There are many gears that hunters use when they hunt prey. But only a few of them are important. Rangefinders are very important hunting gear.
This is because our eyes cannot be trusted to make the right judgment when it comes to the distance between us and our target. Rangefinders do that for us. They judge very accurately the distance in yards and meters between us and our prey.
Many rangefinders claim to be among the best rangefinders for bow hunting. After reading this article, you’ll be able to decide the best rangefinder for you.
Reviews of the Best Rangefinders for Bow Hunting
1. Vortex Optics Laser Rangefinder
Best overall
Easy to use
Lifetime warranty
Measures up to 850 yards
Non-illuminated lens
Vortex Optics Laser Rangefinder was made with durability and accuracy in mind. The rangefinder is covered in rubber. This makes it withstand falls and resist wear and tear. It is also waterproof.
It measures distances up to 850 yards accurately. This is for reflective targets. For non-reflective ones the rangefinder measures up to 550 yards and more.
This rangefinder comes with two modes of measurements. The HCD (Horizontal Component Distance) and the LOS (Line Of Sight). The HCD measures the horizontal distance taking into account the angles and slopes, while the LOS is measuring ballistic drop data. Most archers use the HCD.
The rangefinder compensates for angles and slopes and so it can measure any distance accurately, whether you’re shooting from a ground blind or a tree spot. It has a magnification power of 6 and 22mm objective lens.
Vortex Laser Rangefinder comes with a scan feature. It allows you to scan moving targets. You can also use it to scan smaller targets in a uniform background. All you have to do is to turn the rangefinder on and hold down the Measure button. The rangefinder will then enter into Scan mode and give you the desired readings.
It is a compact and lightweight rangefinder that is very easy to carry around. It is also very easy to use since it automatically takes angles into account and does not need the hunter to input any extra data.
This rangefinder also allows you to read distance in either yards or meters. Vortex Laser Rangefinder runs on a common and long lasting CR2 battery. The lens also gives you a reading of the battery level.
This rangefinder has one downside. The lens display is not illuminated. This makes it a bit difficult for hunters to take readings in certain light conditions.
However, the Vortex Laser Rangefinder is an accurate and durable rangefinder, suitable for taking readings from both the ground and tree stands. This rangefinder also grants you a lifetime warranty. It is the best rangefinder for archery for us.
2. Wosports 1200 Yards Hunting Rangefinder
Most Accurate
Can measure up to 1200 yards
Lifetime customer support
Lowest margin of error
CR2 battery is only 3 volts
Wosports rangefinder is a premium rangefinder built with a premium case to assist durability. Wosports gives you incredible value for your money.
It measures distances between 5 yards and 1200 yards. And it can do so effectively no matter whether your targets are reflective or non-reflective. The readings that hunters get with this rangefinder are very accurate.
Margin of error is only within +/- 0.3 yards. This makes the Wosports rangefinder the most accurate, so far. It also takes into account slopes, angles, incline/decline; so that you always get very accurate reading from ground blinds or tree stands.
The lens is superb. It comes with an objective lens of 22mm and a magnifying power of 6. The lens provides ultra clear displays and multilayered optics. Through the lens, you can read a distance in either yards or meters. You can also view the battery level through the lens.
Wosports comes with continuous scan technology. This means that you can read the distances of moving targets. With Wosports you can also read the distance of small targets.
Wosports is lightweight. It weighs only 223g. Even though it’s slightly heavier than some rangefinders, the rangefinder is still very easy to carry.
Wosports Rangefinder comes with a CR2 battery, a cleaning cloth, a carry bag, and a user manual. Wosports also grants a one year warranty and lifetime customer support. The rangefinder is also water resistant. This contributes to its durability.
Wosports rangefinder is a premium rangefinder that offers amazing value for your money.
3. TecTecTec ProWild Hunting Rangefinder
Best Extra Features
Has 6x Magnification
Nice accessories
Very lightweight
No compensation for angle
Cannot autofocus
Only accurate for ground shots
TecTecTec is one of the most valuable rangefinders for bow hunting available. It’s a rangefinder that measures up to 540 yards. It uses continuous scan mode which means that you can use the device to scan your surroundings to discover any available game. No need to look for a game before ranging in. This feature helps you not to spook any available game.
TecTecTec’s measurement accuracy is high. This rangefinder measures the distance to the accuracy of +/- 1 yard. So you can trust the measurements it gives.
The lens display is awesome. It has an ultra clear lens display with multilayered optics. The lens shows you the distance and the battery meters. You can also set your desired unit of measurement. This rangefinder has a 6x magnification. The rangefinder weighs a light 0.04 pounds.
TecTecTec ProWild comes as a full package of the rangefinder itself, a pouch, a wrist strap, a CR2 battery, a cleaning cloth, and even a setup guide. If you also register online, you get a 2-year warranty and lifetime customer support.
On the downside, TecTecTec does not account for angles or slope while reading measurements. Because of this, you can only use the rangefinder on ground blinds or over flat land. Measuring from a tree stand will not be very accurate.
