Best Laser Rangefinder Reviews – Top 10 list for 2023 – Sentinel Tactical

Best Laser Rangefinder Reviews for 2023

 

One of the most important items you will own as a long range shooter is a top quality laser rangefinder. The better your rangefinder is, the greater the chance of being successful if the rest of your skills and equipment are in check. We have done the legwork sorting out what sucks and what does not, welcome to our Best Rated Laser Rangefinders Reviews – Top 10 Reviews list for 2023.

In the Best Laser Rangefinders Reviews – Top 10 Reviews list 2023 we tried to balance quality, price, warranty, accuracy and options, to come up with the best bang for the buck but still an outstanding piece of kit in all price categories. There are rangefinders that do not appear on this list, but either the price, accuracy, repeatability or build quality dropped them off the list for their respective price windows.

Some of the top tier rangefinders such as the number 1 on our list will blow your mind. They cost a fortune and are made for military applications that will range for many miles but you need to sell a kidney to buy one. That, for most long range shooters is just not realistic to own the world’s best of every piece needed to shoot long range successfully. Any number of these on our list will serve you well and you can still afford to eat.

There are quite a few rangefinders out there with a number on the outside of the rangefinder which has absolutely no bearing to the reality of what their accuracy is in the field. The companies claim it will range 1600 yards but on a fall morning lasing an animal in a field you may struggle to get 800y. We have owned quite a few of the rangefinders on this list and have borrowed the rest for testing and evaluation. The best piece of advice is, if you want to shoot 800 yards, buy a rangefinder that will range 3x that far.

By buying way more rangefinder than you need, you will have capability in reserve for the days that the target is less reflective or shadowed to help you always make that range calculation. Another important factor is waterproofing, all the units that made it into our top 5 as well as #7 and #9 are IP-4 rated or better, which means they are watertight up to 3.2 ft deep in water for 30 minutes. You never know when you and your gear take a swim by accident, good to be prepared.

 

RANK NAME MODEL RANGE YARDS ZOOM/LENS BATTERY BALLISTICS BLUETOOTH WEIGHT OZ RETICLE WARRANTY WATERTIGHT ORIGIN
1 NEWCON LRB 6K 6000+ 7X42 2 X CR5 YES YES 55.73 SELECTION 1 YEAR MIL-STD-810G CANADA
2 NEWCON LRB 4000 4000 7×24 9v YES YES 45.85 SELECTION 1 YEAR MIL-STD-810G CANADA
3 VECTRONIX TERRAPIN X 3280+ 8X28 CR123 YES YES 13.75 CIRCLE 3 YEARS IP-4 USA
4 GUNWERKS BR2 2500+ 7X24 CR123 YES NO 14.4 BOX 2 YEARS IP-55 USA
5 LEICA RANGEMASTER CRF 3500.COM 3500+ 7X24 CR2 YES YES 6.7 BOX 3 YEARS IP-4 PORTUGAL
6 LEICA RANGEMASTER CRF 2800.COM 2800+ 7X24 CR2 YES YES 6.7 BOX 3 YEARS IP-4 PORTUGAL
7 SIG SAUER KILO2400ABS 2400 7×25 CR2 YES YES 7.5 MILLING GRID 5 YEAR IPX-4 CHINA
8 LEICA RANGEMASTER CRF 2400-R 2400 7×24 CR2 NO NO 6.5 BOX 3 YEARS IP-4 PORTUGAL
9 SIG SAUER KILO2200BDX 2200 7×25 CR2 YES YES 7.5 MILLING GRID 5 YEAR IPX-4 CHINA
10 LEICA RANGEMASTER CRF 2000-B 2000 7×24 CR2 YES NO 6.4 BOX 3 YEARS IP-4 PORTUGAL

 

Sentinel Tactical’s Best Laser Rangefinder Reviews for 2023

 

#1 Newcon LRB 6K

Best Laser Rangefinders - Top 10 Reviews

 

