ORIGINAL: djschuett
I really want to get a rangefinder, problem is at this juncture in my life, I can't afford to drop a couple hundred$ to get a nice one.
Anyone know of any good accurate range finders for under $100, preferable closer to $50? Or is this a case of you get what you pay for?
All you need is a tape measure, calculator, and surveying tape.
Go to your stand and drive a nail through the end of the tape (a long roll tapethat is) and walk to a place where deer will often come past in the fall (like a trail). Look at the tape, take the distance in feet. Use that number in the calc... divide by three... wallah!
Seriously, I use this method myself. My range finder fizzled out on me. I had a cheap one myself. Yes, you do get what you pay for. But I only use my rangefinder for practice and to place yardage markers pre season.
I use the survey tape to mark 10, 20 and 30 yards from the tree. Farther or closer if applicable. That way, I don't have to fool with a rangefinder when I'macctually hunting. One less thing to break or lose, oneless thing tomess with instead of shooting a deer.