Leupold or Vortex rangefinder?

[Brightwhite]

I've never owned a rangefinder, but have decided to get one.

I just can't justify $600 for the Leica 1000, so I am leaning towards the Vortex ranger 1000, and the leupold 1200.

From what I have read the leupold might be better quality optics and a little faster, but vortex has the warranty...

What would you choose?

 

[Stwrt9]

I was in the same boat vortex or leupold. i opted for the leupold. i really wanted to go with the vortex i just felt the leupold gave me a little better quality. i think you would be happy with both and don't make the decision based on the warranty, leupold has a pretty good one as well.

 

[Outwest]

When I bit the bullet on a quality rangefinder, I went between Luepold and Vortex as well. I looked at both a lot and honestly felt that the Leopold was probably slightly better, but I found a better deal on the Vortex and that sealed the deal.

Both are quality units that will perform very well. Both have red led readouts and angle compensation. The Leupold is a bit faster on the readouts, but not substantially as far as I saw. The icing on the cake for the Vortex was the belt clip. It wasn't a deciding factor but I can't imagine having a rangefinder without one now.

 

[Brightwhite]

Thanks for the input guys...

Outwest - I have never actually played with either one, but I have read complaints about the "3 button tap reading" that the Vortex has and how that slows it down. Sounds like you feel like its no big deal?

 

[rileybassman]

I was in the same boat... Tried both and liked the Leopold better. Vortex takes a little longer to range. May not be a huge deal for longer shots, but spot and stalk archery I need all the time I can get.

 

[wapitibob]

Leupy 1200i TBR DNA.
Leupold will fix your rangefinder regardless of what is on the little guarantee card should it have problems.

 

[JNDEER]

Went through that 2 years ago. Although Vortex is slower and cannot read past 700 yards ( I never have been able to) I figured with the warranty if/when they fixed those problems I could send it in to get fixed. They never have and from what I was told, never will (on the ranger).

Currently my problem with vortex is the +/- 3 yards. I noticed it when purchasing it, but in the store and outside the store when I tested it (BPS) it read near the same as Leupold. Come 2+ years later I am seeing that 3 yard difference especially when trying to range light brown, dark brown/grey, or black objects. I have a brown deer target and a black box. I will get a 3 yard variation with then are side by side. For an archer, that just cannot happen, PERIOD... I still have the vortex and will keep it as a backup (especially with the warranty), but I am currently looking for the rx-1000.

 

[Brightwhite]

Went to cabelas and played with them both, I liked the leupold better. Felt faster and more responsive and I liked how easy it was to flip between rifle calibers for the ballistic range modes.

The vortex was nice too, just felt like the leupold had the edge. I'm a proud new owner! No more using my crappy red field that couldn't range a target at the range past 150 yards without trying to range it 14 times before it would read.

 

[tipsntails7]

Leica, the leupy is second, vortex is a distant, distant 3rd

 

[Nuke Man]

I have used the Vortex now for 2 years and the 3 button push still annoys the shit out of me. I was between Leupy and Vortex also and went with the Vortex solely due to price. Wishing now I would have went with the Leupy.

 

[cowboy300]

Leupold no question

 

[weaver]

Leupold for sure....would like to try a leica though.

 

[Cory Arola]

I was in the same boat a few months ago, I went with the Leupold. I love it

 

[KHNC]

Went through that 2 years ago. Although Vortex is slower and cannot read past 700 yards ( I never have been able to) I figured with the warranty if/when they fixed those problems I could send it in to get fixed. They never have and from what I was told, never will (on the ranger).

Currently my problem with vortex is the +/- 3 yards. I noticed it when purchasing it, but in the store and outside the store when I tested it (BPS) it read near the same as Leupold. Come 2+ years later I am seeing that 3 yard difference especially when trying to range light brown, dark brown/grey, or black objects. I have a brown deer target and a black box. I will get a 3 yard variation with then are side by side. For an archer, that just cannot happen, PERIOD... I still have the vortex and will keep it as a backup (especially with the warranty), but I am currently looking for the rx-1000.

Vortex now offers lifetime warranty on all products, including the rangefinder. Call them to confirm. I am a rep at cabelas for Vortex. This came in an email update to us.

 

[unchained]

Love vortex stuff but as far as rangefinders Leupold was better, no question. I got the 1000 on sale for the same price as the vortex. I went thinking Id buy the vortex and left with the Leupy.

 

[Bughalli]

Bought both and used them on a 10 day archery hunt for elk in NM. Very similar, but the Leupold was better in all regards. I returned the Vortex. The three button push to get a range was very annoying when doing spot and stalk, especially when you wanted to range multiple objects quickly.

 

[JNDEER]

KHNC- Correct, the rangefinder is still under warranty. Talking to them (vortex) a while back they have not fixed the long delay, made adjustments to the +/- 3 yard calibration, and no one I have talked to can consistently get the rangefinder to read to 1000 yards. I had played with a few rangefinders in a few stores and found that even some would not get readings everytime. The one I have will actually get me a reading (<700yd) 90% of the time on the first try.

 

[MountainLife]

Tried all 3 and went with a Leica. The Leupold was great, fast and accurate. Biggest complaint I had with the Vortex was I could not get out past 600 to 650 yards. Even with a rest and great hold, just couldn't get readings. I know the long range isn't a deal breaker for everyone, I just kind of feel if they say it's for a certain distance, well it should work for that distance. The Vortex was also noticeable slower than the Leupold and Leica.

 

[realunlucky]

I had the vortex and hated it. I now also run a lecia. I ranged a coyote at 634 the vortex most times couldn't range rocks at that distance

 

[Ridge Ghost]

I have played with both, and both are nice. I do like the Leupold a little better, mostly due to faster range times.

That said, I own the Vortex because I got a killer deal on it. The slower range times weren't a deal breaker for me, and I don't regret my decision.