Local guy said the bruton was poor. What is the difference between a lazer range finder and just a regular one with a dot ?

I have a Brunton and it works great, as accurate if not more so than the Nikon

Nikon ProStaff 550. I have one and I love it! Works great!

http://theopticzone.com/detail.aspx?ID=5005

nikon!!

What are you talking about?

Are you referring to laser pointers or laser aiming devices? Laser rangefinders bounce an invisible laser pulse off a target and measure the time required for the light to return to the device, whichisthen caluclated by internal software into a precise measured distance distance. Rangefinders don't shine a light beam like a laser aiming device or laser pointer.

The problem with lower-end range finders is they won't reliably return a range every time you push the button, particularily if the target is small, poorly reflective. As an avid golfer you very quickly learn which rangefinders are any good by shooting the pin at distances of about 200-225 yards. The cheap ones won't hit it unless the flagstick has prisms in it. The better ones (Nikon Monarch, the top line of Bushnell) will easily range it with one or maybe two attempts.

I have used several brands and hands down the Nikon Monarch 800 is the best one I have experience with. This year I have easily ranged feeding deer out to 475 and 500 yards. It returns distances on targets with good reflectivity out to about 600 yards with one push of the button anditis well designed to fitin your hand and store compactly. This is the second season for mine, which I also use playing golf. It is still on the original battery despite quite a lot of use the past two years. If it quit working tomorrow I would immediately buy another one.

Mouthcaller