When playing golf or hunting, knowing the exact distance to your target is quite important. For long-distance hunters, distance is crucial in determining the projectile drop. The same applies to when playing golf. This is where a rangefinder comes in to help with distance.
What exactly is a rangefinder?
A range finder is a device that measures the distance from you to another object in a distance. There is a lot that goes into playing golf than just a club, balls and golf bag. The same applies when hunting in the wild. In fact, studies have shown that close to 70% of professional golf players use a rangefinder to measure distance.
There is nothing complicated about rangefinders. To help you understand why rangefinders are becoming popular, let’s have a look at some of their benefits:
There are just so many benefits for using a rangefinder whether golfing or hunting. You will not take any wrong guesses with a rangefinder. However, you must first learn the nuts and bolts of using a rangefinder. Get familiar with everything about the rangefinder from the display, battery level to accuracy levels.
How to use a rangefinder?
There are no huge differences when using a golf rangefinder or hunting rangefinder. You only need to understand the basics and you’re good to go. Here is a small guide on how to use a rangefinder:
Get the basics ready
The first step is reading through the manual to understand the basics. There is usually a sketch showing you the basic components. Make sure you know the eyepiece, objective lens, the battery lid and various buttons and their functions.
Next, you can start learning about various specifications like errors, vision, measurement range, patterns and field of view. Most terms on how rangefinders work are pretty similar to leading optics in the industry. For example, most rangefinders have magnification levels and adjust with ease.
Once you’ve understood everything about your rangefinder, you can move to the field and start practicing with it.
Searching the target area
Before looking through the rangefinder, you need to scope the target area with your eyes. It is recommended that you find the target with your bare eyes before using a rangefinder. This will make your search for the target easier when using a rangefinder. Mark landmarks and objects close to your target. This will help you know whether to turn the rangefinder left or right when searching for the target.
There are advanced models that even measure the entire distance within the scan area. This is an added advantage giving you the distance between obstacles along the way and the target.
How to look through it
Since you’re measuring the distance between you and the target, you have to look through the unit. Check for the recommended distance between the unit and your eyes. Hold the unit in a stable position with your hands and look through with one eye. Make sure the rangefinder is stable until you spot your target.
Keep it stable throughout
Stability is crucial when using a rangefinder. In most cases, a tripod stand helps maintain stability. However, if you don’t have one, then hold the unit firmly with both hands.
Measuring the distance
Once you have the target in sight, you can readjust the degree of the eyepiece for a clearer field of vision. Next, you can then click the range mode and look for the reticule or crosshairs for the ‘+’ increments.
Rangefinders are pretty accurate and compensate for things like slopes and elevations. They provide you with a straight trajectory the ball or bullet will follow.
You can keep on pressing the mode button or power in a split of a second to get more precise results. There is a further option to adjust the settings according to the weather conditions such as drizzle or fog.
Extra tips on using a rangefinder
Final verdict
Using a rangefinder is not that complicated as seen above. However, you need to keep on practicing until you master every trick. Continued use will make you a pro and reduce time spent on focusing. Make sure you fully understand the settings, increments, and everything about the rangefinder before starting to use it. This is why all rangefinders come with a detailed manual to read and understand before using.
Author Bio
Eric Patton
Eric grew up hunting, fishing, and roaming the hills of the Easter U.S. and has dedicated himself to becoming a well-rounded outdoorsman. Anytime there is an opportunity for a little fishing or a morning spent hunting, you will find him in the woods. In his off time, he teaches a variety of outdoor skills including land navigation and basic survival. Recently a Search and Rescue member, he has begun learning the ancient art of human tracking in a variety of terrains. You can find more Eric's works on https://opticsaddict.com.
