Best Hunting Laser Rangefinders for Archery and Bowhunting 2018

Lately, archery has proved to be one of the most sought after hobbies, making it one of the rising fields. Tons of people seem to find it a very pleasurable and adventurous activity and seem to have become positively hooked by it, for the thrill and rush it provides fuels our inner adrenaline junkies. However, before you hop onto the bandwagon, there are some things that you need to take into consideration.

Ask any hunter or archery expert, and he will tell you that your equipment are just as important as your skills. And this is where the rangefinder comes into play. What exactly does it do you may ask? Well to put it simply, it provides a field of range and allows the user to gauge the distance separating them and their prey.

Therefore, this piece of equipment allows you to shoot more securely and rarely miss at your target. Furthermore, knowing the distance of your prey accurately allows you to plan accordingly. In terms of choosing the best hunting rangefinder specifically for archery and bowhunting, here are some in-depth reviews of great rangefinders for the money to choose from.

 

Top Rated Rangefinder Comparison Table

Note: Irrespective of whether warranty is offered, you still get to ask for a refund on Amazon within the first couple of days/weeks.

Rangefinder	User Friendly	Performance	Durability	Warranty
Bushnell Truth 202442	Very Good	Very Good	Good	None
Nikon Archers Choice	Good	Very Good	Very Good	None
Bushnell Scout DX	Good	Good	Very Good	None
Bushnell Tactical 202421	Very Good	Very Good	Very Good	None
Vortex Optics Ranger	Very Good	Good	Very Good	Lifetime
Nikon 8397 ACULON	Good	Very Good	Good	1 year
Leupold 120464 RX-650	Good	Good	Good	None
RAGU LR600	Good	Very Good	Good	1 year
Bushnell G-Force DX	Very Good	Very Good	Very Good	None
TecTecTec ProWild	Very Good	Very Good	Very Good	1 year

Bushnell 202442 The Truth ARC 4x20mm Bowhunting Laser Rangefinder Review

For such a well made and popular product, its price is indeed considered reasonable, whereby rangefinders are concerned. Thus, if you are looking to invest in a good solid rangefinder, then look no further. In terms of user friendliness, it comes in a pocket design making it easier to carry around when you are out and about.

In addition, it is rainproof and has an anti slip finish, making this product all the more desirable. And to further top it all off, it comes with a carrying case for added comfort and protection as well as a neck strap,( so that you will be able to access it easily without having to rummage in your bag every single time you need to gage a distance or object) and a battery as well.

For those of you whom would like specific details, the battery is of 3-volt CR123. As I have mentioned earlier, a product is much more credible if the products used in making it have been tested out extensively and that is exactly the case here! The manufacturers also claim that the materials are of 100 percent quality, meaning that you will not have to worry about its durability.

Moving on to its performance, it comes with 3 lenses all of which have stunning HD clarity, which means that you will have a clearer field of vision. It has a range of 7-850 yards and angle from -90 degrees to 90 degrees. Having an angle of your shot in process certainly helps make things a whole lot easier.

It’s amazing ClearShot technology provides instantaneous feedback at your shot clearance and all it takes are three simple steps. The first one being, through the sight system provided, you have to calibrate the rangefinder to synch or correspond with the speed of the bow. When that is done and a target is in rage, a small dot will appear to show the max height that the arrow will travel by.

It doesn’t get any simpler than that! Its technology also allows you to confidently shoot long distances without having to switch or adjust positions many times. The only slight disadvantage is that this product does not come with a warranty nor does it seem to work very well at exceedingly low temperatures.

Side note: It would be better if you are able to navigate your way through by using a GPS.

Nikon 8376 Archers Choice Max Rangefinder Review

While learning of its price may leave you gawking and open mouthed, do not completely reject it however for it certainly has a few assets and does justice to its name. This rangefinder here is very lightweight and compact and comes with a camo case and single motion lanyard.

