Lazer Rangefinders..???? Whats the scoop?

S

sully2

New member
OK...so someone give me the lowdown here.

I read the specs of various brands and they say that the device is a "6 X 22" power optical device...yadda yadda yadda...or its a 7 X 30 power optical device.....and so on and so forth.

So just how do I get the distance on something like a prairie dog
at 500 yards ( pure guess) with a 6 power device when I NEED AN 18 POWER scope to shoot it???

Anyone see what Im getting at? If I can see it to range it with 6X...why cant I see it to shoot it with a 6X scope..or are the rangefinder people feeding me a lot of bull?
 
The power of the range finder dont mean much. Its job is to give you the range, nothing more. They have a power setting to make it easier for you to see something at the longer ranges to help you aim it to get the range. You might see it in your scope, but your scope will not give the yardage.
 
But can a person actually...REALLY.. see something like a prairie dog at maybe 500 yds with their low magnification??

If ya cant actually SEE the object...how are you able to bounce the laser off of it to get the distance??
 
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My rangefinder is 8X and I will let you know about the PD's at 500 here in about a month.
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I do know that you can range coyotes that far and I have used mine in place of bino's to check out objects while coyote hunting. I am sure you could see a PD at 500yds but the other part of that equation is getting the rangefinder to read on that small of an object. They all usually have a scan mode so they are scanning and reading back all the objects as you look at them and then you have to decide when it's hitting the object you are trying to range.
 
Originally Posted By: venaticMy rangefinder is 8X and I will let you know about the PD's at 500 here in about a month.
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I do know that you can range coyotes that far and I have used mine in place of bino's to check out objects while coyote hunting. I am sure you could see a PD at 500yds but the other part of that equation is getting the rangefinder to read on that small of an object. They all usually have a scan mode so they are scanning and reading back all the objects as you look at them and then you have to decide when it's hitting the object you are trying to range.

Id sure appreciate that if you would. Ive used split image rangefinders before...but of course you had to be able to see the object to use them. Ive also used laser transits before that could hit a sighting target a full mile away...BUT...they were 32 power optics mounted on a tripod. But these smaller handheld jobs stump me....:)
 
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If you can't see the object, bounce a signal off a bush, tree, rock, etc., near the target.

On 'soft' targets like animals, a rough rule of thumb is that the laser will work for 1/2 the distance is is rated for. On rocks, buildings, etc. you should get full distance readings.
 
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