I use a Vortex Ranger 1300. I've had it for about 7 years and it has worked perfectly fine. I have never replaced the battery and it still show on the display as full battery. Plus they have life time warranty and good customer service.
There's a "brush" feature on the Bushnell Broadhead range finder that will try to avoid marking brush. This range finder has great reviews.
The Bushnell Prime 1800 (model LP1800AD) is a much better buy currently at Scheels for half price $129.99 (usually about $250 but the price varies):
Thanks for the head's up on the two models. Close range accuracy is what matters, so if they are the same I'll give one a shot and save $$ a for some more lead.The Bushnell Prime 1800 (model LP1800AD) is a much better buy currently at Scheels for half price $129.99 (usually about $250 but the price varies):
I have owned this model for sevaral years. The activesync display is a lifesaver in low light situations and in high contrast stuff in daylight -- it's not just hype -- it's better than the other illuminated display types. I compared everything about the prime1800 to the broadhead and the prime1800 is the same thing but adds a rifle mode that probably most people don't use. It doesn't hurt that's it's there -- just don't use it. There are amazon reviews on the prime 1800 even though they don't have it in stock currently as far as I can tell. Check out the reviews. One by andyh points out that the prime 1800 is the same thing as the broadhead. Bushnell just doesn't put any emphasis on marketing the prime1800. In other words, the broadhead is just an over-hyped and over-priced prime1800.
Yes, it will range on twigs and stuff, but it has 3 modes that are quickly swaped with a single click. While scanning in brush mode what it does is show you the farthest thing it's ranged since you started scanning. While scanning in bulls-eye mode what it does is show you the nearest thing it's ranged since you started scanning. With neither mode enabled, it just keeps showing what its ranging regardless of if it's the farthest or the nearest. By using these modes you can get really good and pretty quick to determine if the range on that squirrel is really the squirrel rather than a twig in front of it or a branch behind it. I've ranged stuff out to over 1700 yards. The specs don't mention it, but it measures in feet if you want it to -- just like the broadhead with the same accuracy as the broadhead.
At $129.99, the bushnell prime1800 (model LP1800AD) is a super deal -- a no-brainer in my opinion.
Here's the amazon link -- they don't have any to sell, but the reviews are there.
I highly recommend the bushnell prime 1800 rangefinder. There's no bluetooth stuff -- don't confuse it with the nitro1800 -- they're different critters and I personally like the prime 1800 better.
stovepipe
Close range accuracy with the prime 1800 is some fraction of a foot, exactly like the broadhead. In setup mode you set it to measure in feet by skipping yards and meters and then you see neither a Y or an M -- you don't see an F either but it's measuring in feet -- actually some fraction of that. I ranged a squirrel walking around in my back yard. Started at about 7 feet away -- takes a step and measures about 7.5 feet, takes a step and measures 8 feet, etc. Seriously, the broadhead is a prime 1800 marketed to get the attention of bow hunters and with a marked up price. I paid $250 for my prime 1800 -- I've had it for several years and I still love it and don't have a single regret.
Thanks for that. I may have to add this to my arsenal. Lots of amazon reviews are saying it's better than some $500 range finders!The Bushnell Prime 1800 (model LP1800AD) is a much better buy currently at Scheels for half price $129.99 (usually about $250 but the price varies):
I have owned this model for sevaral years. The activesync display is a lifesaver in low light situations and in high contrast stuff in daylight -- it's not just hype -- it's better than the other illuminated display types. I compared everything about the prime1800 to the broadhead and the prime1800 is the same thing but adds a rifle mode that probably most people don't use. It doesn't hurt that's it's there -- just don't use it. There are amazon reviews on the prime 1800 even though they don't have it in stock currently as far as I can tell. Check out the reviews. One by andyh points out that the prime 1800 is the same thing as the broadhead. Bushnell just doesn't put any emphasis on marketing the prime1800. In other words, the broadhead is just an over-hyped and over-priced prime1800.
