AllOutdoor Review: Maven CRF.1 6×22 Laser Rangefinder 5 – 2400 YD

In my home state of Minnesota we are starting to see the tell-tale signs of fall occur as the mornings are chilly, the days are pleasantly warm, and the leaves are beginning to turn beautiful colors. All signs that autumn is fast approaching; thus, many of our favorite hunting seasons will be opening up soon. The first hunting season many of us participate in is archery season. We scurry high up into trees with hang-on treestands to get the upper hand on whitetail deer and turkey. With this comes interesting shot angles for archers that can be difficult to adequately range. You might be 10 yards up a tree, but only shooting a linear distance of 2 yards at a buck – essentially straight down. So, is that a 10 yard shot? 2 yards? Or, is it 12 yards?!… Math sucks and that is why it is nice to have a reliable laser rangefinder (LRF) that can compensate for angled shots. So, today we are going to look at the Maven CRF.1 6×22 Laser Rangefinder (LRF) which is their compact rangefinder designed with the same technology as their flagship, premium RF Series of rangefinders. Let’s dive in and see how it performs out in the field.

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Specifications – Maven CRF.1 6×22 Laser Rangefinder 5 – 2400 YD

The Maven CRF.1 6×22 Laser Rangefinder (5 – 2400 YD) model has an MSRP of $295. Being that it is a Maven Optics product, you also benefit from their Direct-to-Consumer, No Retail Markup business model. This affords you better quality optics at a lower consumer price because their is no middle-man. You also have Maven’s Lifetime Warranty in the rare event your optic should ever need service, warranty work, or replacement. All of the nitty-gritty specs for the Maven CRF.1 6×22 Laser Rangefinder can be read below as presented by Maven:

Max Ranging Distance (Yards – Reflective | Deer | Trees): 2,400 | 1,300 | 650
Ranging Accuracy (Yards – Up to 200 | 200 – 1,500 | 1,500 – 2,400): 0.5 | +/- 1 | +/- 3
Minimum Ranging Distance (Yards): 5
Acquisition Time (Seconds): 0.25 – 3
Digital Accelerometer Accuracy: +/- 0.5°
Digital Accelerometer Range: +90° to -90°

Magnification: 6x
Objective Lens: 22mm
Eye Relief: 13mm
Light Transmission: 70%
Frame Material: High Impact Polycarbonate
Battery Type & Life: CR2 Battery | +2,000 Range Cycles
Operating Temperature: 23°F to 140°F

Storage Temperature: -13° to 140°F
Weight (including battery): 8oz
Dimension (W x H x D): 4.33″ x 2.95″ x 1.85″
Brightness Settings: Auto Red/Black
Angle Modes: LOS (Line of Sight) or COMP (Angle Compensated Distance)
Unit of Measure: Yards or Meters
Origin: Philippines

The Maven CRF.1 is tripod adaptable, IPX7 waterproof, you have 3 selectable reticles to pick from, and there is a Field/Forest function (Obstruction Filter) built in as well. You also receive with the Maven CRF.1 wrist straps, a preinstalled CR2 battery, and a double-layered microfiber storage bag. A few other highlights that Maven touts for the glass of this laser rangefinder are as follows:

Exceptionally Clear, Bright, High Contrast Image
Excellent Color Fidelity
Phase Correction Coating

The CRF.1 is a compact rangefinder designed using the same technology as our flagship premium RF Series rangefinder. The quick access menu allows for easy, intuitive use and the auto black/red display ensures visible readouts in a myriad of environmental conditions. With 5-2400 yard ranging effectiveness, line of sight and angle compensation, and field/forest functionality, the CRF.1 is recommended for archery hunters and rifle hunters who rely on quick and accurate results.
Dependable, solid, and powerful – this is the hallmark of the C Series. This series represents our mid-level line of optics, designed to fit your specific needs, delivered for a fraction of comparable spotting scope costs. Our modern sportsman inspired designs paired with the best available materials and state of the art technology create an uncompromising optic.

Field Use – Maven CRF.1 6×22 Laser Rangefinder 5 – 2400 YD

As we alluded to at the beginning of this review, archery season is days away for myself – and many others around the US – so one of my favorite features of the Maven CRF.1 is the angle mode of COMP (Angle Compensated Distance). That way I can range things at steep angles when I am up in a hang-on treestand. While this laser rangefinder will predominantly be used at 100 yards or less for ranging during archery season, I did play with it to see just how far I could range something. The advertised 2,400 ranging distance on hard, reflective targets is true (just like it is advertised), but it is difficult ranging far distances. I find this to be the case with all laser rangefinders as well as the Maven CRF.1 as well. You either need to be supported against something or seriously lay off the coffee to receive solid ranging distances past ~300 yards. Stability is your friend, whether you are leaning against a tree or the window of a ground blind.

I found the buttons to be super intuitive on the Maven CRF.1, too. You have a large button on top of the LRF to turn it on or wake it up. Then, with another simple click of that button you can range what you are looking at. Easy-Peasy! You can cycle through 3 different reticle choices, different units of measure (yards or meters), and angle modes, but once you have your favorite options selected, you likely won’t change them for quite some time during hunting season.

Maven hypes up the glass clarity and the coatings that they deploy for this model quite a bit, and it honestly delivers. While out testing this with my wife, both her and I were ranging things from hang-on treestands, box stands, and from the ground while we walked our property recently. On an intermittently overcast day – an ebb and flow of clouds and bright sunshine – we consistently had a good, clear picture when viewing and ranging various objects.

Finally, I’d want to comment that I like the colorway of this laser rangefinder (it is attractive and unique), and it is a nice bonus that Maven gives you a silky cloth bag to tote it around in either your pocket, backpack, or vehicle as well as a lanyard harness if you want it to hang around your neck. You can absolutely tell that the Direct-to-Consumer business model is present because at an MSRP of $295, the CRF.1 is a lot better than comparably-priced LRFs out there.

Final Thoughts – Maven CRF.1 6×22 Laser Rangefinder 5 – 2400 YD

So, what are my final thoughts on the Maven CRF.1 6×22 Laser Rangefinder?… Overall, I believe the value is there, and then some, with a full retail price of $295. Laser rangefinders are one of those pieces of equipment we haul with us into the field that we don’t think much about. You can’t “service” a laser rangefinder like your firearm or bow. Either it flat out works as advertised (which the CRF.1 does), or it doesn’t and you want to chuck it in the nearest river. For this review, we absolutely recommend the Maven CRF.1 if anyone out there is in need of a new laser rangefinder this fall.

In closing, I want to say thank you to Maven Optics for allowing AllOutdoor and myself the opportunity to try out their Maven CRF.1 6×22 Laser Rangefinder 5 – 2400 YD model. That is greatly appreciated. Also, we would like to know what all of you guys and gals think? Do you believe that the Maven CRF.1 6×22 Laser Rangefinder 5 – 2400 YD model is something worth spending your money on? Would you use one while camping, hiking, hunting, scouting, or during competitive shooting? As always, let us know all of your thoughts in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.

Adam Scepaniak