Distance between you and your target is a funny thing: the closer you are, the more likely you are to hit it. At the same time (and this applies to hunters more than anyone else), being too close boosts your chances of being noticed. Once you are busted – well, no shooting for you. An obvious solution pops up: stay far, shoot accurately. Easier said than done, but, luckily, some devices can help us face that challenge. Hunting rangefinders are among those devices.
What is it good for? Well, it helps you determine how far the target is and make adjustments to your aim. Moreover, knowing the exact distance may help you land the killing shot instead of simply injuring the animal. Why not skip the unnecessary scene of the chase, following the trail of blood, if you can make everything more human? In addition to that, you can also put the increased terrain awareness into the bargain. A rangefinder is a great way to train your eye estimation so that you can one day carry it only to double-check your own guess.
There are quite a number of various rangefinders, all doing the same work in a different way. What are the best hunting rangefinders in 2022? Here’s our humble list.
NIKON Coolshot Pro II Stabilized Laser Rangefinder
Magnification: 6x
Objective Lens Diameter: 21mm
Angle of View: 7.5°
Maximum Range: 1200 yds
The Nikon company, well-known for their quality lenses, opens our top with an innovative rangefinder that has proved itself useful for both hunters and golf professionals. All Nikon products are nothing short of exemplary, and this hunting rangefinder is no exception. Brilliant optics make the view bright, clear, and sharp and allow you to lock to a target and get accurate yardage. Hyper Read technology ensures instant display of all key measurements. Distance numbers and mode icons pop up in bright orangish-red color to be visible against any background (except the surface of Mars). What makes this device stand out from other laser rangefinders is the innovative technology, that counteracts handshake impact on the measurements. No longer do you need to imitate a statue to get accurate numbers – Coolshot Pro II steadies both your view and the laser, making it easier to find your target and lock on it. The rangefinder is equipped with an incline/decline mode, which allows the device to make precise measurements with the slope factor considered. Whether you are aiming at an animal, standing on a slope, or want to know the exact distance towards a hole to choose a different golf club, this laser rangefinder got you covered. Should the weather go bad all of a sudden, worry not for Coolshot Pro II, for it is both water- and fog-proof. A lightweight and compact design only adds to the already exhaustive list of advantages. Nikon Coolshot Pro II is definitely one of the best rangefinders for hunting.
LEUPOLD RX-1600i TBR/W OLED Selectable Black/Gray Laser Rangefinder with DNA
Magnification: 6x
Objective Lens Diameter: 22mm
Angle of View: 6°
Maximum Range: 1600 yds
If you are looking for a Jack of all trades among rangefinders, congratulations, you’ve found him. Since Leupold specializes in hunting optics, it has equipped this rangefinder with features that any hunter will find useful. The RX-1600i’s hand is so good that it’s hard to decide which card to play first. If we turn our gaze to the exterior, we see a comfortable-to-grasp rubber-armored aluminum housing. The body houses an advanced OLED display with vivid color fidelity and user-adjustable brightness for the best glassing and measurement reading experiences. Built-in inclinometer, featuring True Ballistic Range with Wind, calculates the ballistic range towards your target, taking the angle of the shot, wind, and rifle ballistics into consideration. Digitally enhanced Accuracy ensures the most precise measurements even at an impressive distance of 1600 yards. One-of-a-kind Last Target Mode allows the rangefinder to read the farthest target on the laser’s path, ignoring occasional grass blades and twigs. Lenses are fully multi-coated for increased durability and light transmission. RX-1600i features three selectable reticles to fit any use or preference. Among all hunting rangefinders on this list, Leupold Rx-1600i is endowed with the largest number of features, exclusively valuable for hunters.
LEICA CRF Rangemaster 2800.COM 7×24 Laser Rangefinder
Magnification: 7x
Objective Lens Diameter: 24mm
Angle of View: 6.6°
Maximum Range: 2.800 yds
No rangefinder on the list can compare to Leica CRF Rangemasters 2800’s range. Even though it is not the industry’s maximum, 2800 yards is an impressive distance for a rangefinder to cover. Moreover, Leica has developed a mobile app to use in tandem with the rangefinder. CRF Rangemaster can connect to your cell phone via Bluetooth to be further adjusted to fit your personal preferences. Leica Hunter App also provides real-time environmental information and analyzes several factors to give you adjustment recommendations based on ammunition load, measured range, and angle relative to the target. The red LED display automatically adjusts to changing lighting conditions, but you can also manually choose one of five brightness intensity levels. Range information is presented within approximately 0.3 seconds after the button is pressed. CRF Rangemaster can boast an ergonomic design, which allows for comfortable single-hand use. The housing is made from impact-resistant carbon fiber reinforced plastic, while the interior is filled with nitrogen, making the rangefinder immune to internal fogging. Lenses are also protected from the external moisture impact by a Hydrophobic AquaDura coating, to provide better vision in poor weather conditions. If you are a fan of using software together with your device, Leica CRF Rangemaster is your choice.
VORTEX Ranger 1800 Laser Rangefinder
Magnification: 6x
Objective Lens Diameter: 22mm
Angle of View: 6°
Maximum Range: 1800 yds
In the best traditions of nature-guarding rangers, this Vortex rangefinder will be a great assistant in your trips to the wilderness. Free from overly complicated electronics, the Ranger comprises only the needed features. The angle-compensation technology will be appreciated by both treestand hunters and long-range shooters, who need precise information to come up with ballistic solutions. But accurate range data is not the only reliable thing this rangefinder can provide you with. It features a compact, lightweight, yet rugged design, sure to withstand the test of the elements. Rubber armor further boosts the rangefinder’s protection and ensures a non-slip comfortable grip. The constructions can also boast waterproof properties, keeping moisture, dust, and debris from penetrating the vital internal parts of the device. Line of Sight technology calculates the distance to a target in a straight line, ignoring any incline or decline. The uncluttered and clean display features highly intuitive menus. If simplicity is the ultimate sophistication, then Vortex Ranger 1800 is the most refined rangefinder in our top.
BUSHNELL Engage 1700 6x25mm Laser Rangefinder
Magnification: 6x
Objective Lens Diameter: 24mm
Angle of View: 6°
Maximum Range: 1760 yds
The last chord of our solo, Bushnell Engage Rangefinder concludes the top with unmatchable tracking and spotting technologies. This rangefinder will be of utmost use to big game hunters looking for prey across the vast prairies of the West. An inbuilt inclinometer measures the angle between you and the target displaying the adjusted range distance so that you can estimate your ballistic drop compensation more precisely. There are four different modes for you to choose from. Spot mode locks on a single target, while Scan mode scans the terrain, updating distances towards moving or multiple targets every four seconds. Brush mode excludes the influence of grass and bushes on the measurements, and Bullseye mode targets smaller animals, which will come in handy during varmint hunting. In addition to numerous mods, this rangefinder enjoys other features shared by all its high-quality relatives. 6x magnification allows for easier identification of distant targets, while fully multi-coated lenses ensure enhanced light transmission and image sharpness. EXO Barrier coating protects the lenses from water, dust, and debris, preserving the optics in good condition. Textured finger pads make sure you can hold your device without fearing to drop it. With all things considered, Bushnell Engage 1700 makes for one of the best rangefinders for hunting.