Yes, it will range on twigs and stuff, but it has 3 modes that are quickly swaped with a single click. While scanning in brush mode what it does is show you the farthest thing it's ranged since you started scanning. While scanning in bulls-eye mode what it does is show you the nearest thing it's ranged since you started scanning. With neither mode enabled, it just keeps showing what its ranging regardless of if it's the farthest or the nearest. By using these modes you can get really good and pretty quick to determine if the range on that squirrel is really the squirrel rather than a twig in front of it or a branch behind it. I've ranged stuff out to over 1700 yards. The specs don't mention it, but it measures in feet if you want it to -- just like the broadhead with the same accuracy as the broadhead.
At $129.99, the bushnell prime1800 (model LP1800AD) is a super deal -- a no-brainer in my opinion.
Here's the amazon link -- they don't have any to sell, but the reviews are there.
I highly recommend the bushnell prime 1800 rangefinder. There's no bluetooth stuff -- don't confuse it with the nitro1800 -- they're different critters and I personally like the prime 1800 better.
stovepipe
Seriously, I wouldn't wait too long -- I've seen it at this $129 price before over the years, but it doesn't last long and goes back up to $250. Also, see my edit to the above post for accuracy in feet with 0.5 foot resolution.
I just placed an order. Now, looking for a decent quality scopes... I don't know what to look for. Any tips on choosing a scope?
Good move on the range finder. The battery that comes pre-installed is a cheap one, of course. It takes CR2 lithium 3-volt batteries. Any quality will work, but make sure to get low self-discharge batteries. I think the range finder was an easy decision especially at the price. Once you receive it and try it out, please let us know what you think about it.
Make a list of desired qualities of the scope. The list include magnification range, tube size, length and weight, objective bell size, reticle style, illuminated or not, first or second focal plane, cost, lifetime warranty, etc. All these desired qualities should revolve around the intended use (ypu might not want a big baseball bat of a scope on a hunting rig).
OK, so let's start at the top. Your first post says you hunt small game with air rifles. So what range(s)? For some guys small game is ground squirrels at 200 yards. For others it's tree squirrels at no more than 50 yards. For other guys it's a large gammit -- like anything from 20 yards to 200 yards. Where do you fit into this and what is your budget for a scope?
I'm hunting tree squirrels 99% of the time. Farthest shot would probably be 60 yards. Budget would be around $300 range. I was looking at Hawke's website and was thinking of this one or something similar. But before buying I'd guess it'll be a smart idea to understand MOA vs MIL.
Are you using break-barrel (springer) rifles? They have a nasty double recoil that kills scopes dead unless the scope is intentionally designed to handle it.I'm hunting tree squirrels 99% of the time. Farthest shot would probably be 60 yards. Budget would be around $300 range. I was looking at Hawke's website and was thinking of this one or something similar. But before buying I'd guess it'll be a smart idea to understand MOA vs MIL.
Vantage SF 3-12x44 Half Mil Dot
An extensive range of scopes to suit all calibres and disciplines. All Vantage riflescopes feature our H2 optics in a variety of configurations. Capped Low-Profile Turrets. 1 Inch Mono-Tube Chassis. Side Focus. 11 Layer Fully Multi-Coated Lenses. High Torque Zoom Ring. Fast Focus Eyebellus.hawkeoptics.com
It seems to me that you should be able to get a first focal plane scope in that $300 ish budget that is of reasonable quality. Even though you're not expecting to shoot more than 60 yards, that's still far enough to want angular markings on your reticle that are correct at any magnification.I'm hunting tree squirrels 99% of the time. Farthest shot would probably be 60 yards. Budget would be around $300 range. I was looking at Hawke's website and was thinking of this one or something similar. But before buying I'd guess it'll be a smart idea to understand MOA vs MIL.
Vantage SF 3-12x44 Half Mil Dot
An extensive range of scopes to suit all calibres and disciplines. All Vantage riflescopes feature our H2 optics in a variety of configurations. Capped Low-Profile Turrets. 1 Inch Mono-Tube Chassis. Side Focus. 11 Layer Fully Multi-Coated Lenses. High Torque Zoom Ring. Fast Focus Eyebell
www.airgunnation.com 
