• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Hunter's Wiki

Hunting Gear Honest Reviews, Buying Guides

  • Blog
  • Gun Scopes
  • Gun Safes & Cabinets

5 Best Rangefinders for Long Range Shooting in 2021

Last updated on March 17, 2021 By JF Martin

Best Rangfinders for Long Range Shooting-min

Hunters Wiki may receive some form of compensation from the links on this page, at no extra charge to you. Learn more.

For shooting long-range, rangefinders are preferred, such as rangefinders with the range of 1300 yards, 1400 yards, and 1600 yards. Some rangefinders can even range up to 1800 yards, best rangefinder sight for deer hunting at times it can be even more than that. If you are looking for the best rangefinder for long-range shooting, you have reached the right place. You can also use a rangefinder on a shotgun for distant deer hunting.

This article lists the 5 best rangefinders for long range shooting including the best rangefinder under $50, rangefinder under $100 and rangefinder under $200 with variations of Bushnell Elite Rangefinder 1 Mile 7×26 with CONX, Simmons Hunting Laser Rangefinder; Volt & Venture Models and Halo XRT62-7 Rangefinder, Leupold RX 1600i and Leupold RX 1300i. These rangefinders for long range hunting have different and unique specifications such as waterproof rangefinder, lightweight, compact or a rangefinder which wirelessly connects to your smartphone.

5 Best Rangefinders for Long Range Shooting to Consider Buying

1 – Leupold RX-1600i TBR Laser Rangefinder

Sale
Leupold RX-1600i TBR Laser Rangefinder
Leupold RX-1600i TBR Laser Rangefinder
  • Model #173805: RX-1600i in Black with an easy to read red...
  • True Ballistic Range with Wind (TBR-W) technology provides...
  • 3 Selectable Reticle Options: Plus Point, Duplex, and Duplex...
  • Scan Mode: continuous range updates keep you on target as...
Click Here to View on Amazon

This rangefinder of Leupold is built to perform at the highest levels, specifically talking about its model 173805 – RX-1600i. This rangefinder guarantees performance which demands only serious dedication and craftsmanship, alongside they also offer a warranty. Thus they are not luring you in by their mere guaranteed performance. This rangefinder will not let you down be it wilderness, battlefield or anywhere in between. They offer an excellent 2-year electronics warranty. It proves to be an amazing rangefinder for long-range sight providing accurate horizontal range distance for uphill & downhill shots. This RX-1600i TBR/W rangefinder is the jack of all trades.

Technical Specs

It has +/- 1 yard accuracy on reflective targets to 1600 yards, 1400 yards on trees, and 1000 yards on big game, best rangefinder sight for long distance deer hunting. It has efficient magnification of up to 6 times. It has the best rangefinder sight for AR deer hunting. It gives you 3 reticle options – Plus point, duplex, and duplex with plus point. It has a bright and clear display which also works on dark colored targets. It uses red OLED display.

Design

It is black in colour with an impressive design and weighs 13.3 ounces. Dimensions are 3.1 x 4.2 x 4.8 inches. OLED display is installed which makes it easy to read and rubber armor coated aluminum body for a firm grip.

Features

This is a 100% waterproof rangefinder which has been tested in extreme enviornmental conditions. It is also fog proof, and backed by Leupold’s gold ring. It features a scan mode which gives you continuous range updates to help keep track of the target or scan any movement or area. Their True Ballistic Range (TBR) technology takes into account the angle of shot and the rifle’s ballistics. It has an easy to read OLED display and rubber armor coated aluminum body which makes it the best rangefinder camera. It can be used for dual purpose as it allows you to select between rifle or bow mode.

Performance

It performs very well and as it is dual purpose, it also allows you to select between rifle or bow mode. It also performs well in extreme harsh weather conditions as it has been tested and it is guaranteed waterproof.

What’s in the box

It comes with 1 CR123A batteries.

