Bushnell YP Sport - $159

[wmidbrook]

http://www.amazon.com has a sale right now on their yardage pro sport model $159 -- cheapest otherwise I've seen is $179 at http://www.midwayusa.com and cabelas.  I carried around an older, bulky YP 1000 last year and am looking forward to having a pocket sized unit.  I never could get readings from the 1000 yd one over 450 unless there was a heavy dew and clear morning.  Even against some highly reflective rocks!  (maybe a selling point for Leica).

Should fit nicely on my crooked horn outfitter shoulder straps...but I kinda like my 10x40 monarchs there.  At least the Sport model will fit in a big pocket nicely.  May not work well in a downpour but that's pretty easy stalking weather.

Anyway, 400 yd readings are good enough for me--here are the tech specs:
Power: 4x.
Accuracy: +/- 1 yard.
Size: 1 11/16 x 3 15/16 x 3 1/8 inches.
Weight: 7.4 ounces.
Battery: 9 Volt.
Batteries included: No.
Ranging Performance: Reflective = 800 yards. Tree = 450 yards. Deer = 250 yards. Flag = 200 yards. Notes: Single Button Operation.

 

[wmidbrook]

I figured I'd post some readings (hand-held w/o a rest) from a quick trial run:
--no problem aquiring an oak tree at 535 yds
--aquired the top of a thin palm tree @ 330 yds (haven't tried further yet)
--aquired the front of a motorhome at 950 yds (something my 4 year old 1000 yd Yardage Pro can't do)
--gosh, can't get over how light and compact it is--user friendly too

Disadvantages:
--A little difficult to read around dusk/sunrise
--lower light transmission than the bigger models and better compact models

The chips in these things have improved a lot over the last 4 or 5 years.  I'd rather have a spare  7 oz. $150 unit in my pack than just one nicer $400 unit...just because I've seen too many high-end computers fail in my line of work.  And I think it's more about the chip than the glass on these rangefinding units in terms of reliability.  I'll be looking through the rangefinder about about 100x's less than my binoculars.

CAUTION:  In the fine print it say's never use the heavy duty alkaline batteries

I think it may meet my needs if it passes a drizzle & rain test ok.  I'll have to wait a while on that one probably.  Will post results of a rain test which may be months from now...