 

The top dog laser rangefinder on Amazon is the NEWCON LRB6K. This thing is massive and crazy expensive, but it will range the 6,000 metres on the Nato target measuring range. The capabilities of this rangefinder are as astounding as is the price, it is the best civilian market range finder. With this piece of kit, you can ping multiple targets and this rangefinder will tell you the distance between them with the built in GPS in the unit.  You can also ping multiple targets and the unit can tell you the height difference between them. The capabilities seem to have no end. The spec sheet is available below to view the specs and capabilities as the details are worth a read for sure.

The glass is a 7 x 42 and this is the first unit in the list that is a binocular rather than a monocle style. The unit is treaded for a tripod mount and also has data cable hook ups to connect to laptops. The NEWCON LRB6K is both Android and NC Cronus compatible as well to be able to run phone based apps. This unit is manufactured in Canada at Newcon Optic in Ontario, Canada

 

#2 Newcon LRB 4000

Best Laser Rangefinders - Top 10 Reviews

 

 

Another really great laser rangefinder on Amazon is the NEWCON LRB4000. This thing is also quite large but not near as expensive as it’s big brother the 12K. The LRB 4000 will range the full 4,000 metres on the Nato target measuring range. The capabilities of this rangefinder are as very impressive, it is the second best civilian market range finder. With this piece of kit as with the 12K, you can ping multiple targets and this rangefinder will tell you the distance between them with the built in GPS in the unit.  You can also ping multiple targets and the unit can tell you the height difference between them. The capabilities seem to have no end. The spec sheet is available below to view the specs and capabilities as the details are worth a read for sure.

The glass is a 7 x 42 and this is the second unit in the list that is a binocular rather than a monocle style. The unit is treaded for a tripod mount and also has data cable hook ups to connect to laptops. The NEWCON LRB4000 is both Android and NC Cronus compatible as well to be able to run phone based apps. This unit is manufactured in Canada at Newcon Optic in Ontario, Canada

 

#3 Vectronix Terrapin X

Best Laser Rangefinders - Top 10 Reviews

The 3rd place of our top 10 review is the Vectronix Terrapin X, this thing is amazing and a worthy replacement of the discontinued Terrapin which is also a world class rangefinder. This is the most powerful civilian laser range finder Vectronix has ever released. There is a very small niche of civilian shooters that will require a rangefinder that will out range this rangefinder. This piece is an exception to our rule as it will range the distance it says with ease, provided the fog cover is not too thick.

The Terrapin x has the largest lens in the comparison at 28mm which allows it to gather more light for better optics when picking the target, this unit is also 8x zoom vs the majority of the field that is 7x zoom. The onboard ballistics program is powered by KESTREL and APPLIED BALLISTICS which also ties to a Terrapin X cellphone app.

This rangefinder is expensive but worth every cent, the predecessor to Terrapin X was the top dog for a decade. Vectronix rangefinders have a ¼-20 thread in the bottom for mounting to a tripod, to hit those extended ranges a tripod is often necessary to stay on target and get a reading. The Vectronix rangefinder is rugged and hefty at 13.75 oz, very heavy duty. The Terrapin X is made in the USA and also comes with a 3 year warranty that you won’t need.

Terrapin X Technical Datasheet

 

