How to Buy a Laser Rangefinder?

Here is a great write-up provided to us by Bushnell.  We present it here in order to help you with your rangefinder selection.  As with any other product offered in our online Optics Planet, email us info@opticsplanet.com with any questions that you might have.

TERMINOLOGY 1. BATTERY COMPARTMENT 2. STRAP ATTACHMENT 3. POWER BUTTON 4. LASER TRANSMIT LENS 5. MONOCULAR EYEPIECE 6. LASER RECEIVER LENS 7. MONOCULAR OBJECTIVE

LASER RANGEFINDER
A distance-measuring device capable of instantaneously measuring distances to any target with incredible +/- one yard/meter accuracy. Distance is displayed within the magnified monocular providing the hunter and golfer with a true view of the field and course.

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY
Advanced digital technology and a high-speed clock are used to instantaneously calculate distances by measuring the time it takes for each pulse to travel from the rangefinder and back. Digital technology allows the device to be compact without sacrificing ranging performance and accuracy, and automatically provides distance through rain and enhances distance to reflective objects.

DIOPTER ADJUSTMENT
Adjustable eyepiece to compensate for an individual's eyesight.

FIRE BUTTON
Activates the display and laser.

Magnification (Power)
The object being viewed appears "x" times closer than you would see it with the unaided eye.

Measurement Accuracy
Accurate to within +/- one yard/meter.

Multi-function In-View Liquid Crystal Display
A Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) is mounted within the optical system and while simultaneously viewing the target displays:
• Reticle for targeting
• Yard / meters mode designations
• Low battery indicators

Ranging Performance
Ranging performance refers to the instrument's ability to measure distance accurately. Many variables contribute to ranging performance: weather, lighting, target size, target reflectivity, target surface (a flat, smooth sign is much easier to range than an animal), the angle at which the laser hits the target (the closer you hit at a 90 degree angle, the further you can range) and hand steadiness.

Laser Type
Class 1 laser - classified by the FDA.

Answers To Your Frequently Asked Questions About Laser Rangefinders.

Your laser rangefinder is a precision instrument designed to provide many years of accurate measurements. These instructions have been compiled from frequent user questions about the use of our products and answered by our Yardage Pro electrical engineer.

Q. How far will the Yardage Pro range? Why can't I range to a deer 400 yards away or why can I not range to the golf pin at 304 yards?

A. These are excellent questions and probably by far our most frequently asked questions. Unfortunately, a quick answer cannot be given.

There are many variables that contribute to the ranging performance:

• Weather conditions - rain, dust, and high humidity will limit the ranging capabilities.
• Lighting conditions - low light gives the best ranging conditions.
• Target size - the bigger the target, the better chances of ranging to it.
• Target reflectivity - Brighter targets, such as white, ranges great; black colored objects range poorly.
• Target surface - The actual material of the target will affect the range performance - a flat, smooth sign is much easier to range than a matty haired animal.
• Angle of Incidence - The angle at which the laser hits the target also makes a difference - the closer you are to reflecting the laser off the target at a 90 degree angle, the further you can range.
• Hand steadiness - this factor will obviously vary from person to person. You think you have a steady hand? Try holding a laser pen pointer steady on a wall 30 feet away. You will be surprised at the amount of movement. The laser is the same way. It illuminates a bigger spot than the pen pointer but you are ranging 1000 feet or more. It doesn't take much movement to have the laser on a different target than what you intend. This will become even more of a factor as people upgrade to longer ranging devices.

The attached grid explains differences between the products and also lists expected ranges to a building, tree, deer and golf flag.

• Know your targets, know your range finder. Only experience will help you here. It took you a while to learn to hunt and/or golf, it takes a little time to use the range finder optimally (fortunately, not nearly as long as the two previously mentioned feats).
• Keep your range finder as steady as possible. Pretend you are taking a picture; use the same techniques for stabilizing your range finder as you would for stabilizing your camera. If you are having trouble and suspect hand tremor as a reason, then brace against a tree if one is available.
• Do not attempt to range to an object with the sun directly behind it. The sun emits a lot of radiation at the wavelength of the laser. Minimize the bright conditions as much as possible. Never point the range finder directly at the sun.
• Utilize the ZIP mode, which filters out ranges less than 120 yards.
• If rain or dust is obscuring the target, use the RAIN mode.

Q. Are the range finders eye safe?

A. Absolutely, all Yardage Pro products are well within the eye safety limits established by the FDA for Class I laser products.

Q. How accurate are Yardage Pro products?

A. All are +/- 1 yard with the exception of the Compact 800. It is +/- 2 yards.

Q. Are the range finders water proof?

A. All models are water resistant with the exception of Yardage Pro Legend. It is 100% waterproof and can be submerged in water and even floats. Treat the water restistant models much the same as you would a digital camera.

Q. Is it legal to use the range finder under USGA rules?

A. From our understanding of the rules, it is not legal to use the range finder during a tournament round, but they are allowable in practice rounds and in handicap rounds.

Q. Can I use my rangefinder on a course that doesn't have reflectors on the pins?

A. Reflectors are not required to use your rangefinder on golf courses. However, they will enhance the effectiveness of your Yardage Pro.

Q. What are the spots in my monocular?

A. You are actually viewing through an LCD (liquid crystal display). The spots you see are on the surface of the LCD, which in turn is magnified 14X. The LCDs are built in a clean room; however tiny unseen flaws (to the naked eye) do occur. Also during the installation into the monocular dust will sometimes settle on the surface and many times the dust then cannot be blown off the LCD. Bushnell is working feverishly on the quality of the LCD, but that technology is not mature enough to accommodate our requirements. The spots in no way affect the ranging performance of the device. We realize that our customers have come to expect immaculate optics from Bushnell and be assured that we are working toward that goal.

Q. What type of battery do the Yardage Pros use? How long will a battery last?

A. This varies by model. See the product grid to determine battery type for your model. A fresh battery should give you 5,000 distances before replacing. But we recommend you replace the battery once a year whether you feel it needs it or not. We recommend Eveready, Duracell, or similar quality batteries.

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