Author Topic: Range finder, Who does, who doesn't (Read 15102 times)

PA BEN · « **on:** November 29, 2008, 10:34:26 AM »

Who uses one and who doesn't. I started shooting without one along time ago, I have one now and use it if I remember to bring it.

rougheye · « **Reply #1 on:** November 29, 2008, 10:45:05 AM »

I got one and use it when i can , after 40 yds a must for me

Charlie · « **Reply #2 on:** November 29, 2008, 11:44:35 AM »

I used them for years. Started out with a Bushnell Pro 1000. It still works and one of my son's keeps it in his pack as a backup. Then I used a Bushnell Compact 800 for 5-6 years. It was much easier to carry (smaller). A couple weeks ago I bought a Leupold RX II. I am looking forward to breaking it in. My oldest son used a Nikon Rifle Hunter 550 this year and he likes it.

stumprat · « **Reply #3 on:** November 29, 2008, 11:58:53 AM »

Use mine alot. Love it.

rooselk · « **Reply #4 on:** November 29, 2008, 01:24:38 PM »

At present I do not use one. But I've been giving it some thought and hope to buy one this winter.

mrtinmatt · « **Reply #5 on:** November 29, 2008, 01:58:57 PM »

As an avid bowhunter with almost no natural ranging ability I use mine a lot, that is when ever i can pry it away from my wife or son.

wastickslinger · « **Reply #6 on:** November 29, 2008, 04:23:47 PM »

I didnt use to until I bought the Geovid. Sure is convenient with it all in one. I use it ALL the time now.

demontang · « **Reply #7 on:** November 29, 2008, 05:16:29 PM »

I have and use one when I have a chance. It's one less thing you have to worry about when you have a shot.

KillBilly · « **Reply #8 on:** November 29, 2008, 06:05:52 PM »

+1, love em

Red Dawg · « **Reply #9 on:** November 29, 2008, 06:08:04 PM »

I like to use mine. Still trying to decide if I need the geovid.

billythekidrock · « **Reply #10 on:** November 29, 2008, 06:13:23 PM »

I think every archer should be required to have one.

cascademountainhunter · « **Reply #11 on:** November 29, 2008, 06:14:54 PM »

i havent used one but i want to get one soon.

Hoytstaffshooter83 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 29, 2008, 06:42:26 PM »

best bowhunting invention ever IMO, I have great range ability from all the 3d shoots I do but my estimation is still not faster then my nikon, and I would rather be 100% on what pin and where to hold when shooting at game then hoping I guessed right..... you have to respect the game you hunt and doing everything you can to ensure a quick clean kill is essential....... as a bowhunter being 100% on the range is as good as it gets......

Bofire · « **Reply #13 on:** November 29, 2008, 07:06:34 PM »

Buy a good one, I bought a Nikon 550 about a month ago. It is a total piece of crap! I hesitate to even put it up for sale it is such junk!
$200.00 thrown away.
Carl

Crunchy · « **Reply #14 on:** November 29, 2008, 08:39:36 PM »

I have one but never had to use it when bow hunting. Every elk ive shot has been within 25 yards.

Charlie · « **Reply #15 on:** November 29, 2008, 10:24:45 PM »

Quote

It is a total piece of crap! I hesitate to even put it up for sale it is such junk!

What seems to be the issues with the Nikon Carl?

jeepasaurusrex · « **Reply #16 on:** November 29, 2008, 10:27:37 PM »

Yup

bobcat · « **Reply #17 on:** November 29, 2008, 10:32:52 PM »

I really like my Nikon Monarch 800, although I have to say I rarely use it. But it has no problem ranging out to 4 to 500 yards, which is plenty far enough for me. If you have the money and want a better unit, go with the Leica.

MAVsled · « **Reply #18 on:** November 30, 2008, 11:55:05 AM »

I've had a Bushnell Scout model (green color) for the last 4 years. Love it!
Typically I range certain land marks within bow range or rifle range so distances are pretty much pre-determined before the beast shows up.

what I hate about it is the battery costs $12.00, available in any store with good selection of camera or other batteries. I turn it on when needed and turn it off when not to conserve the battery.

Jsharpe · « **Reply #19 on:** November 30, 2008, 12:08:24 PM »

I have on it helps when shooting up or down hill I am always on the move I always guess then use the range finder my kids do the same its a good tool for someone new.