#4 Gunwerks G7BR2

The fourth place of our top 10 review is the Gunwerks BR2, this is the range finder in the feature photo. This is also a very capable and effective range finder, as the number says 2500, it does indeed range 2500+ in most all situations, the BR2 is great. In the feature photo it had zero trouble ranging to 2715 and was repeatable with multiple pings. It has a 27mm objective lens which is still effective at gathering light in lower light situations such as early in the morning or at dusk. There are 2 negatives with this rangefinder, first is it does not have Bluetooth and thus does not have an app you can tie a Kestrel too. The second negative is this model only being available in either Metres or Yards, you cannot toggle between metric and standard units of measure like most other manufacturers model. What most users do to cover the lack of Bluetooth is set the internal ballistics wind reading to 10 mph, when you get the reading off of your Kestrel you can determine the angle of the wind and do the calculation as a percentage of the 10mph that is displayed in the rangefinder display. The lack of Bluetooth shortcoming is more than made up for in the performance of the range finding capability of this unit. The BR2 also has a ¼-20 thread for mounting to a tripod, same as the Vectronix above. The Gunwerks rangefinder is also rugged and more hefty at 14.4 oz, very heavy duty. The Gunwerks BR2 is made in the USA and comes with a 2 year warranty.

 

#5 Leica Rangemaster CRF3500.com

Best Laser Rangefinders - Top 10 Reviews

The second place in our top 10 review a new model for 2023 is the new Leica Rangemaster CRF3500.com. This is this years Leica flagship in their handheld range finder monocle line up, this is the newest Leica commercial range finder to have Bluetooth capability. The Leica Rangemaster CRF3500.com weighs in at a very light 6.7oz which is less than half what the top two contenders weigh and is also very compact. This does come at a cost however as the ruggedized exterior of the top two is not found on the Leica of any model, this rangefinder is meant to pack light and is outstanding for hunting situations where gear weight is important.

Leica claims a waterproof rating depth of 3.2 feet, the same as all of their lineup, we believe this to excessively on the conservative side based on our past mistakes of having dropped Leica products in the drink and all being just fine after.

It is amazing how a few years ago a Leica rangefinder was a big deal to range 1600, now the same sized rangefinder will do double that. It all comes down to the gear inside, the laser beam divergence of this model is 1.7 x 0.5 mrad, up from the standard 1.2 x 0.5mrad on most Leica’s.

Leica has developed a cellphone app that works with the Kestrel, your phone and the 3500.com. As with all Leica products the glass is exceptional quality and has the Leica standard 7x zoom and 24mm glass the same as all of their rangefinders. The Leica is so small that it does not have a ¼-20 hole in the bottom for mounting to a tripod but it does have an optional cradle that can be purchased for under $100 for this task. The Rangemaster CRF2800.com is made in Portugal and comes with a 3 year warranty.

 

#6 Leica Rangemaster CRF2800.com

Best Laser Rangefinders - Top 10 Reviews

The third place in our top 10 review is the new Leica Rangemaster CRF2800.com. This is last years Leica flagship in their handheld range finder monocle line up, this is the first Leica commercial range finder to have Bluetooth capability. The Leica Rangemaster CRF2800.com weighs in at a very light 6.7oz which is less than half what the top two contenders weigh and is also very compact. This does come at a cost however as the ruggedized exterior of the top two is not found on the Leica, this rangefinder is meant to pack light and is outstanding for hunting situations where gear weight is important. Leica claims a waterproof rating depth of 3.2 feet, the same as all of their lineup, we believe this to excessively on the conservative side based on our past mistakes of having dropped Leica products in the drink and all being just fine after.

For reference, the beam divergence of this model is 1.2 x 0.5 mrad.

Leica has developed a cellphone app that works with the Kestrel, your phone and the 2800.com. As with all Leica products the glass is exceptional quality and has the Leica standard 7x zoom and 24mm glass the same as all of their rangefinders. The Leica is so small that it does not have a ¼-20 hole in the bottom for mounting to a tripod but it does have an optional cradle that can be purchased for under $100 for this task. The Rangemaster CRF2800.com is made in Portugal and comes with a 3 year warranty.

Leica Rangemaster CRF2800.COM Technical Datasheet

#7 SIG KILO2400ABS

Best Laser Rangefinders - Top 10 Reviews

Number six on the list is the Sig flagship rangefinder, the KILO2400ABS. The KILO2400ABS comes with built in ballistic software from Applied Ballistics and works with the SIG Ballistic App for your smartphone, iOS and Android. This rangefinder comes with it’s own windmeter and tripod adaptor for the rangefinder that is akward to use. This range finder is slightly heavier than the Leica models at 7.5ozs because it is rubberized on the outside for protection.

