Nikon 1200 vs Bushnell 1500 rangefinder

[ATH]

Both the Nikon 1200 yd and Bushnell 1500 yd rangefinders are about $400. Given the amount of gear I need for an upcoming trip this is the limit of what I can spend on a new LRF. In general my opinion of both brands is good but I usually consider Nikon better quality in optical quality anyways. Anyone have an idea what the realistic performance is of these two units in terms of max range on animals/trees? I'm wondering if the Nikon may actually get as far as the Bushnell despite the numbers.
Thanks

 

[ScottBerish]

Both the Nikon 1200 yd and Bushnell 1500 yd rangefinders are about $400. Given the amount of gear I need for an upcoming trip this is the limit of what I can spend on a new LRF. In general my opinion of both brands is good but I usually consider Nikon better quality in optical quality anyways. Anyone have an idea what the realistic performance is of these two units in terms of max range on animals/trees? I'm wondering if the Nikon may actually get as far as the Bushnell despite the numbers.
Thanks

IMHO get the Bushnell in that pricepoint. Proven, reliable, optics that are "good enough".

I once had the Monach 800 that wouldn't range a horse at 150 yards. I sent it back.

Scott

 

[davewilson]

you can get a newcon2000 for about 475 and they're deffinitely a big improvement.

 

[lerch]

Bushnell all the way, as far as rangefinders go we sell 10x more of them than i do any nikon rangefinder.


take it easy
steve

 

[britz]

I would honestly cast a vote for the Nikon because I have the buckmaster 800 (ten years old now) and it has served me well. I had to replace it this year because of a damaged reticle, but it has always worked very well. it got abused. I have ranged deer at 500 or better with it, and tree lines at over 800 yards on excellent days. It will usually range a tree line at 700 or so and that is it's realistic limit. The 1200's have the ranging capability of the Leica's in my opinion, I went with the leica because of the optics quality. Nikon's have very dimn optics in their range finders. Hard to see in low light. I think Bushnell's are very similar in quality, but I'm a big nikon fan.

 

[BMF]

Both the Nikon 1200 yd and Bushnell 1500 yd rangefinders are about $400. Given the amount of gear I need for an upcoming trip this is the limit of what I can spend on a new LRF. In general my opinion of both brands is good but I usually consider Nikon better quality in optical quality anyways. Anyone have an idea what the realistic performance is of these two units in terms of max range on animals/trees? I'm wondering if the Nikon may actually get as far as the Bushnell despite the numbers.
Thanks

I have the nikon 1200 and it will range objects out to 1200yds( not just reflective objects either , anything) I dont own a bushnell but I have used them and they are solid, but their 1500 yd RF only is rated for 1000 yds on nonreflective objects. Only 200 yds diffrence, but it's still 200yds.

 

[Jon Jackoviak]

I personally would go with the Nikon. The Nikon size is basically the ranging capability on non reflective objects and the Bushnell is on reflective objects, so you are basically going to get very similar distances on say a tree or deer.

 

[piutemike]

I got a Leica 1200 LRF from Cameraland for the same price. It was a demo unit with a warranty and a better range finder than the two you mentioned. I also own the Bushnell 1500 Elite and only keep it for a back up and bow hunting. I do like the ARC feature on the Bushnell for Bow hunting.

 

[Coyboy]

I have the 1500 bush and I had a hell of a time with it on Sunday. Haven't used it much and wanted to set targets at 1000. Well a 4'x4' piece of cardboard with a one foot white painted target would not read at 1000. I set a 2x3 foot cardboard target at 660 and it took 4-5 tries to get it to read. It was a clear sky day, 8:00am with the sun at my back. Very disapointing.

 

[Forester]

I have the 1500 bush and I had a hell of a time with it on Sunday. Haven't used it much and wanted to set targets at 1000. Well a 4'x4' piece of cardboard with a one foot white painted target would not read at 1000. I set a 2x3 foot cardboard target at 660 and it took 4-5 tries to get it to read. It was a clear sky day, 8:00am with the sun at my back. Very disapointing.

I have been using a friends Bushnell 1500 some while I decide what to buy and it seems I have a lot better luck at extended distances if I can rest the range finder on something to get it more steady.

 

[Coyboy]

Yep, I tried that too.