Best range finder under $200?

[Cummingetit]

Got a $200 gift card to bass pro from work and looking for a decent range finder. Looking for opinions on angle compensation as well or is it somewhat of a gimmick? Also if I could even find something around $100 it would leave me a little money for binos, which I need as well.

Probably headin to bass pro this weekend, just tryin to do a little homework first.

Thanks in advance!

ETA- will mostly be hunting from a stand

 

[bowhunter1023]

I like the ARC mode on my Bushnell, I just don't like the rangefinder itself. Wish I had went with a Nikon.

 

[aholdren]

I got a Redfield Raider 600A last year and I'm really liking it so far. @$179.

 

[Bigslam51]

I have a Bushnell scout ARC 1000. I like it. Only thing is that its hard to see the numbers in low light.

 

[Big_Holla]

Really have not a thing bad to say about my Nikon Archer's Choice. With the slight magnification it has I tend to use it more often than my binoculars.

 

[DJK Frank 16]

Really have not a thing bad to say about my Nikon Archer's Choice. With the slight magnification it has I tend to use it more often than my binoculars.

Same here! I've had my archer's choice for 6 or 7 years now and it hasn't let me down. A little above your budget unless the price has came down on them, but they are worth it IMO.

 

[motorbreaker]

I'm not impressed with the arc thing. we did some side by side testing to see how much difference there was from different raised stands and from hills and there was very little difference. 1 yard was the biggest difference we seen . Most often it was only a half a yard diff.

 

[Fluteman]

I'm not impressed with the arc thing. we did some side by side testing to see how much difference there was from different raised stands and from hills and there was very little difference. 1 yard was the biggest difference we seen . Most often it was only a half a yard diff.

On flat ground when you are 21' up, out past 22 yards there isn't more than a yard difference between straight line yardage and line of sight yardage. You don't really start to notice a gap until you are shooting extreme uphill or downhill shots. ARC was intended more for rifle hunting, and is nearly useless on 90% of the shots you will see with a bow. Unless you are hunting steep hills where you one of sight may be 40y, but the straight line yardage is 20y, you do t necessarily need it.

 

[angelzd28]

I like my nikon prostaff, mostly cuz I got it at cabelas for $120 instead of the sticker price of $230. It was stolen then recovered at the guys house along with $10,000 of other merchandise he had stolen. Cabelas didnt recover the box it came in so the guy behind the counter offered me that price! :smiley_bril:

 

[matthewusmc8791]

quick question. Do you plan on using this range finder for archery purposes only?? Do you plan on using it for long range shooting? 1000+yds. What are your expectations?

 

[Cummingetit]

quick question. Do you plan on using this range finder for archery purposes only?? Do you plan on using it for long range shooting? 1000+yds. What are your expectations?

Would mostly be used for archery, but occasionally I'll shoot a rifle out to 100-200 yds nothing extreme

 

[ajupsman]

Nikon Archers Choice here too. Bought it 2 years ago after hunting season on sale for $199. I think it normally goes for $250+.

 

[moundhill]

Mines a vortex xrt or something like that. It was a cheap one at dunhams and does all I want it to

 

[Bigslam51]

Mines a vortex xrt or something like that. It was a cheap one at dunhams and does all I want it to

Do your numbers show up in red instead of black? I was checking out at vortex at the bowhunting supershow in Cleveland and the yardage lit up in red.

 

[moundhill]

Black.

 

[Cummingetit]

Appreciate all the input guys, sounds like I'll take a good look at the nikons. Worst case I'll have to throw a couple bucks on top of the gift card.

Thanks again!

 

[Big_Holla]

One thing to do is check out the clarity you see through the range finder. That was one thing that sold my buddy on getting a Nikon too as he compared how crisp the view was compared to many of the others.

 

[Cummingetit]

Will do. Never really understood the price difference for high $ optics, always had cheaper/lower end bushnell/barska scopes. But anymore the I absolutely see the difference in clarity. I'll be lookin for a decent set of binos next!!

 

[Hedgelj]

The biggest difference in the lower priced range fingers and the expensive ones is how accurate they are at longer range.

 

[jagermeister]

On flat ground when you are 21' up, out past 22 yards there isn't more than a yard difference between straight line yardage and line of sight yardage. You don't really start to notice a gap until you are shooting extreme uphill or downhill shots. ARC was intended more for rifle hunting, and is nearly useless on 90% of the shots you will see with a bow. Unless you are hunting steep hills where you one of sight may be 40y, but the straight line yardage is 20y, you do t necessarily need it.

Thank you. I try to explain this to fellow bowhunters and friends all the time but for some reason no one seems to get it. Ahhh... The power of marketing at its finest.