Durability wise, it is waterproof and fog proof, perfect for being used in rainy conditions or when there are mists about. The manufacturer claims that is is very well adapted to work in virtually any conditions and temperatures. So this would be perfect for someone who is an avid archer and does a lot of travelling on different countries or regions which are subjected to different weathers and climate change.

Nikon is well known for its trademark accuracy and speed. Thus this product is no exception and is designed in a such a way to give hunters/archers confidence to take the shot ranging from flat ground to steep terrain. It’s ID technology compensates for incline and decline shots and has a spectacular 89 degree angular range which can be used virtually straight up or down. The most impressive feature would be its ability to keep ranging, despite a moving target.

All you have to do is simply keep the button pressed and it will keep ranging as you follow the target. It has a close ranging distance of 5 yards and magnification of x6 which helps one to check arrow location while target practicing. Another advantage is that it has crystal clear optics,multicoated ones that is, a very unique feature. The disadvantage would be that it does not come with any warranty whatsoever. Other than that, this is a brilliant product.

Bushnell Scout DX 1000 ARC 6 x 21mm Laser Rangefinder Review

This one here is an upgrade from the previous Bushnell rangefinder that is featured above, hence it is only expected to be of higher value since it is said to have cutting edge technology and additional features. It is extremely compact and lightweight and comes with a carrying case, battery and neck strap, just like the other one. Despite this product being compact and lightweight, do not underestimate it for, it is tough and durable enough to withstand any weather ot terrain.

The main body is very sleek and is made out of a mixture of durable plastic and stippled rubber which gives you a firm grip. It is waterproof as well so you are able to use it at ease despite rainy conditions. This rangefinder here comes with a E.S.P Turboprocessor which stands for Extreme,Speed,Precision, the perfect combination in firing that perfect shot.

Due to this, it has a ½ yard accuracy and 1/10 yard display precision. It comes with a magnification of x6 which most rangefinders seem to have as well and a range of 5-1000 yards which is pretty impressive. The built in inclinometer provides ARC and what this ARC Bow Mode does is that, it provides true horizontal distance up until 99 yards.

Also with the options of the Bow Mode and Rifle Mode with their own unique and customized capabilities, it performs like two units in one.However, this item here does not come with a warranty. Some of the disadvantages to this rangefinder here include, that it does not seem to perform very well at dawn,dusk and overcast conditions despite being fitted with a dioptre for crystal clear viewing making it more apt for daytime use. Also although this product seems to boast of a range up until a 1000 yards, it fails to deliver, for most of the time, it doesn’t seem to go past 350 yards.

Bushnell Tactical 202421 Elite 1-Mile ARC 7x26mm Laser Rangefinder Review

So this item here is also another one of Bushnell’s and is slightly on the pricier end. Hence I would only recommend that you purchase if you are serious in pursuing your hobby and not merely for fun the fun of it, because there is certainly a hefty amount involved. Next, for easier usage, it comes with a built in tripod mount and is compatible with any magnetic attachment system. It is also very small and compact, a relief for you will have no problem legging it around with your hunting things.

Durability wise, it is both water and fog proof, And not only is the outer body of this item that is waterproof but so are the lens! It comes with RainGuard HD water repellent lens coating and has 100% waterproof multi coated optics. Hence rain, snow,hail or shine should not play a role in downgrading the performance of this rangefinder. Such value for money!

It may interest you to know that this is the second generation of the E.S.P Turboprocessor hence it has the almost the same abilities, that is a range of up until a mile, ( hence its name )and an accuracy of ½ yards. In this case however, this product does not disappoint and really does what it claims. Rest assured, this product can even go up to an estimate of 1800 yards!

Which is pretty close to a mile. Certainly an upgrade from its cousin. Its Vivid Display Technology enhances the display readout in almost all lighting conditions and it is further equipped with Automatic Scan, Bullseye and Brush Mode. Due to it also having a x7 magnification, its optics are very clear with high definition.

Although this item here does not come with warranty, there is a 100% money back guarantee should you be unsatisfied. As far as this product here is concerned, there aren’t any disadvantages in my opinion.