To shoot from a tree stand using TecTecTec, you would have to measure out the horizontal distance on the ground first. This takes time. This rangefinder also does not have any autofocus feature, which causes the hunter to use two hands to operate.
That said, TecTecTec is a great option if you’re looking for a light rangefinder with nice extra features, to help you take continuous scan measurements.
4. Gogogo 6X Hunting Laser Rangefinder
Most Value
Measures up to 1200 yards
Weighs 184g
Has flagpole locking feature
Only one year warranty
This rangefinder will give you so much value for little money. Gogogo rangefinder measures distance up to 1200 yards, which is amazing considering the price that it comes with. Its measurements are very accurate and leave a margin of error of +/- 1m.
This rangefinder also takes into account angles and slopes to give you a more accurate reading. It has a flagpole locking function that supports a distance of up to 150 yards.
Gogogo rangefinder is very easy to use and it gives you very fast readings. In fact, if you decide to get this rangefinder, bear in mind that it can give you readings in less that one second.
It also comes with a continuous measurement feature which allows you to scan the area for available deer. You can also measure moving targets.
The lens is superb. The lens is a fully multi-coated lens that reduces the light of reflected targets while giving you a brighter image and clear readings. The rangefinder comes with a diopter that you can use to adjust the display to get a very precise reading.
The lens includes a battery reading to alert hunters to low battery level. The objective lens of this rangefinder is 25mm (a very good one) and its eyepiece lens is 16mm.
Gogogo is a very light rangefinder. It weighs only 184 grams (0.04 pounds). If you’re a hunter who carries a lot of gear for your bow hunting, Gogogo is the one for you.
Gogogo comes as a complete package of the rangefinder, one CR2 battery, a canvass carrying bag (to assist on transportation), a micro fiber cleaning cloth, a strap, and a user manual.
The downside is that Gogogo provided warranty for only one year. This is very low considering the fact that many rangefinders give warranties of at least two years. Some offer a lifetime warranty. Gogogo compensates for this with lifetime customer support. This rangefinder gives the most value for your money.
5. Simmons Hunting Laser Rangefinder
Best Battery
Long lasting 9 volt battery
Has an LCD display
Sleek and Compact
Doesn’t come with a case
Poor display in low lit conditions
Simmons volt 600 is the rangefinder that you need. Designed vertically for sleek appearance and easy use, Simmons gives you good value for your money.
It measures horizontal distances from 10 yards to 600 yards. And it’s very accurate. It comes with Tilt technology that enables it to compensate for slopes and angles to some extent.
The lens has a 4x magnification power and an objective lens of 20mm. Some hunters complain that the magnification power is relatively low. However, given that Simmons performs optimally where you’re measuring a maximum of 625 yards, the magnification power makes no difference.
The lens also has an LCD display to help give crystal clear images. And you don’t have to worry about the safety of your eye because the lens is Class 1 Laser, compatible with the human eye.
The vertical design of Simmons, combined with its one-tap feature, makes the rangefinder super easy to use. In fact, the button you need to tap is aligned with your index finger to make it even easier to operate.
The rangefinder is built to stand the rest of time. It has a strong rubber covering made to withstand stress. It has also been proven to be water resistant. Simmons has an anti-slip grip built into it; this is to help prevent the rangefinder from ever slipping from your grip.
This rangefinder comes together with a long-lasting 9-volt CR2 battery. This means that you don’t have to worry about the rangefinder going down in the middle of a hunt. A neck strap is also included with the rangefinder. This facilities transport.
There a few downsides. Simmons does not come with a case which means that you’ll have to buy one separately. Also, the lens does not give such a bright display if you’re in low lit conditions. The readings become dark and difficult to decipher.
However, Simmons is an effective laser rangefinder that, within the right distances, gives you very accurate distance readings. It has the best battery of all.
6. Bushnell Laser Rangefinder Bone Collector
Easiest to use
Light and Compact
LCD display
One Button Feature
Effective in only short distances
4x magnification
This is a light and compact rangefinder to help you get the exact distance between you and your target.
It measures distances up to 600 yards with high accuracy. The margin of error is only 1 yard. With this rangefinder, you can trust the readings that you get. You can take readings in meter or yards.
Bushnell Bone Collector comes with an LCD display to help you get clear displays and clear readings. The lens offers bright and crystal clear displays. It has an objective lens of 21mm. The lens also includes a display of the battery level to let you know when you’re running out of power.
This arc rangefinder has a vertical design which makes it easy to carry and use. In fact, you can operate this rangefinder with the help of only one button. This rangefinder is very small and light. It’s so compact that you can fit it in a shirt pocket.
Bushnell Bone Collector is made of plastic. It is also rain resistant and resists wear and tear very well. With Bone Collector, you won’t need to worry about durability. Bushnell comes with Realtree Xtra Camp. This makes the rangefinder blend in very well with the habitat. It can blend in at any time of the year.
