Looking for a new laser rangefinder

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dbshabo

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I'm looking to buy a new rangefinder. I have a Nikon Rifle Hunter 550 I bought maybe 8 years ago. It still works but the rubber on the exterior of the unit has turned into a gooey mushy mess. It's like it was dipped into a solvent or something. I have a Cannon SLR that has the same problem with the rubber on it. I'm not sure exactly when the rubber morphed into the mess that it is today. I haven't used this thing in 3 or 4 years.

My question is whether anyone knows if the major rangefinder manufacturers are still using whatever kind of rubber is on my Nikon and Cannon units? I'm looking at Nikon, Vortex, and Leupold units right now. I'd like to get something that will range out to 1200 yards reliably. Any suggestions would be welcomed. Thanks in advance for any advise given.

Shabo
 
My Vortex 1000 ranges up to about 500 yards. Works for me. But my buddy's Leica ranges over 1000 yards reliably, and it's fast. It's called the Leica CRF 2800, going for $900 on Amazon.
 
In my admittedly limited experience expect a range finder to be reliable at about 1/2 the range they are rated for on game animals. In perfect conditions when ranging large objects like buildings, cars etc., the ones I've used would work at close to the stated ranges, but not on animals, trees, etc. I have an older Leica 800 that I bought used. In reality it is good for 500ish yards. It is a good enough unit, but it is old school and fairly big. I also bought a Leupold 1200 that is more compact and works better at ranges past 500. But once I get to 700-800 sometimes I get a reading, often not.
 
The gooey mess your rubber turned into is caused by how you’re storing or cleaning your gear. It’s being exposed to something, a plasticizer or other solvent which it shouldn’t be.
 
I have the Leica 1600, Sig 2000 and 2200, and Bushnell 1 mile. I use the Sig 2200 the most, Leica the second. The Bushnell is amazingly fast and accurate, just bigger and heavier.
 
i'm still using the PLRF10c and used to use the old swaro laserguide. i also have the silencerco radius. i've really been wondering what the current generation of LRFs is like myself.
 
I have the Sig Kilo 2000. It was one of a couple @Varminterror recommended to me as being both very good at their job as well as a good value. I have been very happy with it ranging out to 1K. I have to rest it on something to go way out there on small targets, but that isn't an issue.
 
The gooey mess your rubber turned into is caused by how you’re storing or cleaning your gear. It’s being exposed to something, a plasticizer or other solvent which it shouldn’t be.
Dunno. I had a pair of boots that had soles that melt away into a gooey mess. They were stored in a cabinet in the garage No chemicals, just tools.

If you have plastic fishing baits, they’ll sometimes melt if exposed to other baits. Solvents can definitely soften rubber and plastic
 
Dunno. I had a pair of boots that had soles that melt away into a gooey mess. They were stored in a cabinet in the garage No chemicals, just tools.

If you have plastic fishing baits, they’ll sometimes melt if exposed to other baits. Solvents can definitely soften rubber and plastic

If the “rubbers” aren’t themostabilized, or UV, they’ll denature quickly and easily. My point previously, that most “rubbers” which aren’t 30¢ worms or tactile “gumboots” ARE chemically stabilized, and it takes a LOT of UV exposure or only a little solvent exposure (fume, or otherwise) to denature the polymer. Carpet is a common culprit, as are inexpensive nylon packs with questionable waterproofing, fire resisters, dyes, or other textile applied chemicals.
 
My be were rather expensive hunting boots. No solvent or other liquid

Have no idea what else was in the cabinet. didn’t know about carpet and dyes, etc

thx
 
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