Best archery rangefinders for bow hunting-Detailed review

Hunting is a close-quarter sport, so knowing the distance to your target isn’t as important as when hunting at longer ranges. But rangefinder technology is essential for both types of hunting.

One of the most important factors is that arrows travel much farther than bullet rounds. Most archery shooters zero their sights for around 20 yards and the 50 inches of arrow drop out after 50 yards is the equivalent of a shot from 200 yards dropping 15 feet by the time it reaches 500 yards. Given that angle, any shooter must be able to determine exactly where they’re aiming.

Rangefinder manufacturers have been engaging in a sort of “range race” by boasting increasingly astounding ranges. Sig Sauer’s KILOTEN binocleaures boast a range of 10,000 meters on reflective objects. Many rangefinders for rifles have the capacity to detect game sized objects up to 1,000 yards, well beyond the ethical limits of most hunters.

Fortunately, the best rangefinders for hunting feature these advanced features, allowing hunters to accurately measure the flight arcs of their arrows, so they can identify deflected game and even the arrow’s energy levels at different distances.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Rangefinders for hunting

First, do you really require a range finders designed specifically for bowhunting? Lots of models that you could make use of for rifle or gunning can be totally suitable for bowhunting. Just make certain that the minimum distances range around 10 ft and that they have adjustable angle along with line-of site measurement. Beyond these basic necessities, here’s precisely what you have to consider prior to buying a rangefinders for hunting:

One-Hand Operation

If your other hand is going to be occupied with holding the gun, how easy is it for you to use the rangefinder?

Arrow Flightpath Technology

Does the arrow have software that calculates its trajectory? This feature allows you to shoot over or under objects.

Precision

Archery-specific rangefinders usually measure distances in fractional yards.

Best archery rangefinders

Vortex Optics Ranger 1800

The Vortex Ranger 1800 has been trusted by hunters for decades. It was chosen because of its reliability and excellent reviews. We think it’s the best archery rangefinders and the most affordable choice among the top ten picks.

Vortex glass provides a lifetime warranty, which is real value!

I’ve owned a pair of Vortex Binoculars, and the Eyepiece broke off during an outing. I mailed them in, and Vortex replaced the item promptly. Because of that encounter, I don’t lose any sleep selling their merchandise. You can also rest assured about your investment with this product.

So how well does the Vortex Optics Ranger range accurately to 1,800yards? The Vortex Optics ranger ranges accurately to 1,900 yards! It’ s also excellent at adjusting for dim lighting conditions due to its three bright settings that match ambient light levels. This is a needed function for those who hunt during twilight.

Range: 1,800 yards
Magnification: 6x
Objective Lens: 22 mm

• Pros: Waterproof, easy to use, good for low light, incredible warranty
• Cons: Inability to range some non-reflective surfaces past 550 yards, may not be the best for ballistic range as it measures in whole yards

Sig Sauer KILO8K-ABS

It has been quite some time since I’ve purchased any high-quality optics, so I think this might be the perfect time to get one.

With its 8,000 yard rangefinder, the KILO8K ABS is one of the best archery rangefinders available today. It blows the rest of the market out of the water.

It’ll cost slightly more than most rangers, but this isn‘t just any ordinary piece of hunting equipment. I’d consider it comparable to some of the more expensive long-range shooters out there, but it’ll be easier to use on the go.

Range: 8,000 yards
Magnification: 7x
Objective Lens: 25 mm

• Pros: Feature-rich and can range 2-3x other handhelds on this list, well constructed and heavy-duty, integrated waypoints with Garmin, works with kestrel units allowing for integrated ballistics, has too many features to list!
• Cons: May be overkill for the average hunter, pricey

GunWerks Revic BR4

After a reader, Corey, commented on this fantastic gun rangefinder from GunWerk, we couldn’t resist adding it to our best gun rangefinders roundup. It is another fantastic feature-rich ballistic range finder that meets the mark.

The Revic BR4 is similar to the Sig SAUER mentioned above but doesn’t have quite the same accuracy. I think that 99 percent of shooters and hunters wouldn’t notice the difference, though; because the Revic BR4 can accurately shoot out to an impressive 4K yards. Not bad for an affordable handgun.

