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Hunting Guide Reviews

Nikon Laser 800

April 06, 2004

Features:

Max. Range for Highly Reflective Targets: 999 yards
Max. Range for Non Reflective Targets: 800 yards
Accuracy: +/- 1 (yards), Note, distance reading in even digits only.
Optics: multicoated eight power optics,
Objective Diameter (mm): 28mm
Display: Through-the-Lens liquid crystal display, LCD, fully coated. No backlite for low light operation.
Size: 2.0"h x 4.75"w x 3.75d", 51 mmh x 121 mm w x 95 mm d
Weight: 11.5 oz, 326g
Target Quality Indicator: Yes
Low Battery Indicator: Yes, visual battery gauge on display
Laser Type: Class 1 active laser
Targeting Modes: "Rain" (Permits distance measurement in inclement weather like rain or snow). ">150" (Allows distance measurement to a target through foreground clutter like brush). "Scan" (Provides continuous distance measurements of targets as you pan
Case: rubber armor
Color: Black
Waterproof: No, water resistant
Battery Type: 4 each "AA"
Inaudible Operation: No, buzzing sound audible to about 10 feet.
Automatic Shutoff: Yes, after 20 seconds
Comes with: Padded carry case, operation manual and wrist strap
Shock Resistant: Yes
Eye Relief (mm): 14
Exit Pupil (mm): 3.5
FOV @ 1000 yds (ft): 236 ft. Angular
FOV (Apparent): 4.5 degrees
Angular FOV (Real): 28
Tripod mountable: No threads for mounting on a tripod.
Warranty: Unknown at this time, please e-mail us at if you have this info.
Laser Beam Divergence: Unknown at this time, please e-mail us at if you have this info.

Other Information

The new Nikon laser rangefinder debuted at the SHOT Show in Atlanta in January 1999. It is a monocular type. The buzzing when ranging with this unit can be annoying. Buttons are easy to reach with index and middle fingers. Small and light helps on long hikes or all day use.

User Comments

Done some comparing this Saturday. The new Bushnell 1000, compact 800, older 800, and Nikon 800. First off the Bushnell compact 800 and Nikon are the same looking with the names being different. The 1000 and older 800 didn't even come close to the compact 800 models. The first store that I stopped at and compared the Nikon to the Bushnell compact 800. I found the Bushnell to be far better, the Nikon was dark looking through it and everything was out of focus. Yes we looked to see if the lens were clean and they were. The second and last store, the Nikon was much clearer and sharper, there was something wrong with the first one. Both the compacts beat out the 1000 and older 800 models. Both compacts were the same. Each one would range the same objects with 1 yard different. The Nikon would show 1 yard more every time. Ranged an utility pole at 468 yds with the compacts and the 1000 yard model wouldn't do it. I didn't really like the display of the compacts to much. I wear glasses and its hard to see the target window for aiming and the display of the range at the same time. Otherwise they worked great. Being in a large city, it was hard to find anything small at long distances.

I had the opportunity to try out the Bushnell 400 quite awhile ago. IMHO it isn’t with what they get for it. Tried the Bushnell 800 and Tasco 800 at the same time. The Bushnell would range things the Tasco wouldn’t. Still not impressed with either one. The VHA Jamboree (1998) I had the chance to try the Bushnell 800, compact 600 and the Impulse2k. I liked the Impulse2k but $1500.. Then a couple of weeks I had the Bushnell 800, 1000, compact 800, and the Nikon 800. The Bushnell compact 800 and Nikon 800 looked and worked identical in every way except the name. Ranged the same objects although one ranged everything one more yard then the other, don’t remember which it was. They haven’t improved the ranging of the Bushnell 800 (regular) any. The Bushnell 1000 wasn’t any better. I will have to say that the display (Bushnell) is much more user friendly. You can roll the eyepiece back if you wear glasses and get more view of the display. You can also see the aiming reticule and range display all at once pretty easy. You have a larger view of field area to. The Bushnell compact 800 and Nikon 800 you don’t have the field of view. I wear glasses and it is harder to see the display. You have to range and then kinda move the range finder to read the range. I think if you didn’t wear glasses you wouldn’t have to move it. The ranging capabilities far exceeded those of the Tasco and other Bushnells. I would still get the Nikon or compact 800. - Steve R.

I enjoyed finding the information on your page. Let me briefly tell you about my experience with the Bushnell Compact 800. I am an archer, using Olympic (read: slow) equipment. For field archery practice, I need to know the exact distance down to the meter (we shoot unmarked distances up to 55 meters and if you misjudge by 2 meters at that distance, you will barely catch the target face, which is WAY bigger than the kill zone on game animals). I have had a Yardage Pro 400 for a long time but wanted to replace it with something smaller, because my 10 x 42 Leica binoculars and the 400 make a big load. The 800 compact seemed perfect. I bought it, took it out to the field, and found that the unit ONLY READS IN EVEN NUMBERS ! Now think about this, the unit is advertised with a +/- 1 yard or meter tolerance, but if it only reads even numbers, WHICH yard are you looking at ? So, I called someone I know at Bushnell, who told me the unit was originally to have had single-yard capability but when received from the supplier all of the units only read even numbers. That info is buried in the owner's manual. I was also told there's no way to step off and find the midpoint because the unit might round down or might round up. No way to tell. You can't tell if it is for example, 20, 21 or 22. That's possibly 3 meters, not 1. So I returned the compact 800 to the store and did a straight exchange for the 1000 model. This or any of the other Yardage Pro models will get you within a half meter by stepping back and forward and noting the transition of the last digit. Now, to be sure, a gun hunter or golfer won't need this kind of precision, but for archery you really need the exact distance within two meters. I certainly hate giving up the portability, however. I also found the 1000 to work better at longer distance and acquire faster than the 800 compact, contrary to what's stated in the field report on your page. I hope you find this information useful if a little long-winded, and thanks for the web page.

I recently tested the Nikon 800 (which is the same as Bushnell's Compact 800) against the Bushnell 1000. I bought the Nikon; my buddy bought the Bushnell. On trees they both ranged a long way - in excess of 800 yards. However, on animals it was a different story. The Bushnell 1000 would range about 500-600 yards on various animals. The Nikon unit would only range about 400 yards. I liked the size of the Nikon but you had to stick your eyeball into the unit to see the entire display. The Nikon also operates differently than the Bushnell. I sent my Nikon back to Cabelas and will order a Bushnell 1000 when I get my credit. CoHunter

It works great on prairie dogs. We ranged them to 435 with no problems (We did not see any farther to try it out on). Larry in Texas.

They are very accurate BUT Beyond 300 Yds you will need to look hard to find an adequate reflective surface. I am disappointed in its reliability beyond 300 Yds. Fred Stayer.

I have one and I have been real happy with it. I can range a prairie dog out to about 450 yds, and a PD mound out to about 625. I actually use it on the golf course as well. Frank - Texas_Shooter

Pricing Information

Best price is .... $319.00 black, $329.00 camo at Bear Basin. $324.95 Black, $339.95 Realtree camo at S.W.F.A. Inc. 339.00 black, $357.00 camo at Wholesale Hunter. Cabela's $329.99 black, $349.99 Realtree Camo. Bass Pro Shop $329.99 black, $349.99 Realtree Camo. D & R Sports, email for price. Note .... Please check current pricing and availability. Info current as of 8/19/01.

Manufacturer Information

Nikon USA
http://www.nikonusa.com/products/products.cfm?department=binoculars