What's a good decent priced range finder?
05-23-2009 | 08:48 PM
#1
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Nontypical Buck
Joined: Dec 2007
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What's a good decent priced range finder?
I borrowed a range finder from a friend the year before last and really liked it just to see how far stuff was away as I have a hard time guessing at it and getting it correct. I can usually guess fairly close sometimes.
Anyway, I didn't use one last year at all but I'm starting to want my own. I don't want to spend a ton of money on one. I'm thinking $150 max. Maybe $200 but no more than $200 and I really don't want to spend that much. Can I get a decent one for $150 or am I asking too much? Any recommendations?
Anyway, I didn't use one last year at all but I'm starting to want my own. I don't want to spend a ton of money on one. I'm thinking $150 max. Maybe $200 but no more than $200 and I really don't want to spend that much. Can I get a decent one for $150 or am I asking too much? Any recommendations?
05-24-2009 | 05:34 AM
#3
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Nontypical Buck
Joined: Dec 2007
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RE: What's a good decent priced range finder?
Bushnell Sport 450
ORIGINAL: timbercruiser
You can get the Bushnell Sport 450 for about $145. It should work for the majority of your needs.
You can get the Bushnell Sport 450 for about $145. It should work for the majority of your needs.
05-24-2009 | 01:03 PM
#4
Giant Nontypical
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,921
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From: Saskatchewan Canada
RE: What's a good decent priced range finder?
First of all if your wanting a RF too return you precise yardages of 400+ time after time on game (non reflective targets)your asking too much for the budget you've set. I have used or owned nikon, leupold, bushnell, leica and swaros...only the later 2did it time and time again. I used to have a bushnellit would give me 300ish on deer, however the yardage was never the same twice. I got frustrated and bought a lieca b/c my partner had one that simply worked...I don't regret spending the extra money. My 900 liecahas beenused to700+ on game.
If Ihad to pickbetween bushnell and nikon, the nikon would be my choice based on experience with both brands. FYI, expect 1/3 to 1/2 loss off max yardage on game targets. Meaning if you want 400-500 yards you'll need a 800-1000 yard model.
If Ihad to pickbetween bushnell and nikon, the nikon would be my choice based on experience with both brands. FYI, expect 1/3 to 1/2 loss off max yardage on game targets. Meaning if you want 400-500 yards you'll need a 800-1000 yard model.
05-24-2009 | 02:56 PM
#5
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Nontypical Buck
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,519
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RE: What's a good decent priced range finder?
ORIGINAL: skeeter 7MM
First of all if your wanting a RF too return you precise yardages of 400+ time after time on game (non reflective targets)your asking too much for the budget you've set. I have used or owned nikon, leupold, bushnell, leica and swaros...only the later 2did it time and time again. I used to have a bushnellit would give me 300ish on deer, however the yardage was never the same twice. I got frustrated and bought a lieca b/c my partner had one that simply worked...I don't regret spending the extra money. My 900 liecahas beenused to700+ on game.
If Ihad to pickbetween bushnell and nikon, the nikon would be my choice based on experience with both brands. FYI, expect 1/3 to 1/2 loss off max yardage on game targets. Meaning if you want 400-500 yards you'll need a 800-1000 yard model.
First of all if your wanting a RF too return you precise yardages of 400+ time after time on game (non reflective targets)your asking too much for the budget you've set. I have used or owned nikon, leupold, bushnell, leica and swaros...only the later 2did it time and time again. I used to have a bushnellit would give me 300ish on deer, however the yardage was never the same twice. I got frustrated and bought a lieca b/c my partner had one that simply worked...I don't regret spending the extra money. My 900 liecahas beenused to700+ on game.
If Ihad to pickbetween bushnell and nikon, the nikon would be my choice based on experience with both brands. FYI, expect 1/3 to 1/2 loss off max yardage on game targets. Meaning if you want 400-500 yards you'll need a 800-1000 yard model.
The other thing I really want it for is on my 30-06 I have a ballistic plex scope. I want to know where to aim if a deer is 4-500 yards off. Not with this gun but with regular scopes I've missed animals thinking they were further off than they were so aiming high. The same has been said when I thought they were closer than they were. I want something so I can tell how far off it is and know where to aim. It makes a big difference with the muzzle loader especially when it gets to further than 100 yards or so.
