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Range Finder

eiowaarcher

eiowaarcher

Member
I'm looking to get a new range finder for bow hunting only. Should I get one that compensates for your angle or just a standard range finder? What are you guys using? Makes? Models? Thanks.
 
I use a Leupold RX-600. Does a good job for most of what I range. Although, it doesn't like brushy stuff or mesh blind windows, and I sometimes have trouble ranging past 350-400 yards. It was one of the cheaper models at Scheels at the time, and I was just getting into bow hunting, so didn't want to spend a fortune getting set up. Doesn't have the ARC or whatever you want to call it, but doing the math, there isn't much difference in distances anyway unless it's at an extreme angle.

Here's some numbers I put together (remember algebra, a squared + b squared = c squared), where a = Height in tree, b = Distance from base of tree , and c = Distance from stand:

(a) 6.67 yds = 20' (c) 10 yds = 30' (b) 7.45 yrds = 22.36'
(a) 6.67 yds = 20' (c) 20 yds = 60' (b) 18.86 yrds = 56.57'
(a) 6.67 yds = 20' (c) 30 yds = 90' (b) 29.24 yrds = 87.75'
(a) 6.67 yds = 20' (c) 40 yds = 120' (b) 39.44 yrds = 118.32'
(a) 6.67 yds = 20' (c) 50 yds = 150' (b) 49.55 yrds = 148.66'
(a) 6.67 yds = 20' (c) 60 yds = 180' (b) 59.63 yrds = 178.89'

Sorry, couldn't get it to format like I wanted!
 
Last edited:
StickersNKickers said:
I use a Leupold RX-600. Does a good job for most of what I range. Although, it doesn't like brushy stuff or mesh blind windows, and I sometimes have trouble ranging past 350-400 yards. It was one of the cheaper models at Scheels at the time, and I was just getting into bow hunting, so didn't want to spend a fortune getting set up. Doesn't have the ARC or whatever you want to call it, but doing the math, there isn't much difference in distances anyway unless it's at an extreme angle.

Here's some numbers I put together (remember algebra, a squared + b squared = c squared), where a = Height in tree, b = Distance from base of tree , and c = Distance from stand:

(a) 6.67 yds = 20' (c) 10 yds = 30' (b) 7.45 yrds = 22.36'
(a) 6.67 yds = 20' (c) 20 yds = 60' (b) 18.86 yrds = 56.57'
(a) 6.67 yds = 20' (c) 30 yds = 90' (b) 29.24 yrds = 87.75'
(a) 6.67 yds = 20' (c) 40 yds = 120' (b) 39.44 yrds = 118.32'
(a) 6.67 yds = 20' (c) 50 yds = 150' (b) 49.55 yrds = 148.66'
(a) 6.67 yds = 20' (c) 60 yds = 180' (b) 59.63 yrds = 178.89'

Sorry, couldn't get it to format like I wanted!
Click to expand...



For the above, the height in tree assumes a tree on flat ground. More accurately, should be actual height above target. Such as if the tree is on a slope...actual height above target up hill from base of the tree is not the same as the height you are above the ground at the base.
 
StickersNKickers said:
For the above, the height in tree assumes a tree on flat ground. More accurately, should be actual height above target. Such as if the tree is on a slope...actual height above target up hill from base of the tree is not the same as the height you are above the ground at the base.
Click to expand...

Ha, a range finder with arc looks a lil easier! :)
 
I for one quit taking my notebook and calculator to the tree, and came up with this method.

I use the cheapo bushnell rangefinder that my ex girlfriend bought me (thats the only thing she ever did right). It works half the time, and is only good to about 50 yards, so it is perfect. I range the area from 0-60 yards soon as I get in the tree.

Then when a deer walks in I completely forget about the ranges that I measured earlier; draw my bow, center my single pin on its lungs, and at the very last second, and not a second earlier, I raise my pin if I think it looks too far. Slap the realease and claim my prize.

This method has proven deadly for me.
 
Yeah, no notebook or calculator for me either. Just trying to show that there isn't much difference in line of sight and actual horizontal distance from the target, unless you're at an extreme height/angle. So, not sure the ARC is necessary.

However, I know some rangefinders have a brush mode. Never used one with it, so wondering if these actually help. Does this help to range into brush, out of brush, or both? Also, does it help with mesh windows?
 
Or, when at your desired height in the tree simply range another tree at the same height your standing, near the trail a deer may walk, and that's your distance. Of course this only works if there is a tree near the location of the deer. Most of the time there is but I have been caught a couple times.
 
My ex bought me one with ARC, and to steal the line from Gundog, it really was the only thing she did right...however, I noticed ARC isnt a big factor unless as stated, a huge incline or a long distance...
 
My brother has a high dollar range finder with arc and I have a cheap wildgame one. From our practice platform we've never seen a difference of more than one yard.
 
flugge said:
I noticed ARC isnt a big factor unless as stated, a huge incline or a long distance...
Click to expand...

I won't get into the girlfriend thing because my wife treats me good! Like Flugge and Gundog, at short distances and moderate angles, its not a big deal. Out here in the mountains, I've seen as much as a 5 yard difference, which does make a bigger deal when shooting at longer distances. When shooting 3D on a course out here, I've had a 3-4 yard difference alter my shot at 40 yards on a steep incline. When I hunted Iowa a couple of years ago, the difference wasn't enough to affect my shots. Operator error was a completely different story, though! :thrwrck:
 
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