Pros/Cons

Pros
  • 2-year electronic warranty
  • Rated 4.5 out of 5  on Amazon
Cons
  • Only con is that it gets blurred with the time

Verdict

Overall it’s a good product which also offers two years warranty which is on the plus side. It is also 100 percent waterproof guaranteed. Where most users of rangefinders complain that their rangefinders stop working during harsh conditions, this won’t be the case here. Leupold claims that their products are built to perform at the highest levels. They further assure that anyone can offer lifetime warranty but they guarantee performance which demands only serious dedication and craftsmanship. They also claim that their products won’t ever let you down be it wilderness, battlefield or anywhere in between. We will be talking about its model 173805 – RX-1600i. They offer an excellent 2-year electronics warranty. It proves to be an excellent rangefinder for long range sight providing accurate horizontal range distance for uphill & downhill shots. They say that their RX-1600i TBR/W is the jack of all trades.

2 – Leupold RX-1300i TBR Laser Rangefinder

Leupold RX-1300i TBR Laser Rangefinder with DNA,...
Leupold RX-1300i TBR Laser Rangefinder with DNA,...
Click Here to View on Amazon

We will be talking about its model 174555 – RX-1300i which proves to be a good rangefinder for long range sight as it provides accurate horizontal range distance for uphill & downhill shots. They offer an excellent 2-year electronics warranty. It has a long range providing 3 reticle options and bright and clear display. It is light weight and compact.

Technical Specs

It has +/- 1 yard accuracy on reflective targets to 1300 yards, 1100 yards on trees, and 900 yards on big game, best rangefinder on AR for long distance deer hunting. It also has an efficient magnification of up to 6 times. It has a very good deer hunting rangefinder sight for distant hunting. It gives you 3 reticle options – Plus point, duplex, and duplex with plus point. It has a bright and clear display. It uses red OLED display.

Design

It comes in colours black and gray and has an impressive design for easy grip. It weighs  only 7 ounces, thus is very lightweight and dimensions are 3.1 x 4.2 x 4.8 inches. It has a rubberized armor, helpful for a firm grip.

Features

This rangefinder for long range shooting  a 100% waterproof rangefinder which has been tested in extreme weather conditions. It is also fog proof, and backed by Leupold’s gold ring. It features a scan mode which gives you continuous range updates to help keep track of the target or scan any movement or area. Their True Ballistic Range (TBR) technology takes into account the angle of shot and the rifle’s ballistics. It has an easy to read OLED display and rubber armor coated aluminum body which makes it one of best rangefinder camera. It can be used for dual purpose as it allows you to select between rifle or bow mode. One more amazing thing about this rangefinder is that it delivers superior brightness and resolution along with its unique trophy scale with the help of which you can easily gauge an animal’s size while you are ranging it.

Performance

It performs quite well. Its continuous scan mode is very much liked along with its clear display. One of the user also confirmed that with this rangefinder he had a range of up to an incredible 1755 yards. It’s a good product overall.

What’s in the box

It comes with 1 CR2 batteries.

Pros/Cons

Pros
  • Lightweight
  • Smaller in Size
  • Rated 4.7 out of 5 on Amazon
Cons
  • Its smaller size makes it little difficult to handle

Verdict

It has a good product overall. If the specifications of this product satisfy your requirements get your hands on it. It is a great rangefinder for long range hunting.Incase if you are looking for a rangefinder with its range even more than this one then you can buy Leupold RX 1600i. As mentioned earlier Leupold claims that their products are built to perform at the highest levels. They further assure you that not like others who can offer lifetime warranty, they guarantee the performance of their products which demands only serious dedication and craftsmanship. They also claim that their products would not let you down in any situation. We will be talking about its model 174555 – RX-1300i. They offer an excellent 2-year electronics warranty. It proves to be a good rangefinder for long range sight as it provides accurate horizontal range distance for uphill & downhill shots.

