Is a cheap range finder a waste of money?

i picked up a cheaper simmons on sale a few years ago. usually get to my stand and range the landscape to get a better idea. Never had to use it more than 250yards.
 
It's a waste of money if it doesn't do what you bought it for. So is an expensive range finder. And if a range finder is expensive because it can do more but you don't use it for all it can do, that's a waste of money, too.

I have a cheap range finder: Brunton Echo 440. Advertised as accurate +/- 1metre out to 440metres (beyond my effective range for shooting game.) I have calibrated it on measured distances and it works as advertised. Optical quality is no better than it needs to be for the basic function of ranging solid objects, and I'm certainly not using the 6x magnification for searching for game. (I have binoculars - Minox 6.5x32 IF - for that and they have much better optical quality and work very well for my needs.) This rangefinder allows me to practise estimating ranges (i.e. check accuracy of my estimates) and to range landmarks within a field of fire from a stand. I haven't used it on a soft furry object like a deer but I never intended it for that. I got good value for my money, which was about $100 some years ago at C.Tire.
 
Search "sndway laser rangefinder" at AliExpress. 900m and 1500m were successfully used during the war in 2014-1015. Of course we would prefer real things, but had to spend volunteers money in the most effective way
 
Ridersfan said:
Is a cheap range finder a waste of money or better than having no range finder? My hunting buddy has all good, high end stuff... I used his range finding binoculars during this year's hunt and decided it's awesome to have a range finder... but found out his binoculars were $3,000. That ain't gonna happen on my budget.
So off to amazon I go looking... AOFAR Range Finders seem to have positiveish reviews and are cheap.

Anyone buy the cheap stuff and still happy that they did, or should I just save my money?
Thanks
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I think it comes down to what you are going to use a rangefinder for. If you needs involve long distance shooting, I would think you would want something that is very accurate. This may equate to expensive, but there is probably a point where that accuracy levels out, and the price continues to increase based on other factors (additional features, branding, etc).

I recently went through this, and for my needs I actually bought an AOFAR from Amazon. I only use it to get a general idea of how far certain points are in the areas that I hunt (all under 300 meters - most under 40), as well as when I set out my bow target for practice or sighting in. I have confirmed that the AOFAR is pretty accurate at least for setting out my target (I confirmed with a tape measure), and the max range I’ve used it at agree with the known field width (give or take a foot).

If I were hunting long distances, I would probably invest more money in higher grade equipment. I would suggest that you evaluate what you are going to use a range finder for, and then find one that reviews well for that particular purpose at those particular distances and elevation differences (features).

I think cheap vs inexpensive is also important to review. Cheap would lead one to believe that it isn’t made well, and it doesn’t work well (inconsistent, bad readings) vs. Inexpensive that meets your needs, is accurate enough (+/- 1 meter), and works consistently, without breaking the bank.
 
Most of the cheap rangefinders don't work well in rain or snow and on non reflective targets. They may range a house or truck at 400, but won't work on a rock or tree at 200.If you're using a rangefinder only to find ranges, then optical quality isn't really that important. Find one that reads distances reliably in all conditions. There are some websites out there where they test various rangefinders.
 
About 7 or 8 years ago I dropped my Leica 1200 rangefinder after shooting a buck, didn’t notice until I got home, long story short it sat out there until spring, I found it when the snow melted, it still works perfect. I highly recommend buying a quality product.
 
I have the Nikon Monarch 7i VR.
had to check mine when you guys started mentioning Prostaff as I was pretty sure mine was not a prostaff.
either way, since I stopped buying bushnell 3200 series and up rifle scopes due to being let down by the glass quality..... and finding that for some reason Leupold glass and my eyes do not function together..... I gave Nikon a chance , deciding that the Monarch line was what I considered the beginning of the "affordable" optics. I have not been disappointed.
I am not a fan of Vortex though i see lots of guys recommend them. I've seen thier stuff fail on hunts and range outings and I'd rather not need that famous warranty they so proudly declare hehehe
Nikon has a great warranty too.
 
45ACPKING said:
I have the Nikon Monarch 7i VR.
had to check mine when you guys started mentioning Prostaff as I was pretty sure mine was not a prostaff.
either way, since I stopped buying bushnell 3200 series and up rifle scopes due to being let down by the glass quality..... and finding that for some reason Leupold glass and my eyes do not function together..... I gave Nikon a chance , deciding that the Monarch line was what I considered the beginning of the "affordable" optics. I have not been disappointed.
I am not a fan of Vortex though i see lots of guys recommend them. I've seen thier stuff fail on hunts and range outings and I'd rather not need that famous warranty they so proudly declare hehehe
Nikon has a great warranty too.
Click to expand...

Sounds like your eyes see things the way mine do. Have a look through some Burris glass next time you are looking. You might be surprised. I much prefer it to the Vortex stuff (dollar for dollar).
 
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