Top Hunting Rangefinders in 2020

Looking for the best rangefinder but don’t know how to choose? Most people make a one-time investment in rangefinders and, as such, it is important to go through all the rangefinder reviews you can find before making a final decision. There are a few rangefinders that not only work for hunting but also for golf and adventure sports.

Remember that unless you are actively engaged in these other activities, you do not need to buy a multipurpose rangefinder. Instead, put all your efforts into finding the best hunting rangefinder that serves its purpose without any bells and whistles.

Because there are a variety of hunting rangefinders out there, here is a comprehensive resource for you to peruse. Any questions and doubts you may have about rangefinders would be answered in the following sections and you can buy the best rangefinder for the money you spend. So what is the top rangefinder? Read on to know more!

Tips on Choosing the Best Rangefinder

Factor The Weight Of The Battery While Looking For Lightweight Rangefinders – Remember that the weight listed out by certain manufacturers excludes the battery. If a 9V battery is used in a rangefinder, it would be slightly heavier than other models.
Notice How Much Time It Takes To Operate the Controls – The rangefinder should be easy for you to control and you should understand the manufacturer’s instructions clearly. It would be a bit pointless if it takes 5 minutes to measure the distance and your game long gone when you get into position.
Consider The Accuracy Measurement Of The Rangefinder – A lot of people forget to take the accuracy measurement criteria into account. Read thorough reviews of best rangefinder for hunting to find out how accurate your rangefinder really is.
Observe How Bright The Image Is In Low Light Conditions – If you might be hunting in low light conditions, your rangefinder should perform well during the night and evening. Great optics with good coating in rangefinders are important to fully utlize this feature.
Be Prepared To Spend Money To Get A Great Rangefinder – If you want amazing features, it will cost you a lot. Thus, balance the pros and cons to get a fair deal while shopping for rangefinders.
Read About Incline Decline Features – In case of archery or hunting, for instance, downhill and uphill shots, particularly long ones, could have a great impact. This is because the distance varies from when your target is on level ground. Same goes for decline and incline angles. This factor becomes important for this reason, especially when you consider laser rangefinder reviews.
Take A Look At Advanced Rangefinders – Some advanced professional rangefinders allow users to switch between different modes. However, it is better to go for a specific rangefinder that does one job brilliantly instead of choosing a multi-purpose rangefinder that gives passable results.

1. Vortex Optics Ranger 1300

One unique feature that comes with Vortex Optics Ranger 1300 that no other brand has thought of is the removable clip attachment which can come in handy on long hunting walks. Apart from that, the range of the device is 1300 yards and it comes with 6x magnification, ideal for most hunting expeditions.

The build is rugged and quite compact, complete with a rubberized coating that helps with the grip. The display is red LED with the Vortex Ranger and the display can be worked easily but the user has to comb through the manual well because it has a 3 step operation. There are two ranging modes with this device – HCD and LOS modes – that all hunting rangefinder reviews love.

2. Bushnell 202208 Bone Collector Edition

This collector’s edition model by Bushnell is the best laser rangefinder in the market for target shooting and bowhunting. It comes with 4x magnification and 600 yard ranging capability. What sets model apart from others is its lightweight, compact and rugged body which houses the great optical engineering of the device. These optics would never fail you, even when the conditions are quite bad outside.

The yardage seamlessly moves between different units and the device can be operated using a single button. All users of this rainproof model seem to love the camo body which allows the rangefinder to be hidden during hunting. It is also one of the most affordable rangefinders in the market right now.

3. Bushnell Team Primos

Bushnell Team Primos has two features that make it the best rangefinder – the ARC or Angle Compensation Technology and Bow Mode. Because the model calculates compensated distance with the angle of shot, it leads to better accuracy for the hunter. The model has 4x magnification and can be operated with a single button, making it easy and hassle free to use.

The range is 600 yards (trees) and 200 yards (deer) while precision is offered in line of sight till 850 yards. The model is compact and ergonomic in its design and also comes with an added anti-slip finish. Accuracy is offered +/- 1 yard and the angle range varies between +/- 90 degrees. Also, a great feature of Bushnell Team Primos is that it is rainproof.

4. Nikon 8397 ACULON Laser Rangefinder

This is the most compact rangefinder Nikon has come up with and is 3.6×2.9.1.5 inches in size. The true range of this device is 550 yards and it has distant target priority mode. WIth 6x magnification, Nikon has outdone itself on the optics that are multi-coated. The display is LCD and quite clear without any useless information obstructing the view.

The model is rainproof and water-resistant and works at the click of a button. The device is also pretty user friendly, as mentioned by various reviews. This rangefinder is a multipurpose device for target shooting and hunting, as long as it is short range.

