Best Hunting Laser Rangefinder Under $200 – Top Picks
Gone are the days when the naked eye was used as the only pair of binoculars by hunters to find out about the whereabouts of wild animals and to gauge the distance to the nearest target in a dense forest. In this modern era, people are more dependent on various types of technologies. Hunters are often seen using different types of gadgets to assist them with their hunting expeditions.
One of the most common gadgets used by hunters is the rangefinder. These gadgets are more useful when you face a situation wherein you have to determine the exact distance to a specific target. The accuracy of the reading is largely dependent upon the type of equipment you use in such a situation. Apart from hunting, rangefinders are also used while playing golf, surveying, and sometimes even while clicking photos.
Best Hunting Rangefinder under $200
Why Should You Use A Hunting Rangefinder?
While hunting if you notice a target, calculating the exact distance to the target with your naked eye may not be possible all the time. If the distance is not much, then you may still give it a shot. However, if the distance is big, it gets more important for you to calculate the distance to the prey accurately. If this distance calculation is not correct, then it may ruin your aim, which would result in a serious injury for the animal. Unnecessary animal suffering is something you will never want while hunting. Miscalculations of the distance can also result in a complete miss. This is where a rangefinder comes to your assistance. A good quality rangefinder can easily calculate the distance to the target and assist you with your hunting.
What Are The Other Uses Of A Rangefinder?
As discussed above, a rangefinder is also used in other avenues such as golfing, surveying, and photography. A detailed information on this is discussed below for your knowledge.
- Golfing: The type of rangefinders used by golfers are basically used to boost the overall pace of the game. Once you successfully determine the distance to the next pin, you can easily determine the type of club needed to play the shot properly and accurately. Rangefinders used by golfers usually come with a pin seeker technology that helps the gadget to find the next pin and gauge the distance to it.
- Surveying: If given the job of a forest surveyor, the best gadget for your type of job would be a rangefinder. It will help you to verify the distances between the various trees and also find out about the height of these trees. Since surveying involves vigorous trekking on uneven grounds, it would be a good thing to choose a rangefinder which is lightweight and user-friendly.
Top 5 Rangefinders for Hunting Under $200
Best Hunting Rangefinder under $200
Choosing the best rangefinder to assist you while hunting is not as simple as you may think. You need to know exactly what you need in such gadgets and also how to compare the different options. Here are 5 of the best rangefinders discussed for your assistance.
① Leupold RX-650 laser Rangefinder
The last in the list of top 5 rangefinders for hunting is the Leupold RX-650. This rangefinder is very simple to use and highly affordable. It provides incredibly accurate reading up to a maximum of 650 yards. It comes with multicoated optics and allows 6x magnification. The LCD display is very clear and the entire body is rubberized to help you hold it with a nice and firm grip. It is completely fog and water proof and the gadget also comes with a fast-focus eyepiece that lets you go for precision clicks for instantaneous adjustments on the field.
Pros
- It allows a 6x magnification and gives accurate distance reading up to 650 yards.
- It is fully waterproof and fog proof.
- The fast-focus eyepiece allows you to make quick adjustments while on the field.
- Stylishly designed and rubberized body allows for a better and firmer hold.
Cons
- Has a tendency of not registering the distance if there is any obstruction on the edges of the viewfinder such as grass.
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Bushnell Scout DX1000 ARC Laser Rangefinder
Described as one of the best rangefinders made by Bushnell, this allows you with a 6x magnification provides up to a maximum of ½ yard accuracy and 1/10th yard display precision. This rangefinder comes with a built-in inclinometer which automatically calculates any slopes on which an animal may be situated. The ARC bow mode also tells you any horizontal distance up to a maximum of 99 yards. It has a massive range of 1000 yards and is fully waterproof.
Pros
- The VSI or Variable Sight-In Feature helps you shoot with your rifle with utmost accuracy.
- Has a massive range of 1000 yards.
- It completely fog and water proof.
Cons
- It is very small in size and this may hamper the display quality.
- It fails to record the distance accurately beyond a maximum of 400 yards.
③ Nikon 8397 ACULON AL11 Laser Rangefinder
After making its presence felt in the world of photography, Nikon has come up with a list of rangefinders. The ACULON AL11 is one of the most compact rangefinders ever made by Nikon. It is ideal for hunting with a bow, gun or mere target shooting.
Pros
- It is very compact and lightweight making it very simple for users to carry it around.
- It is an amazing rangefinder for shooters and archers.
Cons
- It is certainly not good for golfers.
④ Bushnell 202442 The Truth ARC Bowhunting Laser Rangefinder
Bushnell, one of the most popular manufacturers of rangefinders and binoculars, also manufactures the popular Bushnell 202442 Laser Rangefinder. This gadget is designed in a very attractive manner and comes with a 4x magnification. It can gauge the distance to a prey within a range of a maximum of 200 yards and a tree within a range of 600 yards. It has a reflective range of 850 yards. This Bushnell rangefinder comes with a Bow Mode which lets you gauge the distance to a target in a horizontal distance up to a maximum range of 99 yards. This gadget makes use of the ClearShot Technology which helps you get on-the-spot reading of the distance to your target. It can easily calibrate and correspond with the speed your bow and once done it shows a dot which signifies the maximum height that your arrow will travel.
Pros
- Bushnell uses high-class optics to give you HD clarity view of your target.
- The ClearShot Technology makes this rangefinder a perfect companion for archers.
- It is both rainproof and bulletproof.
Cons
- Has a tendency of freezing while displaying the range to a target.
- The battery display may not work properly all the time.
⑤ Halo Z6X2-7 Rangefinder
The first in the list of top 5 rangefinders for hunters is the Halo Z6X27 Rangefinder. It can easily gauge the distance to a target within a maximum range of 600 yards and allows a maximum of 6x magnification for hunters to get a better view of a target out in the wild. This gadget can provide accurate readings to +/-1 yard. Even if the prey is standing on a slope, the Angle Compensation Technology used in this device will also take the slope into account. It comes with an adjustable eyepiece for easy focusing and it is designed ergonomically to help you hold it easily. The overall packaging of the gadget is very simple and it is also water resistant.
Pros
- It allows a maximum distance range of 600 yards which is enough for any hunter.
- It can easily take any slopes into consideration while calculating the distance to a prey.
- It provides a maximum of 6x magnification.
Cons
- It may be difficult to read the calculations on the rangefinder against a black or dark background.
- The focus knob may prove to be too stiff for some users.
- If you have large hands or wear gloves while hunting, it may be difficult for you to operate the small operation buttons.
Conclusion & What is the Best Hunting Rangefinder Under $200
Choosing a rangefinder under $200 is not as simple as you may think. You have to compare different models and also try and use a few of the best on the field in order to get a hands-on experience as to which is really good for your purpose. Amongst those discussed above the clear winner is the Leupold RX-650 Laser Rangefinder (CHECK BEST PRICE HERE). It provides a 6x magnification and provides a wide field of view to help you track any animal on the move. It is also completely waterproof and fog proof letting you use it in any weather condition without worrying about getting it damaged.
The rubberized grip on the body of the rangefinder also helps you hold the gadget with the utmost confidence and surety. It is very important to choose a good quality rangefinder if you are serious about your hunting expeditions. As a first timer, choosing the right one may be a time-consuming task. Better seek help from someone who has proper knowledge on this topic and can help you choose the best rangefinder as per your needs and budget.
