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Best Rangefinder Reviews
It’s highly unlikely that any big game animal is willing to hold still while you roll out the tape measure. But if you don’t know the distance to your target, a shoot-and-a-miss scenario becomes much more probable. That is when a reliable rangefinder becomes a prized possession.
Even the best rangefinder won’t hit your target for you.
The fundamentals of good marksmanship become vital as the distance to your target increases. Whether you want to tag that trophy whitetail or nail steel targets at distance, the best rangefinder needs to be accurate and durable to meet the demands of serious shooting.
That’s why we reviewed the best rangefinder coming in under the $200 price point.
It doesn’t matter what the piece of gear is, whether you’re talking about spinning reels for fishing, Turkey Vests for hunting, or in this case a rangefinder, we want a tool that preforms it’s job well, be durable to last the test of time, and hopefully not break the bank while we’re at it!
Check out the chart below or keep reading to explore the detail and features of the rangefinders that topped our short list.
Check Out Our Top Rangefinder Under $200
Top Rangefinder Comparison
Best Rangefinder Under $200
1. Vortex Impact 850 Range Finder
Vortex Impact 850 Range Finder
The Vortex brand is turned to by many people who are looking for the best rangefinder for shooting. It’s synonymous with high-quality, and the Vortex Impact 850 is their best product in the budget rangefinder category.
Right away, there are lots of features that you’ll enjoy. Starting with the range – you have a max of 850 yards and a minimum of 5. This means you can range targets that are up close and personal but also spot them from a fair distance away.
Another impressive feature is the Line Of Sight mode, which allows shooters to hit their targets with far greater accuracy. It’s perfect for anyone that’s also using ballistic correction apps or data cards, etc. A lot of these apps need the actual line of sight to calculate things like bullet drop or wind correction. With this feature, you get to see the exact LOS, meaning you can use your app with more accuracy and hit your targets every time.
There’s also a convenient scan feature to help range any targets that are on the move. Once again, this feature could well make it the best rangefinder for hunting. Animals move all the time, so the scanning feature really helps you zero in on targets and figure out their range.
Lastly, the HCD feature is something you will definitely enjoy. It helps you compensate for different angles when shooting things that are higher or lower than you. As such, it improves your accuracy even further!
This is a fantastic product, particularly when you take into account the price tag under $200. Along with the brilliant features, it also looks very sleek and professional, while being highly portable and easy to use.
- The Impact Rangefinder features a non-illuminated display and highly intuitive menu in a compact and lightweight package. Added magnification brings targets in for a closer look and more accurate ranging.
- The primary HCD mode displays an angle compensated distance that is ideal for the majority of hunters and shooters. An advanced LOS mode provides the option to calculate long distance, high angle shots with increased precision.
- A scan feature gives continuous range readings to pan across a landscape or track a moving target. All modes can be set to read in yards or meters.
- The Impact runs on a common CR2 battery and the battery life indicator is always visible in the display.
- Fully multi-coated optics enhance light transmission in low light settings. Waterproof and shockproof performance keep you in the hunt no matter what the conditions.
2. Visiocrest B-3280-BL Laser Range Finder
Visiocrest B-3280-BL Laser Range Finder
The Visiocrest B-3280-BL comes in at a close number 2 on our list, and for good reason. Here, you’ve got an incredibly stylish piece of kit that’s very well designed and comfortable to use.
The build quality is really something that stands out here – as always, Visiocrest builds their gear using quality materials that are ready to be used for a lifetime, regardless of the conditions!
Of course, when looking for the best rangefinder, you have to take magnification into account.
With this product, you get awe-inspiring power with up to 6x of magnification.
As for the range, it’s advertised by the manufacturer as 1,093 yards, which is beyond exceptional at this price range!
Easily one of the best aspects of this rangefinder is the size. It fits in your hand with absolute ease, making it extremely comfortable to use while out hunting. When compared to other products, it’s definitely one of the more compact rangefinders money can buy. This also means it’s easy for you to carry around with you, and you can connect a lanyard to it to wear around your neck.
There are only two measurement options – yards and meters, which is pretty standard. However, you have to remember that you’re looking for the best rangefinder for the money. You have to take the price into account when looking at the features, and for a rangefinder that’s less than $200 this model is still very impressive. It’s waterproof too and works very well when the sun goes down, and it’s dark out.
It is also important to mention that when you acquire this durable hunting or sport accessory, it comes with a carrying pouch, neck strap, and lens cleaning cloth.
All in all, you’ve got an excellent and compact rangefinder that works in a variety of conditions and is very accurate. Plus, it has an impressive range and can easily be carried around in your pocket.
- Powerful 5-Mode Laser Rangefinder - Our laser rangefinder is built to help you see better and farther than ever before. Choose from 5 different modes: ranging, flagpole, speed, scan, and fog.
- See Over 1000 Yards Away - This high-precision rangefinder lets you know the exact distance up to 1093 yds with an accuracy within +/- one yard, all while giving you a clear image.
- Conquer Fog - Fog mode is designed to provide accuracy and precision despite poor visibility. Don’t let bad weather stop you from having an adventure.
- High-quality Parts, Multi-coated Lens - The premium, multi-coated lens and 905nm laser are made for extra safe use. The rangefinder is lightweight and compact so it’s really easy to carry.
- Cost-effective For Versatile Use - Perfect for your golf game, camping trip, or any other outdoor adventure. Measure distance with high precision.
