anyone realize this thread is from 2006

Shoot as many unmarked 3Ds as you can, it will become pretty instinctual to at LEAST 35 yards.

You can get into a decent ranger with ARC compensation in the $80-$100 range. Maybe find a deal on Craigslist? While not exactly cheap, Wild Game may be at a doable pricepoint. I owned one a 450 model that served well for archery. It even had a scan mode.