Nikon sets the bar for practical hunting - Nikon Monarch Laser 1200 Rangefinder 8358

I purchased a Nikon 1200 rangefinder after trying two inexpensive, entry-level rangefinders. The inexpensive rangefinders started to hesitate on ranging trees after 400 yards. The Nikon 1200 gives instant readings at double that distance, though it will hesitate, too, when the distances get over 1000 yards. For practical hunting where someone wants a quick reading on an animal around 300-400 yards away, or where someone needs to filter-out a closer tree or branch and read the more distant object, the Nikon immediately pays for itself. This is where the bar is set for serious hunters. The Nikon 1200 rangefinder makes a great pair with the Nikon 10-42 Monarch binoculars.

The only way to outclass these would be to spend $2500 for the Leica Geovid binocular-rangefinder in one package. I've compared the Geovid in hunting conditions and can honestly say that the Nikons took a very respectable, almost imperceptible, second place, despite the huge price differential. The Nikons are a great value.

Pros: It is able to make instant readings well-beyond normal hunting distances
Cons: it is a separate unit, not built-in to a binocular

This review was written in the old system and had content requirements that are different than reviews written today.