Rangefinder binoculars are the perfect hunting accessory, as they can improve a hunter’s shooting skills by delivering precise distance information on the prey, allowing for better assessment of the shot and more accurate aim.

There are a large selection of sizes, measurement display and distance options, as well as other enhancements and convenience attributes available for those shopping for range finder binoculars. The quality of the products and the prices can be quite variable, so it is wise to do a careful comparison before deciding which brand and model is best suited for your needs.

Doing a little homework before buying by investigating the reliability of different brands and the features of each model is a good idea, as is conducting a thorough check of consumer product reviews. It is also advisable to physically compare them. Try them on in a store to ensure they will fit comfortably when being used, and test them to see if they will be easy for you to adjust in a way that is in keeping with your style of use and intended purpose. As even the least expensive of these binoculars can be quite pricey, and many of the higher-end models even more so, it will be well worth the investment in time to make sure you get the most for your money. Below are a few examples of some of the popular binocular models on the market.

The Zeiss Victory 8 x 45 T* RF Rangefinder Binoculars use an invisible class 1 laser beam to immediately take the measurements upon pressing and releasing the button. This minimizes any shaking effect that may result from aiming for an extended time period. The illuminated 4 digit LED readout registers and displays the distance results clearly in any lighting situation. Each of the Victory RF binocular models feature a magnesium housing that is extremely light, a rubber armor to resist shock, as well as Zeiss recalculated optics with LotuTec®, their protective coating which provide the eyepieces and lenses with the ability to bead off moisture without leaving a residue.

The Bushnell Fusion 1600 is another available rangefinder binocular model. A 10 x 42 unit, it features the Bushnell ARC technology, which compensates for the angle range. The Fusion 1600 has modes to compensate for Rifle angle and Bow angle, as well as modes for Bullseye and Brush target priorities. It also has four settings for the display’s brightness intensity for a clear readout regardless of the ambient lighting.

The Leica Geovid BRF line features the latest models in Leica’s long history of manufacturing rangefinder binoculars. The offerings include an 8 x 42, a 10 x 42, an 8 x 56, and a 15 x 56 model. Each of these sizes delivers a 1400 yard maximum range. Leica markets their binoculars with readings in either yards or meters, rather and having the ability to toggle between settings, which may be an important consideration for some users.

Although some hunters may be purists when it comes to their techniques, relying on their wits when assessing target distances and angles, those who appreciate the advantages of modern technology will revel in what the new rangefinder binoculars have to offer. Just as having the best quality guns or bows, having reliable and efficient accessory equipment can ensure a safer and more satisfying hunting experience.

Though range finders work well in locking to a target, they may be limited during distances of 300 yards and a strong breeze. Having great magnification coupled with advanced technology work best, of course, which Bushnell’s PinSeeker and Leopold’s Pinhunter have in abundance. Both brands find and seek targets without much difficulty.

A golf distance finder is also limited in the way it reads distances, which is on a straight line and doesn’t factor in the need for additional clubs while hitting a sloping target. Although some new models are equipped with sloping adjustments to correct this problem they are not legally accepted for use in handicap rounds or tournaments.

Nowadays, more and more golfers rely on GPS units to give them correct target and hazard readings that will help improve even perfect their game on the golf course.  Unlike range finders, GPS units provide accurate distance readings to real targets rather than just aim at a known target. A typical GPS unit, for instance, can give accurate reading distances on the back, center, and front of the course.  What it cannot target is the flag stick, which changes with each game.

Sky Caddie SG5 is a fine example of a GPS target unit from Sky Caddie.  Equipped with an advanced reading features for easy readability, Sky Caddie SG5′s amazing features include hazard distances, up to 40 targets per hole, layup spots, and fairway targets.  All these features are now available by subscription.

