Best Rangefinders for Every Outdoor Adventure 2023

Best Rangefinders for Every Outdoor Adventure 2023

  1. Sig Sauer KILO 1400 BDX
  2. Bushnell PRIME 1700
  3. Bushnell Nitro 1800
  4. Other recommendation

Find all of my top air rifle product recommendations on my Amazon shop page. Including shooting sticks, rest bags, night vision, scopes, pellets and more.

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Richard Saunders: An experts view

All of our reviews are based on Richard Saunders’s opinions. Richard has been shooting air rifles for nearly forty years. Today he hunts and carries out pest control on more than a thousand acres spread across different locations in the south of England. He is a regular contributor to Airgun Shooter magazine, writing mainly hunting features and product reviews, as well as The Airgun Show on YouTube.

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The Best Rangefinders

Rangefinders are essential tools for outdoor enthusiasts, whether you’re a hunter, golfer, or nature photographer. These devices can accurately measure distance and help you make informed decisions about your next move. With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to find the best rangefinder for your specific needs. In this article, we will uncover the top rangefinders for every outdoor adventure, helping you make an informed decision and get the most out of your next adventure. From advanced features to durable designs, we’ll cover everything you need to know to choose the right rangefinder for your next outdoor adventure. So, whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, read on to discover the best rangefinders for your next outdoor adventure.

If you’re an airgun shooter looking for a fast and accurate way to judge distance, laser rangefinders are the ideal solution. These handy, pocket-sized accessories provide an instantaneous and precise reading, so you can make the right adjustments on your scope’s elevation turret. To help you decide which one is right for you, here are some of the best laser rangefinders currently available.

Why is a rangefinder essential for shooting?

When it comes to hunting in the UK with legal weapons, 12 ft-lb air rifles are pretty weak. Catapults may even be weaker, but that’s still up for debate. Even with limited land available, air rifles can make a small permission an interesting and enjoyable challenge. Most hunters using .22 calibers stick to a 30m limit, while those wielding .177s can push it to 40m. Trajectory or the amount a pellet drops over distance must be studied and understood to become a successful legal limit air gunner. Some use ballistic apps to understand the holdover needed, while others prefer to set out targets at varying distances. However, this knowledge won’t help when a rabbit pops out of a hedgerow and you don’t know how far away it is.

1. Sig Sauer KILO 1400 BDX

This 6x magnification device is ideal for shooters who wear glasses, as its easy-to-use design is glasses-friendly. It offers IPX4 waterproofing and measures 100x75x33mm, weighing 157g. It also comes with a useful free-to-download app. The downside is that it’s quite expensive, being at the lower end of the company’s range, and the minimum SIERRA3BDX parallax adjustment is 50 yards.

Constructed with premium polymers and rubberized textured panels, the KILO is 100x75x33mm in size and weighs 157g. It has an IPX4 waterproof rating and an adjustable dioptre ring which allows for a sharp and clear image and sufficient eye relief for those wearing glasses.

The 20mm objective lens of the KILO, which features Sig Sauer’s SpectraCoat anti-reflection coatings, provides a crystal-clear image at 6x magnification and a range of up to 1,400 metres. To power the device, a CR2 battery is easily accessible by unscrewing a coin slot cap just below the lens and should provide roughly 4,000 ranges.

By pushing the square button at the top, a default LCD screen appears, showing a small circular reticle, a battery indicator, elevation, incline angle, and Bluetooth connectivity status. A second brief press of the button displays readings in metres or yards to one decimal point, plus the angle from the horizontal plane. For more detailed information, holding the button down activates a scan mode that provides updated distance and angle readings four times every second.

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By pressing the mode button on the left side, the user can access a variety of options, such as the ability to connect to Sig Sauer’s SIERRA3BDX scopes with a free-to-download app, which will automatically adjust the aim point with the user’s ballistic information entered. Despite its impressive features, the SIERRA3BDX range has a minimum parallax adjustment of 50 yards, making it an unlikely choice for air gunners.

