Before tackling the subject of Rangefinders, we must first look at the significant ways in which a Rangefinder is needed. Firstly, A Rangefinder is most used for hunting, which is generally defined as capturing or killing wildlife or other feral animals for recreation or to harvest the animal’s meat for consumption. This is done with or without a permit, depending on where in the world the hunt is being done. Secondly, rangefinders are also used in sports like golf, where a need to see across long distances is paramount. But for this article were going to focus on the Rangefinder as it relates to hunting. So, you decided you want to start the sport of hunting? That’s great, but now you’re probably wondering what to do and where to start. Well, why not start at finding the right Rangefinder? Most people who don’t hunt or practice individual sports may be asking themselves what the heck even is a rangefinder. In contrast, a Rangefinder is an essential tool for a seasonal hunter that they cannot do without.
What is a Rangefinder?
A Rangefinder is a device used to measure certain distances from where the person using the Rangefinder is positioned to the target’s observation point. This process is widely known as ranging.
How does a Rangefinder Work?
Rangefinders utilize different methods of focusing, called rangefinders. Unlike looking directly through the lens of a camera or a mirror, a rangefinder’s viewfinder works by using another visual apparatus mounted near to the lens. As a result of this unique method, Rangefinders can display two different overlapping images of a subject. The Rangefinder then aligns the images and range of a subject by calculating its overall distance with pinpoint accuracy. This is done through a phenomenon known as the similar effect.
The History of Rangefinders
The first type of Rangefinders was known as mirrorless cameras, which were used a lot in street photography. This was due to their better range and compatibility over the—at the time, more bulky DSLR cameras. The Rangefinders at the time utilized a 35mm film, which was the same as DSLRs but used a unique method of focusing method that didn’t even require a lens or mirror. Mirrorless cameras, in a sense, are the successors to rangefinders. They have the same advantages, such as weight and size over DSLRs with none of the drawbacks of rangefinders.
Why are Rangefinders Important?
Now that you have a comprehensive history of the Rangefinder, you need to know why it’s an essential tool to have, especially for hunters. Hunters often carry hunting rifles that can shoot rounds at high velocities at a long distance, which, if not handles correctly, can lead to an accident that can be potentially fatal for those who may be unexpectedly around. Picture this for a moment, you and your buddy are out hunting one day when you think you see a voluminous deer in the far distance. You aim at the deer without using a Rangefinder to calculate the distance of the deer and then fire a round. The round misses the deer and but instead struck your buddy in the shoulder. You rush him to the hospital to be treated, and the doctors say he’ll make a full recovery. Sounds good, right? But ask yourself, what if the round had struck him elsewhere? The situation could have ended much worse. Sadly this scenario is an all too common occurrence when hunting. Do you know see why having a Rangefinder is essential?
Types of Rangefinders
Military Rangefinders – This type of Rangefinder is mostly utilized in the military to pursue targets and objectives over a long distance. This type is usually incorporated with a firearm, which is more commonly used with a laser Rangefinder. During the detection of a target, a bright dot is displayed to show the mark. These Rangefinders usually can see up to 2000 yards and are often used to measure distances and release projectiles such as missiles. Sport Rangefinders – As previously stated, rangefinders are often used in sports—mostly golf—to measure a particular target’s distance. There are two types of Rangefinders used in sports, namely GPS and laser types. The GPS Type requires the handler to download the golf course map to achieve the distances, while the laser type measures the distance of a more specific target. While these types of Rangefinders are not as precise as the ballistic type, they still offer exact measurements to a lesser extent.
Hunting/Forestry Rangefinders – Hunting can be dangerous, which is why it often hunters requiring the latest technological gear to combat the wilderness’s wild and unpredictable nature. Hunters hunt with several different weapons, such a hunting riffles or even bow, which require other Range finders.A rangefinder used along with rifles usually covers up to 8x the magnification of a target and is the most popular Rangefinder type. In contrast, rangefinders used with bows are usually used to compensate for the bow’s curvature and angle to give similar results as a rifle. Moreover, these are usually more lightweight as opposed to the Military Rangefinders.
What to consider when buying Rangefinders?
Buying a Rangefinder is an easy task IF you know exactly what you are looking for. For instance, if you hunt with a rifle, you’ll most likely want a Laser Rangefinder, explicitly hunting. Other things you might want to consider as a hunter are target reflectivity, range, environment sensor, tripod support, water resistance, durability, weight, and battery life. Many distributors of Rangefinders will often let you test them before purchase, which will enable one to know precisely if a particular range finder suits them.
Recommended Rangefinders
Some Rangefinder I would recommend is the Nikon Monarch 3000 Stabilized available at nikonsportoptics.com and Vortex Optics Fury HD 10 x 42 single on vortex optics.com. Inclusion, I hope that you would-be hunters gained a lot of knowledge and experience about Rangefinders from this article. I also hope that you know see why Rangefinder is such a significant factor and essential to hunting as a whole.