Sky Caddie SG5 also features the trademark IntelliGreen technology, which gives accurate measurements of contours, mounds, even false fronts.  An intelligent golfer knows he needs an assist that may require him to make adjustments in his shots and Sky Caddie SG5 is it. He only needs to move the IntelliGreen crosshair to get an accurate reading of the distance or depth of each mound, tier, or false front to make his shot. While Sky Caddie SG5 helps more golfers perfect their shots, the technology it is equipped with also aids golfers lock in on their targets by giving them an accurate distance readings.  Sky Caddie SG5 is a golf distance finder even a neophyte golfer would be lucky to have on his side when he makes a shot.

There are a number of different models available that you can choose from.  Depending on the features you are looking for, there is one that is right for you and will hopefully improve your game. 

Bushnell has a rangefinder that is powerful and has a decent battery life.  The Pro 1500 is simple to use and golf pros recommend this as the most accurate and powerful one that can be purchased.  This model is accurate and gives you a good view of the pin even if you’re not keeping the rangefinder steady.  The model is also acceptable for use in handicap and tournament play.  When using this model, there are two different modes.  The PinSeeker mode allows the golfer to get the correct distance to the closest object.  When on Scan mode, the golfer can continuously update the range to the pin or object being sighted.   The PinSeeker 1500 is one of the heavier models.  It weighs 10 ounces and is larger than others.  It won’t slip into your back pocket so it will need to be stored in your golf bag.

The Leupold GX-I Rangefinder is another model that gets high marks by golf pros and the average golfer alike.  It is handicap and tournament legal like the Bushnell model.  It is more of a simple model, but performs quite well.  It does have a PinHunter and Scan function and has simple controls.  There is no need to set the controls or make adjustments.  There is a quick set menu so one or two simple button pushes is all you need.  Leupold is a quality name in rangefinders, so this model is a great reliable model for the average golfer.

The features that are offered in a quality rangefinder are a laser which will give you accurate measurements calculated from wherever you are on the course.  The rangefinder is a very important feature because the whole point in having one is so you will always be able to know the accurate distance to anything on the course.  So, basically the rangefinder will help you know how far you need the ball to go in order to reach the hole as well as any other location on the course.  With this kind of tool in your arsenal you can always be confident that you are making the right choice for a particular shot or situation in regards to the yardage.

A Bushnell golf rangefinder is one brand that is very well known and the reason for this is simply because Bushnell was the first company to make a rangefinder that has the pin seeking feature which is used in their rangefinder and now they have become the first to offer a feature capable of providing exact yardage as well as the green’s elevation or whatever other target you are trying to reach.  This basically means that you will have a much better chance of knowing precisely how far you will need to hit your golf ball so that you can get yourself in the location you want when it is time for your next shot.  Certainly this will add a level of confidence and will help to ensure that your game continues to get better.

When it comes to yardage devices, there are many different choices, you could even choose a GPS, but maybe this is not the right choice for your needs.  A GPS can be a good choice when you already know that a particular course you are planning to play on has been properly set up for GPS.  However, with the Bushnell golf rangefinder you will always know that you will get the accurate yardage and with the various GPS units you will not always know that.  Some GPS units will work very well and will have numerous different courses already stored in them which you can use, but it might still be a struggle to determine exact yardages to certain hazards, landing areas or the pin.

One of the smaller Bushnell golf Rangefinders which utilizes Bushnell’s pinseeker technology is the Tour V2 Laser; it is a great choice for anyone who wants a smaller and more easily carried model.  The Bushnell Pro 1600 is a new rangefinder offered by Bushnell and is the top laser rangefinder used in golf.  The Medalist Rangefinder by Bushnell also uses Pinseeker technology and has Bushnell’s x4magnification bringing Pinseeker technology accuracy to distance control.

Golfers can use a rangefinder to calculate distances to objects even when other things such as trees located around the target area.  Scan mode will allow the golfer to move the rangefinder and continuously get updates on the distance while moving from one location to another.

There is one significant difference between the Golf range finder and the Hunting range finder and this something termed Priority mode. Golf range finders typically measure distance in wide open spaces – they will not be used in the trees and when surrounded by bushes and the view of the target will usually not be obstructed. That is what we like to hope anyway.

If you are a novice golfer, to put it politely, you may wish to consider purchasing a range finder suited to hunting. Golf range finders boast priority one mode – they focus in on the first thing they encounter. If you find yourself in the trees, a golf range finder will focus on the trees and bushes. This is hardly ideal.

