Take the Guesswork Out of Determining Distance with a Rangefinder

Estimating distances can be tricky. Most people know that a football field is 100 yards long and marked every 10 yards, but could you judge how far it might be across an unmarked corn field or to the top of a wooded hillside? Judging distances can be challenging even for the most experienced outdoorsman.

There are several ways to measure the distance to an object. You could pace it off and get a reasonable estimate or use a tape measure for a more accurate result, and those methods might be acceptable for practice shooting at a target range. But, when you are hunting deer, turkeys or even squirrels, knowing the distance between you and your target is extremely important. You couldn’t expect a deer to hang around while you took measurements. Fortunately, there’s a better solution: A laser rangefinder will take all the guesswork out of determining distance and give you results instantly.

Rangefinders have been around for years and initially were expensive and elaborate devices used by the military. Rangefinders use the speed of light to determine distance. By emitting strong pulses of light and measuring the time it takes those light beams to reach a target and return to the device, thedistance to that target can be calculated. The technology has evolved into affordable, easy-to-use handheld rangefinders that are now standard gear for many hunters.

In target shooting as well as hunting, the ability to hit a target comes with experience and lots of practice at the range. Once you are confident in your shooting accuracy and know your limits and those of your gun or bow, a rangefinder can serve as your guide in the field. With a simple point and click, knowing the exact distance to your target lets you know if you can make an effective shot or if you have a shot at all.

There are a lot of rangefinders on the market and just as it is important to select the right gun or bow to fit your needs, make sure you choose the right rangefinder. Some things to consider:

Distance and Accuracy

Most rangefinders will measure distances out to 400 yards and some beyond 1,200 yards, which is well out of range for most shooters. Even if you never think you’d be shooting from long range, models with longer reach capabilities typically feature higher quality light receptors and provide greater accuracy at all distances. So inthis regard, bigger means better. Not all rangefinders feature magnification and that’s an important feature to consider. Say you’re looking through your binoculars and you see a nice buck along a tree line in the distance. If your rangefinder does not feature magnification, it would be tough to spot that buck and even more challenging to get a distance reading. A rangefinder with quality magnification optics and precision accuracy, like the ZEISS Victory 8×26 T PRF monocular, help make it possible to observe and range even smaller details at greater distances.

Durability and Functionality

You’ll want a rangefinder you can stow in your backpack or gear bag, and know it can hold up under extreme weather conditions. For example, the ZEISS Victory 8×26 monocular is shockproof with a lightweight housing madeof robust polycarbonate that is partially rubber-armored, making it particularly easy to grip. It is also waterproof up to the depth of three feet. The large measuring button on the ZEISS monocular is positioned ergonomically and can be quickly operated, even with gloves. And thanks to the integrated diopter adjustments and multi-position, twist-up, lockable eyecup, the Victory 8×26T* PRF can be used with or without glasses. And it’s fast. Measurements are displayed within fractions of a second and wide variations in temperature will not affect the measuring accuracy when used in temperatures between 14° to 122° F. You’ll also be using your rangefinder under a variety of light conditions andsome models use liquid crystal displays (LCD) that require light sufficient enough to illuminate the readings. Others, like the ZEISS Victory, feature high contrast, resolution and image brightness from a red LED (light emitting diode) display which features automatic brightness control to self adjust to varying light conditions. The benefit: the Victory PRF’s LED display is significantly easier to read all day and especially when the light is dim and the background is dark.

Added Features

Being able to compensate for bullet trajectory at various distances can also reduce the guesswork involved in making a clean shot. One of the prime features of the ZEISS Victory monocular is its Ballistic Information System– BIS™ which determines the holdover (how many inches above or below the target the shooter needs to aim at a given distance), thus greatly increasing the chances of an accurate shot.

Some rangefinders can be set to yards or meters and can also be operated in a scan mode for fast repeated measurements on small or moving targets. A unique feature of the Victory PRF is the “one- touch” principle. Pressing the measuring button activates the red LED reticle and when released, the distance is immediately measured and displayed. This produces less shaking than having to push a button twice as one must do with most other rangefinders on the market, thus reducing the chances of a blurred image or inaccurate distance and holdover value.

No matter the species or location you are planning to hunt, a quality rangefinder can greatly enhance your hunting success by eliminating guesswork. Hunting success equals an awesome experience—giving you the potential for the adventure of a lifetime.