Rating of the best rangefinders for hunting

The most “long-range” of the rangefinders of the Condtrol Vector series is designed for a distance of up to one and a half kilometers, which, with a six-fold built-in optics, is perhaps even “bust”: it will be problematic to reliably capture a target at such a distance if it is not the size of an elephant. Well, in fact, if you can reliably keep the laser beam induced at such a distance with a one-handed grip, then why is your name not yet thundering in high-precision shooting competitions, with such and such hands? Naturally, it’s easier to “aim” from a tripod at such distances, since the rangefinder also has a socket, but this is no longer a “hunting” application scenario.

For the rangefinder, the minimum working distance of 5 meters is declared (but why does the rangefinder need a shooter on it?) With a measurement accuracy of plus or minus a meter, measuring the angle within -60 … +60 degrees (this is a very important difference from the Vector 600 — it is not only less «long-range», but also does not know how to measure angles and vertical distance to the target). Optics is not bad for its class: diopter adjustment works well, there is no special “soap” in the field of view.

The power source of the rangefinder is two ordinary “little finger” size batteries, no elements exotic in size. In the hand, the device lies perfectly thanks to the ribbed surface, additionally covered with a “soft-touch” — it can be conveniently intercepted with a wet hand or with gloves on. But there is one “but” — we did not find any indications of the class of dust and moisture protection for this rangefinder, so let’s assume something like “medium construction” IP54, so you should be more careful with water.

In fairness, you should be more careful when hunting with this rangefinder: it has a “construction” level of dust and moisture protection, IP54. However, «special-hunting» rangefinders of the budget class in our area are not so common. However, since the instruction manual for this rangefinder explicitly promises us that it is (literally) “excellent for hunting use,” we will believe … but we will check.

The maximum measurement range is 600 meters. For a six-fold monocular with enlightenment, this is quite a “lifting” distance for sighting, although it is already at the limit. The stock is enough for most calibers: after all, beyond six hundred meters, both the weapon and the cartridge, and the shooter, are not needed anyhow. It is convenient that, along with the distance, the device also measures the angle — when shooting, it must be taken into account so as not to miss shots “into milk”. For example, for the good old «Extra» 7.62x54R at 400 meters, the target elevation angle of -10 degrees already gives almost three centimeters of vertical difference. The second mode provided in the rangefinder is speed measurement, which, of course, is hardly useful at the shooting range.

Power supply — from the built-in battery, traditionally charged via USB. So even on a multi-day hike, he will not be left without food — you still have to take a power bank or a solar panel with you. Therefore, in terms of the combination of qualities, the device is quite worthy of recognition both as a shooting and as a hunting rangefinder.

Before us, in fact, is a typical Chinese rangefinder — for example, the screen in the field of view is exactly the same as that of the same Condtrol Vector. The optics are still the same six-fold, with a correction margin of as much as five diopters plus and minus (which can really be important for someone). The maximum distance measurement range is 600 meters, the “Fog” mode is also provided, but the rangefinder cannot work with angles and vertical distances — it seems that the “stuffing” here, both electronic and optical, is identical to the same Condtrol Vector 600: how is it often happens with the «Chinese» under different brands, only these same brands differ and in a small range — the design of the case.

The case, by the way, is not bad — it is comfortable, «tenacious» in the hands and rubberized. The battery compartment (as you can easily see from a direct comparison with Condtrol, two AAA batteries are used here in the same way) is located on the bottom, next to the tripod socket, demolished to the back of the rangefinder.

But this rangefinder is already clearly designed specifically for shooters — both the name and the absence of a tripod thread hint at this. He is very compact, easily fits in the hand. Approximation — sixfold, the quality of the lenses is not bad.

But in terms of range and functionality, it is seriously inferior to the RGK. The maximum distance at which this model can work is only 400 meters, and the goniometer is not provided in principle. The power source is not a built-in battery, but an expensive CR2 lithium battery. And, finally, the manufacturer does not declare the dust and moisture protection class at all — and at the same time, all RGK D600, although “construction”, is also cheaper than the “shooting” counterpart! Therefore, priorities in our rating are placed as expected.

One of the most affordable hunting rangefinders today is not particularly impressive in appearance, although the rubberized case at least promises resistance to «travel hardships». It «beats» up to 600 meters, according to the manufacturer, while its accuracy is plus or minus half a meter.

The power source here again is a CR2 battery. The measurement capabilities were amused — there are already two modes for calculating the trajectory “for golf”, but with the declared accuracy, any golfer will outdo it: plus or minus half a meter for a small hole is not an option. But measuring the elevation angle of the arrow is already useful, one minus is that the modes switch cyclically, and you will have to flip through the useless ones.

And now let’s dwell on the «Yukon»: a solid and by no means price-killing rangefinder, which is decently assembled and «long-range» up to a kilometer.

The declared level of moisture resistance is IPX7, so the rangefinder can be safely taken “into nature”. The rangefinder is light and compact, sits well in the hand and demonstrates decent measurement repeatability — you can safely trust it. It is a pity that it does not provide for measuring the elevation angle of the target, otherwise it could count on a higher rating score at such and such a price.

Hmm … And how does this «brand» rangefinder differ from the «Chinese» for the same price, besides being assembled in the same China? It’s worth starting with the fact that the American customer is still strict in control: the rangefinder, even if it has “classic” 6×20 optics and a passport “range” of 650 yards (that is, 594 m), is assembled noticeably better, and it still surprises a lot with that , which is able to measure distances and is decently larger than the declared ceiling, and this is even despite the fact that the branded «Leupold» DNA laser is not installed here to reduce the cost. We add compactness and light weight to this good moisture protection — and the “cheapest Leupold” starts to look very interesting.

Unfortunately, it also has only the «cheapest» functionality — the rangefinder can only measure the distance to the sighting point in meters or yards, and that’s it. But for hunting, you usually don’t need more, unless, of course, you live in a mountainous area, having already gotten used to the fact that the “target elevation angle” is not an extra line of a ballistic calculator, but the harsh realities of the environment.

And for one thoughtfulness, hunters will definitely say thank you: the complete case, sewn from Cordura, not only received an additional pocket for a spare battery, but also unfastens completely silently.

The Sturman LRF 2000 completes our rating of the best rangefinders for hunting. We note right away that this model fell into the category of «high-class rangefinders» rather conditionally, because it did not want to fit into the «budget» category. More precisely, not even a model, but models: under the same marking and the same appearance, as many as four options are sold, with a measurement range of 1000, 1500, 1800 and 2000 m. And how not to get confused here?

Considering that even the “thousandth” model does not have enough conventional six-fold optics for sighting, an eight-fold one has already been used here, on coated lenses and roof-prisms, with a 25 mm lens. There is an additional mode of operation at short distances (from 20 to 100 m), a standard mode with operation up to a maximum distance of 100 m, while objects located closer than 100 m, even if they are “catches” by the laser receiver, are ignored. Speed ​​measurement is also supported, but there is no work with angles as such — instead, “trinkets” were added in the form of a choice of sighting marks and memory for 10 measurement results.

However, the main disadvantage of this rangefinder in all versions is the choice of power source: an expensive and bulky, but at the same time low-life 9-volt battery of the same size. What else from Soviet times is called «Krona».