Buying Guide for the Best Laser Rangefinders
There are certain tools and gadgets that aren’t universal—in other words, not everybody needs one—but that doesn’t mean that they’re not important. For instance, if you play golf, hunt, or do other kinds of outdoor activities, then you almost certainly have reason to buy a rangefinder, even though most other people probably don’t even know what one is. And in the world of rangefinders, laser rangefinders are especially useful because of their increased accuracy—the laser provides a level of accuracy and consistency that simply can’t be matched by most manual finders. If you’re in the market for a laser rangefinder, here are some things to keep in mind in your search.
Types
The main difference in the types of rangefinders comes down to how they are used:
Golf: As the name suggests, gold rangefinders are specially designed for use on the course
- The display will include things like distance to the pin, which allows you to pick the perfect club for each shot
Outdoors: “Outdoors” rangefinders can be used for hunting, bird watching, and other outdoor activities
- Lining up the rangefinder properly will give you an exact distance on the animal that you’re looking at
What Reviewers Have to Say
When you read through the online reviews of rangefinders, here are some of the themes you’ll see:
- Accuracy: This is the big one. If you’re going to spend money on a rangefinder, at the very least, it has to give you an accurate reading of how far away the object is, which is exactly what the best finders do.
- Easy reading: Even an accurate rangefinder isn’t going to be very helpful if the user can’t see the display or figure out what it says, which is why good models come with clear, logical displays that make using them a snap.
- Aiming: In order to get a reading, the finder bounces a laser beam off of an object and tracks how long it takes for the beam to reflect back. Not every finder features a strong laser that is easy and reliable to aim, but the best models do.
Important Features
- Range: When checking out the specifications of a potential rangefinder, be sure to look at its range—how far away can you be from an object and still get a reliable reading? Depending on how you plan on using the finder, you might need to keep looking until you find one with a suitable range.
- Magnification: This is another detail you’ll find on the specifications list. Since you’ll probably want to get a good look at your target—and not just know how far away it is—look for a model that will give you strong, clear, and magnified images.
- Slope accounting: Something that can throw a rangefinder off are slopes, which will probably come up if you’re hunting or birding, and will definitely come up on the golf course. Therefore, it’s a good idea to look for a finder that takes slope into account.
- Is it allowed?: This one is of special interest for golfers. The use of laser rangefinders is, at times, a contentious issue, and some models aren’t allowed when playing “official” rounds (for instance, one that will count toward a player’s handicap). If this is a concern for you, be sure to look for a finder that is allowed on the golf course.
Top-Rated Brands
Bushnell: Bushnell is one of America’s leading producers of binoculars, scopes, rangefinders, and related accessories. Established in 1948, the company has a longstanding reputation for high quality products.
Breaking 80: Breaking 80 is an American company that specializes in laser rangefinders for golfers.
Wildgame: Wildgame is an American manufacturer of hunting accessories. Founded in 2002, the company produces a wide range of rangefinders, scopes, and other devices to help hunters get the most out of their time in the field.