This unit would have ranked higher on the list but had finicky Bluetooth connectivity when we tried it and sometimes could not get a ping well within the range they say it is capable of. The windmeter also plugs into the headphone jack of the cellphone. If your cellphone doesn’t have a jack you are out of luck. The KILO2400ABS is assembled in the USA and comes with a 5 year warranty.

SIG KILO2400ABS Manual – Technical data pg 64

 

#8 LEICA RANGEMASTER CRF 2400-R

Best Laser Rangefinders - Top 10 Reviews

Coming in seventh our top 10 review is the Leica Rangemaster CRF2400-R. The 2400-R can calculate equivalent horizontal range but other than that it does not have a ballistic calculator built in or Bluetooth but the price reflects that. This model of rangefinder works great if you are running a tablet or cellphone with a ballistic app that is bluetoothed to a Kestrel. The Leica Rangemaster CRF2400-R weighs in at a very, very light 6.5oz which the second lightest of all rangefinders tested and is also very compact.

For reference, the beam divergence of this model is 1.2 x 0.5 mrad.

This does come at a cost however same as all Leica rangefinders, as the ruggedized exterior of the top two is not found on the Leica, this rangefinder is meant to pack light and is great for hunting situations where gear weight is important. As with all Leica products the glass is exceptional quality and has the Leica standard 24mm glass the same as all of their rangefinders. The Leica is so small that it does not have a ¼-20 hole in the bottom for mounting to a tripod but it does have an optional cradle that can be purchased for under $100 for this task.

The Rangemaster CRF2400-R is made in Portugal and comes with a 3 year warranty.

Leica Rangemaster CRF2400-R Technical Datasheet

 

#9 SIG SAUER KILO2200BDX

Best Laser Rangefinders - Top 10 Reviews

Number six on the list is the Sig rangefinder, the KILO2200BDX. The KILO2200BDX comes with built in ballistic software and works with the SIG BDX App for your smartphone, iOS and Android. This range finder is slightly heavier than the Leica models at 7.5ozs because it is rubberized on the outside for protection. This rangefinder worked OK but I would suggest getting a rangefinder with more bells and whistles that is more focused with getting an accurate quick distance measurement. This rangefinder uses the same awkward mount that is used on the 2400ABS above. The KILO2200BDX is made in China and comes with a 5 year warranty.

 

#10 LEICA RANGEMASTER CRF 2000-B

Best Laser Rangefinders - Top 10 Reviews

The ninth place of our top 10 review is the Leica Rangemaster CRF2000-B. The 2000-B has a  built in ballistic calculator but doe not have Bluetooth capability but the price reflects that. This model of rangefinder works great running a tablet or cellphone with a ballistic app that is bluetoothed to a Kestrel. The Leica Rangemaster CRF2000-B weighs in at a very, very light 6.4oz which the lightest of all rangefinders tested and is also very compact. This does come at a cost however as mentioned above as do all Leica rangefinders, as the ruggedized exterior is not found on the Leica, this rangefinder is meant to pack light and is great for hunting situations where gear weight is important.

As with all Leica products the glass is exceptional quality and has the Leica standard 24mm glass the same as all of their rangefinders. The Leica is so small that it does not have a ¼-20 hole in the bottom for mounting to a tripod but it does have an optional cradle that can be purchased for under $100 for this task. The Rangemaster CRF2000-B is made in Portugal and comes with a 3 year warranty.

Leica Rangemaster CRF2000-B Technical Datasheet

 

If you would like to see a different model than was listed on our Best Rated Laser Rangefinders Reviews- Top 10 Reviews of 2023 feel free to leave comments below.

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