Vortex Optics Ranger 1000 with Horizontal Component Distance Rangefinder Review

This rangefinder here is also at the slightly pricier end, as most good quality rangefinders are. User friendliness wise, it is so extremely easy to operate that anyone can figure it out! It’s ranging is not slow as well and the rubber armour gives the user a secure, non slip grip.

The Vortex rangefinder also comes with a belt clip so you can just clip it onto your belt and a tripod socket as well. Moving on to the durability of this item, it has a solid feel to it due to being made out of rubber armoured plastic. Having said so, this product is slightly bulkier than the rest but  it seems that this will be able to take a drop much better.

And it comes with a sealed waterproof design. This is given credit to the O ring seals that prevent dirt,dust and moisture from seeping in. It easily ranges up until a distance of 1000 yards and the fully multicoated lenses have anti reflective properties and gives an overall brighter view. Also, the dioptre can be adjusted to suit you for precise focus.

Speaking of adjustments, this rangefinder here adjusts for line of sight meaning at different angles and metrics versus yards. The display is said to be very clear and bright and comes on quite quickly so you will have to pay attention but it is accurate nonetheless. Moreover, the red data that is being displayed is a whole lot easier to read compared to that of other rangefinders and is perfect for low light conditions.

The icing on the cake is that this item here comes with a lifetime warranty! Nothing beats that for sure. The only disadvantage is that this item here does not show the angle and as most people like to know the angle of their shot, this proves to be a tiny hitch as the Vortex rangefinder allows you to find the angle by providing you with a little paper card and conversion chart which is not very convenient.If you are willing to overlook that however, this is a great product.

Nikon 8397 ACULON Laser Rangefinder Review

For those customers out there whom are not willing to spend an exorbitant amount of money, this product here is a great option. It is very reasonably priced and definitely the cheapest option compared to all those mentioned above. This item here is very compact and lightweight making it easy to carry it along wherever you go. It has even been deemed small enough to rival most smartphones owing to its palm sized dimensions.

And if you have gotten to get a little confused trying to read the display from other rangefinders in the past, fear not, for this item has an uncluttered,easy to read screen displays that ranges in 1 meter/yard intervals. As far as durability goes, it has a pretty high rating for it is waterproof and the main body has a nice tactile feel to it., which helps very much in wet or humid conditions.

Performance wise, it can go up to a range of 600 yards and with just a push of a button, you are able to get an instant distance reading. Also, to save battery life, it shuts down after 8 seconds of inactivity. This rangefinder here is programmed in Distant Target Priority Mode meaning that it will display the range of the furthest target amongst a group of targets measured, This will come in particularly handy if your view is being obscured by bushes or grass.

It has a magnification of 6x and with Nikon’s signature multilayer coated optics, loss of light is minimized due to reflection thereby ensuring a more natural, clearer view. Moreover, it also comes with a year warranty. The disadvantages would be that it provides a very limited range and does not calculate the angle for you. And in order to get the most accurate reading, you will have to have a very steady hand, otherwise the reading fluctuates up and down.

Leupold 120464 RX-650 Micro Laser Rangefinder Review

Again, this is another one of the cheaper options out there. Due to it being priced so reasonably, it has proven to be popular and a favourite among customers.

It comes in a nice soft case which you can clip onto your belt or backpack, whichever is more comfortable. And to make things a whole lot easier, there is only one button at the top in which you have to press twice to obtain the range so there are no other buttons that you will have to mess around with.

The manufacturer claims that the materials are of very high quality and this item here has been tested extensively for its durability.The body is made of hard plastic with a soft rubber grip on top for more traction and it is waterproof as well.

Performance wise, it works flawlessly and  gives very consistent reading at 700 yards and under thus accuracy will not pose a problem. The optics are perfectly clear and you can even switch the measurements from yards to meters! A definite bonus there.

There is no warranty for this item however. One of the slight disadvantage to this product is that, in low light conditions such as indoor ranges, it doesn’t seem to function as well but that should not be too big of a problem.

