Range Finder advice
 

I'm in the market for a range finder and (Bow hunt only from 20yds up) so I am debating do I go with a rangefinder around $200 or do I Need to get one with the angle calculation (arc) that are almost double that. I know you get what you pay for, but is it a big difference from regular to arc. I'm asking this because I've never used one before.. Any help is
Greatly Appreciated!!!

Thank you
Phil

RE: Range Finder advice
 

i bought the bushnell 450 after using a buddys and absolutely love it. i dont think the whole arc business is worth the extra money for short bow shots. just my opinion, but I made it 20 yrs without a range finder at all.
now that i have one, could not imagine life without. ps the bushnell can be had on sale for about $129

RE: Range Finder advice
 

For my hunting the rest of this year....I won't need one. I doubt I'll use one much, next year. I know what 20yds looks like.....and I know my limits (now).

I wouldn't ay the extra for the arc.....and if you're 20YDS up in a tree.....you're WAY too high:D

RE: Range Finder advice
 

There is a difference. I just got oneon e-bay for about $160 shipped ( new Bushnell yardagepro sport 450 camo) in the store it was $180.It works for me. When your in a stand you have to aim a little low, if at all. I think it really depends on how far it is and what your pin will shoot,ex 1st pin might be good for 15 to 30 yards therefore you may not have to alter your aim. Up in a stand the range is very deceiving and I'm glad I got one

RE: Range Finder advice
 

The trajectory compensation is more usefull in the mountains. If you are a typical bowhunter and are hunting from a 20' treestand, your reading from a regular rangefinder will only be off 1 yard at 20 yards and less than a yard off as you go further out. In a 30' tall treestand your reading will be off 2 yards at 20 yards and 1.5 yards at 30 yards and so on. So as long as you are hunting from an average treestand, in normal terrain, you wont have any problem with a normal rangefinder. A nikon 440 is the perfect bowhunting rangefinder and it's around $180 at Cabelas right now. Hope this helps.

RE: Range Finder advice
 

Nikon 440 works for me. Got the camo version off Ebay for $190 shipped a while back.I consider that an upgrade from my Bushnell yardage pro sport.

RE: Range Finder advice
 

bought my Bushnell at Walmart for $150 and I love it. Best money spent.

RE: Range Finder advice
 

THANKS EVERYBODYfor the advise and pointing me in the right direction as far as what Range finder and saving me money.

Phil

RE: Range Finder advice
 

I got the Bushnella year ago and as far as it functioning I havent had any problems. But I wish I would have spent the extra $60 bucks or so for a smaller one. Its hell trying to carry that thing in your pocket and such.

RE: Range Finder advice
 

Best thing to do. Learn to judge distance. Its not real easy, but makes a world of difference. Lots of times you dont have a chance to range distance. That is when you are on the move. If you are in a tree you can always range objects around you, but if you every do some stalking, its best to be able to judge distance.

RE: Range Finder advice
 

I picked up the Nikkon 440 for 159 $ on line at natchezss.com and it works great i'm happy with it

RE: Range Finder advice
 

burnie is right on...judging distance from the ground is not too much of a challenge with practice and even with a range finder, i think its valuable to learn how. at my peak this summer, i was able to call 3d targets within a yard each time out to 40yds. thats with being new to shooting 3d targets and all the different shoots i went to having different targets so i couldnt judge by size. what i would do is practice by seeing something, calling the distance, and checking it with the range finder. or when walking somewhere, spot something, call it and pace it off in my head. i know where my legs need to stretch to to measure right about an even yard.

but range finders are super handy tools and take the guess work out of it. when in a treestand im utterly useless. i figured on a tree being about 20yds from my stand...paced it when i got down and it was 12!!! i couldnt believe that...i dont know what was wrong with me that day..thankfully i was hanging stands, not hunting. after that i borrowed my buddies rangefinder and practiced calling distances from my tree.

im also shopping for a range finder before next season, but i want to go with something with a long range and maybe with the trajectory programs if they ever get better reviews...still get alot of mixed reviews on those..i dont want it or the long distance for bowhunting, but enjoy long range shooting/groundhog hunting when im not bowhunting...alot of range finders wont range close to what they say...id like something accurate to atleast 500. 600-800 would be awesome.

RE: Range Finder advice
 

I have a nikon pro staff it seems to do the job and it's withen a half of a yard