3 – Bushnell Elite Rangefinder 1 mile 7 x 26 with CONX

Bushnell 202540 Hunting Series Elite 1 Mile Con-X Horz...
Bushnell 202540 Hunting Series Elite 1 Mile Con-X Horz...
  • Ranges from 5-1,760 yards with 1/10-yard display precision...
  • Laser wirelessly communicates with the conx app on both iOS...
  • Wind data is incorporated into holdover values with the use...
  • Arc rifle mode provides bullet-drop/holdover in in, MOA or...
Click Here to View on Amazon

This bushnell rangefinder uses quality optics with stunning HD clarity. It uses 100 percent quality materials that are used and tested extensively. We are so accustomed with our smart phones that now life without them is almost impossible to think. Thus they have produced the first rangefinder that interfaces with your smart phone in shape of this bushnell elite rangefinder 1 mile 7×26 with CONX .This is a technological advantange in compact shape of a Rangefinder for long range shooting. Once you connect your smart phone via conx you can easily set up the rangefinder from the phone. It has an option to set up to 3 different custom ballistic curves. This rangefinder with laser is one of the best rangefinder for long range shooting.

Technical Specs

It has an outstanding range of 5 to 1760 yards with 1/10 yard display precison and impressive magnification of up to 7 times. It is capable to load up to three custom ballistic curves. Arc rifle mode provides bullet-drop/holdover in MOA or Mils. Its optics are fully multi coated. It also comes with a diopter adjustment. It offers Bluetooth wireless connectivity via conx technology. It has rubber armor and a clear LCD display for better reading.

Design

It is compatible with magnetic attachment system. The product dimensions are 0.4 x 0.4 x 0.4 inches weighing about only 12.2 ounces. It has a built in tripod mount.

Features

It is wirelessly connected to to your smart phone and communicate through the conx app which is supported by both iOS and android. It is built with a fully waterproof housing. This laser rangefinder for long range shooting shows value in inches, MOA or MILs on your smart phone as well as on the rangefinder.

Performance

It performs very well as it displays the result almost instantly. In field it proves to be a great asset.

What’s in the box

It comes with one lithium metal battries.  It also includes a case and neck lanyard for the kestrel.

Pros/Cons

Pros
  • Great value for Money
  • Firm grip due to rubber armor
  • Clear and easily readable LCD
  • Good Eye relief
Cons
  • Bluetooth connections has to be restarted after sometime

Verdict

Bushnell produces quality optics with stunning HD clarity. It uses 100 percent quality materials that are used and tested extensively. This company knows that we are so accustomed with our smart phones that now life without them is almost impossible to think. This company has produced the first rangefinder that interfaces with your smart phone. Their bushnell elite rangefinder 1 mile 7×26 with CONX is a technological advantage in compact shape of a Rangefinder for long range shooting. Once you connect your smart phone via conx you can easily set up the rangefinder from the phone. It has an option to set up to 3 different custom ballistic curves. This rangefinder with laser is one of the best rangefinder for long range shooting. Overall it is a great product. You get a fine package worth the price.

4 – Simmons Hunting Laser Rangefinder; Volt & Venture Models

Sale
Simmons Hunting Laser Rangefinder Volt & Venture Models
Simmons Hunting Laser Rangefinder Volt & Venture Models
  • Fast and accurate readings out to 650 yards
  • Light weight Ergonomic design
  • Rubber armor housing and anti-slip grip
Click Here to View on Amazon

This rangefinder uses high quality and clear optics. It is durable and long lasting. This Simmons hunting laser rangefinder; volt and venture model is the most famous out of all their rangefinders. This rangefinder comes at an affordable price and satisfactory results whether you use it while hunting or golfing. The Volt 600 of Simmons is hair-splitting accuracy made simple. If you are looking for a rangefinder under $100 or under $200 this is the right choice for you.

Technical Specs

This rangefinder has a range from 10 to 600 yards. It uses the single button operation. You just tap the button and get results. It has an impressive magnification power of up to 4 times of the original size. Its maximum reflective is up to 600 yards, its range on trees is 400 yards and its range on deer is up to 200 yards with the accuracy of +/- 1 yards. It has bright and crystal clear optics.

Design

It is black in colour. Its dimensions are 1.9 x 3.6 x 4.2 / 50 x 107 x 103. it weighs only 7.7 ounces. It has an LCD display. It is quite compact and easy to carry. It has a vertical design. It is easy to carry and easy to use as it features single button. It also has a slot of a lanyard.

Features

Its display is very clean, clear and bright. It is efficient vertical design.

Performance

It performs very well according to what it is advertised for. Most of the buyers really like this product, with 4.1 out of 5 ratings on Amazon. It definitely pays for the price.

What’s in the box

It comes with a carry case.

Pros/Cons

Pros
  • Single button operation
  • Clear Optics
  • Clean display with accurate results
Cons
  • Sometimes, it may not find range through the branches and bushes.
  • Black font makes it difficult to read the yardage during times of dawn and dusk

Verdict

Usually rangefinders come at a high price but that’s not the case here. This rangefinder comes at a very affordable price. As some might say only that which comes at a high price is good. Simmons rangefinders cancel out all that saying. Simmons has been a part of this industry, popular since 1983. It is famous for its high quality and clear optic which can be seen in their products.

The main aim of the company is to provide durable and long lasting items. There are not too many products in Simmons. They mainly manufacture rifle scopes, binoculars and rangefinders. Their most famous rangefinder is the one mentioned in this article. Their products are mostly affordable and satisfactory whether you use it while hunting or golfing. The Volt 600 of Simmons is hair-splitting accuracy made simple. If you are looking for a rangefinder under $100 or under $200 this is the right choice for you. Overall it’s a good product.

5 – Halo XRT62-7 Rangefinder

Halo XRT62-7 Rangefinder
Halo XRT62-7 Rangefinder
  • 6x magnification
  • Scan mode for constant ranging
  • 600 yard reflective range
  • Class IIIA laser, 5 mW or less
Click Here to View on Amazon

This rangefinder by Halo has unique design which is very impressive. With this rangefinder you can switch from yards to meters. It is easy to use as there are only 2 buttons, one to turn it on and take readings, and another to switch between yards and meters. The product comes with a one year warranty and is a great value for the price.

Technical Specs

It has a maximum reflective of 600 yards. It has the magnification power of up to 6 times of the original size. It has a continuous scan mode for constant scanning. It has class III laser, 5 mw or less. It has a 20 mm objective lens. Its eye lens is 15.5 mm

Design

Its dimensions are 6 x 2 x 7 inches. It has an impressive design and is easy to hold. It’s compact and lightweight size make it easy to use and flexible to carry. It has non slip rubberized grip for a firm grip.

Features

It features water-resistant housing. Sometimes we face unfavourable weather conditions. We, of course, cannot blame weather for anything. Thus, it is important to use quality products.  It is also fog proof.

Performance

It performs quite well for the purpose it was created for. Its batteries are very powerful and work a long time. With 4.1 out of 5 ratings it is mostly liked by the users.

What’s in the box

It comes with 1 CR2 batteries.

Pros/Cons

Pros
  • Simple to use
  • Easy to read
Cons
  • Black font makes it difficult to read the yardage during times of dawn and dusk

Verdict

This product comes with one year warranty, it can be repaired or replaced by the company within the specific time limit which here is one year. The working mechanism of a rangefinder with laser is that you push the button and then it emits laser beams. The beam travels with the speed of light. When it reaches an object in the distant it bounces back. By this working principle of a rangefinder, we come to know that the laser beam of a laser rangefinder is very important and this company knows it well by giving you a very good product with its satisfactory laser beam. The rangefinder than calculates the total time it took the beam to reach and return back from the target.

It is overall a good product. There are some complaints from the users who are genuine. But it works well for what a rangefinder is supposed to do. It is also compact and lightweight alongside it is also easy to use. This rangefinder is also very affordable and comes at a great price.