RAGU LR600 Laser Range Finder Review

This item here comes at an affordable price so there will be no worry of breaking the bank. It comes with a quality bag, strap and microfiber cloth for cleaning afterwards. It is so light and portable that it weighs next to almost nothing! Its main body is covered with soft velvet plastic, hence there is extra grip and it will be easy to hold.

Durability wise, it is not exactly waterproof but it is water resistant however. Just don’t go dropping it in a pond. Moving on to its performance, it can read up until a range of 650 yards and its 20 second Continuous Measurement  feature allows you to find measurements for multiple objects, be it big or small.

This item also is pretty accurate in ranging out the distances. The built in lens is very clear and has just the right amount of magnification to really center in on a target. Plus, there is more than enough contrast to see things in even very bad light.

Thus, its screen and display is very easy to read. It is powered by a lithium CR2 battery which is included by the way and only need to be replaced every once in awhile. Lastly, it comes with a 1 year warranty and a 30 day back money guarantee. The only hitch is that, as I mentioned above as well, you will need to have a steady hand in order for it to work accurately.

Bushnell G-Force DX ARC 6x 21mm Laser Rangefinder Review

Yet another one of Bushnell’s creations .This item here is priced slightly high, nonetheless it appears to be a favourite among sports enthusiasts. It comes with a lanyard thus you will be able to hang it around your neck.

It is very compact and lightweight, so there is no worry of added bulk. It has an easy to see display and comes with 4 brightness settings so you can adjust it to your preferred choice. In terms of durability, it has a sleek and firm body with both water and fog proof design. Thus, you will still be able to carry on with your activities despite these conditions.

Its rubber armoured metal housing lends it the superiority of being one of the toughest rangefinders.It has a very high performance for it can range up until 1300 yards! And yes it does show distances in metres too.

It is said to be the performance enhanced version of one of the most accurate laser rangefinder in the world, the Bushnell Arc due to its deadly precision and accuracy which is of ½ yard. There’s more for with its Vivid Display Technology installed, it gives very bright distance readings even in low light. The super sharp 6x optics dramatically improves clarity and light transmission.

This item does not come with a warranty. The slight disadvantage would be that the red display does not seem to show up well in bright lighting such as sunny days. Other than that, this item is a good buy.

TecTecTec ProWild Hunting Rangefinder Review

This product here has a similar price range to the one that has been mentioned above. Therefore, this will also prove to be a good investment. This product here is the complete package for a quick setup! It comes with a case, padded carrying pouch and lanyard, not to mention a free CR2 lithium battery and a microfiber cleaning cloth which will definitely come in handy because after all, spending hours in a jungle or forest is bound to get your equipments dirty.

Thus this cloth can be used to wipe down the rangefinder after every use. Remember, maintain your equipment well and they will serve you for a very long time. For beginners whom are absolutely new to this, fret not for this item comes with a quick start guide that will aid you into setting it up effortlessly. It is so lightweight and portable for it only has a weight of 185 grams and  measures just 104x72x41. Perfect for carrying around during hunts or surveying without the added load or bulk.

Durability wise, it is water and dust resistant and has a very durable body. Next, moving on to its performance, the PROWILD laser rangefinder has a stunning accuracy measurement range of +/-1 yard meaning that your shots will be pretty much accurate most of the time! Moreover, it comes with a magnification of x6 and ultra clear optical performance. This product is mostly based on fingertip operation, making things all the more easier!

And it is supplied with auto shutdown mode after 30 seconds to save battery life. The cherry on top is that it comes with a 1 year warranty and even if you are still dissastified despite its amazing qualities, you can always take advantage of the company’s 100 percent money back guarantee.

Still can’t decide?

If you still can’t decide on which is the best, then maybe the few criteria discussed below will be helpful in making your decisions.

Note: You might need huntings gloves, hunting boots (We’ve written one specifically for women too!) and even socks so you can hunt in comfort and effectively as well.

