| While the same rangefinder can be used in both | | | | Most rangefiner manufacturers already provide rating |
| situations, we are finding more and more that the | | | | distances such as reflective surfaces, tree, deer, and |
| hunter and the golfer are being more selective in the | | | | flag as features of their models. Do not let yourself be |
| type of rangefinder that they want. Typically hunters | | | | short in distance ratings. You will have wasted money |
| (who may be in a blind or sitting in a tree stand) prefer | | | | and receive limited range finder performance if you |
| the type range finder that ignores close up items such | | | | purchase a rangefinder rated at 500 yards and you |
| as tree limbs or brush and concentrates only on the | | | | expect to range game out to 300 yards. Remember |
| more distant game. Golfers on the other hand | | | | the one-third rule (500 / 3 = 167 yards effective range). |
| generally have nothing between them and the green | | | | Rangefinders come with a number of different |
| and hole, so they tend to select the type rangefinder | | | | targeting modes, generally scan mode, bulls eye mode, |
| that reads the first object in its sight. | | | | brush mode, and/or rain mode. Any combination of |
| Your success rate in either field will greatly improve if | | | | these modes may be present on a rangefinder. |
| you know the precise distance to your game or to the | | | | Scan mode is useful for both the hunter and the golfer |
| flag. The vast majority of rangefinders have an | | | | as you can scan left to right over a distance and |
| accuracy rating of plus or minus one yard. Yardage | | | | receive different reading as the rangefinder passes |
| guesses by humans, without prior mark-offs, may be | | | | over different objects. As an example, the golfer could |
| off by as much as 10 yards for every 100 yards being | | | | scan left to right over the green area, get a reading on |
| evaluated. | | | | the trees just beyond the green, then have the scan |
| While range finders are a valuable assist, one must | | | | jump to a closer measurement as the scan hits the |
| understand their limitations and the conditions that | | | | flag, and drop back to a longer reading again as the |
| affect their readings. The capabilities of rangefinders | | | | scan passes by. |
| are affected by three major items; the size of the | | | | Bulls eye mode is generally used for up close ranging, |
| target, the color or texture of the target, and the | | | | target shooting, or when rangin smaller objects or |
| atmospheric condition where the rangefinder is being | | | | smaller game. |
| used. | | | | Brush is normally a feature of hunting range finders as |
| A large white building will reflect an accurate reading at | | | | it ignores hits on close up objects as tree branches, |
| a greater distance than it will on a small animal. A bright | | | | brush, or rocks and returns measurements only against |
| colored object will reflect much better than a dark | | | | background objects such as deer or bear. |
| colored one. A solid object generally reflects from | | | | Rain mode is a feature that most hunters will require |
| further away than does a living body. And cool | | | | as it compensates for moisture in the air (rain or snow) |
| overcast days will generally produce better and more | | | | and still returns an accurate distance reading. |
| distant readings than those taken on a hot hazy day. | | | | Waterproof rangefinders are also a requirement often |
| Under perfect atmospheric conditions, a range finder | | | | demanded by hunters as they will encounter wet |
| rated at 1000 yards, may accurately reflect the | | | | weather much more often than a golfer. |
| distance measurements of a large white building 1000 | | | | Size of the rangefinder is more important to the hunter |
| yards away, but only return the distance on a black | | | | than it is for the golfer. The hunter wants a compact |
| vehicle 700 yards away, or a tree in the field 500 | | | | range finer that can be put into a jacket pocket, but is |
| yards distant, a deer standing in the meadow 350 | | | | still readily available at a moments notice. As the game |
| yards in the distance, or the flag on a golf green 200 | | | | steps into view the hunter wants to be able to |
| yards away. Rangefinders have their distance | | | | immediately pull out the range finder and range the |
| limitations based on the shape, the color, and the | | | | distance to the animal. Size and time sensitivity is not |
| texture of the object being ranged. | | | | as critical to the golfer. Generally rangefinders are |
| For hunters it is especially important to know the | | | | placed in the golf bag or on the golf cart and used only |
| general distance that they will be viewing their game, | | | | when over the ball to determine the yardage remaining |
| and to understand that rangefinders typically are | | | | to the green and the flag. |
| accurate against game out to only one-third of the | | | | Be confident in your range estimations. Rangefinders |
| rangefinder's maximum listed distance. | | | | will immediately return a true yardage measurement to |
| A hunter interested in ranging game 200 yards out and | | | | your game, to a specific object, or provide the |
| closer should have a range finder with a maximum | | | | distance remaining to the green or the flag. Eliminate |
| rating of at least 600 yards. | | | | the guessing. |