3. Bushnell Bone Collector Rangefinder
Bushnell Bone Collector Rangefinder
While the previous options have all had very reserved designs in all black casing, this one is full camo. Naturally, this makes it a fantastic choice for the best hunting rangefinder as it allows you to blend in with your surroundings. Pair it with camo clothing, and you can be extremely stealthy while on the hunt.
It’s very fast at ranging targets, and this can be done by pressing one button. This makes it so easy for anyone to use as there aren’t any complex controls. The ranging itself is said to be extremely accurate, with plus or minus one yard.
You’ve got a brilliant LCD display that presents ysou with the distance to your target very clearly. There’s a 4x magnification feature too so you can get even closer to your targets! As for the maximum range, you’re looking at approximately 600 yards – with a minimum of 10. So, it’s not the best for ranging far away objects, but it’s not really designed for that. This is a rangefinder for hunting game and being quite up close to your targets. So, remember that before you decide to buy!
The design is nice and compact, and it’s weather-resistant as well. When combined with the camouflage visuals and one-button control, it’s a very user-friendly and reliable little rangefinder.
- Quality optics with stunning HD clarity; 100 percent quality materials used and tested extensively
- Beautifully designed with durability built to last; Simple single button operation in a compact, lightweight housing
- Displays exact distance to target from 10 to 600 yard with +/- one yard accuracy
- Bright, crystal-clear optics for targeting in low light; Magnification x Objective Lens: 4x 21mm
- Realtree Xtra camo pattern; rugged, rainproof housing
4. Nikon ACULON AL11
Nikon ACULON AL11 Rangefinder
There are certain things you must consider when looking for the best rangefinder under $200. One of those is the brand – can you trust them? Many unknown companies churn out cheap rangefinders, but that’s all they are; cheap and tacky.
With this particular product, you have a global brand that’s widely regarded as one of the best in its industry. Nikon primarily makes cameras and photography products, which means they’re no stranger to constructing high-quality lenses.
As you would expect from this product, the clarity of vision is sublime. You can look through it and clearly see everything in as much detail as possible. This makes it great for surveying an area as well as ranging your targets. Nikon actually uses something called multilayer coating on the optics, which prevents light loss and gives you this extra clarity. It’s a feature that you only really find in Nikon products.
Moving onto the range, it’s automatically set to yards with a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 550. So, this fits in with the average expectations for products in this price category. Furthermore, you can also switch the metrics to meters if you’d prefer to see them that way.
When it comes to seeing the range, you get a very clear screen that only really shows you what you need to see. It’s clutter-free, so you don’t have to waste time trying to figure out how far away your target is.
One very impressive feature is the Distant Target Priority Mode, which automatically picks out the furthest target from a group of clustered targets. For example, you can view the range of a particular animal when it’s got rocks or bushes in front of it. As such, this could definitely be the best hunting rangefinder.
The design of this Nikon rangefinder is also very pleasing. It’s small, lightweight, and very modern. There are two standout aspects of the design; the controls and the eye relief. It uses a one-button operation, so you just have to press one thing to see the range of a target. As for the eye relief, it’s one of the longest around, meaning it’s incredibly comfortable to hold up to your eye for hours on end.
- At 3.6"x2.9"x1.5" in size, the ACULON Rangefinder is Nikon's most compact laser rangefinder, making it easy to take along wherever you go
- An uncluttered, easy-to-read screen displays ranges in 1-meter/yard intervals;Eye Relief :18 mm
- Class 1 laser product, power output not exceeding .0975 milliwats
- Measurement Range 6-550 yds.Use:Gun hunting,bow hunting,target shooting
5. Bushnell Scout DX 1000 Rangefinder
Bushnell Scout DX 1000 Rangefinder
The last rangefinder on this list is another offering from Bushnell. It looks very professional and durable, and you can get it in both black or camo color schemes. The camo isn’t quite as full-on as the other Bushnell product, but it still looks very good.
We’ll move straight into some genius features, starting with the range. You’ve got between 5-1000 yards, making it one of the best products for picking out targets that are very far away. You don’t lose any accuracy here either, it’s tested to provide up to half a yard accuracy!
This also comes with 6x magnification to really get a detailed look at your targets that are hundreds of yards away.
This product could seriously be considered the best rangefinder for the money due to the sheer depth of features. There’s a built-in inclinometer which gives you ARC – and there are even separate bow and rifle modes to provide you with extra details. With the ARC Rifle Mode, you can see the bullet-drop or holdover, which lets you plan out the perfect shot.
Then, you have the Variable Sight-In that lets you actively set your holdover or bullet-drop information. There’s a smart Brush Mode too, which completely removes any bushes or trees from the range calculations, making it easier to focus on your actual target. Finally, you have the scan mode – which is present in the other Bushnell product – and allows you to gain a more accurate range of moving targets.
There’s no denying that this packs a lot into such a small package, and for a great price too! It’s slightly bigger than the other options, but it is still very easy for you to carry around and use as you please.
- VSI Rifle Mode feature allows you to set your holdover/bullet-drop info for your rifle's zero for deadly accurate information at the push of a button
- Class 1 laser with <0.5mW average power output
Conclusion
You’ve got five excellent products here that could all claim the title of the best rangefinder. To figure which one is ideal for you, take into account why you need a rangefinder, what you use it for, the conditions you’ll use it in, and the features you desperately need. All of them fall into the under $200 category, so the price isn’t something you have to worry about too much!