Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Bowhunting Rangefinder Recs

Howdy All
Any brand/model recommendations for a rangefinder? Have a CO archery elk hunt in about 3 months. Would also appreciate ones to stay away from.

Thanks
David

Vortex Fury HD 5000 Binoculars and rangefinder.

I’ve had a Leica 900 for many years. It’s been flawless. Not made anymore but they make similar models.
Like many things optics/electronics, you get what you pay for.

Make sure you can laze the machine accurately with one hand, while you are shaking as the bull is blowing snot on you!

For bowhunting ranges I use a cheap ebay factory refurbished bushnell. It was less than $100 10-12 years ago and has never failed.

^^^^^^
That's all you need imo

I like the Leupolds for bow hunting. Pocket sized, good battery life, and adjustable intensity for the display. Generally take a “used” or refurbed RX-1000, but I tried a Sig 2200 last year, it worked well, and was pocket sized easy to carry.

Display is red in the Leupold and the Sig, it stands out better for me than plain black, especially at dawn and dusk.

I had a Bushnell ARC-1000, but it developed a flickering display issue that could not be fixed. I’ve used Nikons, no issues, but they have a black display.

I agree with the one hand, I’ve had elk in close and had figure out ranges where I needed the bow ready in one hand, and needed a quick range with the other.

If blowing snot is an issue, we shouldn't need the range finder :-)

Depends on your budget. Nikon Aculon is a good simple one for ~ $150. Leica's new one (2300?) is fantastic at $500.

I use a cheap Nikon 440 yard model. It is only "every time" good for about 300 yards which makes it kind of undependable for rifle use, but it's great for bow hunting and.range use. I think I only paid about $100.00 for it about ten years back and the battery is still working fine. You probably could get one on ebay for a lot less now.

I'm a big fan of the Leica's.

Thanks a bunch for the recs. I’ll look those suggestions over and make a decision

I hope that a bull will get in snotting distance! Would be worth the cost of the hunt for the adrenaline rush!

David

bushnell use to make the Chuck Adams edition it was only good for 100 yards for archers but it did angles to with the correct adjusted yardage and was very accurate.keep an eye out you may find one on ebay

I used a Bushnell ARC for about four years, but it started giving sporadic readings during a hunt. Quit altogether a couple days later. I am using a SIG Kilo now and really like it. I didn't like the display in the Leopold I looked at. My next choice would be the Vortex.

Vortex Ranger is pretty damn good.

I got a Leica CRF 2000 B last fall from eurooptic for less than $400 and so far it's wonderful. I believe it has been discontinued but I'm okay with that at that price. Amazon still charging over $200 more for it. I upgraded from a Nikon Monarch

The more expensive ones give you range, out to 1,600 to 2,000 yards....not needed for a bowhunter. Also, When I get on stand, I range trees, stumps, and other items around my stand. That way I don't need to fiddle with a rangefinder when a Deer sneaks in.

you definitely wont be disappointed in any thing by SIG. I have the kilo 1200. it fits nicely in the front of my Alaskan guide bino pouch. the only complain I would say is that the reticle isn't illuminated. but its the low end model and they make a few different ones that are. for $150 you cant go wrong.

Where I hunt with a rifle, I cant see far enough for a range finder.... so when I wanted a range finder for bow hunting, I looked for one with not so much power. Most range finders are 6x power and looking at a stick on the ground or small tree, to range distances around a stand, at 10-40 yds can be difficult. I chose a Simmons that is 4x power. Ranging distances, that you shoot with a bow at the lower power, is a lot easier. Paid less than $100 and it uses a standard 9 volt battery that last the whole year. I have ranged deer out to 200 yds with out a problem, but at 250 yds it gets iffy, and at 300 yds just forget it. But for bowhunting it is just fine.

Ranged a Bear at 1529 yards with my Leica 1600 last weekend. As well as some deer at 25 yards. Awesome rangefinder.