Editor’s Choice

For a rangefinder with laser the most important thing is its laser beam. Its precision is what you should be considering, alongside with its range and magnification power. To buy a rangefinder for long range shooting, you should be specifically looking for a rangefinder with long range such as 1600 yards, 1700 yards or 1800 yards. There are different rangefinders with different specifications to fulfil your needs and requirements. The best is Leupold RX-1600i TBR laser rangefinder because of the guaranteed performance of its products by the company, alongside they offer an excellent 2-year electronics warranty. Which means that within the specific time of years if your product needs repair or replacement, the company will do that for you. Moreover, it comes with a waranty, no a guarantee. It is more on the positive side of the product.

If you are into “Deer Hunting”, we’ve got a list of best rangefinders especially for deer hunting, that might help you out.

Besides that it also has an excellent range of up to 1600 yards and impressive magnification power of up to 6 times which proves very helpful in long range shooting or hunting. Besides its TBR (True Ballistic Range ) technology takes into account the angle of shot and the rifle’s ballistics which is quite impressive. It is also completely waterproof which has been tested in extreme weather conditions.

The last thing in the field while shooting or hunting you would want to happen is your rangefinder to stop working just because it is raining, and you will have to go home empty handed. It also has a very clean and clear display along with 3 reticle options – Plus point, duplex, and duplex with plus point. OLED display enhances the readability and rubber armor coated aluminum body for a firm grip. The company says that their RX-1600i TBR/W is the jack of all trades.

WORKING PRINCIPLE OF A RANGEFINDER

The working principle of a rangefinder depends on the rangefinder. Although all the rangefinders serve the same purpose, it helps you to find distance or calculate range. A rangefinder has the capability to show distance in meters or yards. The two main things you will be looking for in a rangefinder is its magnification power and its range. Also you would want it to be portable, easy to use, lightweight and easy to hold.

Some rangefinders including a few mentioned above have the feature of continuous scan mode which prove to be very helpful in the field while hunting or shooting. The working principle of a rangefinder also depends on the type of it. For example it can be different for a rangefinder camera vs a golf rangefinder vs a forestry rangefinder. It also depends on its mechanism for example it can have a single operation button or multiple button operation.

Furthermore, there are some rangefinders that can be used on a rifle or even a shot gun others might be used for shooting, archery. Mostly the principle of a rangefinder with laser is the same, you push the button and thenn it emits laser beams. The beam travels with the speed of light. When it reaches an object in the distant it bounces back. The rangefinder than calculates the total time it took the beam to reach and return back from the target. After that it displays the distance to the user using its time measurement. It has the capability to show range in meters or yards.

A small, easy to use, portable and lightweight rangefinder is preffered over a big one. Because of course when you are going for hunting or shooting a big heavy rangefinder would be the last thing you would want to keep in your backpack. Remember a rangefinder hsould be not too small which can make it hard to use rather than proving to be an asset in the field. Aslo its optics should be clean and clear for an easy to read display. It should also be waterproof and fog proof.

We never know about mother nature. One moment it can be sunny and the very next moment it can be raining hard. Therefore, you would want your rangefinder to be waterproof to cancel out facing any problems while hunting or shooting. Choose your rangefinder wisely. Compare your requirements with the product’s specifications.

POINTS TO CONSIDER WHILE BUYING A LONG RANGE RANGEFINDER

Distance

Rangefinders come with different specifications. One of the main things you should be looking for in long range rangefinder for hunting is its range or distance covered. Different rangefinders have different range. When looking for a rangefinder to use while hunting or even shooting make sure the rangefinder has a long range. A good one will be one which has a range of almost up to 1800 yards or if not  1700 yards, 1600 yards, 1500 yards, 1400 yards and 1300 yards, all are good. When looking for a rangefinder,read the product description properly and buy a rangefinder that fulfils your requirements.