A hunting range finder boasts priority two mode. This type of range finder will successfully ignore the first objects it encounters, only focusing on objects you happen to point at. Range finders of this kind are ideal for use in wooded areas and are highly appropriate for such an application.

Distance Measurement
The majority of range finders are marketed so that the maximum readable distance for the range finder is apparent. Golf range finders are typically lower powered. This is because precision is not so critical – you just want to hit the ball as far as possible. A hunting range finder is typically rated for long distances and you will wish to ensure that your chosen range finder meets your requirements.

Magnification
For average usage, a magnification of 6x or 7x will prove appropriate and the majority of range finders do meet this standard. The 6x magnification means that an object being ranged will appear to be 6 times nearer with a range finder than it would with the naked eye. However, keep it in mind that the magnification is less important than the power of the range finder.

Laser Range Finder Modes
There are a number of laser range finder modes. These include horizontal mode, which will take elevation changes into account and scan mode, which will allow you to hold the range button down and quickly scan the terrain.

The LCD screen is easy to read. All icons and numbers can be clearly seen even under all weather conditions.
Digital technology makes it possible for this device to deliver accurate measurements. When the device is pointed and activated, the laser beam bounces off the target. The distance is calculated by determining how much time it takes the beam to return to the source. That time is converted into distance using light speed as the constant for the calculation.

The user receives data almost instantaneously as the information is displayed on the screen in meters and yards in less than a second from the time the device is activated.

The Yardage Pro GPS offered by Bushnell is a fairly standard GPS system with very little in the way of extras. This compact device is weatherproof, lightweight and one of the easiest units of its kind for the user to figure out.

Distance can be noted at a glance on the screen which is completely legible even when outdoors.

This GPS device is small enough to fit in one hand and will read distance in meters and yards. The memory allows the user to store information for up to ten courses. The unit acts as a scorecard and provides information about the course.  The receiver accommodates twenty channels and it has a hot start function that takes just ten seconds.

Bushnell PinSeeker makes use of laser technology in order to calculate distances. All you need to do is peep through the PinSeeker and focus the LCD crosshairs at a specific object whether it is a tree, a bunker face or a flag. The unit then sends a light pulse. What the PinSeeker does is measure the quantity of time it takes for the light to bounce off on and return to the object. In basic math, this incorporates the speed of light which then results to a yardage. The PinSeeker then measures 1.7" x 5.1" x 3.7" or approximately the size of 2 ball sleeves. Its weight is 11.9 ounces allowing those who carry their bag to not notice the added weight. Basically, the range finder is precise up to 1500 yards though only using a reflector. Believe it or not, the PinSeeker can locate a flag up to a maximum of 400 yards. Meanwhile, trees could be found up to a maximum of 1000 yards.

The PinSeeker functions using a 9-volt single battery. The eyepiece single-lens provides 7x magnification as well as an LCD which covers one’s view and on which graphics and numbers appear. The diopter could then be adjusted to plus or minus 4 points allowing those with substandard vision to see clearly their target.

The PinSeeker is actually pre-programmed with club average intervals as well as trajectories. It also calculates the slope to either plus or minus a degree.

When it is used for golf, it is great at finding fast the flag thereby offering a precise yardage. Though it is quite expensive at it costs $449, it could be used not just in golf unlike SkyCaddie. Believe it or not, range finders are mainly used by photographers, hunters as well as home builders. The following are a few of the PinSeeker’s features: built-in relfector, standard scan mode, fully multi coated optics, Rainguard HD, twist up eyepiece metal with oversized ocular as well as a premium carrying case. The item also includes a nine-volt battery.  