05-24-2009 | 03:34 PM
#7
Giant Nontypical
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,921
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From: Saskatchewan Canada
RE: What's a good decent priced range finder?
I bow, ml and rifle hunt. A LRF has become a must pack item, likemy tagsI don't go hunting without it. My main use be it archery or gun hunting is to range markers in the area I'm hunting to know what yardage I am looking at when game arrives in those "areas" (pre range if you will). At longer range I will range the animal on the hoof so I know exactly how far it is. I also use it to set our targets for practice session. Sounds pretty familar??? I was continuely frustrated withother rangefinders so bit the bullet and bought the right product for my needs. If i had done that in the beginning I would have actually saved money[&:]. I understand budgets, so don't get me wrong but I've learned that saving and waiting isa more productive route to instant gradification and buying today.
If you can find a LRF that fits into your 150-200 budget and works spot on for what your asking, great! Please let us all know, as i have not.
If you can find a LRF that fits into your 150-200 budget and works spot on for what your asking, great! Please let us all know, as i have not.
05-25-2009 | 08:33 AM
#8
Thread Starter
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,519
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RE: What's a good decent priced range finder?
ORIGINAL: skeeter 7MM
I bow, ml and rifle hunt. A LRF has become a must pack item, likemy tagsI don't go hunting without it. My main use be it archery or gun hunting is to range markers in the area I'm hunting to know what yardage I am looking at when game arrives in those "areas" (pre range if you will). At longer range I will range the animal on the hoof so I know exactly how far it is. I also use it to set our targets for practice session. Sounds pretty familar??? I was continuely frustrated withother rangefinders so bit the bullet and bought the right product for my needs. If i had done that in the beginning I would have actually saved money[&:]. I understand budgets, so don't get me wrong but I've learned that saving and waiting isa more productive route to instant gradification and buying today.
If you can find a LRF that fits into your 150-200 budget and works spot on for what your asking, great! Please let us all know, as i have not.
I bow, ml and rifle hunt. A LRF has become a must pack item, likemy tagsI don't go hunting without it. My main use be it archery or gun hunting is to range markers in the area I'm hunting to know what yardage I am looking at when game arrives in those "areas" (pre range if you will). At longer range I will range the animal on the hoof so I know exactly how far it is. I also use it to set our targets for practice session. Sounds pretty familar??? I was continuely frustrated withother rangefinders so bit the bullet and bought the right product for my needs. If i had done that in the beginning I would have actually saved money[&:]. I understand budgets, so don't get me wrong but I've learned that saving and waiting isa more productive route to instant gradification and buying today.
If you can find a LRF that fits into your 150-200 budget and works spot on for what your asking, great! Please let us all know, as i have not.
If I spend a ton of money on a range finder I won't be able to spend any on the other parts of hunting like the new gun and a tree stand or two I'd like to get. That's why I set my budget so low the first time.
05-26-2009 | 12:32 AM
#9
Giant Nontypical
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,921
Likes: 0
From: Saskatchewan Canada
RE: What's a good decent priced range finder?
Take a boo here: http://www.cameralandny.com/. Doug's a great guy to deal with, excellent CSand prices
. Be sure to check out the demo/sample list (ie: nikon 550 prostaff LRF for 169). Nikon claims 550 in "virtually all situations", max range is stated to be 730 (that will be refelective targets not game). It might just be what your looking for..just email or call doug he's always given me honest and usefulfeedback when i asked.
. Be sure to check out the demo/sample list (ie: nikon 550 prostaff LRF for 169). Nikon claims 550 in "virtually all situations", max range is stated to be 730 (that will be refelective targets not game). It might just be what your looking for..just email or call doug he's always given me honest and usefulfeedback when i asked.
05-26-2009 | 05:11 AM
#10
Boone & Crockett
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,079
Likes: 0
From: Ponce de Leon Florida USA
RE: What's a good decent priced range finder?
You can check these on the SWFA samplelist:
www.samplelist.com/default.aspx?prod_type=3&hide_sold=False
www.samplelist.com/default.aspx?prod_type=3&hide_sold=False
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