. Check ebay. You may find a deal on one.

 

From what I can tell, Nikon has discontinued the Prostaff 550 and replaced it with a new model. That being said, my local sporting goods has them on sale for $149. Is that a good $ on 'em?

 

I think so. They are on sale at Cabelas for 149 and 169 for the realtree camo model. I spent the extra dollars and got the camo model just because its hard to resist camo.

 

I love my Nikon archers choice. Don't buy a cheap one because when it breaks you'll have to buy 2 and that'll be more expensive than one good one

 

my goal is to get something that I can use this season and when I can afford better optics I will get something else later. Hopefully my first choice is sturdy enough to last and be a solid backup later on.

 

I've been using a Nikon 550 for a long time. There are some instances when I wish the reticle was illuminated as well as needing a little bit more range. I use it for rifle hunting as well. Other than that I have been very happy with it. Vortex Optics is entering the range finder market this year. I am looking at the Vortex Ranger 1000 for the added range and illuminated reticle. I hope it's as good as their other optics!

 

This is the Company that started with the angle comp for range finders. they have a great new model out and it's around $285.00 if that's in your price range.

http://www.opticsplanet.net/opti-lo...nification-lcd-display-laser-rangefinder.html

 

I have a little Nikon, I believe its a 550. I paid around $200 for it years ago and its been flawless since I've owned it. It's small, accurate and the optics aren't too bad in it for the price.

 

I got the Nikon in and so far I love it. The first thing I didnt like was the specialty battery it uses instead of the standard 9v or AA, AAA. Other than that I ranged several things and it performed flawlessly. I did just get it and time will tell how durable it is which is important to me along with performance. Thanks for all the suggestions!

 

Were it me and this being the first hunt since 1989, I would save my pennies and look for a used Leica LRF. I have had my Leica since they first came out, spent over 500.00 dollars on it and it has been worth every penny. Like an earlier poster stated, better to buy 1 good rangefinder than have to buy 2 junk ones. Check on some of the hunting boards, you should be able to pick up a used Leica for under 300.00.....Blake

 

Another vote for Nikon rangefinders... Bought a Nikon 440 back around 2005ish and it's still going strong (sure for well under $200 on sale) - and I haven't exactly been easy on it... I had a cheaper brand initially and was less than impressed and my Nikon is more consistent than my friends Leopold - could just be his specific unit...

 

I just bought a Bushnell in camo. It gets the job done. retail was $199

 

I use a Redfield i got on sale for $160 2 years ago. Been doing great. I really like it's compact and light size.

http://www.basspro.com/Redfield-Raider-550-Rangefinder/product/10206576/95758

They have since gone up $10