The laser rangefinder is arguably one of the most important equipment purchases a hunter will make during his or her lifetime. Whether shooting a compound bow, crossbow or long-range rifle, knowing the precise distance to the target while calculating and allowing for changes in elevation can mean the difference between a clean kill and a missed shot — or worse yet, a wounded animal. Rangefinders eliminate the guesswork often associated with unpredictable shooting situations, so hunters can concentrate their efforts on making a well-placed lethal shot.

But not all rangefinders are created equal, and buyers are often confused when faced with technical jargon and advertising hyperbole. Paying for only those features that are pertinent to specific hunting needs becomes paramount and good advice a premium. That’s why it’s important for hunting retailers to be well-versed in those nuances that differentiate one rangefinder from another — the unique features that make a particular model or models the right fit for the consumer. For example, laying down extra cash for a rangefinder that can detect a deer in the next county is counterproductive if the buyer is exclusively a bowhunter. Money is better spent on bow-centric features such as angle compensation, finer calibration at close range and high-quality optics for discerning target animals from non-target objects. 

Only the most informed and well-stocked hunting retailers will be best prepared to capture the moment — and those hard-earned Benjamins — when customers walk through their doors to kick the tires on the latest, greatest rangefinders on the market. So, with that in mind, here’s a quick look at some new models you’re going to want to keep front and center on your store shelves this year.

 

Bushnell Prime 1700

Bushnell has been a significant player in high-performance sports optics for more than 65 years — providing high quality, reliable and affordable products along with a commitment to outstanding customer service and strong retailer partnerships. Its product lines enhance the enjoyment of every outdoor pursuit — but none more prominent, perhaps, than its dedication to hunting and the shooting sports. This is evident in its quality laser rangefinders.

The new Bushnell Prime 1700 rangefinder gives hunters and shooters the capability to range PRS (precision rifle series) distances with the touch of a button. Its large objective lens paired with an all-glass optical system transmits more light to the eye for a brighter, clearer image, adding critical time to the hunt at dawn and dusk. Fully multi-coated optics with ultra-wide band coatings provide bright, true to life colors, and angle range compensation accounts for changes in elevation. Brush mode ignores foreground objects — brush, tree branches, etc. — and provides distances to background objects only. Bull’s-eye mode acquires the distances of small targets without inadvertently measuring background object distances. MSRP: $199; contact: www.bushnell.com

 

Halo Optics XLR1600 / XLR2000 

According to Halo Optics, its creative process literally started with a lump of clay. “We held it in our hands to understand the intricacies of finger pressure points and the contours of a natural grip — so each rangefinder is an extension of the hand itself.” From Angle Intelligence that accounts for slope to target to lightning-fast target acquisition and Scan Mode delivering up to four readings per second, Halo has checked every box for making quality rangefinders.

Halo Optics’ XLR1600 and XLR2000 long-range laser rangefinders feature 6X magnification and premium glass, providing a crystal-clear view for rapid target acquisition and consistent ranging. Auto Acquisition technology delivers exact, nearly instantaneous range data with 1-yard accuracy and Angle Intelligence automatically calculates the horizontal distance to the target when shooting up or down in hilly terrain. Scan Mode allows shooters to lock in multiple targets at different yardages, greatly reducing the possibility of error. Both models feature an ergonomic design with a non-slip grip that can be operated with or without gloves and are made to withstand any weather. MSRP: $249.99/XLR1600; $299.99/ XLR2000; contact: www.halooptics.com

 

Kahles Helia RF-M

A pioneer in riflescopes since 1898 and backed by a history rich in tradition, Kahles is known throughout the world for its quality optics — the first riflescope manufacturer to implement multi-coating on all air-to-glass surfaces in series production. Its new generation of Helia optics — including the Helia RF-M 7x25mm rangefinder — continues to set high standards for precision optics that operate in the most extreme conditions. 

The Helia RF-M 7x25mm rangefinder from Kahles is ergonomically designed for simple handling and operation. It features a large field of view and is packed with hunter-friendly features — allowing the user to measure distances quickly while concentrating on the hunt. This unit is capable of easy and reliable targeting up to 2,000 yards while featuring exceptional edge-to-edge clarity and a wide field of view of 117 yards at 1,000 yards. The premium quality OLED display has five brightness settings and the battery life is 4,000 measurements. It also features Angle Compensation, Scan mode, as well as temperature and air presure measurement. MSRP: $610; contact: www.kahles.at

 

Leupold RX-Fulldraw 4 Rangefinder

A trusted name in hunting optics, Leupold & Stevens, Inc. is a fifth-generation, family-owned company founded in Oregon more than a century ago. It designs, machines and assembles its products in the USA, including rifle, handgun and spotting scopes, binoculars — and a full complement of laser rangefinders. Leupold’s commitment to quality includes a lifetime guarantee and the promise that, “We design, build and test our products with a single-minded focus: to make sure they’ll perform forever.”

