Im new to bow hunting and never really used a range finder for golf, but I figure its a good time to get one that I can use for both. It seems like its a little different technology in the two, but some have a mode that you can switch between to make it work. Any suggestions on a model?

A high quality golf range finder will work for bow hunting, but not vice-versa.

The Bushnell Tour V4 is pretty much the standard for golf rangefinders. Easy one hand operation, will deliver an accurate range off the flag routinely, even over 250 yards.

You can go cheaper, but cheap rangefinders tend to suck over 150 yards, and don't do well at returning ranges off of grass, bunker lips, and ground when you are measuring clearance ranges over hazards.

Determining the range to a tree or deer inside 50 yards is childs play in comparison.

The Bushnell is $257 on Amazon, and the version that will include slope (useful from a tree stand, or long rifle shot) is around $327.

Both can be had cheaper refurbished, or open box through Amazon warehouse.

You will highly regret it if you go cheap on a golf range finder.

Now that you bow hunt, quit golfing. You're welcome!

Trinity Ag said:

---

A high quality golf range finder will work for bow hunting, but not vice-versa.

The Bushnell Tour V4 is pretty much the standard for golf rangefinders. Easy one hand operation, will deliver an accurate range off the flag routinely, even over 250 yards.

You can go cheaper, but cheap rangefinders tend to suck over 150 yards, and don't do well at returning ranges off of grass, bunker lips, and ground when you are measuring clearance ranges over hazards.

Determining the range to a tree or deer inside 50 yards is childs play in comparison.

The Bushnell is $257 on Amazon, and the version that will include slope (useful from a tree stand, or long rifle shot) is around $327.

Both can be had cheaper refurbished, or open box through Amazon warehouse.

You will highly regret it if you go cheap on a golf range finder.

---

If you're good enough, you don't need either.

Of course, neither of those pursuits allow you to add 1/2 target form when you're short on the sensing round either....

cavscout96 said:

---

If you're good enough, you don't need either.

Of course, neither of those pursuits allow you to add 1/2 target form when you're short on the sensing round either....

---

Seeing as one of the best bow hunters in the world John Dudley uses one I think they are worth it unless you already have ranged your possible shots.

cavscout96 said:

---

Trinity Ag said:

---

A high quality golf range finder will work for bow hunting, but not vice-versa.

The Bushnell Tour V4 is pretty much the standard for golf rangefinders. Easy one hand operation, will deliver an accurate range off the flag routinely, even over 250 yards.

You can go cheaper, but cheap rangefinders tend to suck over 150 yards, and don't do well at returning ranges off of grass, bunker lips, and ground when you are measuring clearance ranges over hazards.

Determining the range to a tree or deer inside 50 yards is childs play in comparison.

The Bushnell is $257 on Amazon, and the version that will include slope (useful from a tree stand, or long rifle shot) is around $327.

Both can be had cheaper refurbished, or open box through Amazon warehouse.

You will highly regret it if you go cheap on a golf range finder.

---

If you're good enough, you don't need either.

Of course, neither of those pursuits allow you to add 1/2 target form when you're short on the sensing round either....

---

Guess you use iron sights only and have no need for a scope?

cavscout96 said:

---

Trinity Ag said:

---

A high quality golf range finder will work for bow hunting, but not vice-versa.

The Bushnell Tour V4 is pretty much the standard for golf rangefinders. Easy one hand operation, will deliver an accurate range off the flag routinely, even over 250 yards.

You can go cheaper, but cheap rangefinders tend to suck over 150 yards, and don't do well at returning ranges off of grass, bunker lips, and ground when you are measuring clearance ranges over hazards.

Determining the range to a tree or deer inside 50 yards is childs play in comparison.

The Bushnell is $257 on Amazon, and the version that will include slope (useful from a tree stand, or long rifle shot) is around $327.

Both can be had cheaper refurbished, or open box through Amazon warehouse.

You will highly regret it if you go cheap on a golf range finder.

---

If you're good enough, you don't need either.

Of course, neither of those pursuits allow you to add 1/2 target form when you're short on the sensing round either....

---

Well, you can occasionally in golf, but you are hitting three off the tee at that point.

On the first question -- maybe you are being facetious.

At Golf, the better you are, the more important it is to know the range to within 1-2 yards. If you have a pro caddy with a range book, he can provide that. For everyone else, you use a rangefinder.

If you can't routinely control your distance +/- 10 yards, then you may as well guesstimate based off the 150 marker and swing away.

Bowhunting, inside 20 yards it doesn't matter.

But once you get over 30 yards -- and newbies probably have no business shooting past 30 -- small differences become pretty significant. If you are going to shoot an animal at 40+, you need the exact range.

I have had a Bushnell Scout 1000 Arc for several years and love it. Accurate and has held up well. I mainly use it for hunting, but have used it on the golf course when I forgot my gps watch a few times and it has worked well.

Totally facetious..... no range finder in the world could improve my golf game.... I'm horrible.

As to bow hunting, I'm not shooting +30. My preferred areas don't allow shots over about 20 anyway.

serious answer:

As to golf, no idea;

For archery, I find that lots and lots of reps at known and unknown distances will train your eyes to estimate range with an acceptable margin of error inside say...... 50 yards or so. Since my MAX shot is 25-30 yards, I don't find a RF particularly useful. Reps are the key.

When uncle Sam is paying the bills, dial in your range and....boom......boom, boom, boom.... adjust and repeat as necessary.

I find them helpful beyond 225 and very helpful at 300+

P.U.T.U said:

---

cavscout96 said:

---

If you're good enough, you don't need either.

Of course, neither of those pursuits allow you to add 1/2 target form when you're short on the sensing round either....

---

Seeing as one of the best bow hunters in the world John Dudley uses one I think they are worth it unless you already have ranged your possible shots.

---

but does he NEED it 30 yards and in? If he is the "best," probably not.

Need something that compensates for angles. Not sure golf first rangefinders will have this feature.

slammerag said:

---

Need something that compensates for angles. Not sure golf first rangefinders will have this feature.

---

Correct answer

slammerag said:

---

Need something that compensates for angles. Not sure golf first rangefinders will have this feature.

---

The V4 Slope version does -- as do other brands if you are willing to pay for that feature.

A hunting rangefinder that uses second priority mode is much less important for bow hunting than rifle hunting, as you generally aren't going to shoot an arrow through trees limbs & brush -- at least not if you have any sense.

And the vast majority of hunting-specifc rangefinders will struggle to return a distance off a flagstick.

Bushnell tour z6 jolt

Should be able to find pretty cheap.

Red lcd for easy to read low light conditions.

Have both. Between the z6jolt and tour v4. The Z6jolt is in the gun bag. The red lcd is easier to see in low light.

Agree with Trinity. I got the Vortex Ranger 1300 recently for bow hunting. I love it but it's rough trying to use on the course, when you're trying to hit a pin with it. I'd go with a Bushnell V4 Jolt if I were you.