Best Rangefinders for Archery and Bow Hunting
Because some rangefinders are designed specifically for close range use, they lack magnification.
Others are designed for long-range use and have superior glass optics with multi-layer coatings, large objective lenses, and large exit pupils for better light transmission and ultra-clear sight pictures.
They may also have lighted reticles and multiple targeting and ranging modes, among other things.
Below are our top rangefinder picks for archery and Bow hunting, as well as a detailed buyer’s guide to help you identify key points to consider when buying a rangefinder for archery and Bow hunting.
Best Rangefinders for Archery and Bow Hunting-Our Top Picks
Bushnell Laser Rangefinder Bone Collector
This device functions as a 4x magnified monocular as well as a rangefinder with an in-view LCD display.
The rangefinder measures distances out to 600 yards with a 1 yard accuracy using an eye-safe infrared laser.
It’s simple and easy to use in any weather, even with gloves on, thanks to a single textured pushbutton. In clamshell packaging, this rangefinder comes complete with a case and battery.
The in-view LCD display of the rangefinder calculates the exact distance to any target from 10 to 600 yards with a single button press.
This laser rangefinder calculates the distance to your target in a fraction of a second.
The eye-safe technology sends out infrared energy pulses that are measured as they travel from the rangefinder to the target and back.
The weather-resistant, compact design of the Bushnell Bone Collector Laser Rangefinder makes it both durable and easy to carry.
This rangefinder is designed to blend in with the environment and is covered in Realtree Xtra camouflage.
Features
- Class 1 Eye-Safe IR Laser
- 10-600 yd Measurement Range
- Accurate to Within 1 Yard
- 4×21 Monocular
- Uncluttered LCD Display
- Yard/Meter Measurement Display
- Weather-Resistant Armored Housing
- Runs on One 9V Battery
- Lightweight: 7.7-ounces
- Clamshell Packaging
Leupold RX-FullDraw
The new RX-FullDraw 4 is designed specifically for bowhunters, giving you the advantage you need to tag out every season.
The RX-FullDraw 4 rangefinder includes their proprietary Archer’s Advantage software, which calculates extremely accurate ballistic solutions out to 175 yards based on your arrow weight, arrow velocity, and peep height.
It also includes Flightpath technology, which eliminates the guesswork in achieving the perfect shot every time.
This lightning-fast rangefinder also has a range of 1,200 yards, so you’ll know how close you need to get to seal the deal even if you’re too far away to take the shot.
Features
- Magnification: 6x
- Finish: Green
- Max Range (yds): 1,300
- Weight (oz): 7
- Unparalleled accuracy-short and long distances
- Lightweight, compact, and waterproof
- Rubberized armor for secure grip in any conditions
- Continuous range updates
Vortex Optics Ranger Laser Rangefinders
With a range of up to 1,800 yards, the Vortex Ranger 1800 Laser Rangefinder is ideal for hunters and shooters.
This range finder is in a class by itself because of its numerous features and low price.
The Vortex Ranger 1800 Laser Rangefinder has a large, easy-to-read display, fully multi-coated lenses, and high performance.
Most hunters and shooters will benefit from the main HCD mode, which displays an angle compensated distance.
Long-distance, high-angle shots can be calculated more precisely with a more advanced LOS mode.
The rangefinder’s scan feature provides continuous range readings as you pan across a landscape or track a moving target.
There are three brightness settings on the display to keep it visible in various lighting conditions.
Fully multi-coated lenses deliver optimal light transmission in this rangefinder. A secure, non-slip grip is provided by textured rubber armor.
The system’s water and fogproof capabilities keep it running even in the most extreme conditions.
The Ranger is easy to pack and keep handy thanks to the included neck lanyard and removable utility clip.With a tripod adapter, you can use it on a tripod or a car window mount.
Features
- Fully Multi-Coated Lenses
- Waterproof
- Rugged Design
- Diopter adjusts for precise focus
- Utility Clip
- Horizontal Component Distance (HCD) mode for angle compensated ranging
- Line of Sight (LOS) mode displays actual line of sight range
- Easy-to-use Menu
- Ranging Format
- Tripod Adaptable
AOFAR Hunting Range Finder
This is a high-precision rangefinder with advanced pinsensor technology, 6x magnification, and 1 yard accuracy.
