RE: range finders
I just purchased a Nikon 440 a week or so ago Mauser, and I love it. Optics are great, size is great, I like it. I do what others mentioned, and simply get up in the stand, range a few easily identifiable landmarks, and put it away. I passed a few deer this year before I got it due to unknown yardage. Turns out, I'm terrible at estimation and when back in those stands with the rangefinder, I found they were all well within my comfort range. I really find mine useful.