Need a new LRF some advice please

[FEENIX]

Do you want a good unit?
Or a good warranty?
The best warranty is one you never need.

This! My oldest son gifted me a Leica 1600 in 2011, which still works today. IIRC, the warranty was 10 years. Without using the warranty, it has served me well in the last 13 years. I also expect this kind of life expectancy on this type of equipment.

 

[Panthers59]

I have the Meopta Optika's and love them and there's a review of them vs the Leica Geovid R.

Meopta Optika LR VS Leica Geovid R Binoculars

Meopta Optika LR VS Leica Geovid R. Matt breaks down the Meopt Optika LR VS Leica Geovid R so you can be more informed before purchasing.

www.rokslide.com

 

[VenatusDominus]

Well my Sig Kilo 2000 (even with a new battery) display no longer is displaying most information including no more complete distance readings, only the last number and a partial of the second to the last. I plan on calling Sig on Monday but I have owned this LRF for well over 5 years probably closer to 8 years now so I don't know what if anything Sig is obligated by warranty to do for me. It was a very sudden onset issue as in 100% normal operation then problem.

The Sig 2000 Kilo has never been abused or even dropped or been submerged or gotten seriously wet the entire tine I have owned it.

I have now owned three LRF over the last 25+ years. First was a Bushnell 400 that just stopped working after at least 8-10 years. Then its replacement was a Bushnell 600 that after about 8-10 years no longer gave accurate or dependable readings. Then I bought a Sig Kilo 2000 and now it is malfunctioning.

I have read MANY MANY LRF reviews over the years and have seen a great many people comment recommending Vortex LRF's because of their forever warranty based on the fact odds are more likely than not a overwhelming majority of LRF will at some point as all three of mine did stop working and the LRF with short term warranties almost always stop working AFTER their warranty's expire.

So If Sig won't do much for me or is willing to fix it but it gives me a repair estimate of 50% the cost of a new LRF should I just say heck with it and buy a new LRF and based on warranty make it a Vortex this time?

Three years ago I spent months agonizing over whether to by the Vortex Fury HD5000 AB or Sig Kilo 5K. In the end I went with the Vortex due to the unlimited lifetime warrantee and reported less finicky connectivity to the Kestrel 5700. I waited for them to go on sale and including tax and shipping, paid $1168.11. I have been very happy with them and would buy them again.

Unlike the glass and metal used in binoculars, lasers and the electronics associated with them are consumables, just like lightbulbs, and with time and use will "wear out" and need to be replaced. If you don't mind budgeting for new LRF every 5-10 years (YMMV), then there are many higher quality (and more expensive) options than the Vortex. I have heard good things about the Sigs and if they now have an unlimited lifetime warrantee, I would not hesitate to buy them.

 

[elj1973]

How do you like the gen 2?

The glass is better than the Vortex, love the display. Menu navigation is easy and storage for 30 gun profiles. Wind function is nice and easy to use. All focus wheels are very smooth. Very fast ranges and drop solutions, much faster then Vortex Hd AB. That's about all I can say for now have not had a chance to really run them on some critters yet or at distance.

 

[manitou]

All said above, if the op wants a really good, dependable non-bino rf the Leica 2400 and 2700 are great LRFs.

 

[6.5x300 WBY]

The glass is better than the Vortex, love the display. Menu navigation is easy and storage for 30 gun profiles. Wind function is nice and easy to use. All focus wheels are very smooth. Very fast ranges and drop solutions, much faster then Vortex Hd AB. That's about all I can say for now have not had a chance to really run them on some critters yet or at distance.

Thank you for your input. That's high on my list. Appreciate your time

 

[kgarrett]

I have a Revic BR4, Leica Geovid Pro laser range finding binoculars, and an Sig Kilo 2000 LRF (no ballistics). I previously had a Leupold TBR-1000 which I gave to my brother in law. I've also used the Gunwerks/Revic original BR2's, Kestrels with Hornady 4DOF, and the Revic BLR10b laser range finders at courses.

LRF is mature technology IF you do not need ballistics. Pick one at the price you can afford with the warranty you want. Any of the ones I've used worked well out farther than I shoot.

IF you want ballistics, and they fit your budget, I highly recommend the Revic BR4 or BLR10b. I think they are the easiest to use laser range finder with ballistics of those I've used. My Leicas binos have Applied Ballistics Elite ballistic calculator which is also good but not as easy to use IMO. I also really like the ability to switch from near/far ranging mode on the Revic's.

The lifetime warranty is excellent on those companies that have it. Like most things, if they don't die in the first year they seem to last a long time. My Nikon Laserforce range finding binos but the dust after one season.