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You squint as hard as you can, glaring and glowering into the distance. Is that a deer?
If only you had brought a rangefinder to this hunting trip, you could shoot with confidence, but instead, you find yourself sitting there, staring at what is probably a rock, waiting to see if it moves.
Now you know what you have to do.
But where do you start? Let us take care of that. We have laser-focused accuracy and a love of writing reviews of the best rangefinders for long-range shooting.
Image | Product | Details | ||
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Best Overall | Uineye |
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CHECK PRICE | |
Best Value | TACKLIFE |
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CHECK PRICE | |
Premium Choice | Vortex Optics |
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CHECK PRICE | |
Bushnell Bone |
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CHECK PRICE | ||
Simmons 600 |
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CHECK PRICE |
While the 1,600-yard range is very impressive, even more impressive is the Uineye’s slope technology and continuous scan mode, so you’ll be able to track expertly and with confidence. This rangefinder is user-friendly and intuitive when it comes to switching between modes, so you won’t losing any time going from LOS (Line of Sight) to angle-adjusted measurements. Made to be water-resistant, you can take this rangefinder out into the elements and not worry about breaking down on you. Even if it does, it comes with a one-year warranty served by an excellent customer service staff. Many rangefinders boast awesome distances, but this one really delivers. While it may not be totally accurate up to said 1,600 yards, it stays within the .33 range of accuracy for 1,500 yards. Not too many rangefinders can say that, and that’s why we’ve selected it as the best rangefinder for long range shooting
This product is half the price of our top pick and gives you half the ranging capability, but it does so wonderfully. After all, 900 yards of tracking is still impressive. A huge plus is the fact that it is rechargeable as opposed to having to switch out AA batteries. This seems like a minor feature but is actually pretty unique when it comes to rangefinders. With accuracy within a yard and an intuitive way to change between sight modes, you can track with confidence with the TACKLIFE MLR01. You can mount this on a standard tripod or hang it around your neck. This product does well in poor conditions, but if it were to break down on you, it comes standard with a 24-month warranty.
The only issue is that it doesn’t track quickly, so if you need a quick distance on something, this product is probably not right for you.
For hunters who are serious about their craft, you can’t go wrong with the Vortex Optics RRF-181. This long-range rangefinder puts the long in long-range and range in rangefinder. You can see why: It has tracking capabilities up to 1,800 yards! With an easy-to-read display, this surprisingly small rangefinder has everything you need for an accurate shot. You will be able to easily switch between HCD and LOS modes (Horizontal Component Distance/Line of Sight). This means you will be given readings that are based on the direct line to your target, as well as angle, slope, and horizontal positioning. With continuous scan, you can target as much as you’d like without having to stop your readings. With three brightness settings, you’ll be able to use your continuous scanning in myriad elements. This product is waterproof and fog proof and capable of ranging through bushes and trees.
While it does say that it ranges up to 1,800 yards, it seems that this item is at the height of its powers from 550 yards and in. That being said, it is wonderful from that distance and quite durable. If, for some reason, anything happens to your Vortex Optics rangefinder, the customer service team has a reputation for being fantastic.
Bushnell has quite the reputation in the hunting world and for good reason. While some rangefinders go for extensive distance, the Bushnell 202208 Bone Laser only ranges for 600 yards but does so with great precision. The camp pattern will help you blend into your surroundings better, and the rainproof casing will give you the confidence that your rangefinder won’t go kaput during your outing. The in-view display gives you everything you need (battery life, reticle, and distance), and the one-button operation makes for an intuitive device. This product uses a class 1 laser.
This product does not take angle into account when ranging, and there are durability concerns. It is also up in the air if it takes a 9V battery or a CR 2.
With clear optics provided by an LCD display, you’ll be pleased with your view with this item from Simmons. This product can magnify up to 4x and has a ranging distance of 600 yards. Made with a waterproof casing, this item was made to handle all the elements.
