New bow, need stabilizer and sight recommendations (Need a rangefinder now)

[John B]

Got the stabilizer last week, very happy with it. Now I'm looking for recommendations for a decent rangefinder. Is it worth spending the extra money on a unit with angle compensation? What do you guys use?

[RadSav]

Is it worth spending the extra money on a unit with angle compensation?

Absolutely yes!!!

[John B]

Thinking about picking this one up, thoughts?

http://www.nikonsportoptics.com/en/nikon-products/rangefinders/prostaff-3i-laser-rangefinder.html

[RadSav]

I'm hot and cold on Nikon rangefinders.  On the plus side they are probably the most accurate rangefinders I've used.  They have been good in fog and better than most in snow. 

On the negative side they lose their clarity faster than any rangfinder I've used and they fog easier than most. I was buying the wife a new one every few years.  Finally got smart and figured it was cheaper to just get her a Leupold.

[John B]

If I do go Leopold, which one should I be looking at?

[RadSav]

The old cheap ones were the better rangefinder.  Worked well in rain and fog.  Even acceptable in snow.  But the best performing ones did not have TBR and range accuracy would often vary by 3 yards.  The first TBR models did not calculate past 60 yards.  Once they went DNA the ranging accuracy improved, but function was still a challenge on anything other than completely clear days.  With the improved sensitivity even the slightest of fog causes a complete failure.  That is where the Nikon and the non-TBR Leupolds really became a better product.

I have taken a crap load of animals using an RX-1000/TBR DNA on nice days and the older model on poor weather days.  But I loaned the older model to a member and could never get it returned.  After that I tried just about every high end angle comp model I could find from any manufacturer from Vortex to Leica.  None of them have worked in various weather any better than my RX-1000.  I think the wannabe sniper demand for further and further range distance has just made them all too darn sensitive.  And that doesn't help the bowhunter at all.

Leupold was beside us at the ATA this past year.  I went over and asked them if there was anything us western bowhunters could do to get better performance in more variety of weather without losing the TBR.  They claim that the new FullDraw2 is designed for just such tasks.  Less sensitivity to fog rain and snow for more reliable performance for bowhunters, but they also claim it works better on targets of all different colors than previous models.  TBR accuracy in 'Bow Mode' to 175 yards.   IF true, and not just a bunch of salesman marketing spin, it could finally be the answer western bowhunters have been waiting for.  Especially those of us who embrace those wet stormy days of November and December on the westside.

I have not yet ordered myself one.  However, I fully intend to have one for the 2016 season.  Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but I felt those guys at the booth were being sincere.  I'm certainly hoping so!!

[raydog]

I have an older Nikon archers choice. Its a decent rangefinder, but I can't get the damn thing to work in the fog to save my life. Even may have caused me to miss my opportunity on a bull. It wouldn't range in the fog and I didn't feel confident enough to guess. I ranged it later and its a good thing I didn't shoot! I would have missed by 15 yards! Anyhow Like Rad said, Nikon isn't the most clear rangefinder but gets the job done. I now have a vortex 1000 that I picked up from Elknut. I like it a lot, because I can use it for rifle hunting too. Has a red display that I love. Only complaint I have is it takes a second or 2 longer to range than my Nikon. Hope it does good in the fog!

[John B]

FullDraw2 on the way. Thanks RadSav, you really know your stuff. 

[RadSav]

Raydog makes a good point about the red display.  I used dark displays for years before I got my first Leica.  There were a lot of times I would range an animal in the dark timber and then have to point it to a hole in the trees so I could see the light sky and tell what the distance was.  I will not use a rangefinder that does not have the red.  Just be careful not to have it turned up too bright.  That can cause problems in dark timber too.

[Special T]

I use a Nikon Rifle hunter its simple only has 3 modes works well fro both rifle hunting and archery. Most people cannot shoot past 550yards with a rifle cold bore including me so thats what i went with and have been very happy. Im now the happy owner of Bull Blasters Stabilizer. I mist say it is very nice to have one that has a quick disconnect so that its easier to get into/ out of the hard case.

[GrampasGuns]

Loving my vortex rangefinder. Clear and quick. My only gripe is the button makes a small audible click when it's depressed. Can't beleive they overlooked that

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[wt]

2* on the archers choice not working in the fog. Mine won't read in the fog either. Last year, opening day, light fog, in the elk, call up a bull..... range,range, no friken range. Bull comes up I shoot high, spine shot .   Two miles later I get another chance, and double long it. Moral of he story fog no range. I hunt I'm Western wa almost exclusively to so I'm following this thread for ideas on a new unit also.