“The hunter that travels out into the woods is lost to the world, yet finds himself.” - Unknown

How to Choose a Rangefinder for Hunting

Precision is key to a successful hunt, and rangefinders can help you substantially improve your shooting accuracy, regardless of whether you hunt with a bow or a rifle.

In this blog, we will walk you through some key things to keep in mind when choosing a rangefinder for your next hunting adventure.

What Is a Rangefinder?

A rangefinder is an electronic, optical device that measures the distance between the user and a remote object by measuring the time it takes for the laser beam to hit the target and reflect onto the device. Rangefinders automatically calculate the distance and report it on the screen.

Choosing a Hunting Rangefinder

When choosing a hunting rangefinder, you should consider the following factors:

●      Are you hunting with a bow or rifle?

●      Do you mostly hunt in wooded areas or open country?

The answers to these questions will help you decide what rangefinder fits your needs best in terms of range and zoom.

Range

The preferred range of your rangefinder would mainly depend on whether you use a bow or rifle. A model with at least a 1,000-yard range would serve you best if you hunt through the open country using a rifle. If you primarily use a bow to hunt in wooded areas, a rangefinder with a 500-yard range would be sufficient for your needs.

You should keep in mind that the numbers associated with rangefinders represent their ranging abilities off reflective targets. To better estimate how far your rangefinder can measure the distance to the animals, divide the listed range number by two. For example, a rangefinder with a reflective range of 1,000 yards may only have an actual range of 500 yards.

Zoom

Similarly to how your preferred range depends on your hunting preferences, the most suitable magnification rating would also depend on your expected engagement distances. A safe bet would be a magnification of 6x, as it is adequate for hunting both in wooded areas and open country.

An example of such a rangefinder would be this Sig Sauer Electro-Optics model. However, if you are looking for more specialized parameters, you should choose a higher magnification rating if you’re a rifle hunter in open country. In this case, consider a rangefinder with a magnification of 7x or 8x, such as this Sig Sauer Electro-Optics model.

If you prefer hunting in forests with a bow, you may want a model with less magnification (4x or 5x), such as this Sig Sauer Electro-Optics model.

Additional Features

It is always a good idea to get a rangefinder that has useful additional features, such as a camouflaged finish and anti-glare lens coatings, to minimize the risk of scaring target animals away. Other nice add-ons include a carrying case, a tether, or a lanyard. You might also want your rangefinder to be waterproof.

If you wear glasses, you should check for an eye relief feature. Eye relief is the distance between the eyepiece and the point at which you need to place your eyes to see a clear image.

At DTS Tactical Guns & Ammo, we have a wide selection of rangefinders to fit any hunting style and preference. Check out our products or contact us if you want expert advice on what rangefinder to choose.