Range Finders

[Rolly]

With most safaris, drawing blood from the intended game means that the trophy fee must be paid regardless of whether the animal is recovered. With this in mind, I question the often given advice of adding a range finder to the safari packing list. As I advised a friend, if you need to use a range finder on an intended target animal that is going to cost you what could be a few thousand dollars for a wounding shot, the animal’s too far away! You don’t need to range it . You don’t need to shoot at it. Wait for a closer shot, one you know you can make.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

On two trips I have taken mine both times. I have not needed it: the PH has the range for me every time, and we've talked through my limits. So from a practical standpoint, it's all good. Still, I take mine. I used it from time to time, more out of curiosity than anything, and during non-shooting times or to gauge how much further on a stalk before I know the sticks will go up. Frankly, it's small enough and light enough that bringing it just doesn't add any real weight. Other may feel differently.

 

[Inline6]

Mine are built into my bino‘s. Why bring extra gear? I did use mine, our PH carries the same ones.

 

[375Fox]

Unless I know it’s an area where it’s unnecessary I always bring my rangefinder. If the PH already has a rangefinder great, if not I have mine. It really paid off one trip I did to NW Namibia. That area required a lot of 200+ yard shots. The longest I took was 346 on an eland with no opportunity to get closer and was only mature eland bull we had seen in 6 days. My PH didn’t typically use a range finder. I missed a kudu and I think maybe a zebra the first day. After that we started using the range finder. I remember discussing distances on a zebra the first time going to use the range finder. I think he said 300 and I thought 350. It was over 400. I had no more misses that trip. Bringing your own rangefinder is cheap insurance that takes up almost no extra space and can add a lot of confidence to your shooting.

 

[rookhawk]

I carry my rangefinder technology inside my binos. Shooting heavy for caliber bullets, the drops can be significant at relatively close ranges. Getting an instant holdover number means a better placed shot. It reduces risk of paying for lost and injured game. It also saves you hours of chasing wounded game that would be better spent hunting.

 

[BeeMaa]

Rangefinder binos is the way to go. I have 2 sets (one for me, one for my wife) of Leica Geovid 10x42 HD-B 3000's and love them. They replaced a set of Leica Geovid 10x42 R (first generation of Leica RF binos) that stayed with my PH as part of his tip. It was also an excuse for me to upgrade.

Last addition was a Leica Rangemaster 3500.com that I will be using on an upcoming goose hunt because my binos are too big and heavy for the kind of hunting we will be doing.

Whatever you decide, at least take a look at the offerings from Swaro, Zeiss and Leica. These brands are top of the line when it comes to optics and I've yet to be let down by any of them.

 

[rookhawk]

Rangefinder binos is the way to go. I have 2 sets (one for me, one for my wife) of Leica Geovid 10x42 HD-B 3000's and love them. They replaced a set of Leica Geovid 10x42 R (first generation of Leica RF binos) that stayed with my PH as part of his tip. It was also an excuse for me to upgrade.

Last addition was a Leica Rangemaster 3500.com that I will be using on an upcoming goose hunt because my binos are too big and heavy for the kind of hunting we will be doing.

Whatever you decide, at least take a look at the offerings from Swaro, Zeiss and Leica. These brands are top of the line when it comes to optics and I've yet to be let down by any of them.

Yes, Leicas.

Yes, the HD-R original styles are a bargain at about $1250.

Yes, the HD-Bs are even better at $2500.

Yes, the new 3500.com 10x32 is even lighter, ideal for bowhunting, and I want them badly.

Agree with everything you've said. Just pointing out that Leica holds all the patents, that's why swaro and zeiss don't have the equivalent tech in their products.

 

[BeeMaa]

Yes, Leicas.

Yes, the HD-R original styles are a bargain at about $1250.

Yes, the HD-Bs are even better at $2500.

Yes, the new 3500.com 10x32 is even lighter, ideal for bowhunting, and I want them badly.

Agree with everything you've said. Just pointing out that Leica holds all the patents, that's why swaro and zeiss don't have the equivalent tech in their products.

This is the Leica 3500.com RF with 7x zoom and class 3R laser that will penetrate rain, snow and light fog. Perfect for waterfowl and I'm thinking of taking them for cape buffalo in the thickets as well. PH has his own Leica 10x RF binos.

 

[Challer]

Built in my Geovids - always there. I don't always need the distances at my ranges for the shot. But useful often when stalking.

