Rangefinders
A hunting rangefinder answers one question, how far, and the right one depends on how far you actually shoot. This shelf runs from the Halo CL300 (listed at 300 yards to a tree) up to the Halo XLR2000 and Athlon's Talos and Midas. If you want ranging inside your binoculars, the RIX MKR3000 is here too.
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hunting optics · rangefinding binoculars · rifle scopes · binocular harnesses · bow sights · spotting scopes · thermal scopes
How to choose a hunting rangefinder
Start with the longest shot you would honestly take, then double it. A rangefinder's listed maximum is measured on a bright, reflective target. Deer hide is neither, so practical range on an animal is shorter than the number on the box. That is why a bowhunter who never shoots past 40 yards is well served by a short-range model, while a rifle hunter looking across a bean field wants more headroom.
Next comes angle. From a treestand or on a steep slope, the straight-line distance to a deer is longer than the horizontal distance gravity cares about. Several Halo models here list Angle Intelligence in the name, which is Halo's angle-compensation feature. For anyone shooting bow sights out of a tree, that matters more than a few hundred extra yards of reach.
The Halo lineup, by listed range
Halo makes up most of this page, and the model names spell out what each one claims. Here is how they line up, using the specs printed in the product names.
| Model | Listed range | Magnification | Angle Intelligence in name |
|---|---|---|---|
| CL300 | 300 yd to tree, 500 yd max to target | 5x | No |
| XL450 | 450 yd | 6x | Yes |
| XL600 | 600 yd | 6x | Yes |
| XR700 | 700 yd | 6x | Yes |
| Z1000 | 1,000 (as listed) | 6x | Yes |
| XLR1600 | 1,600 yd | 6x | Yes |
| XLR2000 | 2,000 yd | 6x | Yes |
The XL450 and XL600 fit most whitetail setups. The XR700 and Z1000 give rifle hunters breathing room on open ground, and the XLR models are for long-range shooters who range steel and far ridgelines as often as game. The XLR2000 also lists a red OLED display, which some hunters find easier to read against a dark timber background.
Athlon and RIX options
Athlon's Talos and Midas laser rangefinders round out the handheld side for hunters who already run Athlon riflescopes or hunting binoculars. The RIX MKR3000 is a different animal: an 8x32 binocular with a 905 nm laser built in, so ranging happens without lowering your glass. Hunters who scan at night should know RIX also builds thermal optics, and some thermal scopes on our shelf carry LRF in the model name.
Carrying it and using the number
A rangefinder you leave in the truck ranges nothing. A bino harness with a side pocket keeps it on your chest. Once you have the yardage, the rest is setup: a scope with a reticle you know, on scope mounts and rings that hold zero, and a steady rest like a rifle bipod. Bowhunters can carry the same habit into a stand: range a few landmarks when you settle in, and you will know the distances before anything walks out. Pair that with treestand safety harnesses and you are set for the sit. Practice at the range with paper shooting targets at ranged distances before the season.
Rangefinder FAQs
What is the best rangefinder for bow hunting?
For archery, angle compensation and quick reads at short distance matter more than maximum range. A model with angle compensation, like the Halo XL450, is a sensible place to start.
Why won't my rangefinder hit its listed maximum on a deer?
Listed ranges are measured on reflective targets in good light. Dark hide, fog, rain and brush all shorten the real number.
Is a rangefinding binocular better than a separate rangefinder?
It removes a device and a step. It also adds weight and cost to your binocular. Hunters who glass constantly tend to like the combination; stand hunters often keep them separate.