5. Bushnell 202442 The Truth ARC 4x20mm Bowhunting Laser Rangefinder

The range of this rangefinder is 850 yards while the angle range is +/- 90 degrees, making it ideal for bowhunting. The true horizontal distance offered by the Bow mode is around 200 yards and the Bushnell 202442 also comes with 4x magnification. The neck strap and carrying case are included with this rangefinder in the affordable price.

Using the rangefinder is simple and involves a 3 step process. Most rangefinder reviews find the ARC technology of this Bushnell rangefinder particularly useful for bow hunters. The lens offers a clear and bright picture and the distance calculation is extremely quick. Even for rifle shooting up to 250 yards, this rangefinder has yielded great results for users tracking deer sized targets.

6. Simmons 801405 Rangefinder

The best thing about this model by Simmons is easily its vertical design and LCD display. All the user needs to do is look through the viewfinder and the device does the other work – like displaying battery life and finding the target. The one button operation is simple and easy to follow and this rangefinder offers 600 yard ranging capability, with accuracy of +/- 1 yard.

The magnification offered is 4x and the optics are clear and bright, easy to work on bad light conditions. The casing is weather resistant and comes with the model which would be a plus for budget buyers. The size is compact and fits in the pocket without any problems.

7. Bushnell Sport 850

Sport 850 by Bushnell is one of the lighter rangefinders out there. It offers a range of approximately 850 yards with 600 yards for trees. The accuracy is +/- 1 yard. The vertical device makes it ideal for hunting, as mentioned by most laser rangefinder reviews. Most users find 4x magnification offered by Bushnell Sport 850 enough for close range hunting of deer sized animals.

The edge that hunters will get by using this rangefinder lies in the ease of use of the device. The body is compact and petite, and this rangefinder works with a single button. It is pretty affordable for its features. Dual targeting modes can be enjoyed with this device – rain mode and reflector mode.

8. Bushnell Scout DX 1000

The Scout DX 1000 by Bushnell is accurate and speedy and all rangefinder reviews commend it for its E.S.P or Extreme Speed Precision technology which is built-in. The ARC feature offers 99 yards of accurate compensated distance. This model has a bow mode offering horizontal distance and rifle mode with holdover and drop data in inches. These modes make it a dual purpose rangefinder as well.

With 1000 yards of range and 6x magnification, Scout DX 1000 is handy rangefinder for hunting that comes with a single button operation. The design is simple and fuss free and can be easily carried in the user’s pocket. It is impact and weather resistant as well.

9. Nikon 8377 Riflehunter 1000 Rangefinder

The 8377 is considered to be one of the best hunting rangefinder products by many experts because of its brightness control feature (Active Brightness Control Viewfinder) which makes viewing a breeze, no matter how bad the conditions may be. The device does this by switching between LCD and LED lighting.

The ocular of Nikon 8377 is 28% bigger and comes with a 23% wider field view which ensures that the user can easily pinpoint targets in a short time. The range is 1000 yards with this model and Tru Target technology allows seamless switching between different priority modes. The design is compact and rugged with the optics boasting of features like fogproof, waterproof and multi-coatings.

10. Nikon Archer’s Choice Laser Rangefinder

Archer’s Choice by Nikon is easily the best rangefinder for hunting and archery. The LCD display of the device has been improved from previous models and LED illumination is a great plus point. The display offers various modes so that the user can make the best selection and it ranges with 1/10 yard.

The model comes equipped with an incline decline technology for shooting angles that are non-linear. The Tru Target feature allows the hunter to switch between different priority modes (first and second). The entire device can be operated with the click of a button and it has a power saving feature as well. The ocular (18mm) is also a massive time saver in this model.

Hunting Rangefinder Buying Guide

What is a Rangefinder?

A rangefinder is an electronic device that helps its users measure the distance between themselves and the target in question. It has a variety of applications in golfing, ballistics, virtual reality and forestry. However, most popular users of rangefinders are hunters and people in adventure sports.

Technology and Common Purposes

The technology of rangefinders has come a long way to ensure that the device is not only compact but also extremely accurate, in order to provide the most efficient results. As such, there is no concept of a single best rangefinder for archery, golfing, hunting or other use because different uses require different rangefinders. Thus, a thorough rangefinder comparison is always recommended before making the final purchase.

How Rangefinders Work

When the button of a rangefinder is pressed, the device bounces a laser beam towards the intended target. This sets off the internal clock of the rangefinder and the time taken for the beam to reach the target is measured. The distance is calculated in this manner and you find out the range of your target in yards. Rangefinders are equipped with a display screen and the results are shown in less than a second when you press the button.