Cross posting for visibility:

Son needs a rangefinder. Looking for something easy to use, functional for bow hunting (quiet) and preferably an illuminated reticle.

I currently use a Leica, but with several new sets we need to have two in the family now

I always just marked my distances, one marker at 15, one at 20, and another at 25. In a open area, I would fantail them so I had a good idea where each was in all directions.

Yeah I may do that too

I have been using a Leupold for years. My main bow stands I know the distances but that is from having measured them many times to land marks or rocks I put in locations over the years.

If you will be using it for rifles as well Sig rangefinders are hard to beat.

The Bushnell G Force 1300 is my favorite illuminated model. The new Bushnell 1300 is advertised as 2X better in low light. I have that one too. It is very good and on sale for $135 or so on Ebay and elsewhere. I got mine from a guy in Round Rock, TX and it was delivered the next day, NIB. I like the Leupold products and used to use them exclusively, I was a Leupold Ultimate Outfitter on their program. When I retired a did not maintain my affiliation so I am out of touch with their new products. Personally, I wouldn't consider any other rangefinders other than the Leica, but most of them don't have ARC or an angle compensating feature for bow hunting.

JAB, is the new bushnell illuminated as well? I have seen a black reticle on the website for their prime models, but don't know how that is affected in extreme low light.

Again, not sure it is something absolutely necessary for bow hunting as most won't be taking shots in extreme low light just due to visibility and their sights, but....

The Prime is not illuminated but it has a reflective element in the black circle and dot. I have had no problem with it in low light. One thing to note that is both good and bad ... The "Lifetime Warranty" is for their determined life of the product. For rangefinders it is 5-years. It is 100% coverage for anything and it is transferable. You can also register one purchased used or on Ebay or another "unauthorized" vendor. So basically the prime gets you a 5-year no questions asked transferrable warranty. Of note, sometimes my GForce 1300 washes out the game in low light because the red LED is too much. I actually have to wait and range something else or aim it first and then push the button and hope I hit it. That is why I switched to the Prime model without illuminated. I will be using it on a bear hunt next week. Last year the GForce LED was not good at last light in the bear woods. I've tried the Prime on a bear 3D target in the woods and it is actually better in the last few minutes of light.

good info guys. thanks!

I just replaced my Leopold with a Sig Sauer. Its not illuminated like the Leo was but it was also half the price

Just got a new Leuppy RX-Fulldraw 3 that I really like. 6yards to 1300 yards. I rarely shoot at deer at 1300 with my bow.