I’m looking to get a beginners rangefinder is there anything good out there for under $100? Not looking for flashy looks or packed with features. Just something I csn look through and get a fairly accurate range
Rangefinder noob
- Thread starter madeintheuk
- Start date
I just found one in local pawn shop for $50. They also had a fancy one. I tried them both and got within one yd reading. Worth a try.
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I have been considering a RF for several years. However, I only shoot pests in my back yard, which I already have detailed as to distances using a tape measure.
Anyway... what range/accuracy/precision do you want/need?
If it is close range where you are shooting in the same area over and over as I do in my back yard, (10 to 35~50/60 yards), just measure the way points in the PBR and note the hold overs for anything outside that.
However, if you are a longer range shooter or shooting anywhere that you don't know the distances... you will need range cards and something like Chairgun Pro https://www.hawkeoptics.com/chairgun-and-x-act-end-of-life.html or Strelok.
Either works well, but Chaigun Pro is free, no longer actively supported by Hawke Optics, however, other than making it easier to input data from scopes other than those listed within the program, there is nothing I could improve on as to the actual math algorithms used. Just remember the old adage, "Garbage in, garbage out". That goes for Strlelok too.
In any case, depending on what your distance(s) are, you may or may not need a range finder. My apologies if you stated your range previously.
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A couple of years ago I bought a gently used older Simmons with case on the Bay for $40 it's owner was a golfer who needed one of those new expensive units that do everything, but make coffee. It's a small light weight unit that for this air gunner has worked out great. Check the Bay golfers are much like air gunners chasing nirvana.
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This will mostly be for hunting, but not just in my backyard. I have a few properties i have permissions to hunt on, and being able to range is the difference between making a shot humane or not. I will be spending a lot of time at the range setting up my ranges for this purpose, but I would like to set them up using the rangefinder I will be using as to remove any errors between the two.
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I've had a Simmons for the last 5 years & it's always worked great. Paid $70 for it @ Wallymart. Just ordered a new one the other day, Simmons again, and it calculates angle too. $68 on Ebay. I hunt, not much plinking. When I compare my readings in the field with others who have pricey rangefinders they're always accurate.
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Don't if you can find one for <$100, but the last one I bought is the first one I ever had that had a red reticle, I love it - much better to me that the black ones.
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Add on question (if I may)
Are the golf rangefinders the same thing?, Plenty of those under £100.
Are the golf rangefinders the same thing?, Plenty of those under £100.
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Walmart. Got myself a cheap Simmons some years back when I was setting up range markings for my compound bow. Does the job remarkably well. I know mine will read out to 300 yrds. Paid less than $50 for it.
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My new Simmons Venture rangefinder with angle calculator came yesterday. Works great. Just a heads up.
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