LongTatLaw · « **Reply #20 on:** November 30, 2008, 12:15:05 PM »

I have had one since I started bow hunting. I do NOT grab my bow if I dont have mine around my neck. I dont get the idea of a bow hunter that doesnt use one.

I can tell the difference between 30 yards and 40 yards but 36 and 43??? not as clearly and from what Ive seen theres a ton of guys that stretch the arrow out a lot farther than 40...

seems like a bad move without one.

PS- I know where you can get an AMAZING deal on a state of the art RF with all the bells and whistles new in the box with tags still attched!

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,14866.0.html

Hoytstaffshooter83 · « **Reply #21 on:** November 30, 2008, 12:25:45 PM »

exactly. its imperative you KNOW how far that animal is, not well he looks 45 so ill hoold my 40 high........

archery288 · « **Reply #22 on:** November 30, 2008, 12:32:49 PM »

An absolute must have! I wouldn't set foot in the woods without one!

LongTatLaw · « **Reply #23 on:** November 30, 2008, 12:33:49 PM »

Its not just for bow hunters either!!!

anyone that hunts the high country with a rifle is knee deep in guess shooting!

Gobble · « **Reply #24 on:** November 30, 2008, 12:42:24 PM »

Don't take this wrong BUT You younger guys have had the pleaseure of being overrun with "gadgets" don't get me wrong, I like them too but when I started archery we didn't have the luxury of all that is available today and relied on "Practice" to know how far your target is. I shot my first deer at 45 yards walking and smoked it with a double lung shot because I could and knew my bow like the back of my hand. I shot 3 dozen arrows everyday and knew how to range my targets. Mind you this was with the old technology bows that were more sensitive than the bows today. Todays bows are much flatter shooting than the bows of the 80's and 90's. With that being said you should never substitute good practice for gadgets that tend to overcomplicate the process. I think range finders are fine (in fact I'm looking to buy one) but I've hunted 30 years without one and done just fine. Practice Practice Practice

LongTatLaw · « **Reply #25 on:** November 30, 2008, 12:47:35 PM »

I agree on the practice.

i also know people once used wooden false teeth. Today, theres no reason not to have one and cost really isnt a big factor. I shoot 30-50 arrows a day starting a month before season and do that daily during season... just ask my wife It drives her crazy.

I pull 78 pounds on my old bow and I gotta have the bow muscles strong to do that smoothly from any position.

That said...still gotta have my RF!

Hoytstaffshooter83 · « **Reply #26 on:** November 30, 2008, 01:10:48 PM »

that great back in the day you didnt have what we have now, I shoot over 10k arrows a year, infact I shoot more in a day then id guess plenty of guys on here do in a month, I shoot year round, field,3d and indoors, I can guess range within a yrd with my eye with the best of them and hit the 12 ring on a deer target at 60yrds with my pro elite.. I also know my bow like the back of my hand, but I still would never hunt without one, knowing your gear is great, but being really sure its 40yrds and KNOWING its 40yrds are way diff.........

stlhdr1 · « **Reply #27 on:** November 30, 2008, 01:46:08 PM »

I use a Leica 900, never let me down yet!

With my first bull this year, I guessed the yardage at 40 and he was 41 yards when I went back and range'd the spot he was at... But I had a 35-40 second stare down with him before he gave me the shot so all I was thinking was 45 - no 30 - no, 40, 40 yeah 40 yeah and pulled the trigger......

Keith

270Shooter · « **Reply #28 on:** November 30, 2008, 02:05:34 PM »

I have one and I have only used it once on game. 285 yards. Good thing i had it too i would have said it was over 350

. But where i hunt in WA I don't really need it, but it is always within easy reach when i might need it

.

wf70gonehunting · « **Reply #29 on:** November 30, 2008, 02:16:20 PM »

I got one a leupold Rx-ll TBR I always use it bow or rifle!

billythekidrock · « **Reply #30 on:** November 30, 2008, 03:19:25 PM »

Quote from: 270Shooter on November 30, 2008, 02:05:34 PM

I have one and I have only used it once on game. 285 yards. Good thing i had it too i would have said it was over 350 . But where i hunt in WA I don't really need it, but it is always within easy reach when i might need it .