It’s a rangefinder for hunting that can measure up to 700 yards. Even on a bad weather day, using range or fog mode can give you an amazing hunting experience.
Range, Scan, Fog, and Speed are the four modes available for hunting and golf. With a continuous scan, you can easily identify the target.
The dimensions are 110 x 75 x 45 mm, and the weight is 180 grams.
Waterproof and dust-resistant with a long-lasting feel. Ideal for golfing or hunting.
Features
- Advanced pinsensor technology
- Range, Scan, Fog, and Speed are the four modes available
- 6x magnification
- Accuracy with ±1 yard
- Measurement up to 700 yards
- Lightweight and portable
- Weight is 180g
Bushnell 7x26mm Elite CONX Laser Range Finder 202540
The Bushnell 7×26 Elite 1 Mile ARC CONX Laser Rangefinder Combo consists of several devices and platforms that work together to provide quick and accurate close-range, medium-range, and long-range shooting solutions.
The Elite 1 includes an inclinometer that measures the target’s relative angle, and by using one of the advanced ranging modes, users can get an adjusted ranging distance for estimating holdover.
Two modes are available to filter out false reads for close-range and long-distance ranging.
A Kestrel Sportsman Ballistics Weather Meter is included with the rangefinder, and it measures temperature, barometric pressure, wind speed, altitude, relative humidity, and other variables that affect a round’s trajectory and ballistic arc.
The rangefinder, meter, and an Android or iOS device running the free CONX app connect via Bluetooth, which collects all of the data from the rangefinder and meter and uses preset ballistic curves based on rifle and round to provide and display impact point corrections in inches, centimeters, MOA, or MILS.
For a shooting partner or spotter, data from the rangefinder is also displayed on the mobile device app screen.
Features
- 7x magnification
- Blue Tooth Wireless connectivity via CONX Technology – requires Android operating system 4.3, or iOS 8.1 or newer for Apple devices
- VDT (Vivid Display Technology)
- Range: 5–1760 yards
- Diopter adjustment
- Compatible with magnetic attachment system
- Built-in tripod mount
- Posi-Thread battery door
- Fully Multi-Coated 7×26 Monocular
- Integrated Inclinometer Measures Angle
- BDC Corrections in MOA/MIL/Inches/Centimeters
- Kestrel Ballistics Weather Meter
- Multiple Ranging and Ballistic Modes
- Nitrogen-Filled, Water and Fogproof
Vortex Impact 6x15mm 1000 Rangefinder
The Impact 1000 has an easy-to-use platform with angle compensation, making it ideal for bowhunters and range-day enthusiasts.
Targets can be ranged out to five yards, with the ability to extend out to 1,000 yards if necessary.
The main HCD mode shows an angle compensated distance, which is ideal for most hunters and shooters.
A more advanced LOS mode allows for more precise calculations of long-distance, high-angle shots.
To pan across a landscape or track a moving target, a scan feature provides continuous range readings. You can choose to read in yards or meters in all modes.
The diopter on the eyepiece compensates for variations in the user’s vision. The addition of 6x magnification allows for a closer examination of targets and more precise ranging.
Light transmission in low-light environments is improved by fully multi-coated optics. No matter what the weather throws at you, you’ll be ready to hunt.
Features
- Rugged Design
- Waterproof
- Built-in diopter to compensate for differences in your eyesight
- Easy-to-use Menu: Intuitive, easy-to-use menus feature a simple, clean illuminated display
- Intuitive Display: Easy-to-use menu with a simple, clean display
- HCD: Horizontal Component Distance (HCD) mode for angle compensated ranging
- LOS: Line of Sight (LOS) mode displays actual line of sight range
- Scan: This feature displays continual distance readings when panning across a landscape or tracking a moving animal
- Ranging Format: Range in yards or meters
- Range Reflective (yards): 1000 yds
- Range Tree (yards): 800 yds
- Range Deer (yards): 500 yds
Leupold RX-2800 TBR Laser Rangefinder
The lightning-quick Leupold RX-2800 TBR Laser digital rangefinder is guaranteed to stretch your skills with 1/2-yard accuracy out to 2,800 yards, 7x magnification, and an easy-to-read red OLED display.
