RE: Range Finders
 

I bought the Nikon Pro Staff 440. I am very happy with this range finder, exept, at first light and at last light it is hard to read the black numbering telling you the range. But for the 200 dollar price tag on it you can not get a better range finder for that price. I highly recommend the Nikon Pro Staff 440.

RE: Range Finders
 

Ibought the Bushnell Yardage Pro Compact 800 and have no complaints.
I DO use Nikon for really important optics like my scopes and binocs. But range finders, I think is a place to save some money. The only thingthis modelmight not do that a more expensive brand might, is range down to 7 - 8 yards. It only goes down to 12 or so. I don't know about your bow, but I use my 20 yard pin for everything closer than that anyway. . . dead on.
You don't think you will need 800 yards? That feature will give you guicker and more accurate ranges at 200 - 300- 400 yards and so on. The 400 yard range finder I used to use was only really usefull up to 250-300 yards.
I see you are in NY so I bet you don't shoot over 100 yds most times. I'm in the Rocky Mountain west, and that's often a long shot for me as well (I hunt in the trees! . . . where the animals are . . . lol). But when I need long ranges (Antelope, prairie mulies or even Elk) I have it, and for about the same money.
More than two cents . . . hope this helps.

RE: Range Finders
 

IM only wanting the range finder for bow season. I want to pick out some 30 and 40 yard areas. I shoot the same as you 20 yards or closer. As far as the rifle season. I never shoot a deer over 60 maybe 70 yards. I rifle humt in a dense brushy area where yardage isnt an issue.