Best Rangefinders For Shooting [Hands-On with Views]

If you’re a hunter or long-range competitive shooter, you already know that if you don’t range your target accurately, you’re not going to hit it.

Good thing we don’t have to guess!

Today, we’re going to look at some of our favorite rangefinders to help make you a crack shot. Whether you’re looking to spend a couple hundred dollars or a few thousand, you’ve got options!

THE QUICK LIST

1. Best Overall

   Maven RF.1

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2. Best Technology

   Vortex Razor HD 4000 GB

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3. Best Value

   Maven CRF.1 6×22 Rangefinder

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4. Best for Precision Shooting

   Vortex Impact 4000

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Comparison Chart

	Maximum Range (Reflective)	Maximum Range (Deer)	Minimum Range	Magnification	Objective Lens	Price
Maven RF.1	4,500 yds	2,700 yds	5 yds	7x	25 mm	$450
Vortex Razor 4000 HD GB	4,000 yds	2,200 yds	5 yds	7x	25 mm	$799
Maven CRF.1	2,400 yds	650 yds	5 yds	6x	22 mm	$295
Vortex Impact 4000	4,000 yds	1,500 yds	5 yds	N/A	N/A	$1,499

How We Tested the Best Rangefinders

For this article, we gathered a bunch of rangefinders we’ve personally used, reviewed, and owned here at Pew Pew Tactical. Several members of the Pew Pew Tactical team and freelance writers contributed to this review to offer different opinions based on ergonomics, size, and experience.

For these rangefinders, we checked their accuracy against known distances, observed their performance in a range of weather conditions, and put them to use with range days, long-range precision courses, and hunting.

You’ll notice that I leaned toward rangefinders from Maven and Vortex. That’s because they aren’t just great optics that are widely trusted; both companies give you fantastic value and stand behind their gear. Are there other good rangefinders? Sure, but these are our favorites at the moment.

For products we have reviews on, we’ve linked those so you can read more. Every review we do is thorough and transparent, so be sure to check out our methods in individual reviews.

Best Rangefinders for Shooting

1. Maven RF.1 – Best Overall

Specs

• Maximum Range (Reflective): 4,500 yds
• Maximum Range (Tree): 3,000 yds
• Maximum Range (Deer): 2,700 yds
• Minium Range: 5 yds
• Magnification: 7x
• Objective Lens: 25 mm
• Eye Relief: 17 mm
• Battery: CR2

If I could only recommend one rangefinder, this would be it. The Maven RF.1 is a versatile optic that blends old-school usability and modern technology just about perfectly.

This rangefinder will display the distance to the target in yards or meters using line-of-sight or angle-compensated modes. You can select field mode to prioritize a prominent target in the open, or forest mode to cut through branches and range a target in the background.

All the information you need appears in a clear display with five brightness settings and five reticle options.

These features aren’t unique to this rangefinder. What stands out is a physical toggle on the side that lets you switch back and forth while you’re looking through the glass. I found this interface a lot more user-friendly than cycling through a menu in the display during fleeting glimpses of Wyoming speed goats on the move.

The physical dial does have one drawback: it makes for a tight fit in standard rangefinder pouches. I’ll take that deal, though.

Sometimes it’s hard to accurately represent optical quality by stuffing an iPhone up against the eyepiece. The RF.1 has some distortion at the edges, but overall I’m pleased with the view.

If you want a great rangefinder with basically no learning curve, and you aren’t interested in apps, Bluetooth, and ballistic calculations, the RF.1 is a home run.

2. Vortex Razor HD 4000 GB – Best Technology

Specs

• Maximum Range (Reflective): 4,000 yds
• Maximum Range (Tree): 2,500 yds
• Maximum Range (Deer): 2,200 yds
• Minium Range: 5 yds
• Magnification: 7x
• Objective Lens: 25 mm
• Eye Relief: 17.5 mm
• Battery: CR2

If you demand a premium optical system and the ability to range targets out to the horizon, the Vortex Razor HD 4000 GB is awesome.

The glass is by far the best that I tested. It’s ultra-clear and bright.

The display features a crosshair that’s small and centered with the range information right below it. Information comes through brightly with five brightness settings and it’s easy to read.

It even feels great in the hand. The rubberized exterior provides lots of grip in wet weather and adds a layer of protection.

You can navigate the optic’s extensive menu options with the buttons while you look through it, but that will take some practice to learn and a few seconds to execute in the field. It’s not rocket science but there’s a lot to dig into.

So, what’s special about the GB version?

I chose the Razor HD 4000 GB over the original Razor HD 4000 because it’s loaded with software from GeoBallistics. That means it doesn’t just provide the range to the target, it calculates a firing solution, too.

You can use the optic on its own or pair it with the GeoBallistics app to customize multiple rifle profiles right down to barrel twist and drag coefficient. Talk about precision!

Vortex includes a premium GeoBallistics subscription when you buy a compatible product. All you have to do is pair your rangefinder with your phone to activate it.

The biggest hurdle with the Razor is the price tag. But if you want to engage targets really far away with maximum accuracy, that comes with the territory.

