Rangefinders
 

Which one, Nikon or Bushnell Yardage Pro Legend? The Bushnell is waterproof, but does it have the quality of a Nikon. The Nikon is water-resistant, but can it hold up in harsh conditions (Snow or Rain). Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks and good hunting!!!
jt

RE: Rangefinders
 

I JUST BOUGHT A BUSHNELL YARDAGE PRO SCOUT.GOT ONE ON SELL AT CABELAS.WAITING ON NEXT HUNTING SEASON TO TRY IT OUT.IT WORKS GREAT JUST USING IT IN THE YARD.I TALKED TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE TRIED NIKON AND BUSHNELL.THEY SAID BUSHNELL WAS THE BEST!

RE: Rangefinders
 

Ive used the original Bushnell laser rangefinder for about the last 5 years. It has served me well. However, this year it died. I sent it back in for a repair estimate as it was long since out of warranty. I was pleasantly surprised at the charge... $43.00. I'd say that's a pretty good deal, and the Bushnell folks were very good to deal with. I'd say that you would be ok with either, but the Bushnell has been good for me.

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Got the Bushnell scout this year myself and like it so far,haven't used it for hunting yet since I got my buck the weekend before I got the range finder but think it will work fine. I like to get in my stand then look around and get my yrds before I have to take the shot. With contacts I have a little trouble judging the distance in these later years and this helps a lot. I have had a cheaper one for a couple years and it worked okay so when I got this one I gave the other one to my son to use.Practice Practice and Be SAFE<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

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Don't get me wrong guys, but I've read a lot of your posts on different subjects over a period of time and I've noticed that rarely do any of you who hunt out of tree stands take shots at deer over 30yds, most shots are 25 or under, so why do you need range finders? Just curious.

www.elknut.com
Bugling Bulls & Beyond!

RE: Rangefinders
 

Check out this link , this is a great rangefinder for treestand hunting I think nikon is selling them allso
http://www.opti-logic.com/600XT.html

We all have different oppinions , if we did'nt the world would be a BORING place

RE: Rangefinders
 

I have the Nikon 400. Perfect size for bow hunting or any hunting for that matter. Very accurate and measures at half yard increments at ranges &lt;100 yards, not a really usefull feature just thought I' d mention it. I used it all last season in rain and snow. I didnt baby it but I didnt drag it behind me either and it worked perfectly. I thought it was a better buy than the Scout given what features it had.

Cargo

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I don' t have it yet but I will be getting the nikon this winter. Great thread and very useful.:)


Brian

RE: Rangefinders
 

I received the Bushnell Legend as a gift from my wife this past December and absolutely love it. I kept puting off getting one of the less expensive models because living here in western Washington I needed one that was waterproof. It is very compact and works easily with one hand. The only negative I have noticed is that it doesn' t pick up much light and gets a little more difficult to see through towards the end of legal shooting.

RE: Rangefinders
 

The next rangefinder I plan on getting is the bushnell scout. Compact, great quality and backed by a good name. I' m not using the rangefinder for clarity, so if it is a little less clear than the nikon, I' m not worried about it. So far I have been more than pleased with my bushnell yardage pro 600, but I really like the compact scout.

RE: Rangefinders
 

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

RE: Rangefinders
 

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

RE: Rangefinders
 

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.

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

RE: Rangefinders
 

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

RE: Rangefinders
 

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

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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)...

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CargoF-16

Excellent explanation and completely reasonable. Hopefully alot of archers read your post because they surely would benefit from it.elknut1.

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[Deleted by Admins]

RE: Rangefinders
 

I use the range find when I' m hunting in a new area. I don' t use it all the time, just to get a rough idea of my shooting lanes. Never even thought of trying to use on a deer while in the stand. I use it more for groundhog hunting, on the golf course and at home for my own personal pactice aid. Put a judo point on wack a stump or clump of leaves and check the yardage.