Review: Vortex 1300 Rangefinder
What I Needed
For years, I let a mental block hold me back in the deer woods, convinced that high-end glass was only marginally better and that dragging it into the briars and creek bottoms was a recipe for a broken heart and a lighter wallet.
This apprehension led me to buy cheap, budget rangefinders, falsely believing that a lower price tag would give me the freedom to hunt hard without worrying about my gear.
In reality, I babied the cheap rangefinders just as much as I would have babied a premium unit.
I finally concluded I needed a durable, dependable unit that could survive a rough, scramble-style public land hunt while eliminating the psychological worry of damaging my gear.
What Works Well
The VIP Warranty Peace of Mind
The absolute game-changer with the Vortex Ranger 1300 is the legendary Vortex lifetime warranty. Knowing that the company stands behind their equipment with zero questions asked completely removed my hunting anxiety.
The Heavy-Duty Utility Clip
Most manufacturers expect you to keep your rangefinder in a bulky chest harness or a slow-to-open pouch, but Vortex solved this with a simple, rugged metal pocket clip. It works exactly like the pocket clip on your favorite EDC pocketknife.
When belly-crawling through tall grass or making awkward body adjustments to stay behind a tree, you can quickly slip the unit onto your pocket rim, bino harness strap, or waistband. It keeps the unit completely secure and silent while remaining instantly accessible when a buck steps into your shooting lane.
Red Illuminated Reticle and Clear 6x Glass
Transitioning from low-end, black-lcd displays to the bright red illuminated reticle on the Vortex Ranger 1300 made an immediate difference during the first and last fifteen minutes of legal light. The 6x magnification is incredibly crisp, allowing me to glass small shooting lanes without always needing to reach for my heavier Vortex 10x42 binoculars once a deer gets inside 100 yards. The display brightness is also adjustable, meaning you can dial it down so it does not blind you when daylight is fading fast.
What Needs Improvement
Button Firmness
The main activation button on top of the housing requires a very firm, deliberate press to register a yardage reading. While this prevents the unit from accidentally turning on inside your pack and draining the battery, it can be a bit stiff when your hands are cold or when you are wearing heavy winter gloves.
Coin-Slot Battery Cover
The battery compartment utilizes a standard screw-cap with a coin slot for tightening. If you are in the field and need to swap the battery in a hurry, you have to scrounge around for a coin, a flathead screwdriver, or a knife blade to twist it open. A toolless, flip-up finger tab on the cap would make cold-weather battery swaps much less of a chore.
Would I Buy It Again
Doing the math on this purchase is incredibly simple. When you factor in the high-quality glass, the quick-access pocket clip, and a warranty that essentially guarantees you have a working tool for life, the value of the Vortex Ranger 1300 is hard to beat.
It successfully broke me of my bad habit of babying my gear, allowing me to put my sweat equity into the hunt instead of worrying about my pockets. If you are on the fence about stepping up from a budget rangefinder to something dependable, make the jump. You won't regret it.
Hope it helps y'all!