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Leica Rangemaster CRF 2800.COM Rangefinder Review


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If you’re serious about hunting and you have multiple guns, it only makes sense that you have a rangefinder that can do a little more of the heavy lifting (meaning, the math).

If you’re hitting steel at fanatical distances at the range, you’ll need more than just ballistic information to get on target and hear the ping.

These are the types of shooters that need the CRF 2800.COM.

Ballistics, connectivity to a Kestrel, and profile transfers straight from your phone are valuable features for high-end target shooting rangefinders.

Take it to the range, to the treestands, or to the mountains. The CRF is ready to provide the right distance.

Quick Overview...

What We Like: Leica quality & performance

What We Don’t Like:

Best Uses: Hunting, Bow Hunting, Target Shooting, Long Range, Ballistic Data, Bluetooth, Kestrel Connectivity

  • Yard Range: 10-2800
  • Magnification: 7x
  • Objective Lens: 24mm
  • Display Type: LED
  • Dimensions: 4.5 x 2.25 x 1.25”/6.7 oz
  • Waterproof/Fogproof: Yes/Yes
  • Angle Compensation: Yes

Our Verdict: The Rangemaster CRF 2800.COM is a champ in its own right. Smarter than its predecessor and yet it retained all the good stuff of its predecessor. It sounds like a winning rangefinder. For the price? It’s a win. For the features? It’s a win. For the quality? It’s a win. Sounds like a win-win situation for the most avid hunter and long-range bench shooter.

Who is the Leica Rangemaster CRF 2800.COM Best Suited to?

The Rangemaster has always been a somewhat budget-friendly series offered by this high-end German brand. The good thing about time is that costs come down into the affordable range. This is the case with the CRF 2800.COM, so if you’re looking for a technologically advanced unit with ballistics and Bluetooth, now is the time to get a Leica.

You’ll want to consider the 2800.COM if you want all your eggs in one basket. Meaning, if you want your unit to not only provide the angle compensated distance (with EHR) but the ballistics and environmental factors taken into account, this is the unit to do it with. It’s for those who want the capabilities of long-range performance in one package.

Obviously, if you’re not familiar with the way the 2700-B worked or if you’re not very savvy from the get-go, you’ll probably do better with the economical Leica Rangemaster CRF 2400-R instead.

How Does the Leica Rangemaster CRF 2800.COM Perform?

YouTube video

The 2800.COM is the revamp of the very popular but recently discontinued 2700-B. The new and improved model not only saw an extra 100-yard ranging extension, but it ditches the SD card requirement for uploading ballistic data, adds Bluetooth and app control, and even a compass was added!

What does the COM stand for? While savvy with their catchy lingo, it’s said that the COM stands for communication. Yes, the Rangemaster provides 2-way communication via the Bluetooth feature that allows you to do a lot like connecting to your Kestrel or your smartphone.

If you loved the 2700-B, then you’ll be obsessed with the 2800.COM. It maintains the same housing/chassis, optics, and laser performance as the predecessor but brings a whole lot more user-driven programming and analytical data to the table.

While all of this sounds good on paper, what is most impressive is that the CRF unit doesn’t let you down. It lives up to the hype and performs as expected – if not better. Yeah, it’s still expensive for a rangefinder, but it’s still cheaper than binocular rangefinders. If you’re interested in those, they’re now available with 5000-yard ranging!

Features & Benefits

Leica Rangemaster CRF 2800.com rangefinder
Image Credit - Leica

Leica Quality & Performance

The Rangemaster CRF has all the good bits-and-bobs when it comes to optics. Glass sources and all the secret stuff that happens behind the scenes are kept under tight wraps. But what we do know is that the unit comes out with the Aqua Dura and HCD (Highly Durable Coating) lens coatings and even P40 phase correction coatings on the roof prism inside the unit – this is standard optical quality for the Rangemaster CRF series.

The LED display will automatically adjust for brightness depending on ambient conditions. However, the menu settings allow for manual adjustment – nice!

You will need to be patient with learning how to master the 2800.COM unit as it offers more under the menu setting: Meter/Yard Display, Bluetooth Ready, Ballistic Curve, Zeroing Distance, Ballistic Output Formats, and Display Brightness. With 2-button operation, we hope you’re ready for some serious finger action. Too bad it wasn’t redesigned with a navigation wheel like on the Maven RF.1 right?

