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For the optimal hunting experience, ensuring precise shots and maintaining a sense of fairness, the essential tool in your arsenal is the Best Hunting Rangefinder. Knowing the exact distance to your target is paramount, and a high-quality rangefinder equips hunters with the means to accurately aim, regardless of their location or the target’s distance. The market offers a plethora of rangefinder models, catering to various budget ranges and shooting preferences. However, navigating through the promotional literature and appearances of laser rangefinders can make it challenging to discern their actual capabilities.
To really know how well they work, you need to test them in situations where you will actually use them. During the 2023 Outdoor Life optics test’s intensive testing process, we did just that. The units in this review are either new models or major updates to ones that have already been out for a while. This means that they will give you useful information to help you make an informed purchase choice and place your shots accurately. It’s important to keep in mind that even though this review covers a lot of laser rangefinders, it might not cover every type on the market.
Best Hunting Rangefinder Comparison Table
| Product | Magnification | Objective Lens Diameter | Rangefinder Range | Field of View | Eye Relief | Weight | Waterproof | Fogproof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leica Geovid Pro 32 10×32 | 10x | 32mm | Up to 2,000 yards | 360 ft/1000 yds | 16mm | 27.9 oz | Yes | Yes |
| Swarovski EL Range TA 10×42 | 10x | 42mm | Up to 2,000 yards | 330 ft/1000 yds | 20mm | 32.1 oz | Yes | Yes |
| Leica RangeMaster CRF 2000 | No magnification | N/A | Up to 2,000 yards | N/A | 15mm | 6.5 oz | Yes | Yes |
| Zeiss Optical Victory RF Binoculars | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies | Varies | Yes | Yes |
| Nikon Laserforce Rangefinder Binoculars | 10x | 42mm | Up to 1,900 yards | 320 ft/1000 yds | 15.5mm | 31.8 oz | Yes | Yes |
Leica Geovid Pro 32 10×32
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Magnification | 10x |
| Objective lens diameter | 32mm |
| Rangefinder range | Up to 2,000 yards |
| Field of view | 360 ft/1000 yds |
| Eye relief | 16mm |
| Weight | 27.9 oz |
| Waterproof | Yes |
| Fogproof | Yes |
The smartest, most technologically advanced rangefinding binocular we examined, it has best-in-class glass and coatings. Size first. The Geovid Pro 32 was smaller than its competitors but performed better. The single-handed open-barrel design fits most binocular harnesses. Expect beautiful, distortion-free optics from this leading European brand. Its digital guts make the Pro 32 a game-changer. Applied Ballistics’ Ultralite ballistics software, preloaded on the Leica, delivers bullet-specific drop data down to 875 yards.
Applied Ballistics’ Elite collection must be purchased to use these trajectory curves beyond that distance. The Pro 32 can import custom gun profiles from Leica’s excellent (and updated) Leica Ballistics software via Bluetooth. Elevation corrections can be stated in MOA, Mils, 1/4 MOA,.1 or.05 Mil click values, centimeters, or inches. The Geovid’s weather center uses temperature, height, and atmospheric pressure to offer a precise tailored shooting solution. It improves hunters’ aim.
The Good
- For portability, the form is small and light.
- High-quality lenses that can magnify 10 times
- Rangefinder built in, with a good range of up to 2,000 yards
- Easy to keep track of targets thanks to a wide field of view
- The building is waterproof and won’t let fog in, so it will last in many circumstances.
The Bad
- The ability to see in low light may be limited by the size of the objective lens.
- People who wear glasses may not be as comfortable with limited eye rest.
Swarovski EL Range TA 10×42
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Magnification | 10x |
| Objective lens diameter | 42mm |
| Rangefinder range | Up to 2,000 yards |
| Field of view | 330 ft/1000 yds |
| Eye relief | 20mm |
| Weight | 32.1 oz |
| Waterproof | Yes |
| Fogproof | Yes |
This clever addition to Swarovski’s 2011 EL Range, which quickly became the industry standard, offers Bluetooth connectivity to mobile apps that provide unique ballistics and an amazing mapping interface. Tracking Assistant, the model’s TA, locates the shooter and target. A shooter can locate their shot, look for blood, and start the recovery phase by attaching those two waypoints via Bluetooth to a mobile app and digital mapping service.
The open-barrel Range is one of the best rangefinding binoculars for hunters due to its easy-to-use interface, excellent optics and display-enhancing coatings, and ergonomics. The massive chassis and pricing are drawbacks. This investment-grade optic is expensive.This is one of the Best Hunting Rangefinder.
The Good
- With a 10x magnification and a 42mm objective lens, it has excellent visual performance.
- Rangefinder built in, with a range of up to 2,000 yards
- Wide field of view for better understanding of what’s going on
- Comfortable eye comfort, good for people who wear glasses
- The waterproof and fogproof design makes it reliable in many situations.
