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Pros - Adjustable red LED for varying light conditions - Includes both angle compensated mode and line of sight mode - Rugged, waterproof, and fogproof Cons - Uses hard-to-find CR2 battery - Measure button is noisy - Only accurate to within 3 yards

Welcome to our review of the Vortex Optics Ranger 1000 Rangefinder. This rangefinder is compact and lightweight, and features all of the functions you would expect to find in a premium rangefinder. Just how well those features operate, though, is what we are going to find out in this review.

How Far Will the Vortex Optics Ranger 1000 Find Ranges?

For a large reflective object, you can expect ranges accurate to within 3 yards from 11 yards out to 1,000 yards. For deer, on the other hand, you will only get accurate ranges out to 500 yards. This is quite adequate for most hunting situations, and I’ve never come across a deer that I couldn’t get an accurate range to using the Vortex Optics Ranger 1000.

Is the Vortex Optics Ranger 1000 Easy to Use?

This rangefinder is quite easy to use. There are two buttons on the top of the rangefinder. One button changes modes, and the other takes the measurement. Focus is accomplished by twisting the eyecup, and the focus wheel provides just enough resistance to prevent you from accidentally twisting it.

Unfortunately, the rangefinder is sometimes slow to return a range value. I’ve found this to be true with stationary targets as well as deer, which is a major problem. I actually lost a shot on a deer during one trip with this rangefinder, because the rangefinder took so long to generate the distance to target.

Another flaw in the Vortex Optics Ranger 1000 is the noise level. The measure button makes an audible click when pressed, which may be perfectly fine when you are hunting deer from a hundred yards away. When that deer is within 25–30 yards, though, that click can be just enough to startle the deer. It’s happened to me, and I was very disappointed to lose that buck.

How is the Vortex Optics Ranger 1000 Powered?

The Vortex Optics Ranger 1000 uses a single CR2 battery for power, and one is included in the box. After ten seconds of inactivity, the rangefinder will power itself down. The battery life is quite good, and I’ve gotten tens of thousands of readings off a single CR2 battery. My only beef with this rangefinder is that it does use the CR2 battery, which is harder to find out in the field than more traditional AA batteries.

What Features Does the Vortex Optics Ranger 1000 Rangefinder Have?

The Ranger 1000 features a 22mm objective lens with 6X magnification. Eye relief is a comfortable 17mm, and the rangefinder even allows for diopter adjustment of +/- 3 diopters.

The Vortex Optics Ranger 1000 can be used in either HCD (Horizontal Component Distance) or LOS (Line of Sight) mode. HCD is intended to be the primary mode of the rangefinder, and is great for all rifle and archery shooting conditions. This mode will give you a corrected yardage reading, taking into account shot angle.

If you are looking for raw line of sight distances, LOS mode is a handy function of the rangefinder. This is the mode you would want to use if you are shooting beyond 500 yards and with slopes greater than 15 degrees, assuming you are using a slope-correcting ballistic card or app for your rifle. In this mode, the rangefinder will display the yardage number as well as an incline percentage number based on the angle to the target.

In either HCD or LOS modes, you can use the scan feature. By holding down the measure button, you can then scan the laser back and forth and watch for changes in the yardage number as the crosshairs move across target objects.

As a final feature, this rangefinder includes a tripod adapter socket on the bottom. This is fully compatible with any standard tripod, and makes it easy to use the device when you want to keep your rangefinder as still as possible (like when you have shaky hands or are ranging something 400–500 yards away.)

How Well Does the Rangefinder Gather Light?

Light gathering on the Vortex Optics Ranger 1000 is quite good, and the rangefinder is as useful in low light conditions as in bright light. The LED display is red and features adjustable brightness. The optics are fully multi-coated, which provides you with optimal light transmission and a bright image.

How Are the Optics and Focus on This Rangefinder?

The optics on the Vortex Optics Ranger 1000 are quite good. Target images are crisp and clear, even at 6X magnification, and the focus wheel turns smoothly but with enough resistance to prevent accidental misadjustments. The optics are fully multi-coated, and the lenses are O-ring sealed to make the unit waterproof. The optics chamber is nitrogen-charged, so you don’t have to worry about fogging.

How Durable is the Vortex Optics Ranger 1000?

The Ranger 1000 is lightweight and compact, but don’t mistake its compact frame for being chintzy or fragile. The entire unit is cushioned in rubber armor, and a non-slip surface helps you hold the rangefinder firmly in your grip.

For those times when you want to keep the Vortex Optics Ranger 1000 close at hand but not in your hand, this rangefinder features a utility clip that lets you securely clip the device to your belt. Vortex has thought ahead, here, and made the utility clip mountable on either the left or right side of the unit.