Maven has added a new lighter, more compact rangefinder to its line of affordable C-series optics — the CRF.1.
Maven is a Wyoming-based direct-to-consumer manufacturer of high-quality optics, including binoculars, spotting scopes, rifle scopes, and rangefinders.
Maven’s first rangefinder, the RF.1, is a high-end, powerful rangefinder that can range objects as far away as 4,500 yards. It’s an excellent rangefinder — read our full RF.1 review here — but it is far more powerful than most hunters need.
The new Maven CRF.1 Rangefinder is designed for the most common ranging distances most hunters need.The new CRF.1 Rangefinder, on the other hand, delivers a better balance for archery hunters and rifle hunters who rarely take ultra-long range shots — and it’s offered at a lower price point of $295.
“The CRF.1 allows us to fill a void in our product offering while providing customers a high-quality rangefinder at a heck of a price,” notes Brendon Weaver, co-founder and Head of Design/Marketing for Maven. “It has many of the same features as the premium RF.1 model and is a great option for anyone, whether they’re in the field or on the range.”
The Maven CRF.1 Rangefinder
The Maven CRF.1 can range reflective objects out to 2,400 yards and is rated for typical ranging of deer out to 650 yards and trees out to 1,300 yards.
The CRF.1 has a 6x zoom through a 22mm objective lens.
Overfall functionality is similar to the RF.1, with an interesting new display difference. Instead of the red-only display used in the RF.1, the new CRF.1 features an automatic red/black display. When you’re ranging something with a dark background, the display is an easy-to-read red . . . but when you’re looking at a very light background, the display shifts to black instead.
Instead of the RF.1’s distinctive (and bulkier) mode knob, the CRF.1 uses more traditional mode buttons.The core ranging features are shared with the RF.1: You have Field/Forest function that lets you more accurately range in different terrain. The Field mode de-prioritizes large far away objects in favor of ranging smaller objects — for instance, a deer in a meadow with a treeline or ridge behind it. The Forest mode ignores small branches in between you and a larger object — like a deer standing in the woods. The CRF.1 also has a Scan mode that lets you move the reticle to see ranging distances as your reticle moves.
Instead of the bulkier selection knob found on the RF.1, the CRF.1 uses more typical buttons that sit flush to the case.
As expected, the CRF.1 ranges in both Line of Sight and Angle Compensated modes.
We have a CRF.1 review unit on the way to Man Makes Fire for a full, in-depth review, but if you’re in the market for a new midrange rangefinder, you might want to put the CRF.1 on your shortlist. Similarly, if you’re looking for great gift ideas for a hunter — particularly an archery hunter who also needs a bit more distance for rifle season hunting — the CRF.1 design seems particularly balanced to meet the needs of the vast majority of hunters.
For more detail, check out the CRF.1 at Maven where you can view complete specifications, as well as read the manual or Maven’s rangefinder comparison chart.
