Rangefinder: vortex ranger or Nikon Prostaff 7i

[Bmj89]

Hey Everyone,

I’ve never owned a range finder but since I am starting to take my archery hunting more seriously I’ve decided to invest in one. The unit will be used for both archery and rifle hunting. I’ve narrowed it down to two units. There are pros and cons to each. But given the pros and cons, curious what everyone recommends. I have actually ordered both units so I can see them, and will return the one that I am not keeping.

Vortex ranger 1300 ($440) pros are red display and lifetime warranty (huge bonus) con: 600 yard max range for deer (hunting will be kept around 400 yards but i want to ensure accurate readings to atleast 450-500 yards)

Nikon Prostaff 7i ($320) 1000 yard range on deer sized game (vortex is advertised at 600). Con: limited two year warranty (how long do units last?)

What are people’s opinions and suggestions.

Thanks in advance.

[250mark1]

i have had the nikon for the past 2 season using for bow and rifle hunting as well as using it for golfing and have no issues
have ranged larger objects out to near the 1300 yard distance that it is good for and elk out to 600 + yards
compared it to a friends range finder and at least between 200-400 yards it was always with in one yard or less

[bitterrootfly]

Owned several rangers, they are fantastic for the price and come with angle compensation which can matter a lot when hunting in steep terrain, they are clear, modular, ergonomic, and easy to use and are a fantastic buy, I highly recommend one.

[Coiloil37]

Your research must of been flawed. Buy a Leica. If you want it to be less expensive buy a used Leica, I saw a crf 1200 for sale today for $450. I’ve had Bushnell, leupold and Nikon rangefinders in the past. Around 2008 I bought a Leica and I’m still using it. They are where you want to spend your money.

[Prophet River]

We will have a bunch of vortex ranger 1300's here Tuesday and will have them on sale at $329.00. FedEx just updated us delivery for tomorrow a few minutes ago.

[Bmj89]

Originally Posted by Prophet River

We will have a bunch of vortex ranger 1300's here Tuesday and will have them on sale at $329.00. FedEx just updated us delivery for tomorrow a few minutes ago.

I will send you an email.

Jesse

[Nyksta]

The difference between nikon and vortex, is vortex is extremely helpful if anything happens with the performance of your product. I had the old ranger 1000 and it consistently ranged animals to 500 yards. I wanted farther and upgraded to ranger 1600.
My new ranger 1600 had an error in the laser and wouldnt measure anything over 100 yards. I sent it in to vortex and they sent me a new unit the same afternoon that they received it. My new unit works perfect, which ranges fast and easy to 800 yards on animals every time. A few friends have the nikon 7i, it ranges fast and very well, animals to about 800y, but when my buddy's nikon eyepiece fell out, he was S.O.L. trying to get it fixed by them. Vortex also has illuminated display, nikon only black, difficult with some dark backgrounds.

[Bmj89]

Originally Posted by Nyksta

The difference between nikon and vortex, is vortex is extremely helpful if anything happens with the performance of your product. I had the old ranger 1000 and it consistently ranged animals to 500 yards. I wanted farther and upgraded to ranger 1600.
My new ranger 1600 had an error in the laser and wouldnt measure anything over 100 yards. I sent it in to vortex and they sent me a new unit the same afternoon that they received it. My new unit works perfect, which ranges fast and easy to 800 yards on animals every time. A few friends have the nikon 7i, it ranges fast and very well, animals to about 800y, but when my buddy's nikon eyepiece fell out, he was S.O.L. trying to get it fixed by them. Vortex also has illuminated display, nikon only black, difficult with some dark backgrounds.

Thank you. That’s everything I needed to hear. The warranty speaks volumes. Especially with electronics. I’m going to go with the Vortex from Prophet River.

[glen moa]

Nikon 7i
Glass poor. It’s like a $50 scope.
But boy can it range. Coyote 30#. Ranged at 605y.
Won’t range coyote at 800 y.
Must keep above freezing. I keep in inside pocket.
I like mine for the price.

[EZM]

I had an opportunity to test both these units (and a few others) when purchasing one last November side by side, inside the store, and outside the store at greater ranges.

I am not a fan of Vortex, but compared to the Nikon I thought the picture (glass) was sharper, cleaner and brighter.

