My favorite rangefiner for today was the ATN Laser Ballistics rangefinder. You can connect it with your phone and can calculate the range up to 1640 yards and has an accuracy of +/- 1 yard which is pretty good.
So you have developed your shooting skills to a level where you can accurately hit your target over 1000 yards.
You will also know that if you want to calculate your bullet drop through ballistics, you need to know the exact distance between you and your target.
This is where rangefinders play a vital role. The only problem is that you need a rangefinder that can do the job at calculation the distance up to at least 1000 yards.
Why?
Because most rangefinders are only able to reach up to 600 yards which are not far enough. Luckily for you, I have found 9 of the best rangefinders for long range shooting guaranteed to give you more accurate readings.
I am also going to compare some of them and give my take on the different ranges, visual quality, pricing, calculations and even the accuracy of these gadgets.
Hope you are ready.
Ultimate Rangefinder Buying Guide
If you are like me and you still could not make up your mind, then this buying guide is for you. Choosing the right rangefinder does not need to be that hard.
If you can understand the following 5 points, then you are off to a good start.
In this section, I am going to go over the range, magnification, pricing, angle measurements and also the accuracy of these rangefinders.
1. What range is best for long range shooting?
Not everyone has the same understanding of what long-range shooting is. For some people, 500 yards are considered long while the experts agree that 1500 yards can be classified as long.
So for the sake of getting everyone on the same page, I will say that anything above 1000 yards can be considered long range shooting.
So in this article, 1000 yards will be the absolute minimum of what a rangefinder must be able to reach to be classified as a “long-range” rangefinder.
If you consider yourself an expert and you are comfortable taking shots longer than 1500 yards, then I will recommend the Bushnell Tactical Elite 1-Mileor.
It is also important to note that the accuracy will decline the further you scan. I will discuss that at a later stage.
2. What about the visual quality?
What use is a rangefinder if you cannot even see your target. Most of the rangefinders in this selection are capable of at least X6 magnification while others can manage X7 magnification.
The rangefinders that have the longest range are those that use the X7 magnification.
Other quality aspects such as the contrast and brightness are also important. The rangefinder needs to be able to compensate for the time of day, lighting conditions and even the color of the background.
Some of the best rangefinders that can automatically adjust their contrast to lighting conditions will be the Nikon Riflehunter is your guy.
3. What you can expect from the pricing
For some people, the cost is just irrelevant because they accept nothing less than the best. For people that are on a budget or for some that don’t want to spend a fortune on rangefinders, there are also other less expensive options.
The pricing of these models can range anywhere from just over $100 up to even $800.
For those that want the least expensive option, I would highly recommend this model from LaserWorks.
4. Calculations are also important
If you are familiar with ballistics in any way, then you will know that your spotting angle needs to be adjusted.
When hunting between mountains or for those bowhunters that love to live in trees, it is critical to bring your viewing angle into consideration.
Why?
Because the angle from which you view your target will influence the accuracy of your range.
Keep in mind that when calculating the distance that you want the actual horizontal distance. Most rangefinders will have this built-in ability to estimate the real horizontal distance.
If you want to have a rangefinder that can do just that, then you need to take a look at the Nikon Prostaff 7i.
The ATN Laser Ballistics is also an excellent option for those that want to connect their rangefinder with their smartphone to calculate the ballistics of their shot.
5. The rangefinders also need to be accurate
Accuracy is critical, especially when shooting long distances. The reason for this is that the longer your shot, the more factors you need to take into consideration before pulling the trigger.
Accuracy is measured by the margin that ranges from 0.1 up to 1 yard either under or below the actual reading.
Some rangefinders will have an accuracy that is +/- 0.5 yards within 0 to 600 yards and then +/- 1 yard for over 1000 yards.
Some rangefinders even have an accuracy that is +/- 0.1 yards within the actual range.
There are many rangefinders in this review that has fairly decent accuracy, and I would like to mention the Leupold RX-1200i TBR which is one of the most accurate products in this listing.
6. Can you use these rangefinders for golf?
My answer is yes, you can. With this tool, you do not need to guestimate the distance anymore, and you can use the correct golf iron for your next swing. Your shot will be more accurate so that you don’t need to send your dog after the ball.
#1 ATN Laser Ballistics (Top Pick)
Best For: This product is ideal for individuals that want to calculate their rangefinder with their Smartphone.
If you want to be able to connect a rangefinder to your smartphone to do calculations, then you will love the ATN Laser Ballistics rangefinder. You can do calculations in the background with your phone via the ATN Smart Phone App. This rangefinder has a calculating range of between 5 up to 1640 yards.
You can also connect this product to your ATN Smart Scope for a point of impact calculation. This product also has an accuracy of +/- 1 yard or less which is very good. This product is tiny and weighs 5.4 ounces. You also have the option to choose between the 1093 and the 1640 yard options.
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#2 LaserWorks (Least Expensive)
Best For: For hunters that want quality but does not want to spend a fortune.
For those short on a budget, I would highly recommend this rangefinder from LaserWorks. It is the least expensive option in this selection but still provides excellent quality. It has a measurement range from 5 up to 1000 yards. It also has a magnification of 6 times standard view. This product is also water and dust resistant. This product is straightforward to use with only the touch of a button to see the measurement.
It automatically switches off after 15 seconds of inactivity which helps to save some battery power. This product weighs 152g and uses a 3V battery. You can also measure the speed and fog does not influence the accuracy of the readings.