3. Maven CRF.1 – Best Value

Specs

• Maximum Range (Reflective): 2,400 yds
• Maximum Range (Tree): 1,300 yds
• Maximum Range (Deer): 650 yds
• Minium Range: 5 yds
• Magnification: 6x
• Objective Lens: 22 mm
• Eye Relief: 13 mm
• Battery: CR2

The Maven CRF.1 is our best bang-for-the-buck rangefinder pick. It’s a great value and, for lots of hunters and recreational shooters, it does everything you’ll need it to do.

The glass is crisp and there are three tucked-away (read: not particularly glove-friendly) option buttons on the side and a big fire button on top.

You get the choice of three different reticles and the six-power magnification is perfect for most applications.

Like its larger sibling, the CRF.1 has modes for line of sight, angle compensation, field, and forest. It’s just not as powerful or refined.

This handy little rangefinder is easy to use, gives accurate data, and looks good doing it — all at a great price. If you’re not doing competitive precision shooting, it’s probably all you need.

4. Vortex Impact 4000 – Best for Precision Shooting

Specs

• Maximum Range (Reflective): 4,000 yds
• Maximum Range (Tree): 2,500 yds
• Maximum Range (Deer): 1,500 yds
• Minium Range: 5 yds
• Magnification: N/A
• Objective Lens: N/A
• Eye Relief: N/A
• Battery: CR123 (rangefinder), CR2032 (remote)

Some of you are probably thinking, “This is all well and good, but I need to engage targets out to 1,000 yards and beyond as quickly as possible! Isn’t there anything that will give me a competitive edge?”

Yes, there is. It’s the Vortex Impact 4000, a rifle-mounted rangefinder that looks suspiciously similar to the brain of the Army’s Next-Generation Squad Weapon Fire Control.

The Impact 4000 mounts directly to your rifle. Once it’s zeroed, just line up your scope’s reticle with the target, fire the laser with a button on the rangefinder or the remote, dial your turret according to the ballistic solution on the screen, and send the round downrange with confidence.

Have you ever tried to range a target hundreds of yards away freehand? It’s not easy. I’d much rather use a steady platform like a precision rifle and a powerful scope than a handheld rangefinder with six- or seven-power magnification.

The Impact 4000 is also compatible with the GeoBallistics app.

I’ve gotten to play with the Impact 4000 at Vortex’s headquarters and outdoor training facility. It’s an incredibly powerful piece of gear that saves seconds when tenths count.

I probably wouldn’t recommend the Impact 4000 for hunters because there are times when you want to check the distance to something without raising your rifle. But for competitive events like a PRS match? Ooh baby, this is the ticket.

How to Pick the Best Rangefinders

Your first step in choosing the best rangefinder is figuring out how far you need to shoot.

If you’re hunting with something like a .30-30 or a shotgun, a cost-effective optic can do everything you need and save you a bundle of cash.

If you’re hunting out west or doing a mix of hunting and precision shooting, look for a rangefinder with greater reach and optically superior glass. Think Maven RF.1 and Vortex Razor HD 4000 GB.

Competitive shooters can get a serious edge with a rifle-mounted rangefinder. Once it’s set up, all you have to do is set your turrets to zero, put your reticle on the target, and press a button. You have the advantage of using your scope’s magnification and clarity instead of the glass in a standalone rangefinder.

I should also give a mention to range finding binoculars. These get pretty expensive but they do combine two pieces of gear into one, which can be convenient. I’m more likely to recommend these to hunters than competitive shooters.

Whichever one you choose, remember that your firing solutions will only be as good as the data you input. Check your rifle with a chronograph to get accurate information.

Why Trust Pew Pew Tactical

David Lane learned how to shoot at a young age in the Boy Scouts, and now spends most of his time working on or with firearms. Be it shooting, upgrading, building, tinkering, or writing about them – sharing his passion and knowledge of firearms with others is an everyday occurrence.

Editing this article is Scott Murdock. Scott is a Marine Corps veteran who competed and qualified as a rifle and pistol expert while in service. In addition to shooting, Scott has written for a variety of publications, testing, researching, and evaluating guns and gear. He brings that knowledge and skillset to this article, editing and fact-checking for accuracy.

Editor-in-Chief Jacki Billings runs our experienced team of reviewers. She is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, ACES: Society for Editing, and the Professional Outdoor Media Association. Jacki has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and has worked as a media professional for close to 20 years, specializing in gun media for almost 10 years. With 2,000+ articles to her name, she uses her professional journalism and editing experience to set testing protocols and editorial standards for Pew Pew Tactical.

Final Thoughts

A good rangefinder doesn’t just increase your accuracy, it’s also fun to use and can improve your ability to estimate distances by eye with a little practice.

Bottom line? Rangefinders are essential shooting gear for all your long-range shooting goals. Get ready to enjoy the next level of precision!

Have you used any of the rangefinders recommended here? Do you have a favorite that didn’t make our list? Tell me about it below! For some more awesome and useful optics, take a look at the best spotting scopes!

Latest Updates

January 2024: Removed TecTecTec ProWild, Trybe Defense DiMA1000, Vortex Ranger 1500, and Vortex Razor HD 4000. Added Maven RF.1, Vortex Impact 4000, and Vortex Razor HD 4000 GB.