Bushnell is designed for hunting. Therefore, you don’t need to worry about its efficacy. It is reported that it is very effective for elk and deer hunting.
However, the lens of this rangefinder comes with a 4x magnification. Most rangefinders come with at least 6x magnification, so this is a letdown. Also, it measures up to only 600 yards, which is low compared to some others.
Apart from these, Bushnell Bone Collector is a very effective and accurate rangefinder that is durable and easy to carry. It is also the easiest to use.
7. BIJIA Hunting Rangefinder
Best Budget
Multi function rangefinder
3 years customer warranty
Less than a hundred bucks
Measures up to only 650 yards
3-volt CR2 battery
BIJIA Hunting Rangefinder is a hunting rangefinder that is able to measure between 5 yards and 650 yards with amazing accuracy. The margin of error is only +/- 1 yard and +/- 45°. The rangefinder also comes with a continuous scan mode, allowing you to scan your area for an available game. And it comes with a flagpole locking feature that is accurate for up to 150 yards.
Apart from measuring up to 650 yards, this rangefinder is able to take into account angles and slopes; this means that you always get an accurate distance reading no matter your position – a ground blind or tree stand.
The rangefinder also gives readings in both metres and yards: to switch between the two units you have to hold down the ‘MODE’ button for two seconds.
BIJIA’s fully multi-coated lens is made of LCD display. This gives ultra clear and very fast readings when in use. In fact, this gadget is able to provide you with an accurate reading in less than one second. It has an objective lens of 16mm and magnification power of 6. The device comes with a 3-volt CR2 battery.
If you decide to get this rangefinder, it will come with an EVA carry case, one strap, a cleaning cloth, an English manual, a bookmark magnifier and even a color box. One of the hallmarks of the rangefinder is that it is a multi function rangefinder: it’s effective for both hunting and golfing.
The body of this rangefinder is made of very durable materials; therefore you don’t need to worry if you drop it a few times. It was built to last you for very long.
Of course, it has a few downsides. The first is that it measures only up to 650 yards. This distance is not as much as 1200 yards which is what some rangefinders in this article can measure. Again, the battery is only 3 volts.
Apart from these, BIJIA Hunting Rangefinder is very effective in measuring accurate distances for you. BIJIA also grants you 3 years customer warranty and friendly customer service.
For all the value that BIJIA hunting rangefinder offers, you can get it for less than a hundred bucks: which is why it’s the best budget option for us.
Things to consider before getting a rangefinder
Distance covered
This may be the most important factor to consider; after all the main objective of getting a rangefinder is to measure distance.
Some rangefinders measure as little as 540 yards, while some measure up to 1200 yards. WORSPORTS hunting rangefinder is able to measure up to 1200 yards. However, it’s not just the horizontal distance that you consider, you also have to think about angles and slopes.
Angle Compensation
Angle Compensation is a very important part of using a rangefinder. You have to think about angles and slopes. Sometimes, you’ll be shooting from a tree stand. At that point, the angle of your shot has to be factored in, in order to get an accurate shot.
Some rangefinders allow you to take into account the angles and slopes, while others don’t. An example of a rangefinder that allows you to account for slopes is Vortex Optics Laser Rangefinder.
Weight and Build
If you’re a hunter to whom the weight for your gear is important, then you’ll have to think very carefully about the weight of the rangefinder that you’re planning to get. A light rangefinder is ideal and some rangefinders weigh as little as 181g. TecTecTec weighs only 184 grams.
Considering that carrying a lot of gear is not alien to the art of hunting, the weight of a rangefinder and its compactness will play a major role in how swiftly and comfortably you hunt.
Magnifying power
The magnifying power of the lens of a rangefinder is very important. As a hunter, you should be able to zoom in on a distant target and still be able to read its distance correctly. Top range finders usually come with a magnifying power of 6; this seems to be the standard. Some come with a magnifying power of 4.
Note that a 4x magnifying power is not necessarily a disadvantage. Most of the rangefinders that come with a 4x magnification, also measure shorter distances. This cancels out the low magnification power.
Lens display
The clarity of the lens of a rangefinder and what it can show you is very important to the efficacy of your hunt.
Some rangefinder lenses have LCD displays which aid in the clarity of the lens. Some come with diopters to allow you to adjust the focus of a target. Gogogo comes with a diopter.
Also, some lens allow you to view the battery level of your rangefinder. This is very important because you don’t want your rangefinder running down suddenly while you’re hunting.
Questions you may have
Conclusion
Even though lots of rangefinders are in the market and are all very enticing, you have to be conscious of the fact that not all of them are going to suit you. To make the best choice in a rangefinder, you must take into account your own hunting routine and needs.
For us, the best overall rangefinder is Vortex Optics Laser Rangefinder, and the runner up is WORSPORTS hunting rangefinder.
Hopefully, you’re now able to select, among the best rangefinders for bow hunting, the best one for you.