Rangefinder binoculars vs. regular rangefinders
Rangefinders are such a great tool and can often mean the difference between success or not. They can be used not only for ranging animals, but also for planning stalks. Knowing that an animal is at 340 yards and the rock in front of them is at 300 is valuable information for the spot and stalk bow hunter. The rangefinders of today are, without question, pretty amazing. The two main types of rangefinders that we’ve got at our fingertips are the traditional handheld rangefinder and the Rangefinder binocular. Both are great options, but each of them come with their own pros and cons. So, that brings up a question, right? Which one is a better choice for bow hunting?
Handheld rangefinders, or CRFs (compact rangefinders), are what most folks pack around the bowhunting woods. They’re compact, affordable and very easy to use. When it comes to being in archery range of an animal, these are great as they let the hunter make very minimal movement and noise when having to grab and range. Most of them are 6x power optic. That is a fantastic number for close range and gives a nice wide field-of-view. This is key when it comes to target acquisition. Imagine being in close on a critter and not being able to find them in your rangefinder to get an accurate reading. Talk about a bad day. Most folks are able to get their hands on these as well due to the price. A hunter can get a solid rangefinder for $200 to $300.
There are also some downsides to these little buggers. Because of their size, I’ve heard more than a few stories of them being lost in the field. My best advice for this is to make sure to get a tether and attach it to your bino harness. Another downfall, comparing these to the RF binos (Rangefinder binos), is having to carry a completely separate unit just for ranging. This might be something to think about for the weight-conscious hunter or someone just looking to simplify their system. Something else to note is the affordability is not all peaches and cream. Some of the cheaper models that are below the $200 mark are known for giving inconsistent readings and having poor image quality. That isn’t something you’ll find in the higher end cousin being the RF binocular.
