OK, I know you get what you pay for, but I need a range finder and am not needing anything super accurate. So what are opinions on one that is pretty good out to say, 500 yds? Oh, did I also mention I am a cheap joker on a budget?
"cheap" range finder
- Thread starter tomcat mv
- Start date
Re: "cheap" range finder
I use a Bushnell sport 450 that was I think $150.00 that works great for me. it gets a little tough to get readings out past 500 yards if your not steady with it. but up to 500 its perfect. I've only needed to use it out to 700 yards so cant speak for it beyond that. supposedly it reads up to 999 yards. Just try to aim it at something big if ranging at a distance, like a tree or something. the bigger, and flatter the object the better.
I use a Bushnell sport 450 that was I think $150.00 that works great for me. it gets a little tough to get readings out past 500 yards if your not steady with it. but up to 500 its perfect. I've only needed to use it out to 700 yards so cant speak for it beyond that. supposedly it reads up to 999 yards. Just try to aim it at something big if ranging at a distance, like a tree or something. the bigger, and flatter the object the better.
Re: "cheap" range finder
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bushnell-Yardage...=item3a773812e0
had one, liked it
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bushnell-Yardage...=item3a773812e0
had one, liked it
Re: "cheap" range finder
I picked up a Bushnell Tour V2. I have had very good results out to 650m and then if I am lucky I can get a good read off a target 1100m away. Only downside is that it takes CR-2 Batteries. Some notes from the manual regarding ranging:
RANGING ACCURACY
The ranging accuracy of the TOUR V2 is plus or minus one yard/meter under most circumstances. The maximum range of the instrument depends on the reflectivity of the target. The maximum distance for most objects is 700 yards/640 meters while for highly reflective objects the maximum is 1000 yards/914 meters. Note: You will get both longer and shorter maximum distances depending on the reflective properties of the particular target and the environmental conditions at the time the distance of an object is being measured.
The color, surface finish, size and shape of the target all affect reflectivity and range. The brighter the color, the longer the range. Red is highly reflective, for example, and allows longer ranges than the color black, which is the least reflective color. A shiny finish provides more range than a dull one. A small target is more difficult to range than a larger target. The angle to the target also has an effect. Shooting to a target at a 90 degree angle (where the target surface is perpendicular to the flight path of the emitted energy pulses) provides good range while a steep angle on the other hand, provides limited ranging. In addition, lighting conditions (e.g. the amount of sunlight) will affect
the ranging capabilities of the unit. The less light (e.g. overcast skies) the farther the unit’s maximum range
will be. Conversely, very sunny days will decrease the unit’s maximum range.
I picked up a Bushnell Tour V2. I have had very good results out to 650m and then if I am lucky I can get a good read off a target 1100m away. Only downside is that it takes CR-2 Batteries. Some notes from the manual regarding ranging:
RANGING ACCURACY
The ranging accuracy of the TOUR V2 is plus or minus one yard/meter under most circumstances. The maximum range of the instrument depends on the reflectivity of the target. The maximum distance for most objects is 700 yards/640 meters while for highly reflective objects the maximum is 1000 yards/914 meters. Note: You will get both longer and shorter maximum distances depending on the reflective properties of the particular target and the environmental conditions at the time the distance of an object is being measured.
The color, surface finish, size and shape of the target all affect reflectivity and range. The brighter the color, the longer the range. Red is highly reflective, for example, and allows longer ranges than the color black, which is the least reflective color. A shiny finish provides more range than a dull one. A small target is more difficult to range than a larger target. The angle to the target also has an effect. Shooting to a target at a 90 degree angle (where the target surface is perpendicular to the flight path of the emitted energy pulses) provides good range while a steep angle on the other hand, provides limited ranging. In addition, lighting conditions (e.g. the amount of sunlight) will affect
the ranging capabilities of the unit. The less light (e.g. overcast skies) the farther the unit’s maximum range
will be. Conversely, very sunny days will decrease the unit’s maximum range.
Re: "cheap" range finder
Second the Bushnells for a low cost solution. I have had a couple of the Leupold and haven't been happy with them in the 300-400 dollar range. Expect performance on par with what you pay with low end range finders, they can get you decent results with optimal conditions/reflective targets, but will frustrate the devil out of you under field conditions. I have decided to just bite the bullet and am looking at a higher end unit now, just trying to get over the sticker shock associated with them. If I had done this from the beggining I would have been MUCH better off. Have already spent as much on low end ones to have bought a set of Fusion 1600 Bushnells and have given the old ones away. Lesson learned I guess.
Second the Bushnells for a low cost solution. I have had a couple of the Leupold and haven't been happy with them in the 300-400 dollar range. Expect performance on par with what you pay with low end range finders, they can get you decent results with optimal conditions/reflective targets, but will frustrate the devil out of you under field conditions. I have decided to just bite the bullet and am looking at a higher end unit now, just trying to get over the sticker shock associated with them. If I had done this from the beggining I would have been MUCH better off. Have already spent as much on low end ones to have bought a set of Fusion 1600 Bushnells and have given the old ones away. Lesson learned I guess.
Re: "cheap" range finder
+2 on the Bushnell 1000 arc. I picked one up a couple years ago to keep in my archery pack. It accounts for angled shoots and has modes for archery, rifles, and ranging through brush. I got it at Cabelas for around $200. When I compared it next to a higher end Leupold out to 450 yds, all the further i could range in that field, all the ranging was in a few yards of each other. Ive als left it sitting in the rain all day and it functioned with no problems or fogging.
+2 on the Bushnell 1000 arc. I picked one up a couple years ago to keep in my archery pack. It accounts for angled shoots and has modes for archery, rifles, and ranging through brush. I got it at Cabelas for around $200. When I compared it next to a higher end Leupold out to 450 yds, all the further i could range in that field, all the ranging was in a few yards of each other. Ive als left it sitting in the rain all day and it functioned with no problems or fogging.
Re: "cheap" range finder
I just picked up the bushnell scout 1000 arc, patriot edition for 200 at cabelas and it has a $30 mail in rebate on it Ive been using it around the farm for groundhawgs and I can pick them up at 600 yards with it, I can go out to 800 yards on the tree lines on our woods. Im very happy with it for the price. I have a nikon 440 that I was using before that but after 250-300 yards it wouldnt pick up hawgs id have to get it to reflect back off something near it and judge from there.
I just picked up the bushnell scout 1000 arc, patriot edition for 200 at cabelas and it has a $30 mail in rebate on it Ive been using it around the farm for groundhawgs and I can pick them up at 600 yards with it, I can go out to 800 yards on the tree lines on our woods. Im very happy with it for the price. I have a nikon 440 that I was using before that but after 250-300 yards it wouldnt pick up hawgs id have to get it to reflect back off something near it and judge from there.
