Leica Rangemaster rangefinders | Optics Trade Debates

By Maruša Justinek Jul 28, 2020

Hello and welcome to Optics Trade Debates. Some of our debates also include Leica products, and we have come to the Rangemaster series, which is Leica's series of range-finding monoculars.

Let us begin with some history behind the series themselves. The Rangemaster was the first series of rangefinding monoculars on the market in general – Leica was the first, in the year 2000. Since then, more than 10 different models already came out and now, each year, a new model comes out. They were a benchmark for all other rangefinding monoculars to be compared to. Currently, there are two models: the 2800.COM, and the 2400-R (both introduced in 2019).

In previous years, they used various acronyms: R (2400-R, 1000-R, 1600-R). The first number indicates how far can it usually range in yards, even though you have yard (sold in the US) and meter (sold in Europe and around the globe) versions – in the newer versions, you can toggle between the two. The R stands for the models that give you the equivalent horizontal range – are able to measure the angle and calculate the true distance. The device calculates itself, you just push the button – the first number is the true distance, and the second is the equivalent horizontal range.

There was also the letter B on previous models (the 2000-B, and the 2007-B) but both of them are already discontinued. The B used to stand for all the ballistic calculations – the pressure, temperature, elevation, etc. They took into account all elemental characteristics. With the Geovid series, there wording is the same – there is an R, and a B. On the R, you get the angle, and on the B, you get the temperature, the pressure, all the environmental data, and the number of clicks for your specific ballistic curve.

The newest model finally has Bluetooth connectivity and you have all the ballistic data on the Leica app, so you are able to transfer the ballistic data to the device via Bluetooth. This is the first Leica product that has Bluetooth connectivity, which started with Sig Sauer. Later, Swarovski came out with their Swarovski dS. Again, you put in all your ballistic data in an app and transferred the data to your scope. Now, normally, Leica came out with a similar solution, with the top-tier optics.

This is something special with Rangemasters – optically, they excel – not only do they measure the distance quickly. In this segment, the Ragemasters are so well-made and their design is so well thought-through, that all other premium manufactures gave up. Swarovski stopped producing this segment of devices years ago, as well as Zeiss – Laica ate the whole market up.

Leica has been so successful that they have been using the same form factor, the same housing since 2006. The product nicely fits into your palm, it has two buttons for setting measurements; it is ergonomically made. It is 7x24 and the diopter setting on the eyepiece can be adjusted. It is however a bit difficult to use it with glasses – this is something that could be improved, but it is still much better compared to other devices.

Also compared to other manufacturers such as Vortex, Leupold and others; they cost 400 €. If you pay 200 € more, you get Leica, which is on a completely different level in terms of optical performance, how it measures, etc. The Rangemasters are very strong competitors regarding this market segment.

They are made in Portugal, and the warranty is 2 years – also, they work without problems. They are a favorite among hunters, as well as sport shooters. Leica is very successful in the market for products used for long-range hunting. However, they limit their devices, their ballistic calculations, angle calculations, etc. to a 900 m distance because they believe that anything further than 900 m is unethical for hunting. They even think they should lower the measurements as hunting is not ethical when it comes to more than 500 m, 600 m.

On the other side, a lot of tactical sport shooters also use their products due to their quality. So here is when the conflict of different interests comes in. Sport shooters shoot on 1300 m, have a Leica because it optically performs well, the laser rangefinding system works well, etc., but the ballistics stop at 900 m – this is something Leica should address in the future because many more sport shooters will use their models.

Overall, it will be extremely difficult for any other manufacturer to come close to Leica at the moment. The 2800.COM costs around 1100 €, which is a good price for what you get, and the 2400-R is around 600 €, 700 €, which is amazing for what you get.

We hope we covered everything from physical to optical characteristics. If we forgot something, do leave a comment and we will come back to you with an answer. Other than that – like this video, subscribe to our YouTube channel, check out our other videos, and we will see you next time. Thank you for watching, goodbye.