Vortex Optics has only been around since 1986. However, they’ve already made a name for themselves because of their high quality scopes, binoculars, rangefinders and other optics for the hunter and sportsman.

The craftsmanship of their products is undeniable. Yet, Vortex Optics is a small, family owned company, based in Middleton, Wisconsin. They are proud to say that their optics company is owned and operated in the USA, and yet they have a worldwide distribution. The Ranger 1000 rangefinder is an excellent example of their high quality optics.

Ranger 1000 Specifications

This rangefinder is light in weight and is small, making it easy to hold and to carry. The device is less than four inches long and it is three inches wide, yet it only weighs about a half of a pound. This combination means that there is little effort in using it to range your target. The light weight also means that it doesn’t tire you out when you are carrying it. Still, it has enough weight to make it sturdy when it is being used.

The Ranger 1000 also comes with a lanyard that lets the sportsman carry it around his or her neck like a pair of binoculars. It also has a built-in and heavy duty clip that allows it to be clipped to a belt. Again, the light weight prevents the rangefinder from getting in your way or becoming burdensome.

The objective lens on the Ranger 1000 is 22 mm, which isn’t very large. However if the lens was much larger, the rangefinder would be more subject to inaccuracy. The eye relief is also 17 mm, which increases the comfort level. The magnification power is to 6, which is close to ideal for a rangefinder.

The battery is also included, so there isn’t an additional expense for operation unless you wish to purchase a backup battery. The battery is a standard CR2, so buying a backup should be neither expensive or difficult to find.

Ranger 1000 Features

This rangefinder has some very nice features that are quickly apparent. The case is rubberized, increasing the grip. This feature makes the rangefinder about as close to being non-slip as it could be made.

It also has O-ring construction, which makes the device waterproof and dust proof. The way it is constructed also means that the rangefinder is built to be used in varying weather conditions; from sunny to rainy to snowy. This makes the Ranger 1000 versatile and suitable for year around use.

The diopter is easy to get to and can be easily changed for precision focusing. Additionally, the lenses are multi-coated. This gives them scratch resistance, while giving a nice, bright view. The lenses are even designed to be non-reflective, to minimize difficulties caused by sun glare or reflections.

The Ranger 1000 also comes with a soft case and it is built to be able to use a car window mount or tripod, which aren’t included. Many other rangefinders lack the mount. The accuracy is to within 3 yards at 1,000 yards. Also, the buttons are silent, so the operation of the rangefinder isn’t likely to spook game.

Ranger 1000 Scan Mode

There are three use modes; Scan, HCD and LOS.

In the Scan mode, the distance readings are continually updated as the rangefinder is moved. This means that if you are focused on a moving buck or bull elk, you can see the changes in distance as the animal moves, by simply keeping the game in the center of focus.

The scan mode removes a great deal of guess work that is normally encountered when ranging a moving target. This mode is also useful in dense brush, where finding the range to target could be otherwise difficult and confused.

Ranger 1000 HCD Mode

The HCD mode automatically adjusts for the angle. HCD stands for Horizontal Component Distance. This mode is useful when you are looking up-slope or down-slope, as opposed to only using the rangefinder on level ground. Having a the HCD mode that accounts for the angle of slope greatly increases the versatility of the rangefinder. The maximum angle of slope for this mode is 60 degrees above or below level.

Bow hunters will likely find that the HCD mode is quite useful for giving accurate distance information on uneven ground. It works as well for rifle hunters, especially for those who intend on hunting in mountainous areas or from tree stands.

Ranger 1000 LOS Mode

LOS stands for Line of Sight and this mode is exactly as it sounds. It shows the distance for the actual line of sight to the target. This viewing mode is similar to looking through a regular scope . It is useful when ranging a stationary target on level ground. This mode is also useful when you are sighting in a rifle in a place where accurate distance measurements are needed. For example, the Ranger 1000 allows you to sight in the rifle without going to a rifle range to do it.

All modes can be set to display the distance in either yards or meters and the selection is easy to make.

The Optics and Display

One of the biggest selling points of the Ranger 1000 has to do with the optics. The clarity of view measures up to more expensive rangefinders that are produced by other companies. Many other brands are also waterproof and fog proof, too, so this doesn’t really set the Ranger 1000 apart. This is despite the construction that matches or exceeds that of several more expensive rangefinders.

One thing that does set the optics and function apart, though, is that most other rangefinders have the numbers in black. This can be a problem in some lighting conditions, such as dim light or when ranging an object that isn’t well lit. The Ranger 1000 has this problem solved, because the numbers are in red.

This might seem like a minor thing, but in practical application, it is a very important one. After all, the best rangefinder is virtually worthless if you can’t read the display. The intensity of the display can also be adjusted easily.

What the Display Shows

The display shows the distance in easy to read and see numbers. Just to the left of the distance numbers, the Ranger displays the mode that is being used, so you don’t have to remove your eye from the rangefinder if there is any doubt about which mode is displayed.

To the right of the number, the units of distance that are being use; yards or meters, is displayed.

Below the distance and in the center of the field of view are the cross-hairs that clearly let you determine exactly what is being ranged.

Below this is a small display that shows you how much charge the battery has left.

Everything that is displayed is easy to view and is likely to be important at one time or another. All of this makes the Ranger 1000 rangefinder incredibly easy to use, even for someone who has never used a rangefinder before.

Vortex Ranger 1000 Rangefinder VIP Warranty

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Vortex optics is very serious when it comes to the quality of their products. The company devotes most of its effort toward their customers, rather than on simply making a product to sell. Because of this, Vortex offers a VIP warranty on the Ranger 1000. The ‘VIP’ stands for Very Important Promise and they stand firmly behind that promise.

As stated on the Vortex Optics website, the VIP warranty is:

Few other optics companies have a warranty that exceeds what Vortex offers on its products.

Vortex Ranger 1000 Rangefinder Pros

Vortex Ranger 1000 Rangefinder Cons

Overall, the Vortex Ranger 1000 is one of the best rangefinders on the market today. It is certainly one of the best for the price. This is a device that gets a major thumbs-up. Hunters and other sportsmen would do well to consider the Ranger 1000 if they are looking for a rangefinder.