Same here. I used mine twice on bear this year. One at 220 and one at 270 yards.

WonkyWapiti · « **Reply #31 on:** November 30, 2008, 09:11:32 PM »

I have a Nikon 1200 that I use for both archery as well as rifle hunting.

Charlie · « **Reply #32 on:** November 30, 2008, 09:43:21 PM »

I read allot of sound advise on this post. I wouldn't go hunting without my rangefinder whether it be modern firearm, muzzle loader or archery. I also believe that too much of a good thing can make me overly dependant and eventually cripple me. I know when I use my rangefinder exclusively I don't estimate as well as I use to before I started using it. When I started doing the archery walk-thru at the Tacoma Sportsmen's Club I never used my rangefinder and I got pretty good at estimating out to 60 yards. Then I started using it on a regular basis until one afternoon when I left it at home. The estimating skill I had previously achieved was pretty much gone. In many situations this may be acceptable but I would like to do some 3-D shoots. They won't let you use a ranging device at 3-D competitions. I also worry about those hunting situations when I just don't have time to pull out my rangefinders and still get off a shot. What I have read here is get a quality rangefinder and use it but also practice, practice, practice without it for those instances it is not an option.

jake · « **Reply #33 on:** November 30, 2008, 10:07:37 PM »

i use one, not for the reason that i am afraid of missing, but in my opinion it can help me make a more ethical shot and not maim a animal because i guessed wrong

Roger · « **Reply #34 on:** December 01, 2008, 06:56:09 PM »

I upgraded this summer and decided on the NIKON Rifle Hunter 550. I use both bow and gun, works great for both. Gets all the distance I need. Under ideal conditions I have ranged things out to almost 800 yards with it. It's great, simple to use and compact. Yea it uses special lithium battery but the life is rated for 10,000 uses. I was thinking of the Leupold RX II but reviews indicated that it was complicated to use, don't need complicated. The Nikon has 2 modes, angle or distance.

I wouldn't think about going into the woods without one. It's on my belt all the time.

fc2038 · « **Reply #35 on:** December 01, 2008, 07:03:03 PM »

+1 I love my range finder. Never fails to know the try distance to your target. you can't go wrong. ALMOST

rosscrazyelk · « **Reply #36 on:** December 01, 2008, 07:18:43 PM »

A fuunny joke comes to mind with this topic

andrew_12gauge · « **Reply #37 on:** December 01, 2008, 07:34:26 PM »

I never owned one up until my birthday last february i really wanted a leupold RX-II but thanks to the guys at cabelas i ended up getting the Bushnell Scout 1000 with ARC, the ease of use is incredible compared to the RX-II, uphill or downhill compensation, and seperate rifle and bow modes, only used it on my dads sheep hunt so far though as i havent even fired a shot at an animal this year

RC3 · « **Reply #38 on:** December 02, 2008, 08:21:59 PM »

I use a leica 1200 best rangefinder you can buy in my opinion........small works in fog everything

Alan K · « **Reply #39 on:** December 02, 2008, 09:32:17 PM »

I use one. It's great during bow season, use it at all times. It's also vital for colorado rifle hunting.

SagebrushStalker · « **Reply #40 on:** December 04, 2008, 09:09:51 PM »

I use a leica 1200 for rifle and archery hunting, definately made me a better hunter.

jae · « **Reply #41 on:** December 06, 2008, 07:54:04 PM »

Quote from: archery288 on November 30, 2008, 12:32:49 PM

An absolute must have! I wouldn't set foot in the woods without one!

+1

SCRUBS · « **Reply #42 on:** December 07, 2008, 11:46:21 AM »

I have one, and use it when i can. I like my shots short so it`s not a necessity.

dbllunger · « **Reply #43 on:** December 07, 2008, 11:56:50 AM »

Leica and use it all the time even when not hunting!

saylean · « **Reply #44 on:** December 07, 2008, 07:59:25 PM »

I bring it with me when I go archery hunting, but usually only use it to shoot points of interest while im in my blind.

Big10gauge · « **Reply #45 on:** December 07, 2008, 08:56:44 PM »

Leica, It's always with me no matter what type of hunting I'm doing.

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Author Topic: Range finder, Who does, who doesn't (Read 15102 times)

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