What Should I Look for in a Rangefinder for Bow Hunting?
A good quality rangefinder can improve your bow hunting expedition for the better. However, with hundreds of rangefinder models present on the market, you might have a difficult time trying to find the best model. Here are some of the key factors you should look out for whenever you are on the market for a rangefinder for bow hunting.
What Should I Look for in a Rangefinder for Bow Hunting?
Viewscreen
One of the important parts of a rangefinder is the viewscreen. You’ll want the rangefinder to provide a large view screen that makes it easy for you to read the information provided particularly in low light situations where most hunting takes place. Another feature that goes hand in hand with the view screen is eye relief. Eye relief is the maximum distance between your eye and the view screen. The longer the eye relief, the easier it will be for you to use the rangefinder.
Magnification
You need to be able to zoom in on your targets for accurate shot placement. However, with bow hunting, the targets aren’t usually very far away. Too much magnification can be overkill and make you disoriented as you try to focus on your target. A rangefinder with 5x or 6x magnification power will suffice.
Range
The other important factor to put into consideration is the hunting range. How far you intend to hunt will determine whether you’ll go for a basic rangefinder or a high-end model. Typically, basic rangefinders can provide accurate distance measurements of about 500 yards or less, while the high-end counterparts can range distances above 500 yards.
If you need your rangefinder to range over close quarters or you’ll be hunting in thick woodlands where you won’t be able to see far, a basic rangefinder will be sufficient. However, if you’ll hunting in wide-open spaces where the game is at longer distances, you should get a high-end model with long-range capability.
Size and Weight
Most rangefinders have a compact size which makes them portable and easy to hold even during long hunting sessions. High-end rangefinders are smaller in size compared with the basic models that are a little larger.
When it comes to weight, most rangefinders weigh less than a pound, with most of them weighing less than 0.75 pounds. The lightweight design makes them the perfect bow hunting companion.
Angle Compensation
The angle compensation feature is extremely useful in bowhunting. If you are hunting from an elevated position, either from a tree stand downwards at game or from a hilly position, the angle compensation will save you from having to calculate the angles and distance. Having a rangefinder that gives you precise distance and shooting angle will make your hunting expedition more successful.
Durability
When bow hunting, your rangefinder will be subjected to roughness. It will get banged more than a golf rangefinder will. So, make sure that the unit is sturdy enough to stand up to rugged hunting environments. Better yet, the rangefinder should be waterproof or water-resistant at the very least. Mother Nature is always unpredictable and there’s also dew and puddles out there.
See Also: