Hit the Mark With These Top Archery Rangefinders (2019 Update)
Today I’m helping you pick the best rangefinder for archery. This is not a decision to be taken lightly, and you can spend a lot of time getting lost on the internet researching this stuff before coming to a decision.
Well, good news. I’ve done all that work for you. The models below are the most popular and positively reviewed archery rangefinders money can buy as determined by
– online archery and hunting forums
– buyer reviews on shopping sites
– expert opinions
Yes, I have gathered and examined all the data so you don’t have to waste your time. Let’s get to it.
Contents
Best Value: Nikon Arrow ID 3000
Nikon is by far the most popular brand for archers, getting more recommendations on hunting and archery forums than any other brand.
The ID 3000 is not a new bow hunting rangefinder, but is still a standout performer in this niche 3 years on. It also maintains the brand’s tradition of producing top quality optics with fast performance.
Quick Features:
– Nikon’s incline/decline (ID) technology for angled or horizontal shooting
– pleasant 20.3mm eye relief
– 1-yard increments
– 6 to 550 yard capacity
– 4x magnification
– very compact
– 9 degree field of view
This is a strikingly compact little rangefinder, but it still packs all the features you’ll need for bow hunting.
As you’d expect with Nikon, you get clear optics with a black readout. This performs well in most light conditions. The 20mm eye relief makes for comfortable ranging, even if you wear glasses.
The package includes a great neoprene case that covers the rangefinder (except for the buttons, eyepiece and the battery panel) and flips down at the front to allow ranging. This case also serves as a noise dampener should you make contact with other equipment you’re carrying while using the unit.
As we know by now, Nikon’s ID technology is spot-on and in this model it is no exception. Ranging is fast and accurate, whether you’re ranging at an angle or horizontally.
Nikon’s Tru-Target Technology also allows you to switch between ranging modes (First Target or Distant Target) by just holding down both the buttons for two seconds. I also like the continuous measurement feature which allows you to scan your area for 8 seconds to get target distances on the fly.
There’s not much bad to be said about the Arrow ID 3000. It is perhaps not as rugged as you’d like for outdoor use and only the neoprene cover gives it some weatherproofing.
Apart from that the ID 3000 is as fine a bow hunting rangefinder as you can hope to find. It is much cheaper than the previous bow hunting champ, the Archer’s Choice, but lacks the backlighted display of that model. That’s about the only area in which it gives ground though, and matches it blow for blow otherwise.
It can also be used as a rifle rangefinder, although you may wish to consider the Arrow ID 7000 for extra range.
In the end, this little rangefinder is still widely available and still outperforms many newer models. Three+ years after its initial release it remains a winner.
Online Ratings:
– Satisfied owners: 92%
– Amazon.com: 4.5 out of 5
Pros:
– Compact
– Clear optics
– Accurate
– ID technology
– Eye relief
– Great neoprene casing
Cons:
– Display not illuminated
– Limited weatherproofing
Price Range: +/- $200
See Pricing and User Reviews for the Nikon Arrow ID 3000 on Amazon.*paid link
Best Performance: Nikon Arrow ID 7000 / Monarch 7i VR
As mentioned a little higher up, the Arrow ID 7000 (rebranded for the rifle market as the Monarch 7i VR, but both are exactly the same rangefinder on the inside) brings some extra ranging distance to the party. If you require that then you should consider this model instead of the ID 3000.
With a more rugged build the ID 7000 is also better suited to challenging outdoor situations.
Quick Features:
– Nikon’s incline/decline (ID) technology up to 89 degrees
– 18mm eye relief
– 0.1-yard increments
– 8 to 1,000 yard capacity
– 6x magnification
– Tru-Target
– VR (vibration reduction) system
– waterproof
I’m not going to go into features like Tru-Target too much here are I already covered it above with the ID 3000.
The most pleasing aspect of the ID 7000 / Monarch 7i is the vibration reduction feature, and it really works. With the 6x magnification on this unit you’ll appreciate it even more.
This video will help you gauge how much the VR helps:
So, if you’re looking for a little more range and stabilization, this is a fantastic archery rangefinder. Being waterproof will also make you feel better about taking it outdoors.
Pros:
– Compact
– Clear optics
– Accurate
– ID technology
– Eye relief
– Waterproof
– Vibration reduction
Cons:
– Display not illuminated
Price Range: +/- $300
Get a great price on Amazon.*paid link
Leupold RX Fulldraw 3
Leupold has continued improving the RX Full Draw and it is now in its 3rd incarnation. This is a very good archery and bow hunting rangefinder. Leupold is known for producing some of the best technology in the business, and the RX Full Draw 3 has plenty of that. You’re getting TBR, DNA and a few other bells and whistles too.
Quick Features:
- True ballistic range (TBR) up to 175 yards in bow mode
- DNA engine (accuracy enhancement)
- 6x magnification
- 6 – 1300 yard range
- waterproof
- scan mode
- 3 reticle choices
It’s a pity that Leupold didn’t opt for a backlit display. However, it brings other nifty features to the party. You have a choice between 3 reticles:
The optics and clarity are excellent on this model despite the lack of backlighting.
Another useful feature for deer hunters in particular is the Trophy Scale system. It needs some setup (explained in the manual), but once you’ve done that you can fairly accurately determine the width and height (by holding the rangefinder on its side) of, for example, deer antlers.
Using this the trophy hunter can determine from a fair distance away whether it’s worth stalking that deer or not. Bit of a niche feature, but I’m sure some people will enjoy using it.
Leupold has hit it out of the park with this rangefinder, and perhaps the only thing that still sways me towards the Nikon Arrow ID 7000 is the vibration reduction.
Online Ratings:
– Satisfied Owners: 80% (limited sample)
– Amazon.com: 4.0 out of 5 (limited sample)
– Optics Planet – 4.5 out of 5
Pros:
– competitively priced
– all the features you need
– great optics
– accurate
– good battery life
Cons:
– black display, not backlit
– no vibration reduction like the similarly priced Nikon Arrow ID 7000
Price Range: +/- $300
Get Pricing and User Reviews on Amazon*paid link
TecTecTec ProWild Hunting Rangefinder
Moving into the low budget models, the Tectectec Prowild has emerged as a very popular contender in this segment of the market. For around $100 you may not be expecting too much, but this is a surprisingly capable little rangefinder.
Quick Features:
– 6x Magnification
– ranges from 5 to 540 yards
– Continuous scan
– +/- 1 yard accuracy
– water resistant
The Prowild certainly seems to do what is says on the box. It is a simple, cheap but effective archery rangefinder.
Readouts are displayed in black, which we know is harder to read in low light conditions or against darker backgrounds than backlit red displays. Under good conditions they are perfectly clear though.
Accuracy seems bang on measured on the shooting range. You need to hold down the button to obtain a reading,and it comes through almost instantaneosly. You’ll need perfect conditions to get the rated 540 yard readings, but you can bargain on a good 300 yards under everyday conditions. For bow hunting you won’t even need that much.
Problems from a practical out-in-the-wild point of view:
- no priority targeting
- no incline/decline (available in the Prowild S)
- some of our guys in the field report that it fogs up easily in wet conditions
At this price no one is going to expect all the bells and whistles, of course. The Prowild is a handy little rangefinder, and for hunting in open flat spaces under good conditions it should do the trick. I can’t help but feel though that for more challenging terrain and conditions, you’re probably going to shortchange yourself with this model.
Great for the shooting range, but out where it counts and you’re shooting at flesh and blood creatures I’ll scrape together the extra 100 bucks and get at least the Nikon Arrow ID 3000.
Get The Best Price at Amazon.com.
Online Ratings:
– Satisfied Owners: 87%
– Amazon: 4.4 out of 5
– Optics Planet: 4.2 out of 5
Pros:
– Easy to use
– Cheap
– Decent performance
– Light and compact
Cons:
– No priority target
– Not good in foggy/rainy conditions
– Incline/decline only on Prowild S model
Price Range: +/- $100
Get More Reviews and Pricing on Amazon.*paid link
FINAL WORDS: Best Archery Rangefinder
These four excellent bow hunting rangefinders present the best choices you currently have. The slightly aging but still relevant Nikon Arrow ID 3000*paid link provides superb bang for you buck. It’s a pity it doesn’t offer a little more protection from the elements though.
It’s almost a dead heat between the two big guns, the Leupold RX and the Arrow ID 7000. For me it’s down to practical considerations: the Vibration Reduction technology on the ID 7000*paid link scores points for me, while the Trophy Scale on the Leupold doesn’t particularly interest me. You can decide for yourself how much weight these features carry with regards to your own needs and style.
Finally, the Tectectec Prowild is a great little budget rangefinder, but when I head out into the bush I want to be sure I have something that can handle most situations and terrain, which is where this brave little contender falls short.