Key Considerations when choosing a Laser Rangefinder

User friendliness

In reference to the criteria above, no matter how expensive the rangerfinder is, you will want it to be easy to use too of course. For there is simply no point in it being pricey, and proves to be an extreme challenge whenever you would like to put it to use. Just imagine, you have got your trusty bow and arrow, you have your prey in sight and all is set.

Just then you whip out your rangefinder to aid you in determining the distance, and with its too complex features, buttons and panels, you have simply no idea or a tough time in getting it to work. And by then, either someone else have already claimed what was supposedly to have been your prize or the animal got wind of your presence and scurried away.

Aye aye aye, not a very pleasing scenario, coming home empty handed. Therefore, some key features that you will want to look out for are, high quality magnification and resolution, functions that can easily be engaged, compact and easy to carry around and if it comes with a user manual or dvd, all the more better!

Durability

This is fairly important if you intend to be using the rangefinder for long periods of time. On average, these rangefinders will be able to last you for several years if used and handled properly. You will want to ensure that the materials used in making these rangefinders are qualified and tested extensively.

Often in pharmacies, we tend to gravitate more towards skincare products that have the label dermatologist tested. Same case here. By the company or manufacturer doing so, this will instill more confidence in the buyer that the product has high durability and can be relied on. And for those true enthusiasts out there, in which seem to have no regard for rain or shine, might want to invest in a waterproof rangefinder.

As we all know, hunting season is upon us and the weather of late seems to be very unpredictable. So should it start to pour in midst of your hunting session, you will still be able to use your rangefinder without a hitch.

Performance

As its name itself implies, it is imperative to find one that comes with a wide range and large field of view. A typical one has a range of 4 to 650 yards(minimum), With the simple push of a button, you will be able to identify trees, mounds or any hazards or obstacles standing in your way. This range is more than enough to provide a good starting point.

Note: Check out the best rangefinder binoculars in the market here.

In addtion to that, a rangefinder with an anti slip finish or coating will prove to be very handy indeed in times of rain or when your hands are sweating. With this feature, you will have a much firmer grip and are less likely to lose hold and drop your expensive rangefinder whereby it may be ruined. Since there are a variety of products out there and each are unique in its own way in terms of its features and technology, make sure you go over each one and assess how these additional features might help improve the overall performance, for listing each and every one of the countless ones here would take up far too much space and end up being a boring read.

Price

I would go as far as to say that this is one of the most important criteria because let’s face it, money will always be a key factor in purchasing an item. Therefore, it is important to have a budget in mind, which will help you estimate and judge how high or low you would be willing to go in obtaining the item. And truth be told, these rangefinders that are available in the market today, certainly do not come cheap due to its innovative technology.

Do not let that discourage you though, for there are a few cheaper options out there that come at much lower price, however the model and make may be from unreliable sources and will not last you long. A friendly tip, if you are already willing to make an investment, why not add just a small more sum to ensure that the investment made is worthwhile?

Most of these products are slightly pricey due to its excellent durability and technology and also are manufactured from reliable sources. Rest assured, you will not regret your purchase.

Warranty

As it is, these rangefinders are expensive enough already. So it would really help if it came with a warranty period. Therefore, if anything is broken or your rangefinder is in a need of a bit of maintenance, you can easily use its warranty to do so and not fork out a single dollar.

Also, some companies come with a return policy or money back guarantee, so if you are not happy with the product, you can choose to return it. Or if you are one of those people  who cannot seem to have made up their mind, you can choose to test out all the items that you wish and if dissatisfied, simply return them and get your money back until you have found the one that you really like. Don’t worry, no judgement here.

Conclusion

Well there you go! 10 of the most trusted and popular rangefinders that are up to date and available to be purchased. Each one is different and unique in its own way, so make sure you are completely clear with the criteria that you are looking for that will be best suited to your needs and preferences. Once that is done, you will be on your way in obtaining a good quality rangefinder. Happy hunting!