If you enjoy bow hunting, you know that a 5-yard mistake can make the difference between a successful shot and a regrettable wound. A rangefinder is a must-have tool for any respectable bow hunter. This device calculates the distance to a target and the path your arrow will take.
We realize that with so many technical specifications, it can be hard to determine which rangefinder is worth the purchase. That’s where our guide will come in handy.
Read on to find all the information you need to buy the best rangefinder for bow hunting.
Thing to Consider
We know you’re ready to learn how to find the best rangefinder for your bow hunting needs, but before we continue, let’s take a quick look at some of the factors you need to keep in mind when shopping for such a device.
- Range – The main function of a rangefinder is to calculate the distance from your device to the target. Of course, range plays a vital role, so you need to choose pick a rangefinder that can give you an accurate reading from a target. Look for devices with a higher range capability, such as 800-1000 yards. Pay attention to the angle range, as well, to determine where you need to aim to hit the target.
- Size – Considering that you’ll need to carry your device during your bow hunting trip, look for a rangefinder that can easily fit in your pocket. Otherwise, you will end up leaving your rangefinder home because it’s too heavy to carry around.
- Price – Price is an important factor when purchasing your range finder. You’ll quickly find, or maybe already know, that rangefinders can cost anywhere from 50 dollars to over 1000 dollars. Don’t worry, we’ve done the hard work to bring you the best rangefinders for their value so you don’t end up spending too much.
- Colour – The impact of colour is highly debatable for such a small device like a rangefinder. But there is a no doubt that a camouflage pattern is preferable, even if the impact is close to negligible.
Top 6 Rangefinders for Bow Hunting Table
| Image | Product | Accuracy | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Bushnell Laser Rangefinder Bone Collector Cam | +/- one yard between 10 and 600 yards | $$$ | Check price on Amazon |
  | Gogogo 6x Hunting Laser Rangefinder | +/- one meter between 5 and 1200 yards | $$ | Check price on Amazon |
  | Bushnell Trophy Xtreme Laser Rangefinder with Arc, Matte Black | +/- one yard between 7 to 850 yards | $$$$ | Check price on Amazon |
  | Bushnell Engage Hunting Laser Rangefinder | n/a 1300 range | $$$$ | Check price on Amazon |
  | Bushnell Scout 1000 ARC Laser Range Finder | n/a 5-1000 yard range | $$$ | Check price on Amazon |
  | Wosports Hunting Range Finder | Flag pole locking up to 150 yards | $$ | Check price on Amazon |
Buying Information
Accurate ranging and comfortable size are two critical features that can have a significant impact on your arrow shot. But, they are not the only factors that matter. Here is some basic information that you should pay attention to if you want to purchase the best rangefinder for bow hunting.
- Magnification – Magnification plays a crucial role in your ability to detect the target. To get the best results, look for devices that have a magnification of 7x or more. Remember that a high magnification will give you a better look at your target, but it will also reduce your field of view (FOV), which can decrease stability. A 10x magnification level might seem powerful, but a 7x magnification will help you get a more accurate view of your target without distorting the field of view too much.
- Display – It doesn’t matter if you get accurate data if the display is too small to read it. Look for rangefinders with displays that are large enough so that you can easily see what’s out there.
- Lenses – Advanced rangefinders for bow hunting have multiple layers of coating applied to the lens to reduce glare and maximize the amount of light transmitted to the eye. The larger the lenses, the brighter the unit. On the downside, large lenses also mean more bulk and weight, two flaws that can impact your bow hunting experience. Luckily the products that we recommend on our list all tend to be very light, so you won’t have to worry too much about this factor.
- Build Quality – The build quality is another highly important factor to consider. This is because it can be incredibly easy to drop or accidentally hit your rangefinder during a hunting trip. For this reason, you want to look out for a rangefinder built out of sturdy materials that are built to be hardy. Again this can lead to an increase in weight, so keep an eye out for materials with a good strength to weight ratio.
Join us as we take a more in-depth look into the top 3 rangefinders of our list to see why we they come in above the competition.
Top 3 Best Rangefinder for Bow Hunting Reviews
1. Bushnell Laser Rangefinder
- HD quality
- One yard accurary between 10 to 600 yards
- Optimised for low light
- 0.45 pounds in weight
This Bushnell Laser Rangefinder tops our list for a variety of reasons. Not only does it have HD clarity, but it has a great one yard accuracy up to 600 yards. It’s super easy to carry around due to the lightweight materials that it is made from, making it perfect to take alongside you on a hunting trip. A 4x magnification will give you enough vision to spot just about anything.
2. Gogogo 6x Hunting Laser Rangefinder
- ARC - Angle Range Compensation + Speed Measuring
- From 5 to 1200 yards with +/- 1m accuracy
- 1 year warranty
A close second, we particularly liked this Rangefinder due to its 6x magnification and flagpole locking function that can give you an exact distance up to 150 yards. This one definitely has some great value for money.
3. Bushnell Trophy Xtreme Laser Rangefinder
- Measurement to within 1 yard between 7 and 850 yards
- 4x Magnification
- Full spectrum targeting
- Anti-slip sure-grip finish
Last but certainly not least is yet another rangefinder from Bushnell – the Bushnell Trophy Xtreme Laser Rangefinder – finding its way into our top three. This option is a little more expensive than the others, but at a greater price comes a few better features to help you in your hunting endeavours.
Not only does this rangefinder have true range up to 199 yards, but it provides measurements to within one yard from 7 yards all the way up to 850 yards.
