Home » Rangefinders » Maven RF.1 7x25 Rangefinder Review (Hands On Testing With Pics & Video)

Maven RF.1 7x25 Rangefinder Review (Hands On Testing With Pics & Video)


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I took the Maven RF.1 7x25 rangefinder out in the field during day time, dusk, and night time. Find out how it ranged Elk, Cattle, what its glass is like, if its durable, and much more.

Are its ranging capabilities as good as claimed?

Maven RF1 rangefinder on tripod
Image by Tina Fa'apoi (Own Work) for Target Tamers

Maven is keeping up with the demand and the trend to provide long-range target acquisition, angle compensation, illuminated, selectable reticles, and more.

They did all this without bulking up in size and weight and without tacking on a huge profit margin.

Here is the RF.1 that proves that high-end laser rangefinders should follow the Maven trend.

Quick Overview...

What We Like: Long-range rangefinder

What We Don’t Like: No included pouch

Best Uses: Rifle Hunting, Bow Hunting, Treestand Hunting, Target Shooting, Long-Range

  • Yard Range: 5-4500
  • Magnification: 7x
  • Objective Lens: 25mm
  • Display Type: LED
  • Dimensions: 4.7 x 3 x 1.9”/10 oz
  • Waterproof/Fogproof: Yes/Yes
  • Angle Compensation: Yes

Our Verdict: For the quality and performance the Maven RF.1 7x25 promises, you’re paying a lot less than what you would be with any other authoritative manufacturer. Cut out the middleman and buy directly from Maven. You’ll get more than what you bargained for and that’s what we call a steal of a deal.

Why Trust Me?

After hundreds of hours of hand-testing rangefinders in the field and on the hunt, and thousands more hours researching, writing, photographing and creating videos about them, I feel I have earned the title of expert when it comes to optics!

Optics are not just my passion, but also my full-time job!

I get my hands on as many of the optics I test as possible (through buying, borrowing or begging!) and run them through their paces to make sure they will perform out in field.

Check out our optics testing process here.

Over a decade of experience rifle hunting, bow hunting and target shooting has been integral in putting together this Maven RF.1 7x25 review.

Who is the Maven RF.1 7x25 Best Suited to?

YouTube video

With specs like these, you can bet that it’s going to be compared to Vortex laser rangefinders and even some of Leica’s cheaper rangefinders

Even though it comes in at a more affordable price point, its performance and quality would fool you into thinking it’s just as costly as its alternatives. You instantly have value with the RF.1.

But, who’s it good for? With its accurate, long-range performance, it’s excellent for all types of rifle hunting, target shooting, and possibly for some tactical/duty use.

With its extreme close-range performance at 5 yards and 0.5-yard accuracy out to 300 yards, it’s a top rangefinder for bow hunters in all types of terrains.

How Does the Maven RF.1 7X25 Perform?

Ranging Elk at on dark at 380 yards with RF.1 rangefinder
Ranging Elk on dark at 380 yards - Image by Tina Fa'apoi (Own Work) for Target Tamers

The Maven RF.1 7x25 5-4500 yard rangefinder is every bit long-range as it says it is. Getting more specific about its specs will give you a better idea of its promised performance.

The RF.1 has accuracy on its side with 0.5-yard accuracy from 5-300 yards, +/- 1-yard accuracy from 300-2000 yards, and +/- 3-yard accuracy from 2000-4500 yards. These specs are excellent for both the close-range and long-range shooter as ethical hunting standards come into play and the rest is for informational purposes.

The RF.1 allows for various types of reticles to be used: Diamond, Dot, Crosshair, and Crosshair with Diamond. The LED display provides the red glow of illumination of which there are five brightness settings to mess with as the need arises.

You have two measuring modes: Angle Mode and LOS (Line of Sight) of which both can take advantage of Scan mode. You also have the ease of two target modes: Field and Forest. To move into either mode, simply hit the lever located by the menu access wheel.

Field mode is essentially first target mode that acquires distances on small, foreground targets while ignoring larger obstructions in the background. Forest mode (second target mode) acquires distances on targets that are obscured behind obstructions like trees and brush or when rain, snow, etc. make it difficult to get a reading.

That’s really all there is to it. It’s a fancy, high-performing laser rangefinder without the high-end cost. If you want long-range, plan on bow hunting sometime soon, or you simply want the best without paying ridiculous prices, the RF.1 must be a go-to rangefinder. 

Waterproof testing Maven RF.1 rangefinder
Waterproof testing the Maven RF.1 rangefinder - Image by Tina Fa'apoi (Own Work) for Target Tamers

Features & Benefits

RF.1 rangefinder mounted onto tripod
Image by Tina Fa'apoi (Own Work) for Target Tamers

Long-Range Rangefinder

If 4500 yards isn’t enough for you, then you’ll need to check out something with 5000-yard ranging performance. But it’s highly likely that 4500 yards is more than you’ll ever need.

The RF.1 is built for both extreme close distance ranging and extreme long distance ranging with its 5-4500-yard performance. It has a Class 1 laser with a 2.1 mrad wide beam divergence. It’s going to pick up targets at max distance. Keep in mind, these must be highly reflective targets and the unit must be tripod mounted for the best results.