​​The verdict on the Sig Sauer KILO 1400 BDX Airgun Shooter is that it is a high-performance rangefinder at the lower end of the Sig Sauer range. While some of its features may not be necessary for airgun shooting, it is an excellent choice for those who shoot rimfire or centrefire guns and should be used in tandem with a Sig Sauer scope.

2. Bushnell PRIME 1700 & Bushnell Nitro 1800

Bushnell is a renowned name in optics, and its scopes have been favored by air gunners for many years. We have tested two of the three models in the company’s monocular rangefinder line: the Prime 1700 and the Nitro 1800.

The Nitro 1800, Bushnell’s most premium product, is priced at £415. Its dimensions are 87x77x35mm and it weighs 160g, making it small enough to fit in a pocket or carry in the accompanying belt pouch.

The Nitro 1800 comes with a CR2 battery and has a range of 730 metres right away. Its 6×24 configuration makes it great for spotting, and you can get readings in either metres or yards with the press of a button. You can customize the Nitro 1800 to different terrains with its mode button, as well as settings for rifle and bow use.

The Bushnell Nitro 1800 Spec:

is a very small device that measures 87x77x35mm and weighs 160g. It is powered by a CR2 battery and is great for spotting, and fitting into your pocket. However, it is quite expensive.

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The Bushnell Prime 1700 Spec:

has a 6x fixed magnification and a range of 1,600 metres. It measures 108x37x70mm and weighs 169g. It has a very crisp image and a Bullseye mode, but fewer features than the Nitro 1800.

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You can upgrade the rangefinder scanning capabilities of a free app to over 1,800 meters and sync it with your smartphone or Kestrel device for ballistic data and holdover/windage calculations.

The Prime 1700, although costing £240, does not have the same features as the Nitro, but it does provide the most essential functions for air gunners. Thanks to its large objective lens, the 6x magnification offers a sharp image with excellent light transmission and colour. It also has an impressive range of 1,600 metres.

The verdict on Airgun Shooters is that both the Endurance and Vantage models provide excellent value and performance to meet any air gunning needs. If you typically use centrefire and rimfire rifles, the longer range of the Endurance products is likely to be the best choice.

In conclusion, choosing the right rangefinder for your outdoor adventure can greatly enhance your experience and help you achieve your goals. With so many options available, it’s important to consider factors such as range, accuracy, durability, and additional features when making your selection. By taking the time to research and compare different models, you can find the perfect rangefinder to meet your specific needs and ensure a successful outdoor adventure. Whether you’re hunting, golfing, or exploring nature, the right rangefinder can make all the difference. We hope this article has provided you with valuable insights and information to help you uncover the best rangefinders for your next outdoor adventure. Happy exploring!

Other recommendation:

LEICA Rangemaster CRF
Vortex Optics Razor HD
Vortex Optics Impact Laser Rangefinders

FAQ’s

1. What are some important features to consider when choosing a rangefinder for outdoor adventures?

When choosing a rangefinder for outdoor adventures, it’s important to consider factors such as the range and accuracy of the device, the quality of the optics, and any additional features such as angle compensation or ballistic data. Look for a rangefinder that is durable and weather-resistant, with a clear and easy-to-read display that can be used in different lighting conditions.

2. What types of outdoor adventures are rangefinders most useful for?

Rangefinders can be useful for a wide range of outdoor adventures, from hunting and shooting to hiking, camping, and birdwatching. In any situation where you need to accurately measure distances or navigate through unfamiliar terrain, a rangefinder can be an invaluable tool to have on hand.

3. Are there any special considerations for using a rangefinder in different outdoor environments?

Yes, there are a few special considerations for using a rangefinder in different outdoor environments. For example, if you’ll be using a rangefinder in a heavily wooded area, you may want to look for a device with a “brush mode” that can filter out background foliage and other obstructions. Similarly, if you’ll be using a rangefinder in a marine environment, you may want to choose a device that is waterproof and can float in case it accidentally falls overboard. As with any outdoor activity, it’s important to research and prepares for the specific environment you’ll be navigating.