The product itself feels less than substantial when compared to the others on this list, but it holds up pretty well. While it touts an ability to range from 600 yards out, it is less accurate at long ranges and better suited for bow hunting or golf. The casing will break if you drop it.
Made to be compatible with your smartphone, this rangefinder is Bluetooth operated and comes with an app so you can set up the rangefinder and use your phone to operate it. It is also designed to be able to communicate with your scope, so you are fully dialed into what you are aiming at. Touted as having a precise reading of up to 1,640 yards, we have found that it tops out around 1,200 yards but still has a pretty decent accuracy. Measuring both HCD and LOS, you can get a good reading with the LTN.
While this product sounds ideal, it is wildly inconsistent. The technology is cool, but all the kinks haven’t quite been worked out yet. It has a hard time pairing with scopes, and there isn’t a way for you to turn it off, so you either have to remove the battery every time you use it, or just let it die. Sometimes, even if you have the batteries in, it won’t turn on at all. While it is on the more expensive end of the spectrum for rangefinders, you can do a payment plan.
With a digital signal processing engine, this rangefinder from Sig Sauer is supposed to be intuitive and ready to use the moment you take it out of the box. It is stated that its range-finding capabilities go up to 1,600 yards, but Sig Sauer itself says that you can actually only range game from 600 yards away. While the accuracy is good, the display is downright difficult to read. There’s a reason that a product that works well at this price point is so low on our list. It also does not come with a warranty of any type.
Bushnell likes to brag that this is the first rangefinder that can pair with your smartphone. This product does range with angle in mind and is supposedly able to range up to 1,760 yards. It is made to be waterproof and durable.
The display here is less than adequate, and worse, this product only wants to work when it wants to work. We’ve heard reports of great success with this Bushnell range finder, but frustration is far more common.
With a simple display and 1,200 yards of range, this unit appears to be a fine little rangefinder. With two buttons, you won’t have to fuss with switching modes and accidentally turning the device off. Able to measure with angles and line of sight, this rangefinder gives you options. So, why is it number 10 on the list?
To put it simply, you’ll be lucky if you get this product to work more than a few times. It does come with a 12-month warranty, but you’re probably better off finding something higher quality within the price range or just shelling out a few extra bucks.
Rangefinders are an important part of your hunting excursion, so we ought to pinpoint specific things you should look for. Certain specs may be more or less important to you, but there are universal features when it comes to finding the right rangefinder.
This is a list for rifle hunting, so you want to be rangefinder shooting from far away, as opposed to being more dependent on accuracy closer to your target. With long-range hunting, angled measurements are especially important for accuracy.
How detailed are you in your hunt? Would you prefer to use your rangefinder for quick glances, or are you using it to continuously scan? Not all rangefinders come with a continuous scan mode, so if that is important to you, make sure that is an option. Also, certain rangefinders are more or less intuitive when switching between modes or displays.
Are you the type to stand in the rain for hours? If so, you’ll want a fully waterproof product. Not all rangefinders are created equal in this department, as there are different waterproof ratings for different products.
Not all rangefinders come with warranties. Sure, you should buy one that isn’t going to break, but there are no guarantees with any of these products.
Shopping for the best rangefinder for long range shooting can be a daunting task, but we like to think that when it comes to rangefinder shooting, we’ve set your sights a bit more precisely and made the hunt that much easier. Maybe you want the overall value of the TACKLIFE MLR01. Maybe you consider yourself a front runner and find the lure of the Uineye HK1500 too irresistible. Whatever you choose, there is a world of wonderful products out there for you to get your hands on.
We hope these reviews have helped you in your perfect hunt!
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Featured Image Credit: PRESSLAB, Shutterstock
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Robert’s obsession with all things optical started early in life, when his optician father would bring home prototypes for Robert to play with. Nowadays, Robert is dedicated to helping others find the right optics for their needs. His hobbies include astronomy, astrophysics, and model building. Originally from Newark, NJ, he resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where the nighttime skies are filled with glittering stars.
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