It’s hard not to be impressed by this compact camera. Sure, it‘s highly rated and thoroughly tested, but what really makes it stand out is its ability to help shooters determine wind and elevation settings on the fly. I want to give it a go myself.

Combine this with a 10x magnification (best on this list), and you’re left with one ultra-useful piece of equipment that takes the guesswork out of long-range and short-range shots.

Range: 4,000 yards
Magnification: 10x
Objective Lens: 25 mm

• Pros: Features that are out of this world, advanced ballistics, ability to store multiple profiles, unmatched display data
• Cons: The only bad thing I can think of is that I don’t own one yet!

Leupold RX-FullDraw 5

The new 2022 Leopold RX-FullDraw5 has all the industry leading features of its predecessor, including the ability to enter your arrow weight, speed, and peep height so you know exactly where your arrow will go and what objects may be in your way.

Version 5 is considered as the best archery rangefinders because it has added features such as fog mode and the ability to lower its input thresholds, making it more useful for recurve or traditional shooters.

It has a fast shooting speed which allows you to take shots faster than most other lenses on this list. Although slightly more expensive than some others, you get what you paid for when it comes to optical quality.

Range: 1,200 yards
Magnification: 6x
Objective Lens: 22 mm

• Pros: Amazing bowhunting functions, easy to see through the crystal-clear glass with fog mode, unmatched in low light, lightning fast
• Cons: A bit pricey, may be a bit of overkill for beginners still learning the sport

AOFAR HX-1200T

For beginners who want to get into archery without breaking the bank, this is on of the best archery rangefinders and affordable from AOFAR is a good choice. It’s not cheap, but it won’t break the bank either.

The AOFAR HS2000T still has the same feature set as the original HS2000, including angle compensation, high speed, and fast target acquisition, but at a fraction of the price. It won’t be as accurate as the original HS2000 though.

Range: 1,200 yards
Magnification: 6x
Objective Lens: 25 mm

• Pros: Inexpensive, accurate, reliable
• Cons: Flimsy plastic housing, may not survive a drop, harder to read screen against dark backgrounds, hard to use in the dark, experienced hunters should consider a more durable option

Bushnell BoneCollector

For most hunters, Bushnell’s BoneCollectors are the best devices for hunting. They do everything you’d expect from a bonecollecting tool and nothing else.

It is an excellent choice for mid-range hunting and has received rave reviews by its users. They say that it is true to its name, meaning it is both waterproof and easy to transport. And they think that it’s one of the best archery rangefinders.

One thing I really appreciate about the BoneCollector app is its simple operation. You just press the single “Read” icon and you’re done!

Range: 850 yards
Magnification: 4x
Objective Lens: 24 mm

• Pros: Relatively inexpensive, a trusted brand in optics, targets dark objects easily, fast range time
• Cons: Users report having a hard time in low-light situations, only good to 850 yards, not an equitable option for long-range rifle hunting, magnification is only 4x, leaves a bit to be desired for anything past a few hundred yards

Sig Sauer KILO3000 BDX

The SIG Sauer KILO 3000 BDX is a powerful weapon for hunters who want accuracy at distances up to 3,000 yards. It features integrated ballistic technology, making this a versatile gun for both hunting and long-distance target practice.

These can be paired with Sig Sauer riflescopes and accurately determine ballistically like bullet drop over a long range. That information is then transmitted via Bluetooth right into the scope’s reticles. We also like their Hyper Scan feature, which enables you to range hillsides and multiple target four times per second.

Range: 3,000+ yards
Magnification: 10x
Objective Lens: 42 mm

• Pros: Lifetime warranty, suitable for one-handed operation, excellent scan mode, advanced OLED display
• Cons: Some users say it’s a little bit heavy in their pack, you need to be an advanced hunter/shooter to take advantage of the features

Conclusion

We’ve made sure that every one of our recommended products has the same high quality, durability, and performance standards. Also, having an adjustable camera mount makes it easier to shoot from different angles.

In order to know more about archery equipment we recommend to everyone who is curious about this sport to read archery books.