The Bad
- Compared to some other types, this one is a bit heavier.
- A higher price may be a factor for buyers on a tight budget.
Leica RangeMaster CRF 2000
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Rangefinder range | Up to 2,000 yards |
| Maximum angle range | +/- 90 degrees |
| Eye relief | 15mm |
| Weight | 6.5 oz |
| Waterproof | Yes |
| Fogproof | Yes |
This is the problem with all rangefinders, not just the Leica. Laser devices, which are what range finders use, can be very different from one another. Different units have different power levels, so what works well in one won’t work as well in another, even if they are advertised as having the same distance efficiency.
Leica gives hunters three ballistic output systems, an eye-safe IR laser, and a ballistic computer with an inclinometer in a small unit. In other words, the unit will tell you how much to hold under a goal that is downhill or uphill. A digital monitor system for the weather station is built into the unit.This is one of the Best Hunting Rangefinder.
The Good
- Up to 2,000 yards is a great range for a laser.
- Wide range of angles to get exact measurements of distance on steep terrain
- Easy to take because it is small and light.
- The building is waterproof and won’t let fog in, so it will last in tough circumstances.
The Bad
- No zoom, only works for finding distances.
- Some people may not be able to use glasses with shorter eye rest.
Zeiss Optical Victory RF Binoculars
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Magnification | Varies based on model |
| Objective lens diameter | Varies based on model |
| Rangefinder range | Varies based on model |
| Eye relief | Varies based on model |
| Weight | Varies based on model |
| Waterproof | Yes |
| Fogproof | Yes |
A hunter looking for a once-in-a-lifetime large game tag should use Carl Zeiss. These range binoculars are so amazing that nearly nothing can oversell them. Zeiss optics have been my go-to for commercial hunts and product testing for years. Rangefinders, including the Leica, have this issue. Laser range finders vary greatly. This is one of the Best Hunting Rangefinder.
Even if they claim the same distance efficiency, different units have differing power levels. Leica offers hunters three ballistic output systems, an eye-safe IR laser, and a compact ballistic computer with an inclinometer. The unit tells you how much to hold under a downhill or uphill aim. It has a weather station digital monitor.
The Good
- It has good optical quality and a range of magnification choices.
- Different models have different ranges for their built-in rangefinders.
- Different objective lens diameters can be used to meet different goals.
- The design is waterproof and doesn’t let fog in, so it works well in all kinds of weather.
The Bad
- Different types have different specs and features, so it’s important to choose the right one for your needs.
- Prices can change based on which model you choose.
Nikon Laserforce Rangefinder Binoculars
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Magnification | 10x |
| Objective lens diameter | 42mm |
| Rangefinder range | Up to 1,900 yards |
| Field of view | 320 ft/1000 yds |
| Eye relief | 15.5mm |
| Weight | 31.8 oz |
| Waterproof | Yes |
| Fogproof | Yes |
During the whole big game season, target ranging competitions during varmint hunts, and long-range steel shooting are all examples of situations in which I use the Nikon Laserforce system as my primary operating system. Both sportsmen and target shooters will find that this particular unit is among the very best binocular range systems in terms of value that can now be purchased on the market.
However, I have discovered that I have been able to range well over 1,500 yards when sitting cattle on a hill side, antelope grazing 1,000 yards off, and steel targets in bright orange (10 mile color) at 1 mile. This unit has a maximum range of 1,900 yards, but that range is dependent on the bounce back reflection against a large bright target. This is one of the Best Hunting Rangefinder.
The Good
- Binoculars with a built-in rangefinder that are of good quality
- With a 10x magnification and a 42mm objective lens, you can see things clearly and in depth.
- Up to 1,900 yards of range for a rangefinder
- Wide field of view to help scan and track better
- The building is waterproof and won’t let fog in, so it will last in many circumstances.
The Bad
- People who wear glasses might not like a slightly shorter eye comfort. Compared to some other models in this group, the rangefinder isn’t as good.
FAQs
A: Not all rangefinders for shooting are waterproof, but there are some that are water resistant or completely waterproof. If you plan to hunt in wet or rainy weather, it’s best to choose a rangefinder with some water protection to keep it from getting damaged by the water.
A: To make sure your hunting rangefinder lasts a long time and works well, it’s important to follow the care and maintenance instructions from the maker. In general, this means keeping the lenses clean, avoiding extreme temperatures, putting the camera in a protected case when you’re not using it, and changing the batteries often.
A: Yes, hunting rangefinders can be used for things like golfing, shooting, watching wildlife, and taking pictures outside. But it’s important to choose a rangefinder that fits the needs of the exercise you want to use it for, since different models may have features that are better for certain tasks.