The Ultimate Guide: 7 Essential Tips to Choosing a Rangefinder

Are you an experienced golfer, photographer, or a hunter? The chance is that you can do with the help of a rangefinder. Have you been wondering, “How to choose a rangefinder?” You have, we know it is a difficult task and here to help.

The biggest problem you face is there are so many models available to choose. As a hunter or golfer, your game is all about accuracy and if you want to win, you need to improve your shots. Whether you are an entry-level or Pro the device can help you to estimate the distance to an object and improve your skills.

When you are ready to find one of these fine pieces of equipment first make sure to read our ultimate guideline to choose a rangefinder in only 7 essential steps.

7 Essential Steps You MUST Consider Before Buying a Rangefinder

In fact, every sport has some sort of calculation from air pressure, the terrain, slope, or wind speed. The truth is not everyone is able to determine the information. You can buy specifically designed rangefinders for golfers, hunters and more.

Therefore, if you have a specific activity you partake in you need to pick one that works best for your situation.

With the right one in your hand, it will help to determine the distance from you to the object. However, the equipment can do more than just provide you with data for distance – so how do you pick one for your specific needs? You can do this by following our 7 essential steps to make your search easier.

Step 1: Finding the Best Rangefinder for Your Needs

Over the years, manufacturers have developed rangefinders best suited for individual needs. Are you a golfer? You need one to hit a perfect shot to place the ball in close proximity to the hole as possible or even inside it.

By selecting a rangefinder for golfing, you need to locate the flagstick and need accurate information. You need to consider the squirrel running over the greens and the device needs to ignore the surrounding elements.

The device will help you to pick the right club to make a shot or determine the incline or decline of the terrain and more. On the other hand, choosing the rangefinder for hunting is a completely different ball game. You need to spot your prey and establish the distance connecting you can the animal.

The apparatus helps you to calculate wind speed, incline, a decline of the terrain and more. The unit can even recognize your target you are shooting at. This is where a golfing rangefinder is not a big help – so choose your equipment carefully.

Step 2: Know Your Rangefinder Technology

In the rangefinder technology, there are different categories you can consider as follow:

Both the ultrasonic and optical rangefinders are not used much these days, as they are time-consuming and inaccurate to use.

Step 3: The Price Range and Features

The truth is that rangefinders differ in comparison and have different features. The price all depends on the quality, functions, modern technology, and the brand name.

Whether you need a rangefinder for target practice, forestry, hunting and more you need to pick one suitable for your individual needs. You need to consider the features as well.

If you do archery and need a bow hunting rangefinder, you will not need a GPS function with all the golf courses available in your vicinity. Another note is that brand names also have the tendency to determine the price of the product.

Step 4: How easy is the rangefinder to use

You can have the best rangefinder for hunting, but how easy is it to use. You need a tool that is not a pain to use every time. To solve the problem you can read rangefinder reviews available online before buying the product.

You can look at the one-button operation, complaints about understanding the device, how well it performs and so on.

Step 5: How accurate is the range?

You can buy a cheap rangefinder but it does not give you an accurate reading when used. On the other hand, you can purchase an expensive one and have problems popping up with some of the functions.

The important thing is that manufacturer provides you with a range accuracy measured under ideal conditions. Therefore, if you see you can use the device from 5-1000 yards they also base it on the size of the target as well under perfect conditions.

In fact, you can easily get the long-range distance to a barn compared to one to a squirrel. When looking at the specs you will note they stipulate it as reflective target 1000 yards, deer 500 yards, and trees 800 yards.

These range readings are references for you to determine if it meets your range requirements you want to use the device. Other factors that can also affect the performance of the device are clouds, rain, fog, and more.

Step 6: Important Specs

As important, as the features are you also need to consider the specifications. Here are some of the key specs you can look at:

• Distance: Consider the normal distance you want to measure. Are you planning on doing target shooting or hunting over a long range? Many of the rangefinders for hunting can determine short and long distance measurements. Some of the devices have a problem adjusting quickly from a close to long-range target while others manage it well. The best is to look at the specs how accurate the device is from 150-2000 yards.
• Durability: you need to consider the environment you plan to use the equipment. For hunting, you need a rugged one that can withstand knocks and more. Luckily, the majority of best rangefinders available on the market are fog proof and water-resistant to some extent.
• Portability: if you plan to walk for miles the rangefinder needs to weightless adding no extra weight. Look if you receive a carry bag included and can you attach it to a tripod.

Step 7: Eye Relief

Another important thing is to consider the eye relief as well. Are you an eyeglass wearer? Then this steps the most important one of all. The eye relief determines how far your eyes need to be from the optic to see the field of view.

As a non-eyeglass, you can place the eyepiece close to your eyes. While spectacle wearers you need some sort of distance for a clear view. Therefore, if you do wear glasses the minimum distance is 15mm.

Rangefinder Frequently Asked Questions

Now that you have read all the essential steps before buying the best rangefinder suited for your needs – find the answers to your questions here with us to solve confusions you might have about the device.

What range should a rangefinder have?

The range depends on what you plan to use the device. For a bow hunter, one with a range out to 100 yards is enough while a rifle hunter needs to consider his environment. If you are a rifle hunter, you can look at a range of 200 – 800 yards. A golfer can do with a range of 200 – 600 yards.

How do you maintain your rangefinder?

The fantastic news is that the device needs little maintenance. The best is to keep the optics clean and handle it with care. For the best solution, you can read your brands manual to keep it in tip-top working condition.

What is the best resolution if you are a golfer?

First, you need to look if the rangefinders for golf or hunting. If you need to find a flag with ease, you need one with pin-seeker technology while one for hunters does not need this function.

Final Thoughts

Finding a suitable rangefinder all depends on how you plan to use it. Fortunately, technology has improved and you can find a rangefinder for hunting, golfing and more available on the market today.

We hope that our ultimate guideline to choose a rangefinder has answered all the questions on how to choose a rangefinder best suited for your needs.

If you are ready to take, the next step in buying this fine piece of equipment – you can click through here and find one on our best rangefinders for hunting 2018 list. You can even find one suitable for golfing needs in it.