Leica Build

As far as housing and size, the 2700-B and 2800.COM are exactly the same. The .COM model features 7x magnification with a 24mm objective lens, carbon fiber housing and die-cast magnesium chassis, 4.5” length, and 6.7 oz weight. The unit is waterproof to a depth of 1 meter underwater for 30 minutes.

The CRF has an adjustable diopter to focus for your vision and get the display sharp and clear. It also has scale reference markings for your convenience. The unit has 15mm of eye relief, but the eyecup can be folded down for those who wear glasses.

The only thing it can’t do is mount directly to a tripod as it has no threading for it. Not a big deal as you can mount the unit, but it may cost an extra hundred bucks if you went the Leica CRF tripod adapter way.

Laser Accuracy

Knowing that beam divergence is never the end of the story, it is still a highly want-to-know spec. The CRF has a beam divergence of 0.5x 1.2 mrad. Not bad, eh? In fact, it’s fantastic, but it does demand steady freehand use or a stable platform like a tripod.

The unit is accurate to within 0.5 yards up to 200 yards. It also provides 0.1-yard decimal readings for bow hunters who need that kind of precision. From 200-400 yards, it provides +/-1 yard accuracy, 400-800 yards +/-2 yard accuracy, and then finally 0.5% accuracy at 800 yards and beyond.

If the unit needs a new battery, the reticle and readings will flash to inform you, but you can likely squeeze out 100 more actuations. How accurate will they be? The readings will gradually reduce in range, so it’s best to have a spare CR2 battery on hand, especially when its approximate life range is 1700 actuations.

Bluetooth & Kestrel Connectivity

kestrel ballistics connnected to rangefinder and mobile phone
Image Credit - Leica

As a heads up, you’ll need to keep the user manual nearby to understand and take full advantage of the CRF’s maximum potential.

The CRF 2800.COM has Bluetooth. With this, you can download the app that allows you to connect to your phone. From there, firmware updates, ballistic data, etc. can all be uploaded to the CRF. Yes, you can provide the custom ballistic data for multiple loads and weapons and use any given one through the CRF at any given time via the app (on your phone).

All the environmental data (inclinometer, barometer, compass, etc.) are built-in to the rangefinder, much like the 2700-B. You can now wirelessly connect your Kestrel to the CRF allowing the Kestrel to make the final calculations based on its own technologies and algorithms (think, wind compensation) with the information gathered from the rangefinder.

The result is then seen on your display with a distance that is compensated for almost all factors that you need to make long distance shots.

Limitations

Technological Issues

Whenever you introduce technology, there’s bound to be issues. Granted, when the Rangemaster works as it should, it’s a charm of a unit. When it doesn’t, dealing with the tech issues while in the field is a downright pain in the rear.

Fortunately, firmware updates should clear up any issues. If not, the unit could just be defective. Since it doesn’t have a lifetime warranty, it should be addressed immediately as any issues are discovered.

Popular Questions

What is the Warranty on the Rangemaster CRF 2800.COM?

The Rangemaster CRF 2800.COM laser rangefinder comes with a 2-year limited warranty.

What is Included in the Box with the Leica CRF 2800.COM Rangefinder?

The Leica Rangemaster CRF 2800.COM rangefinder comes with a CR2 battery, Cordura case, and carry strap. Included documentations are the warranty card and test certificate.

Where is the Rangemaster CRF Made?

All of Leica’s laser rangefinder devices are manufactured in their manufacturing facility in Portugal. This includes the Rangemaster CRF 2800.COM model. It is stamped directly onto the outer edge of the objective lens bell.

What is the Leica Smartphone App?

Leica Hunting is the smartphone app that is compatible with Leica’s 2800.COM, 3200.COM, and 3500.COM laser rangefinders. It is an online ballistic calculator that enables you to create multiple profiles based on ammunition and rifles and are transferred to the rangefinder for immediate use.

Conclusion

When you have technology on your side, you can think a little less about the math and conditions and focus more on the shot. However, that technology must be reliable.

It’s why Leica is a preferred brand. The CRF 2800.COM may be the most souped-up rangefinder you buy in a lifetime. Long-range, ballistics, Bluetooth – you name it. It has the smarts to be a smart rangefinder in the field or at the range, and most importantly, you can rely on it.

Further Reading

Photo of author

Chris 'The Optics Nut'

Chris is a seasoned hunting enthusiast with several decades of experience. He is deeply knowledgeable about sports optics and spends considerable time researching the latest developments in the optics field. Chris has authored some of the more technical guides and articles on Target Tamers and his work is known for its accuracy and clarity, contributing to his reputation as a trusted figure in the field of sports optics.

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