In the year of 2006 Leupold Rangefinders entered the market with their new line of ranging tools. The Leupold Rangefinder RX line is named similarly to the VX line, where the increase in the roman numerals relates to an increase in the price and sophistication of the model. The Leupold Rangefinders RX-I is considered to be an entry model: it has been stripped down and provides a range of basic ranging features. This model is similar in weight, size and shape yet boasts an inclinometer that aids in calculating the ballistic range to the chosen target. The models RX-III and RX-IV prove to be a different size and shape and feature an additional button to aid toggling and setting the model’s ranging modes. The models RX-III and RX-IV feature an illuminated display. The RX-IV also incorporates a compass. The maximum ranging distances of these models is 750, 750, 1200 and 1500 yards respectively. Effective ranging on non-reflective targets like deer will be 500, 500, 700, and 800 yards respectively for these models.

Golf Leupold Rangefinders – Leupold GX-II Rangefinder Pinhunter

The Leupold GX-II Rangefinder Pinhunter is a model full of potential. Akin to its tournament-legal counterpart, this model features Pinhunter-targeting technology to allow for fast flag ‘locks’, in addition to a Quick Set Menu which renders the model simple to use.

The Leupold GX-II Rangefinder Pinhunter can compensate for gradient shots with ease thanks to its True Golf Range system and inclinometer.
In addition to this, it can factor in both the temperature and the altitude and come to a conclusion as to how these two factors affect the result of a shot. This may not be of any relevance for beginners, it is a feature that will interest more experienced golfers.
Furthermore, the model features a Club Selector able to automatically inform a user of the best club for a given shot. This, combined with the model’s compensation gradient ability and its temperature and altitude considerations, renders the Leupold GX-II Rangefinder Pinhunter the ideal model for golfers who wish for more accurate shots.

The Leupold GX-II Rangefinder Pinhunter is a top of the range model which makes for a great substitute to the Bushnell’s Slope rangefinder. While many golfers are inclined to choose the Bushnell model by nature, the GX-II proves a good match. For practice, very few tools compare to the rangefinder both in terms of ease of use and efficacy.

One common concept used in 35mm cameras is the SLR, short for "Single Lens Reflex". This type is most common in the professional market – it is used for very high-end cameras. A second is the rangefinder, or RF. Some of the RF models are known as "classical" cameras and use what is called a coincident rangefinder. For example the Leica M6, the Konica RF, the Bessa R and many others made by Contax, Canon, Nikon, Leica and Voigtlander over the years use this system. Another option is those with an electronic rangefinder instead of the old fashioned mechanical ones – the Konica Hexar AF and Contax G1 and G2, for example.

Rangefinder cameras are different to the professional SLR models in that they do not allow you to view the image straight through the lens. Instead, rangefinder focusing uses a separate mechanism, sometimes in addition to through-the-lens (TTL) metering.

A range finder is similar in appearance to most binocular designs. You look through these while aiming at the targets like cool sharp-shooters. The unit will then send out laser beams to the spot you aimed and calculate the distance. For the calculation to be accurate, it will require their to be a direct visual to where the flag is. It’s also essential to have a steady hands. This is especially the case for distances that are further away.

Using GPS units might be more complicated. This will require you uploading a map onto the GPS system and then it will find your position in relation to the pins using a satellite signal. How useful this device will be depends a lot on developed the course map is.

Bushnell Medalist PinSeeker’s RangeFinders

This new and amazing Laser that comes installed with Pinseeker has become legal for tournament use. It uses the Pinseeker technology so that the shot will become more accurate and the course will be easier for you to manage. You can use this anywhere, anytime, whenever you want.

The Sky Caddie Unit from Sky Golf SG4

This type of technology is preferred for the more sophisticated golfer who will need more advanced features, a longer lasting rechargeable batter, and a bigger display screen. It also included technology that allows the golfer the ability to measure the entire depth for the greens at any possible angle you could approach it. it also displays the distance for any hazard and target that might be presented. They also have a database for over eleven thousand course maps.

GPS Device from Garmin Golf Logix

This GPS unit will continuously display any distance for the hazards and targets, without the need to press a button. All you will have to do is double check all the distances. Then you have to select the club you’re using and simply take your shot. The system will also scroll forward to the next hole too. For any golfer, figuring out the accurate distance between each shot is important. It’s also important to know the hazards because it will increase your confidence in the shot and make the game more fun.