Pennsylvania Game News - June 2012 - 58

THE ARCHER RANGEFINDER is a no frills model designed specifically for bowhunters. It has no built-in electronics and works by simply aiming it at an object, pushing a button to lock in the dial needle and then turning the unit to read the distance on the built-in chart.

er and can give an inaccurate measurement to the target’s distance. To combat this interference by precipitation, most highend rangefinders have an incorporated rain mode built into the instrument’s electronics. By selecting the rain mode from the instrument’s menu feedback, energy pulses reflecting off precipitation will be ignored and an accurate distance measurement will be recorded. Because game animals blend with their surroundings, experienced users know that ranging an object such as a tree, rock or even some brush near the animal will often work better than trying to range the animal itself. When discussing the use of a rangefinder with a dealer, be sure to ask about the maximum distance that can be ranged because, as I’ve just discussed, the advertised effective ranging distance can vary depending on terrain, weather, and even on the shape of the object being ranged. Just like a rifle scope or a pair of binoculars, some rangefinders offer users viewing lenses in a variety of magnification. Archery hunters will usually be shooting at game less than 50 yards away, so there is less need for an instrument with high magnification. Archers may find a unit with a lower magnification, such as 2X or 4X, more useful because it provides a wider field of view and allows a hunter to more easily find and get an accurate read58

ing of the distance to the animal at close range. It should be noted the instrument’s magnification does not play a role in being able to range objects a long way away, it only makes it easier for the user to see the object being ranged. Rangefinders come with a variety of features that some hunters will find absolutely necessary while others will opt for a model with only the bare essentials. Fortunately, there are a variety of models designed to meet needs of just about every hunter. Before buying a rangefinder, be sure the unit’s main menu is clear and uncluttered, because it may cause confusion when trying to range an object or animal in the field. Before purchasing a rangefinder, hunters should be aware that some instruments have multiple modes that add to the price of the unit and come with a steep learning curve. Many hunters will want to also use their rangefinder during the firearms season, and the viewing screen on some models will certainly provide a great deal of information. However, they can be so cluttered with numbers, charts and symbols telling you how high to hold your rifle or how to adjust your scope, it may be impossible to quickly access the distance between you and the buck of a lifetime. For me, simpler is better, because all I really want to know is how far of a shot I’m taking. Instruments with a black LED reticle and distance display can be difficult to see under low light conditions, so be sure to check the type of LED the instrument features. Many rangefinders will illuminate the reticle to aid viewing in low light, but caution needs to be taken with some of these illuminated reticles because they can be washed out in bright light conditions. The reticle on my rangefinder glows
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Pennsylvania Game News - June 2012

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