Rangefinder question

[Jburke]

So I've been looking for a rangefinder and found myself at a bit of a standstill at this point.  I'm not planning on buying crap, but I'm just trying to figure out if the finders with the angle compensation built in are really that much more effective or if they are just a waste of money.  I'll be bow hunting for deer and ml for elk, but also rifle hunt.  So I just need to know if this is something that I should have or if a standard one will be just as good.

[bobcat]

I think it would be helpful for bowhunting especially if you hunt from a treestand. Other than that I wouldn't think it would really be necessary.

[Jburke]

I'm just wondering how helpful though, I mean is it really something that I can justify the extra price?

[CoryTDF]

I missed a stud mule deer last year because my rangfinder did not do angle adjustment. I should have trusted my instincts but i listen to the rangfinder and shot right over his back. The angle was so extreme that i slid down the hill on my ass to go get my arrow. Lesson learned i went and bought a Nikon 550 with angle adjustment the next week. If i were you i would make damn sure to get that feature.

[Jburke]

I was actually looking at the nikon 550. 

[HoofsandWings]

I have the Bushnell 1500. It works great. BTW. Before purchasing anywhere, go to Cabelas website and that other big catalog store (redhead?) Although it is not advertised, they sometimes have the range finders on sale, but you have to drill all the way down to the item to get the sale price. I was lucky and saved $175.
Not only does the 1500 have correction for arrows, you can set for muzzleloader bullets and various rifle bullets with different bullet characteristics. It will give you a corrected point of aim.

[lazydrifter]

My son just bought me the Nikon 550 for my birthday.  I had it out the other day and it actually ranged to 647 yards.  I don't know if it will go further.  I tried in both sunny and overcast conditions and fairly early in low light and it seems to work fine.  I don't have anything to compare it with because I've never used one before. 

[Bofire]

I bought a Nikon 550 last year, in the store and parking lot it worked great. In eastern wa, low light and non-reflective target I could not get any reading at all. I paid 200 sold it for 150.
Carl

[Wacenturion]

Bought the Bushnell Elite 1500 with Arc....love it.  

[mossback91]

Got the nikon riflehunter 550........it seems to work pretty good.........leicas are bitchin but too rich for my blood

[Intruder]

I think a guy is better of buyin the best "rangefinder" and not worrying so much about the options if you will.  I'd highly suggest the Lieca.

Not saying that the arc/angle stuff is bad... I'd just prefer to have rock solid ranging ability over something that could potentially add a level of inaccuracy.

[Bob33]

Do the math.  Shooting at an angle equates is equivalent to shooting at the horizontal distance to the animal.  If you're shooting straight up or straight down, the horizontal distance is zero, so the bullet never "drops" with respect to the bore.  Shooting on the level: the horizontal distance and the actual distance are the same.

At 400 yards, shooting uphill or downhill at a 30 degree angle, which is pretty steep, equates to shooting on the level at 346 yards (the cosine of 30 times the distance).  The drop of a 30-06 bullet at 350 yards is roughly 12 inches; at 400 yards it is roughly 20 inches: an 8 inch difference.

If you shoot at extreme angles, at extreme distances, and don't understand what that does to a bullet, then (a) pass on the shot, or (b) get a rangefinder but make sure you understand what it's telling you.

My advice for a rifle hunter is buy a good rangefinder like the Leica, and don't worry about angles.  Bowhunters: angle matters much more.

[scudmaster]

The TBR are very good to have for high angle hunting.  There is no difference in the laser accuracy, as the ballistic range is calculated by a built in angle meter that then multiplies the range by the cosine of the angle to give you the effective ballistic range. 

At moderate angles this has a small effect, but around 25 degrees you have to start adjusting your point of aim.  However, if you can do math in your head and remember a few key angles you can adjust your point of aim on the fly

As for tree stand hunting, you can measure straight across to other trees to give you ballistic range as well. 

So get the TBR models if you can, but there are techniques you can use if you can't or don't want to afford it.

If you want more info, send me a PM

Scud

[h2ofowlr]

I picked up the Lieca 1200 and love it.  It's been a great range finder.

[tony04]

im in the same boat as Jburke. im looking into range finders with angle compensation. im not very good at judging distances and i really dont know what to do when im shooting up hill or down. i seen a nice buck when i was scouting a month ago and i was on a landing looking down on him. my guess was about 200-300 yds. but like i said, im not good at judging distanced because i have never been able to measure them. i dont have alot of money to spend and i found the nikon 550 for $269. so thats what im leaning towards.