And in that price range, the ranger seemed to be the best unit.

[sheffield]

I have a Leica CRF1600 for sale if you would like to spend a bit extra. Asking $600

[LJalberta]

Originally Posted by Nyksta

The difference between nikon and vortex, is vortex is extremely helpful if anything happens with the performance of your product. I had the old ranger 1000 and it consistently ranged animals to 500 yards. I wanted farther and upgraded to ranger 1600.
My new ranger 1600 had an error in the laser and wouldnt measure anything over 100 yards. I sent it in to vortex and they sent me a new unit the same afternoon that they received it. My new unit works perfect, which ranges fast and easy to 800 yards on animals every time. A few friends have the nikon 7i, it ranges fast and very well, animals to about 800y, but when my buddy's nikon eyepiece fell out, he was S.O.L. trying to get it fixed by them. Vortex also has illuminated display, nikon only black, difficult with some dark backgrounds.

That's odd and sorry to hear about that for your buddy. Nikon Optics usually has outstanding customer service from others I've talked to with experience. They have a similar lifetime warranty to Vortex on their optics. The exception is the electronic parts are I believe a 1 year warranty. The eye piece should have been covered by the lifetime warranty.

[Kristopher10]

I've had a Vortex Ranger 1500 for a few years now and it does what it needs to do. I had a Ranger 1000 before that wouldn't work below -40 so Vortex sent me a new 1500. The biggest reason I went with the Vortex is that in my price range at the time it was the only unit that had the illuminated (red) display, all of the others were black. Also, Vortex customer service has been fantastic every time I have spoke with them.

[wildwoods]

I own a vortex ranger 1000. We were on a 800 yard deer stalk and my ranger consistently let me down at around 500-600 yards. Absolute garbage for the money I paid. Slow readings and you have to be super steady at those higher yardages which leads to frustration. Sub 400 it’s not bad. I like the angle compensating feature and will use it for bow hunting. For rifle I will be reading threads like this with interest to replace it this year.

[Smokinyotes]

Originally Posted by Coiloil37

Your research must of been flawed. Buy a Leica. If you want it to be less expensive buy a used Leica, I saw a crf 1200 for sale today for $450. I’ve had Bushnell, leupold and Nikon rangefinders in the past. Around 2008 I bought a Leica and I’m still using it. They are where you want to spend your money.

Listen to this. I’ve had leupold vortex Nikon and bushnell range finders. They are all junk compared to my Leica 1600. I’ve ranged as far as 1760 with mine.

[Big Thumper]

Not that familiar with Vortex but a 1300 for 329.00 seems like a good deal?

[ruffy71]

I understand some long distance shooters worry about ranging out to 1760 yards, but for me, that is a useless advantage. Where I hunt, it would have to range through buildings, bush, and moving vehicles when ranging that far out.

For 20 to 500 yards, is there an appreciable difference or just go with the one that is on sale?

[wildwoods]

Originally Posted by ruffy71

I understand some long distance shooters worry about ranging out to 1760 yards, but for me, that is a useless advantage. Where I hunt, it would have to range through buildings, bush, and moving vehicles when ranging that far out.

For 20 to 500 yards, is there an appreciable difference or just go with the one that is on sale?

There certainly is a difference after 350 yards or so. Ask me how i know

[ruffy71]

Originally Posted by wildwoods

There certainly is a difference after 350 yards or so. Ask me how i know

Dang it. That is not what I wanted to hear.

[Bmj89]

Originally Posted by Big Thumper

Not that familiar with Vortex but a 1300 for 329.00 seems like a good deal?

$329 was a great deal. Even better than the deal was the service from Prophet River Firearms. It was my first time dealing with them, they have top notch service. They looked after everything, I ordered it yesterday and received it already today in Saskatchewan.

[Mike0295]

Nikon has a 4K range finder. it works great

[brewster29]

Originally Posted by Smokinyotes

Listen to this. I’ve had leupold vortex Nikon and bushnell range finders. They are all junk compared to my Leica 1600. I’ve ranged as far as 1760 with mine.

Another vote for the Leica. You will find them to be a class above the Vortex or Nikon- just like their other optics.