Precision

To get better understanding of precision of a rangefinder let’s first have a look at its working principle. Mostly with a rangefinder with laser it’s the same, you push the button and it emits laser beams. The beam travels with the speed of light. When it reaches an object in the distant it bounces back. The rangefinder than calculates the total time it took the beam to reach and return back from the target. After that it displays the distance to the user using its time measurement. The quality of a rangefinder should be its precision. It should be precise and accurate when giving a range or distance otherwise it’s useless. The beam should be strong enough to work in all harsh environmental conditions . Its capability to calculate should be precise.

Magnification

To have a closer look at your target and to aim correctly, you might want to magnify your target. Different rangefinders with laser have different magnification power. It mostly ranges from 4 to 6 times, at times a rangefinder can even magnify up to 8 times or even more. The two major things you look for in a rangefinder is it’s magnification power and its range. Its mostly upon them, whether you go home empty handed or you go home with your win. If you are using the rangefinder for hunting you will most probably find the rangefinder with greater magnification power to be better.

Portability

When going out in a forest to hunt or shoot, a big heavy rangefinder would be the last thing you would want to carry with yourself in your backpack. A rangefinder should be compact, easy to hold, portable and easy to use. A rangefinder with complicated features can frustate you. Most of the rangefinders are small and lightweight. For most of the people it comes in handy. However sometimes a thing as small as a rangefinder can be difficult to handle, particularly when it is exceptionally small as some users complained. Otherwise a protable and small rangefinder is good to go and is preferred.

Warranty

A warranty is issued to a purchaser by its manufacturer, promising to replace or repair the product within a specified period of time if necessary. We can say that those products which come with a warranty are quite promising. Some products come with a limited warranty others may come with a life time warranty. A warranty even if its for a couple of years is a good deal. As firstly there products be good. Secondly even if they are not good or you face any genuine issue with it, they can always be repaired or replaced within the given time. So you should be looking for a rangefinder which offers a good warranty.

Filed Under: RangeFinders Tagged With: Long Range Shooting, rangefinders for hunting

10 Best Red Dots Under $200

Last updated on March 17, 2021 By JF Martin

Best Red Dots Under 200 budget

Hunters Wiki may receive some form of compensation from the links on this page, at no extra charge to you. Learn more.

A red dot sight is a type of reflex sight which is used by the users of firearms to display an illuminated red dot as an aiming point which helps in shooting with great accuracy. It has the variations of a tubed red dot, full-sized red dots, micro red dot, dependable red dot, unmagnified red dot, sturdy red dot and lightweight red dot sights. If you are looking for the best red dots under $200 you have reached the right place as this article lists the 10 best red dot sights. This article lists the best 10 best red dots for you to choose from.

10 Best Red Dots Under $200 Reviewed

Starting with

1 – Sig Sauer SOR52001 – Best Budget Red Dot Sight

Sig Sauer SOR52001 Romeo5 1x20mm Compact 2 Moa Red Dot...
Sig Sauer SOR52001 Romeo5 1x20mm Compact 2 Moa Red Dot...
  • 2 MOA Red-Dot provides 10 illumination settings (8 daylight...
  • MOTAC (Motion Activated Illumination) powers up when it...
  • Integrated M1913 Picatinny interface provides...
  • Dependable waterproof (IPX-7 rated for complete water...
Click Here to View on Amazon

This amazing MOA red dot features MOTAC (Motion Activated Illumination) which means that when a system is not in use it shuts down which increases the battery life. It also activates the system when it senses a slight vibration or movement. Sig Sauer ROME 05 red dot sight is compact and effective.

Technical Specs

Its 2 MOA Red Dot provides 10 illumination settings which includes 8 daylight and 2 night vision for clear visibility in all light conditions. MOTAC (Motion Activated Illumination) powers down when not is use. Its battery life is 40,000+ hour. It has a motion sensing technology through which it activates. It has the magnification power of 1x. It has a clear objective aperture of 20 mm with unlimited eye relief and elevation adjustment range of +/- 40 MOA, windage adjustment range: +/- 40 MOA and adjustment increments of 0.5 MOA.