With its cutting-edge OLED display, the rangefinder is the most powerful monocular on the market.
Furthermore, the Leupold True Ballistic Range with Wind Rangefinder is completely waterproof, allowing you to aim at your target in any weather.
The Alpha IQ technology in the Leupold RX-2800 Rangefinder makes it the fastest, farthest, and most accurate rangefinder you’ll ever buy.
Features
- Armor coated and rugged
- OLED Display which provides an extremely bright display with easy to read numbers and letters
- Scan Mode (RX) to keep you on target as you track movement or scan an area.
- True Ballistic Range with Wind (TBR/W)
- Alpha IQ which makes target acquisition lightning quick with excellent freehand ranging stability
- Waterproof
- Max range: 2800 yd to reflective target
- Range trees: 1300 yds
- Range deer: 1100 yds
See Also
How to Choose the Best Rangefinder for Archery and Bow Hunting
- Scan and horizontal modes
There are several modes on these rangefinder devices. The first and second priority modes were two of the most important ones we discussed earlier. Another mode is scan, which constantly updates you on the distance between you and your moving target.
You won’t have to adjust anything because your rangefinder will do it for you, eliminating the need to guess. A hunting rangefinder must have this feature.
- Aiming points and reticles
A rangefinder’s reticle and aiming points serve as a centralized point from which you can shoot your target.
Reticles come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and they address a variety of issues for various shooting activities and conditions.
For example, a different reticle is used for deer hunting, which is the polar opposite of varmint hunting. The reticles used in laser range finding are different.
For nighttime shooting, illuminated reticles are also available.
- Magnification
Range finders typically have a low magnification of between 5 and 10 times. It’s easier to range a specific target in your field of view, even if it’s more than a mile away, when you’re zoomed in a little. It’s also easier to switch from binoculars to a range finder because binoculars are usually in the 8x to 18x magnification range.
If you only hunt in densely forested areas, a good range finder may allow you to forego the binoculars. The same could be said of most riflescopes, but using a firearm’s optics to scan an area isn’t a good idea for obvious reasons, so a range finder is a better option.
- Maximum Range Capability
The maximum distance that a given range finder can accurately detect is a statistic that most range finder shoppers pay attention to. The device’s ability to read a large, bright, reflective surface is frequently listed as a best-case scenario number.
Range finders are most useful when preparing for a shot, but hunters can use them to determine distances as well. Knowing how far you have to travel to get into shooting range is useful even if you don’t shoot the deer 2,000 yards across the valley.
FAQs on the Best Rangefinders for Archery and Bow Hunting
- How Does a Rangefinder Work?
A rangefinder consists of a viewing monocular and a laser in most cases. When you press the rangefinder’s button, a laser beam is fired at the target and then returned to the rangefinder, giving you a distance reading.
Rangefinders nowadays are capable of much more. An advanced rangefinder will give you ballistic data as well as the proper distance for your shot, taking into account the angle of the shot.
- How Much Should I Pay For a Rangefinder?
Simply because something is inexpensive does not imply that it is inexpensive. There’s no reason why a rangefinder under $200 can’t be successful. However, many high-end brands can cost even more than $1500. We believe it is critical to consider the full range of prices, so we have made sure to account for all budgets.
- Is a range finder needed for bow hunting?
Rangefinders, according to most bowhunting experts, are now as important as proper bows and arrows for bowhunting gear. This is due to their precision, portability, and overall affordability. In essence, rangefinders determine the distance between an observer and a target.
Final thought
Look no further than the options above if you are a long-range shooter, archery, hunting, or simply looking for the best rangefinder for the money.
Hopefully, you’ll have a better idea of which rangefinder you’ll need for your next hunt or archery session after reading this article.