 

[Tanks]

...As I advised a friend, if you need to use a range finder on an intended target animal that is going to cost you what could be a few thousand dollars for a wounding shot, the animal’s too far away! You don’t need to range it . You don’t need to shoot at it. Wait for a closer shot, one you know you can make.

If you know the range, then you can make the shot. It is easy to think 300 meters is 200 out in the field. Like others I have rangefinding binoculars now.

 

[WAB]

I have a very good Sig rangefinder. I have never seen a situation in Africa where it would have added value. Personally I can’t imagine needing a rangefinder 400 and in. The only hunting I’ve heard of that might require one is some of the specialty mountain hunts or long range sniping at baboons.

 

[Dirtdart]

Considering the optical quality of certain binos that have integral rangefinding capabilities in this day and age I wouldn't be without. If I didn't carry binos then I wouldn't carry a rangefinder if I were trying to keep kit to a bare minimum.

I have always been amazed at the variety of huntable species encountered in the parts of Africa that I have visited. I will admit I am jealous of the person that has the opportunity to be familiar enough with so many different species to be good at giving accurate range estimations by eyeball. I wasn't bad at estimating distance on prairie dogs when I spent weekends shooting them by the hundreds.

Rule #1 always listen to your PH. If in doubt, refer to rule #1.
A rangefinder shouldn't be an insult or sign of lack in confidence. I have done a fair amount of hunting with a muzzleloader in Namibia where a 50 yard mistake could be a lot worse than with a centerfire.

No one should be dicking around with binos or rangefinders on a hot track in the bush but that goes without saying.

 

[375Fox]

I have a very good Sig rangefinder. I have never seen a situation in Africa where it would have added value. Personally I can’t imagine needing a rangefinder 400 and in. The only hunting I’ve heard of that might require one is some of the specialty mountain hunts or long range sniping at baboons.

If you only take a 375 for a one rifle safari, 400 yards is a long way, especially when sighted in for a 100 yard zero.

 

[WAB]

If you only take a 375 for a one rifle safari, 400 yards is a long way, especially when sighted in for a 100 yard zero.

 

[Philip Glass]

Rangefinders are obsolete these days. I've been using binos with the built in rangefinder for years now. I believe it is the greatest invention for hunters since the scope!
I disagree that if it needs to be ranged it is too far. Things happen on a hunt and opportunities can be few and far between.

 

[BeeMaa]

Rangefinders are obsolete these days. I've been using binos with the built in rangefinder for years now. I believe it is the greatest invention for hunters since the scope!
I disagree that if it needs to be ranged it is too far. Things happen on a hunt and opportunities can be few and far between.

I understand what you are saying by I believe rangefinders have their place. Specifically for when bow hunting and doing so from an elevated position. Being able to have an accurate true horizontal range can be critical. It could be the difference between a whitetail down and tracking a wounded animal.

Sometimes it's a matter of needing to be lightweight, with gear to a minimum. I found that when I was goose hunting last year that my regular RF binos were just too much weight. Even if I had smaller 6x32's it would have been too much. The solution was having the rangefinder that I could slip into a small pocket and still easily shoot.

I agree that most of the time RF binos are the way to go, and if you were to buy either the RF binos or a dedicated rangefinder...you should get the RF binos. However, as the hunting becomes more specialized or there are specific requirements for a type of hunting...there are times where a rangefinder had advantages over RF binos.

 

[HENRY GRIFFITHS SAFARIS]

best ones in my opinion is built into the binos, (I have the new Ranger from Steiner )your job is to make the shot most good Ph's will have one of some sort and don't take any shots your not comfortable with,


we do allot of culling and from experience the shooter seldom have time to range, teams of 2 work best one spots and ranges while the shooter focus on the shot,

 

[mdwest]

I take a range finder with me…but it’s really more of a “nice to have” rather than a necessity…my PH always ranges the shot… I mostly use mine when we are spotting game initially… when we see a herd off in the distance I will sometimes range them.. mostly out of curiosity and to confirm what I THINK the range may be before we either start to stalk or get in the bakkie to try to close some distance..

At home it’s a different story.. while I generally don’t take long shots hunting.. I always range things around the blind to confirm known distances between my location and different potential shot opportunities…

 

[BeeMaa]

At home it’s a different story.. while I generally don’t take long shots hunting.. I always range things around the blind to confirm known distances between my location and different potential shot opportunities…

We do this when setting up for turkey hunting. Especially if we are doing it from a blind. We will put sticks in the ground to mark 50 yards in open areas, using a range finder to do so.