Rangefinder or new bow...

[Austin/WI]

He guys, I've decided I need one or the other this year. So spend the money on a decent rangefinder, or go for broke and get the bow. For reference, I know little about rangefinders. And for bows, this year was going to be either the Katera XL or the Parker Raptor or Blackhawk. I know I can get the rangefinder for considerably less and I know that I should have one anyway, but looking for opinions.

[mobow]

What bow do you have now?

[Austin/WI]

ORIGINAL: mobow

What bow do you have now?

Parker Buckhunter - nothing fancy, but I still love it!

[YooperMike]

New bow, go with the Hoyt. Practice outdoors and shoot some 3D and the rangefinder will take care of itself.

[Austin/WI]

ORIGINAL: YooperMike

New bow, go with the Hoyt. Practice outdoors and shoot some 3D and the rangefinder will take care of itself.

This is what I was originally thinking...

But on the college student budget, it's easier for me to rationalize the rangefinder.

On the other hand, my father is looking into start bowhunting again, so I may "donate" my bow to him and then I would need a new bow, right?

[buckmaster]

buy a $100 range finder and get a bow that is $100 cheaper.... just a thought... or you could buy the bow now, have fun with it now, and keep saving for the rangefinder for hunting season, you dont really need a rangefinder right now anyway, You could save up the money between now and opening day.

[nchawkeye]

I'm either a tightwad or sentimental...I have an older bow that I love and shoot well enough to kill deer with, once I get my bow tuned in and it feels right, I stick with it...About 3 years ago I bought a Nikon 600 rangefinder and have enjoyed using it...I'd go with a rangefinder...

[Rory/MO]

if youre bows doing good, just get a new rangefinder.
if your bows shot craps, get a new bow

[spikebuck77]

If you decide to go with a rangefinder, get one that compensates for the elevation difference between you and your target. Bushnell and Leupold models that have this call it "Slope", "ARC", and "Inclinometer". It's a huge benefit for bowhunters because a rangefinder normally does not compensate for the elevation difference so if you are in a tall tree or overlooking a valley, you could possibly estimate the wrong yardage by several feet or yards by ranging with a regular rangefinder or your experience.

[wallhangr]

I would spend the money on a new bow IF you are not satisfied with what you have. You can always improve your assessment of distances with practice.