I’ve tested dozens of consumer-grade laser range finders over the years, and from their humble beginnings in the 1990s, they’ve evolved significantly.
The new Maven RFZ.1 is one of the industry’s first zoom-capable laser range finders that caught my eye earlier this year, and over the months, I’ve been taking it to the range with me to use it for measuring everything from distance to targets to more mundane things like measuring distances for shooting drills.
Finding a range finder that works for you and your type of shooting is one of the best investments you can make as far as range accessories go, and so today we’ll be checking out the features, specifications, and my experience with the RFZ.1 to see how it might, or might not fit into your gear selection.
Maven RFZ.1 Specifications & Features
Like all other Maven optics, the RFZ.1 is a direct-to-consumer product, meaning that the only place you can buy one is either directly from Maven’s online store or second-hand from a friend who already owns one.
Maven’s optics are often marketed as a more budget-friendly option. Part of the cost savings, rather than being cut from the product side, is achieved by Maven not having to maintain a large inventory and by not shipping excess products to distributors.
However, another part of that cost savings, at least when it comes to the RFZ.1, is its actual country of assembly. I don’t think it comes as a surprise to anyone that the electronics inside the RFZ.1 are likely of Chinese origin.
Laser rangefinder modules are often only sourced primarily from three countries, with the other two being the United States and Switzerland. Given the Maven’s price compared to some other premium or military manufacturers, I think it’s safe to conclude that the parts are shipped from China to the Philippines, where they are assembled, and then finally to the United States, where Maven does the final quality control checks, packages them, and then has them shipped to customers.
Product Link: https://mavenbuilt.com/products/rfz-1-6-12×21-5-4500-yd
HIGHLIGHTS
– Premium Model
– Size: 5.3 in. x 3.2 in. x 2.1 in.
– Weight: 10.6 oz.
– Water Resistant
– 5-4500 Yard Effectiveness
– 6-12x Zoom
– Line of Sight & Angle Compensation
– Field / Forest Function (Obstruction Filter)
– 6 Reticle Options
– 5 Brightness Levels
– Exceptionally Clear, Bright, High Contrast Image
– Excellent Color Fidelity
– Phase Correction Coating
– Tripod Adaptable
– Lifetime Warranty
– Direct to Consumer / No Retail Markup
Obviously, the RFZ.1’s main claim to fame is its somewhat unique ability to go from a 6x to a 12x zoom via the cleverly introduced throw lever. At first, I almost missed this bright orange lever simply because it was integrated so well into the design that it made it almost indistinguishable from the previously released Maven RF.1 illuminated range finder.
Initial Impressions
Like other Maven products, the RFZ.1 comes standard clad in the bright satin orange highlights that have somewhat become a calling card for the budget optics company.
The knurling is present on both the brightness rheostat dial and the diopter adjustment, but is curiously missing from the throw lever, which I wish had texture to provide a bit more grip or traction. The throw lever is stiff right out of the box, but loosens up after continued use and becomes fairly smooth once it’s broken in.
There are six different reticle options, all of which are fairly useful depending on your goal. I typically like to use the crosshair with the dot in the center for most occasions.
Still, when i’m trying to spot a rather large object at increased distnces i find its helpful to use the empty diamond shped reticle so you can actually see what you’re pointng at – especially since the RFZ.1 is a first focal plane design meaning the reticle gets bigger as the zoom level increases.
I personally have taken a liking to the overall styling of the Maven series of optics. The RFZ.1 not only sounds like the name of a European superbike, it also sort of looks like one with its streamlined yet angular front end, smooth blended lines, and careful selection of color highlights.
The lighter grey parts of the rangefinder body are lightly rubberized and have an eggshell-like texture, providing a level of grip texture, especially in gloved or wet hands. The darker portions of the body are a hard plastic which is slippery when wet, but given that the rangefinder is small enough to fit in most people’s hands easily, this isn’t a huge issue.
If we’re judging the RFZ.1 just on its official specifications and my initial impressions, I think it straddles a very fine line between a premium offering and some of the more budget-oriented range finders out there in the 4,000-yard range. Most other offerings from other budget companies are about $300-$450 but lack good glass, and are often pretty disposable.
With an asking price of $650, Maven is attempting to place the RFZ.1 in the same category as Leica’s Rangemaster Pro ($849), or Vortex’s Razor HD 4000 ($730), which are both $at least $100 more expensive than the asking price for the Maven. However, neither of those two options features variable magnification.
In the Field with the RFZ.1 – Does the Zoom Matter
The most flashy and maybe even questionable feature on the RFZ.1 is its zoom feature. Typically, there aren’t a lot of reasons to have a variable zoom on a rangefinder. In addition to being a rather poor magnified observation device, rangefinders also have painfully small exit pupils, meaning the 12x magnification is really hard to get lined up right for a crisp, clean picture.
You can circumvent this limitation by tripod mounting the rangefinder, allowing you to take better advantage of the 12x magnification, but I’ve found the best use from this rangefinder on the bottom-end 6x magnification in all but the most extreme cases.
Perhaps more helpful – at least for setting up precisely measured stages for USPSA or other shooting drills, is the 0.1M level of precision you get the the RFZ.1. This level of precision is a step above your typical rangefinder that rounds to the nearest meter or half meter typically.
I found the RFZ.1’s “Field” and “Forest” modes (selectable by a small switch that surrounds the brightness dial)came in handy a number of times as well. Field Mode focuses on isolating small or hard-to-hit targets in open or distant terrain, ignoring larger background objects, while Forest Mode filters out nearby obstacles like branches or brush and locks onto the farthest target beyond the clutter.
This is easily demonstrable by using something like a screen door or window. Using the Forest mode, you can get pretty accurate ranging on objects beyond the screen, which is something it won’t do when the laser is engaged in Field mode.
Additionally, the rangefinder is capable of doing a little bit of extra work for you via the “COMP” setting, which adjusts the displayed distance to account for the effects of incline or decline—providing the true horizontal distance or “true range” to the target.
Features for the Rich?
I’m not entirely sure where I stand on whether or not the RFZ.1 is the newest “must buy” when it comes to laser range finders. If we are speaking honestly, most of us are probably using a range finder for going somewhere, zeroing our pistol or rifle, and then calling it a day.
Most of us would likely not need a rangefinder this capable or complex, although it does have some creature comforts I wish were included in some of my favorite less expensive rangefinders (illumination is super helpful).
However, for the hardcore hunters or competitive shooters out there who are often hunting in adverse conditions and at extended ranges, I think the RFZ.1 has a lot going for it in terms of providing better data to the shooter, as well as an all-in-one solution to getting a better look at a target.
12X puts the RFZ.1’s zoom range at about the mid-way point for a very common hunting optic magnification range (3-18 is typical).
This extra zoom mates well with the different reticles to give hunters and precision shooters a more streamlined rangefinding experience, in a package that, while not super durable or resistant to the harshest conditions, is at least good enough to withstand some rain, dust, dirt, and general abuse.
In an increasingly crowded market, the Maven RFZ.1 does actually distinguish itself by adding something new that I think we might see more rangefinders offering in terms of optical versatility and precision.
Whether its price and complexity justify replacing simpler models will depend largely on what your individual priorities and budget are, but for those who can afford it, the RFZ.1 undeniably expands the toolkit for the modern shooter without any weird Bluetooth, Wi-Fi tech, or subscription models tacked onto it.
Where To Buy
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