got the bushnell yardage pro compact 600 2 years ago wouldn' t leave home without it.

Thanks for all the info. I will most likely go with Bushnell' s Legend Yardage Pro. I did not realize Bushnell' s made such high quality products.

Thanks again and good hunting!!!!
jt

Nothin wrong with a bushnell or Nikon, but if I was going to buy one I' d go with a Leica. THey have more distance, more accurate, clearer, and better display. And with a lifetime warranty. Also around $360.

Because 30 yards is not 25 yards! It' s a bow, every yard matters!

ShadowAce

Thanks for responding. In reply to your statement that every yard matters is true at 40yds+. But when talking 30yds or less, Which was the question, any modern compound bow at 60+lbs tuned to proper arrows and with sight pin set at 20yds would be well within kill zone from 0 to 30yds. Therefore no need for 3 or 4 pins to set for such close distances because they can confuse you especially when ones excitement level is high as that big old buck approaches you. I have found that to be the case in the past. One is much better off if he practices this way on the range as in the field. It is a very calming effect when an animal approaches and all you have to think about is one pin and where you' re going to place it. On the other hand a rangefinder is an effective tool. I own one as well but rarely ever take it with me while hunting. I' ve had one for 6yrs now and early on always took it hunting with me and can honestly say it has never aided me in taking any animal in a hunting situation. But I can tell you if you' ll take it in the woods with you before hunting seaons and practice at various distances it will sharpen your skills tremendously and it' ll give you confidence that this one pin setup can be deadly and won' t let you down. This is not meant for debate,merely an opinion.Plus I' m off work today and was bored. lol. elknut1.

I got the Nikon for christmas and can' t wait for it to warm up so I can use it on the golf course. Yet another good use for them.

Elknut
I have to be honest and say That Out of all my Bowhunting gear, if I had to give one thing up which would prabaly be the thing I use the least, it would be that 300 dollar range Finder. Its just a fun little toy for me.

I ve been bowhuntiing for 16 years and never used a range finder, I personally dont feel the need for it nor do I feel that I will have enough time to use it. Deer usually dont just stick around in PA for you to range them up, and then hope he stays in the same spot while you draw your bow. Yeah I must admit though I would like to own a yardage pro but it would probabley only be used during practicing and scouting. My shots are generally well under 30yds anyhow, and if I cant guess the yardage then I need to go home and practice. Many times throughout the year a friend and I will take turns getting in a stand while the other moves the Mckenzie target all around and ever possible scenario. This helps me to avoid misjudging yardage during the prime time.

Elknut 1,
agree that at the ranges most people (myself included) shoot deer with a well tuned modern bow you will be " well within the kill zone" . Of course given you dont punch it, flinch, hit a twig you didnt see or just plain ole aim a little off. Hours and hours of practice will minimize the chances of that happening but *&%# happens.

So, I dont really use my range finder to range deer in. As a matter of fact I' ve never looked at a deer through it. When I get on stand, if it' s a new stand I look at shooting lanes and give my best guess at what the yardage is. Then I take the range finder and zap it, if I' m within 2-3 yards I forget about it. But sometimes I' m 4-5 yards off because of the lay of the terrain, shadows and other features that make the range visually ambiguous. Those spots I remember using a prominent ground reference ranged with the range finder.

Could I shoot anyway with a 4-5 yard range error? Sure, and if I aimed perfectly and shot perfectly I would still be in the kill zone. But if I didnt aim perfectly and I didnt release perfectly, coupled with my misjudged yardage I would more than likely wound the animal or miss all together (a better option). That' s why I use a range finder. I have found the best use for it on the 3D range after I shoot, I range it and see how far my guess was off. I' ll also take it on walks with me and guess at yardages to just about anything. I' ve found that at yardages inside of 30 yards I tend to guess a little short and at yardages outside 40 yards I tend to guess long. Over all it makes me a better " guesser" .

Cargo

cargo hit the nail on the head....
for those hunting with a heavier arrow and average speeds, the difference between guessing a deer at 28 yards and actually having it at 33, plus the smaller window on the kill zone if you' re 22 ft up in a tree...
And your 30 yard group of 3-4 inches suddenly seems inadequate.
I' ll also voice agreement with ijimmy... the rangefinders that adjust for level (I think pentax has just come out with one too) clearly offer an advantage in effective accuracy.
That can also be huge out west (I am guilty of missing a chip-shot on a huge muley that was as much down as he was away)...