The RX rangefinder series has seen a lot of success over the years.
It has only been a matter of time to see it evolve into a high-end, affordable, and advanced line of high-tech optics.
One of particular interest is the RX-1400i.
With the all the best features of the line with the best price point of the lot, this is a rangefinder under $300 that represents the brand and RX series well.
Quick Overview...
What We Like: tOLED display
What We Don’t Like: Non-adjustable programs
Best Uses: Hunting, Bow Hunting, Target Shooting, Angle Compensation
- Yard Range: 6-1400
- Magnification: 5x
- Objective Lens: 21mm
- Display Type: LED
- Dimensions: 3.8 x 1.3 x 2.9”/5.1 oz
- Waterproof/Fogproof: Yes
- Angle Compensation: Yes
Our Verdict: With 0.5-yard accuracy for bows, holdovers for rifles, and true horizontal and vertical distances for the truly obsessed, the RX-1400i calculates it all. With a low price point and Leupold quality at its core, it’s a rangefinder that fits both the bill and your high expectations.
Who is the Leupold RX-1400i TBR/W Best Suited to?
If you’re looking to get holdovers from your rangefinder with angles, ballistics, and wind drift taken into account, a budget-priced unit can do it. But not just any affordable rangefinder can. It must be the Leupold RX-1400i TBR/W.
In all reality, while the RX rangefinder offers a lot of high-tech features especially for the rifle shooter, it doesn’t need to be your ballistic solver all the time. It can simply be your LOS and TBR rangefinder. For the price, even without maximizing its full potential, it holds a lot of value.
How Does the Leupold RX-1400i TBR/W Perform?
The Leupold RX-1400i is super advanced for a $200 rangefinder. In fact, while budget and mid-range units are becoming more competitive with built-in technology and longer ranges, the RX 1400i has three primary advantages over all others: tOLED, TBR/W, and preloaded ballistics.
Again, this rangefinder is exceptionally affordable for the features it offers, and while it’s within the mid-range price point, it’s technically a high-end unit. Since it’s a Leupold, its optics and build quality are unquestionable.
It’s not as long-ranging as newer alternatives, but its additional features more than make up for it. While its 21mm objective and 5x power may be on the smaller side, it’s well-suited to its 1400-yard range and provides for ultimate freehand use with less vibration issues.
The RX rangefinder also has selectable reticles with Circle, Circle Plex, and Plex. The LED display is adjustable, and this unit is unbelievably compact.
Features & Benefits
tOLED Display
What is a tOLED display? This is Leupold’s Transmissive Organic Light Element Diode display. The tOLED is cheaper to manufacture. The image passes directly through the optic versus the rOLED of the RX-1600i that uses a reflective surface to produce a projected, illuminated image.
In short, you still have the glow of an illuminated display that you’re after with three brightness settings, but it will be noticeably less bright downrange versus Leupold’s rOLED rangefinders.
3 Ranging Modes
TBR, Bow, and LOS are the ranging modes. There is so much technology packed into this tiny rangefinder that it will probably provide more information than you’ll ever need. To give you a better idea, let’s look at TBR mode.
TBR has five functions: BAS, HOLD, MIL, MOA, and TRIG. BAS displays the equivalent horizontal range with angle, ballistics, and sight-in distance taken into account. HOLD displays the LOS distance with the amount of holdover in either centimeters or inches needed. MIL and MOA function similar to HOLD except they provide holdovers in mils or MOA and the LOS distance will be displayed.
The TRIG function is something you either find useful or you don’t. Along with the LOS distance, the equivalent horizontal distance will be provided and remains briefly on the display. It’s soon replaced with the absolute, true vertical distance.
The LOS mode is self-explanatory, and the incline/decline angle will also be displayed.
Bow mode makes things easy for bow hunters as it provides the equivalent horizontal distance. It keeps the display uncluttered and simple. Even better, measurements are provided in decimal readings since it has 0.5-yard accuracy up to 125 yards.
With Wind
The “/W” in TBR/W stands for With Wind. Activating the wind compensation feature is only compatible with BAS, HOLD, MIL, and MOA functions. It cannot be used in BOW, LOS, or TRIG functions.
The Wind feature is only effective out to 600 yards when used in the compatible mode with pre-selected ballistics for rifles. It’s not adjustable, meaning, its holdover values are calculated at a fixed 10mph drift at 90-degrees to the muzzle.
You will need to do some math yourself to make real-time adjustments for your current climate conditions. For example, if the wind is at a 45-degree angle at a 10mph speed, make a 75% adjustment to the wind hold value provided. If the wind is at a 5mph speed at a 90-degree angle, halve the wind hold value provided.
Last Target Mode & Accuracy
Having a rangefinder operate in last target mode might not seem like anything fancy to anyone, but the fact that you can turn activate it when you want it and turn it off when you don’t is convenient indeed. When activated, you’ll know because a “LAST” icon will appear to the center right of the display.
With the RX unit that uses the DNA ranging engine, you can be sure you’re getting the right distance on the intended target every time. You also have scan mode that can be used in any ranging mode.
You can expect 0.5-yard accuracy up to 125 yards which is perfect for bow hunters. Up to max distance, the unit is accurate to +/- 2 yards.
While the 1600i has a 1.31 mrad beam divergence, it’s unclear what the beam divergence is for the 1400i. If we expect identical or even similar specs, the 1400i should provide fast and accurate returns on those far-off targets. By using scan and last target mode, you may be able to acquire an accurate distance on the intended target if the beam divergence proves too large at max distance.
Limitations
Non-Adjustable Programs
While the RX unit allows for a lot of pre-programmed features to minimize errors and provide accurate distances with adjustments, you’re limited to the unit’s limitations.
You can’t account for atmospherics, must find a ballistic group that matches your setup, and there’s math involved with the wind.
Even with all that said, the RX offers a lot, but it will be up to you to ensure you’re using its max potential as appropriately as possible.
Popular Questions
The obvious and primary differences between the Leupold RX 1600i and 1400i models comes down to maximum ranging distances and the type of display.
The 1600i has 1600-yard ranging and an rOLED (Reflective Organic Light Element Diode) display versus the 1400-yard ranging and tOLED display of the 1400i.
You cannot transfer profiles or customize your ballistics with the RX-1400i. Instead, the rangefinder is preloaded with 25 ballistics and load groups. Select the group that is most appropriate and then follow through with the remaining setup cues.
Note: the RX 1400i is not compatible for calibration with rimfire rifles.
The RX-1400i takes a CR2 battery and provides more than 3000 actuations. Battery life will be determinant on other factors that includes operation of scan mode, high brightness settings, etc. Without the battery, the RX operates as a 5x monocular without a display.
The RX-1400i is made in China. The engineering, electronics, and firmware are designed by Leupold in the USA. Although manufactured in China, the laser rangefinder is built under strict specifications and quality control oversights required by Leupold.
Conclusion
There is much to look forward to in the world of optics when technology is only moving forward and outdated tech gets a permanent seat on the back shelf. When prices not only stay consistent but become more affordable, there’s a buzz of excitement in the air.
A rangefinder that proves this very point is the RX-1400i. Not long ago, you were expected to pay double for the very features it offers now. Having the advanced tech in your hands, whether you use all of it or only some, is well worth its low price point.
Further Reading