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#3 Saybien (USB Rechargeable)
Best For: This product is ideal for individuals that want to be able to recharge their rangefinder.
If you liked the rangefinder from LaserWorks, but you would like to have one that is rechargeable, then I would recommend the Saybien rangefinder. This rangefinder is also very inexpensive and the same price class as the LaserWorks. It can detect ranges from 1 up to 1200 yards which is ideal.
It is also rechargeable with the help of a USB cord. It is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and weighs 0.4 pounds. It has a mounting thread which enables it to be mounted on a tripod. You can also adjust the focus and the slope for a more accurate reading.
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#4 Nikon Prostaff 7i
Best For: Both beginners and intermediate hunters will benefit from this rangefinder.
The Nikon Prostaff 7i is another excellent option for those long range shooters out there. It can effectively measure distances up to ranges of 1300 yards. It also has a magnification of X6 which is not bad either. It is small enough to fit in your pocket and sure packs a punch.
It is also waterproof which makes it useful during rainy weather. This product will even contemplate for the angle by giving you the actual horizontal distance. This product is accurate within +/- 0.5 yards within 0 to 600 yards and also +/- 1 yard for over 1000 yards.
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#5 Bushnell Tactical Elite 1-Mile
Best For: This product is best for those hunters that like to shoot distances up to 1 mile.
This product is ideal for those hunters that are crazy enough to shoot up to 1760 yards (1 mile). This product can scan a distance from 5 up to 1760 yards. It also has a 7X magnification which is higher than the previous models in this listing. This product has an accuracy of +/- 0.5 yards and can even go down to a 0.1-yard accuracy up to 200 yards. This rangefinder also has a multicoated lens which makes it water resistant. It also has a tripod mount.
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#6 Leupold RX-1200i TBR
Best For: This product is best for both long range and bow hunters alike.
The Leupold RX-1200i TBR is another excellent addition for those long range shooters. It can calculate distances from 5 up to 1200 yards and has a magnification of 6 times normal view. It weighs 7.8 oz which is reasonably lightweight. This product comes in the colors orange camo which looks very attractive. It has a nice illuminated display that can easily be seen against dark backgrounds.
This rangefinder also has a bow mode which gives you the actual distance when bringing elevation in mind. It also has an accuracy of 0.1 yards which is very good. This device has 4 shooting modes and also comes with 7 “shooting” groups to calculate your ballistics easier.
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#7 Nikon Riflehunter
Best For: This product is best for those beginner and intermediate hunters.
The Nikon Riflehunter is going to be a great addition to this selection. It has a range finding capability from 5 up to 1000 yards. It has a magnification of 6 times normal view. It has an ocular contrast that enables it to adjust to your lighting conditions automatically. You can also use this device at +/- 89 degrees where it will compensate for the angle. You can also choose between two settings which are the first target priority and the distant target priority. It has an accuracy of +/- 0.1 yards. This product is also fog and waterproof.
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#8 Bushnell Pro X7
Best For: This product is best for long range shooters that exceed 1500 yards.
The Bushnell Pro X7 is mainly marketed as a golf rangefinder but can also be used for hunting due to its range and functions. It can distances from 5 up to 1760 yards which is similar to that of the Bushnell Tactical. It has an accuracy of +/- 0.5 yards up to a distance of 125 yards. It provides a magnification of up to 7 times standard view. It can also automatically adjust the brightness and contrast for a better display. It also automatically gives you the actual horizontal distance for when you aim from a slop. This product is also fog and waterproof.
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#9 Bushnell G-Force DX
Best For: This product is ideal for beginner to experienced hunters and bow hunters alike.
The Bushnell G-Force DX is going to be the third Bushnell that I will review today. This product can measure distances up to 1300 yards and has an X6 times standard view. It also provides 0.1-yard display accuracy. Bowhunters can also use this rangefinder. This rangefinder has a bow mode where you can calculate the actual horizontal distance from 5-99 yards. This product is also fully waterproof and can be mounted on a tripod. It also comes with a rifle mode where you can calculate the bullet drop and holdover.
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Rangefinder Comparison Table
Product Name | Distance | Magnification | Price |
1. ATN Laser Ballistics (Top Pick) | 1640 yds | X6 | $$ |
2. LaserWorks (Least Expensive) | 1000 yds | X6 | $ |
3. Saybien (USB Rechargeable) | 1200 yds | X6 | $ |
4. Nikon Prostaff 7i | 1300 yds | X6 | $$ |
5. Bushnell Tactical Elite 1-Mile | 1760 yds | X7 | $$$$ |
6. Leupold RX-1200i TBR | 1200 yds | X6 | $$$ |
7. Nikon Riflehunter | 1000 yds | X6 | $$$ |
8. Bushnell Pro X7 | 1760 yds | X7 | $$$$$ |
9. Bushnell G-Force DX | 1300 yds | X6 | $$ |
Final Word
See.
That was not so hard.
So hopefully you could find the perfect match. Sometimes if you too many options, it tends to become harder to make the right choice.
If you are in that situation, then you can head over to this section which limits your choices to only three options.
If you already made a choice, then please share with us your option in the comment section below.
Related Buying Guides and Articles:
Thomas S. says
As a former Marines, distance is crucial. I could only imagine how useful a great rangefinder makes. In the Corps, we use to shoot on a KD (known distance) range up to 500 yards. No scope. Iron sights. I would love to do some competitive shooting using a scope and one of these range finders. First place baby!
admin says
A rangefinder can give you the confidence needed before taking a shot. It will also take the guessing game out of everything.