Leupold & Stevens recently announced the launch of the RX-Fulldraw 4, an archery rangefinder that calculates laser-accurate distances based on specific archery gear. Built with the bowhunter in mind, it features Archer’s Advantage software, which uses arrow weight, arrow velocity and peep sight height to calculate extremely accurate ballistic solutions. And its Flightpath technology uses the same ballistic solution to determine if the arrow will clear obstructions between the shooter and his/her target. The RX-Fulldraw 4 delivers bright and clear images via its high-light transmission OLED display. Built to withstand the elements, it is 100% waterproof and extreme-climate tested with an easy-grip rubber armor and ergonomic housing design. MSRP: $714.99; contact: www.leupold.com

 

Nikon Prostaff 1000i 6x20mm

Nikon has a long history — over 90 years — of making premium optical products for all types of outdoor pursuits. Using the latest technology and modern computer design, its optics achieve a balance of maximized light transmission, high resolution and razor sharp, aberration-free images. Nikon offers a full line of binoculars, riflescopes, rangefinders and spotting scopes designed to meet the demands of hunters everywhere.

Nikon’s Prostaff 1000i 6x20mm laser rangefinder features ID (incline/decline) angle compensation technology — with a Horizontal Distance/Actual Distance display mode that can be easily switched depending upon the user’s preference. With 1,000-yard maximum ranging capability, compact ergonomics and 6X optical system, the Prostaff 1000i is a great tool for hunting with rifle or bow. The user can choose between two different ranging modes depending on the situation. First Target Priority mode allows the user to range an object as small as a fence post while Distant Target Priority mode displays the range of the farthest target among a group of targets measured. MSRP: $199.95; contact: www.nikonsportoptics.com

 

Sig Sauer Kilo BDX

In January of 2014, Sig Sauer completed its move into the company’s new facility in Newington, New Hampshire, and the following year expanded its product line to include suppressors, ammo, airguns and optics — including an extensive line of rangefinders. At the heart of this new headquarters is the state-of-the-art manufacturing floor, featuring an expanded machining production center, quality control testing facilities, and an indoor, multi-position test-fire range, which includes a 100-meter precision rifle range.

Featuring Sig Sauer’s BDX technology, the Kilo BDX is a very advanced rangefinder. When paired with a Sierra 3 BDX riflescope, the onboard Applied Ballistics Ultralite calculator sends ballistic drop data via Bluetooth directly to the riflescope’s BDX-R1 reticle, providing an illuminated holdover dot and wind hold. Users can download the free BDX App to setup ballistic profiles and synchronize custom profiles to their Kilo for exact ballistic solutions. Key features include LightWave DSP technology for fast, long-distance ranging, HyperScan for four range updates per second in Scan mode and RangeLock, which reports the last range result when ranging distant targets. MSRP: $1,039.99; contact: www.sigsauer.com

 

Simmons Venture

Since 1983, hunters and sportsmen have looked to Simmons for optical innovation and rugged durability at a great value. For solid, dependable optics at a bargain basement price, it’s hard to beat Simmons’ selection of riflescopes, binoculars and rangefinders — favored by hunters who don’t care to pay for a host of features they don’t need. Those who want a basic product that works and works well. Simmons optics not only deliver spot-on accuracy, innovative features and reliable performance, they’re also built to last hunt after hunt.

Simmons is all about building high-quality products at an excellent value and its Venture laser rangefinder is no exception, offering versatility in the field or at the shooting range at a price that won’t break the bank. It has a hand-friendly ergonomic design for effortless use and quick and accurate target acquisition and is equipped with Tilt technology that calculates true horizontal distances for steep angled shots — providing dead-on accuracy, every time. The Venture’s high-contrast, clear display gives hunters an edge in low-light conditions. MSRP: $99.99; contact: www.simmonsoptics.com

 

Trijicon Ventus

Trijicon, a leader in any-light aiming systems supplies the Official Rifle Combat Optic (RCO) of the U.S. Marine Corps and has partnered with government, state and local law enforcement agencies for decades. The company also creates aiming systems for shooting and hunting enthusiasts around the world — including riflescopes, red-dot sights, electro optics, iron sights and, most recently, a new rangefinder.

Powered by WindPro technology, the Trijicon Ventus measures three-dimensional wind velocities at multiple distances out to 500 yards and ranges real-world, non-reflective targets up to 5,000 yards, giving shooters and hunters previously unattainable data. The handheld device utilizes an advanced Doppler LIDAR engine and four collimated lasers sent out in a cone to measure wavelength interaction with dust particles at up to six different distances. Thanks to a fiber-optic collimated laser capable of returns through dust, fog, sleet and snow, the Ventus offers all-weather performance. This technology allows shooters to calculate for head, tail, cross and vertical wind. MSRP: NA; contact: www.trijicon.com

 

Vortex Razor HD 4000

Founded in Middleton, Wisconsin, in 2004, Vortex Optics produces a complete line of meticulously designed riflescopes, prism scopes, binoculars, spotting scopes, rangefinders and optical accessories. The company is laser focused on serving its customers and retailers, helping them succeed in the field and on the sales floor by delivering rugged outdoor optics equipment, setting standards that outperform the expectations of the average, the routine, the ordinary and at a great value.

The Razor HD 4000 laser rangefinder features four targeting modes — Normal, First, Last and Extended Laser Range — for any ranging environment and uses HCD (horizontal component distance) angle-compensated ranging technology to give bow and rifle shooters the critical distance data needed to make accurate shots. It also has a LOS (line of sight) Range mode and a Scan feature. Optimized select glass elements deliver exceptional resolution and provide outstanding color fidelity, edge-to-edge sharpness and excellent light transmission. Anti-reflective coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces provide maximum light transmission for peak clarity and the pinnacle of low-light performance. ArmorTek scratch-resistant coating protects exterior lenses and Waterproof O-ring seals prevent moisture, dust and debris from penetrating. MSRP: $729.99; contact: www.vortexoptics.com