Even its softer target performance is excellent with tree ranging to 3000 yards and deer to 2000+ yards in my experience. Acquiring distances like this provides the user with essential analytical information to customize how to go forward in the hunt. While its long-range performance may seem extreme, it’s vital for productivity. Anyone up for proactive hunting? 

Great for Bow Hunting

What makes the RF.1 especially useful for bow hunting is its 0.5-yard accuracy out to 300 yards. Now, 300 yards is extreme long-range when you have a compound bow in hand. But, when you can be assured that it provides accurate angle compensated distances from as close 5-yards (tree-stand anyone?), you can be confident in using the right pin to nail the kill zone and not overshoot.

Both rifle hunters and archers can use the Angle Mode for angle compensated distances. The unit provides compensated measurements from -90-degree to +90-degree angles. Seriously though, if you’re shooting on the extreme end of these angles, we’re not going to be anywhere near you.

The short of it is, the RF.1 can handle long-range just as well as it handles close shots for those with a bow in hand or those on steep angles.

Excellent Optical Quality

reticle options for the RF.1 7x25 rangefinder
Image Credit - Maven Optics

Leica rangefinders may have unparalleled glass quality on their side, but the Maven RF.1 also has great Japanese glass. Yes – the glass is actually sourced from Japan.

The RF.1 series is Maven’s flagship line of rangefinders. They’re made and assembled in Japan where they are shipped to Maven headquarters in Wyoming for quality control assurance. 

“The Knob”

Maven RF1 rangefinder on tripod
Image by Tina Fa'apoi (Own Work) for Target Tamers

New doesn’t always mean it’s going to be immediately popular. A good example of this is the knob/navigation wheel on the left side of the body. While many of us are accustomed to one-button or even two-button operation, it still means you need to press, press, press, and press until you’ve found the menu/mode/setting - whatever it is you need to get done.

The wheel design brings it home with no-brainer rotations to get you where you want. It’s intuitive, fast, and of course, easy to employ. Don’t forget that there is the traditional “fire” button on the top of the unit for acquiring distances.

Don’t get too hung up on the wheel as we’re sure you’ll end up preferring it over the “traditional” multi-depress button operation.

Limitations

No Included Pouch

The knob itself is an interesting design feature that controls the menu and settings. While proving to be extremely convenient for fast operation, it is an odd design feature only because we’re so accustomed to the “norm” that incorporates buttons. However, since it has a function and works well in that purpose, it’s not up for objection.

What is odd is that it does make fitting it into pouches somewhat difficult. Going up just a slight tad in size makes it tricky to get out one-handed without some serious wrist shimmying. Since the RF.1 comes with a drawstring-type storage bag, you will need to purchase a pouch for field use. Choose right the first time (on the larger size) and you won’t be dealing with fitting issues.

Popular Questions

How Long does the Battery on the Maven RF.1 Last?

The Maven RF.1 7x25 laser rangefinder comes with a CR2 battery that provides more than 3500 actuations. A low battery indicator icon will flash on the display when the unit requires a new battery.

Can the Maven Laser Rangefinder RF Measure in Both Yards and Meters?

Yes, you can select either yards or meters when turning on the laser rangefinder. You cannot acquire measurements for both yards and meters simultaneously.

Why is a Hardcase not Included?

Maven states that not every user wants a hardcase, so deducing that an included hardcase would increase the out-the-door cost to the buyer, they opt to keep the price low and not include a hardcase.
What is included with the RF.1 laser rangefinder is a double-layered microfiber storage bag, battery, and wrist strap.

Is the RF.1 Laser Rangefinder Good for Lowlight Conditions?

While glass quality is excellent and magnification is reasonable, it has a light transmission rate of 77% and a very tight exit pupil of 3.5mm (approx.) which limits performance once the sun has gone down.

What is the Warranty on the Maven RF Rangefinder?

pressively, the RF rangefinder has an unconditional lifetime warranty, and it’s not just on the housing but on the electronics too. Most warranties will limit the coverage period on the electronics, but not Maven Built. They remain ignorant to where or when you bought it. “If it says Maven, we will take care of it.” Now that’s a warranty that’s worth the cost of any optic from the Maven Built brand.

Conclusion

Maven is keeping up with the demands of the masses and the industry-setting trends of the most authoritative optics manufacturers in the industry.

The RF.1 7x25 5-4500-yard laser rangefinder is their flagship unit with the highest standards of quality and performance that can be provided – not just for the Maven brand, but within the industry.

It has anywhere from 500 to 2000 yards of longer ranging performance than its competition, Japanese glass, and an unconditional warranty. For the money, the RF.1 is one kind of deal that can’t be beat.

Further Reading

Photo of author

Tina Fa'apoi - Expert Optics Tester

Tina is a renowned expert in optics, having written hundreds of articles for Target Tamers over the past eight years and owning an extensive collection of optic's including binoculars, rifle scopes, red dots, spotting scopes and rangefinders. With years of experience in creating instructional videos and field-testing various optics, Tina brings a wealth of practical and theoretical knowledge to the field.

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