How to Choose the Best Rangefinder for Hunting

The first step to ensuring you select the best laser rangefinder model for your needs is to determine how it will be used. There are rangefinders that can be used for hunting, golf, or surveying. This article will focus on hunting rangefinders.

When a rangefinder reads the first object in its line of view and ignores further objects, the rangefinder is said to be in a first priority mode. If it ignores the first object and sees past it to a more distant object the unit is said to be in a second priority mode.

Priority differences

The First Priority Rangefinder is extremely useful on the course. If the flag isn't hidden, there is usually nothing between you and it. All golfing rangefinders are in the first priority mode. If you want to range on the flag that is maybe 100 yards away, it will read 100, and not, say, 130, which may be the trees in back of the flag.

Second priority rangefinders can be more useful for hunting. The second priority rangefinder, as described in the previous paragraph, would read the trees at 130 meters and ignore the flag 30 miles closer. In hunting situations you are often in a blind or screened somewhat by limbs or leaves. A hunting rangefinder, or second priority rangefinder would ignore the first object in its line of view such as the branches, and read the most distant object, which may be a deer.

You can use a rangefinder (first priority), for hunting. Absolutely. You can use a rangefinder (second preference) to play golf. Certainly. The product that is most appropriate for your purpose will be easier to use and won't require multiple readings or switching modes in order to determine the distance. Some laser rangefinders offer options to temporarily switch from second priority mode with a "pinpoint" or "bullseye" button (effectively switching from second to first priority) or switching priorities semi permanently.

Distance

Rangefinders can be sold under names that indicate the maximum distance that the unit is capable of reading. This is the biggest misconception consumers have about these units. A unit may be labeled as a 1500 Visit This Link yard rangefinder, and it may be, but only under ideal atmospheric conditions on highly reflective large surfaces!

You may be able, for instance, to range a smooth, white metal pole barn at 1500 feet without too much glare, air pollution, heat waves, and heat waves, even if there is a lot more glare. If you add sun, rain, snow, heat mirage, or reduce the target's size, or darken or increase the color or texture, then NO! You may see hundreds of yards less. In perfect conditions you may see your pole barn at 1500 yards, a dark rocky hill at an oblique angle at 1100 yards, a huge truck at 900 yards, a tree at 700 yards, and a deer at 450 and a flag on the green at even less. Most times a deer may be read at around one third of the maximum stated range, and almost always well under half the distance. Make sure to check the specifications of your manufacturer.

Reticles and Aiming points

A Reticule is the crosshair or aiming point/circle that you see in your rangefinder. Some reticles are made of black lines that you superimpose over the object you want to range. These reticles are often impossible to distinguish against a dark background, or in low light conditions such as shadows. Some reticles, or aiming points, appear illuminated due to LED lights. The brightness of these LEDs is invariably adjustable. There are two problems with LED reticles: in bright light they can be drowned by the ambient lighting so they are difficult to see. In the evening when your eyes adjust to nighttime, the reticles (or circles) are bright enough that they ruin your night vision, even at the lowest settings. You are not able to see past the bright reticle. The aforementioned issues with reticles also pertain to other information within your viewing screen such as yardage numbers and modes.

A black reticle with information and a button for lighting is my choice. The backlighting is much less intense than in an LED, and gives you the capability to view your information in all light conditions.