Nikon PROSTAFF 1000i: First Look

Nikon Prostaff 1000i Digital Rangefinder
Nikon is a brand I trust without any hesitation, from my digital cameras and lenses, to my Nikon Black X1000 1-16×50 and all point in between. Nikon has a reputation that has spanned decades for making gear that can take on the harshest environments and still perform flawlessly. So, when Nikon agreed to let us perform a test and evaluation on their PROSTAFF 1000i digital rangefinder weeks before the Alaska hunting season kicks off needless to say we enthusiastically said “Yes, Please…AND thankyou”
The model we were fortunate enough to get our hands on is the PROSTAFF 1000i, a very compact and budget friendly rangefinder that is packed with features that shooters of all types will appreciate. The detailed specifications are listed below but some of the highlights are a 5-year warranty, first target priority ranging, a 6X monocle and ID Technology that handles all the math when it comes to shooting at inclining or declining angles. All that and a 15mm eye relief which is perfect for shooters that wear corrective lenses

Simple two button operation
Photo:Rick Dembroski
COMPLETE SPECIFICATIONS
Manufacturer: Nikon Sport Optics
Model:PROSTAFF 1000i
Measurement Range:6-1000 Yards
Magnification:6X
Diopter Adjustment: +/-4*
Power Source: 1 CR2 Lithium Battery
Dimensions:
- Length: 3.6 Inches
- Width: 1.5 Inches
- Height: 2.9 Inches
Weight:4.6 Ounces (Without Battery)
Objective Diameter:30mm
Other Specs:
- Single button operation
- Automatic continuous measurement up to four seconds
- Grade 4 Japanese Industrial Standard Water Resistance (Splashes/Rain not immersion rated)

Big clear glass ready to spot critters
Photo:Rick Dembroski
FIELD TESTING
In Alaska the hunting season is often times short and market by harsh weather and conditions that can make equipment fail without notice. This is especially common when hunting sheep or goats int eh Chugach and Wrangell Mountains. Most hunters in regions of the country without mountains don’t realize that the Dall Sheep that we are going after generally live in the 3,000-7,000 foot elevation. These surefooted snowy white beasts can grow up to 300 lbs live weight and are more nimble on steep terrain than any human could ever hope to be. Tracking and hunting them successfully can be a long grueling adventure to the most experienced hunter. These reasons are exactly why we are choosing to deploy this rangefinder this week into the Wrangell Mountains to kick off the Alaska hunting season. Our long-term field tests are to get this Nikon PROSTAFF 1000i into the hands of as many hunters as we can this year as we transition from sheep and goat hunts into moose and caribou season. We are more than a little excited to see how many animals we can harvest with the help of this handy little optic as hunting season 2019 progresses.

A quick picture before it heads to the Wrangell Mountains here in Alaska
Photo:Rick Dembroski
Rick Dembroski
First hunt in the bag, no legal sheep to be seen. Optic worked like a champ. More hunts to come