Leica Rangemaster CRF 1600R
Equipment
Contributors to this thread:
I am in the market for a new, angle compensated rangefinder. I have had a Leica rangefinder for about 7 or 8 years and it has been awesome, but I am planning a goat and sheep hunt in the future...so I am looking at this unit. I find the literature online to be lacking. Anybody have any practical bowhunting experience with this unit?
FYI in February I bought a vortex ranger 1500. It is nice, but the optics don't hold a candle to the Leica. To add insult to injury, it just decided to stop working...so I just don't trust it anymore...especially on a big hunt.
The Leica angle comp is very slow. It first displays line of sight distance and then a second or two later displays the angle comp distance. Also some of the Leica don’t do angle comp under 100 yards. I think if the model ends in R it does under 100.
After buying a Leica and later finding out about the delayed I returned it, bought a SIG Kilo 2000 and have been extremely pleased with it.
As noted by Tilzbow above........I had a 1600 B back in 2012 or 2013 when they came out.......only angle compensated beyond 100 yds, which they didn't advertise at the time I purchased it. (Sucked for mountain bowhunting.) My local dealer swapped me for a Leica 1000 R when they came out. Meanwhile I had purchased a Leupold RX-1000i TBR w/DNA. Love the Leupold as it gives you an instant angle corrected yardage versus a +2 second delay with the Leica. The Leica stays in the truck as a backup, although it has superior optics to the Leupold. I've arrowed a Stone and a Dall using the Leupold rangefinder....definitely been flawless for all bowhunting, and it reads to 0.1 yards so used it "surveying" around the house build a whole bunch too. If I was a long range rifle hunter I'd look at the Leica. Good luck with your purchase.
What sold me on the SIG over the Leupold (which I also bought and returned last year) was the SIG display automatically adjusts to light conditions plus I can read the SIG display in all conditions. I’m color blind and I can’t read either a Leupold or Vortex display in bright sunlight against a green or light colored background and given the fact I hunt in the sage brush a lot this was an issue.
I believe there are a number of threads about angle comp RF's. I have a Leupold RX1000TBR, but it seems like the reviews for the Leupold are always stellar. Seems to always rise to the top, but then again maybe I'm looking for confirmation bias ;) I've prob had mine about 7 years.
take a look at sig sauer 2000 if you are serious
I have a Leica 1600B and love it. Great glass, super quick display but like others have said it don't do angles under 100 yards. Not a deal killer for elk or deer but when I am lucky enought to draw a sheep tag, I may look at the Sig!
I have played with the Sig at Cabela's and am impressed by the clarity and think it's as fast as my Leica.
I have the Leica 1000 R. It does angle comp under 100. Awesome rangefinder and great glass
Hey Mike! I'm new to rangefinders but decided on a Leupold Full Draw 2 because it was waterproof and the Sig 850 isn't. I know that it is in fact waterproof because I left it in my pants pocket recently and the rangefinder went through the wash. It still works perfectly:) Be aware that the "last target" mode that Leupold touts as a selling point has never worked for me. There is a CRP field near my archery target and the rangefinder will not reliably differentiate the target when there is grass in front of it. The best way to range a target in grass is to just hold the button down so that it takes constant readings (just like the Sig). The Leupold will reliably range out to 800+ yards and I've tested that around the farm. Sorry, no experience with a Leica rangefinder.
Mike, I have the Leica 1600r and really like it: great glass, no issues with ranging and very light (I wear it with a bino harness for quick access). I had the Leica 900 scan (happy with that as well) previously and the 1600r is indeed an upgrade! Purchased mine in July from SportOptics.com, think they were about $525 with free freight...whoever you purchase from (if online) call them and ask for a better deal than they are offering online.
So does the 1600r range under 100 yards? It seems other posters say that it doesn't, and it is slow to range on an angle compensated basis...The description of the product really sucks and really doesn't tell you anything. The Vortex Ranger 1500 I have is a high end unit, and would seem to be great...but the glass is just not even in the same zip code as the leica. Mine is not working, but I have sent it back to Vortex and know they will take care of it.
If I knew for sure the leica 1600 R was good at short, bowhunting ranges...had good, quick ranges with our without angle compensation, I would buy it in a heartbeat...but I am not sure it does. Any additional feedback?
Mike, The 1600r does range under 100 yards...won't range under 11 yards. As far as angle compensation goes, the 1600r has a different setting for the angle compensation; it's either on or off and gives instant yardage...used mine most of the summer on a steep archery course in Boulder. I agree with you about the glass...fabulous.
I am happy with the Leica; for me it is good at bowhunting ranges and gives quick ranges. Ask whoever you are buying it from if you can return it if you are not happy.
One additional thing I haven’t brought up on “flaws” with my Leica 1000R is that it does not give an angle corrected yardage in scan mode. Scan mode is holding the button down and continuously tracking a critter. Again, my Leupold RX 1000i does spit out the angle corrected yardage while the Leica gives line of sight yardage only.
As per the over 2 second delay on getting the angle correction on a Leica 1000 R.........in a hunting situation spot and stalk, it is maddening as heck, especially when I like to take multiple readings to verify yardage. If all you are doing is shooting 3-D or pre-ranging from your tree stand the delay won’t be a problem. Bottom line, Leica could improve their rangefinder for mountain bowhunter use.