Design

Its dimensions are 4.7 x 3 x 0.8 inches and it weighs only 5.1 ounces.

Features

It is dependable waterproof with the capacity of complete water immersion of up to 1 meter. It is also fog proof. It features 2 MOA and MOTAC. It is highly efficient and has an ultra wide broadband. It also has anti reflection a lens coating which helps to reduce surface reflections to an extremely low level across the whole visible spectrum thus providing you with superior light transmission.

Performance

It performs very well. It has good ratings and is mostly liked by the users with 86% five stars. Its elevation and windage are easily adjusted and its lens are crystal clear. The red dot is clear and bright. It is one of the efficient and compact red dot optics.

What’s in the box

It comes with one lithium metal batteries, riser mount, low profile mount, lens cloth, lens covers, adjustment and mounting tool. It also includes a user manual.

Pros
  • The Elevation and Windage are extremely easy to adjust
  • The lenses are crystal slear and the dot is bright and round
Cons
  • At times, it starburst at higher settings indoors
  • For some user, this red dot is not upto the mark.

Verdict

With excellent 4.7 out of 5 ratings on Amazon this is one of the best red dot sights.its lens are clean and clear and it’s efficient.

2 – Aimpoint CompM4 Red Dot Reflex Sight under 200

Aimpoint CompM4 Red Dot Reflex Sight No Mount - 2 MOA -...
Aimpoint CompM4 Red Dot Reflex Sight No Mount - 2 MOA -...
  • Features advanced lens system for better light transmission...
  • Professional quality components fully tested to meet or...
  • Up to 80,000 hours (over 8 years) of daytime operation using...
  • Includes anti-reflective device and black rubber lens covers
Click Here to View on Amazon

It uses professional quality components which are widely tested to meet all US military specifications. It has an anti reflective device and magnification of 1x. This is a professional quality red dot sight, used in extreme harsh conditions.

Technical Specs

It has 7 night vision settings and 9 daylight settings which includes one extra bright setting for use in bright daylight. It can operate for 80,000 hours (over 8 years) of continuous use during daytime using one AA battery and 500,000 hours of use on night vision device (NVD) settings with a single AA battery. It has an optical magnification of 1x. Its aiming dot size is 2 MOA. The intensity of the dot is such that it is visible against a background luminance of 0.1 to 55,000 1x and have the wavelength of 655 +/- 15 nm.

Design

Its dimensions are 4 x 3 x 6 inches and weighs 13.1 ounces. It has a black rubber lens cover.

Features

It has multi layer and anti reflex coatings with unlimited eye relief. It is submersible in water for up to 45 m/ 150 ft. It has a mechanical switch for speed and reliability.

Performance

This sight ought to perform well as it is used in extreme harsh conditions.

What’s in the box

Inside the box you will only find compM4 sight only. Unfortunately it doesn’t come with a mount or batteries.

Pros
  • It is electronically regulated to allow the use of any AA siza battery available worldwide
  • It is compatible with all generations of night vision devices
Cons
  • It doesn’t come with a mount

Verdict

As most sights come with mounts, batteries and other accessories this one unfortunately doesn’t. However, the batteries required are used commonly worldwide and you also have option of buying separate mount. Although if you want a complete package you can consider buying any other red dot optics mentioned in this article.

3 – Nikon P-Tactical Superdot Black

Nikon P-Tactical Superdot Black
Nikon P-Tactical Superdot Black
  • 10 levels of brightness for virtually any light Condition
  • 1x magnification for both-eyes-open rapid engagement
  • True color proprietary coating that minimizes the bluish...
  • Waterproof (IPX7)
Click Here to View on Amazon

It has TRUECOLOR lens and coating technology which provides a lifelike view with an amazing both-eyes open sighting. It has multiple layers of anti-reflective coating on all of its air to glass surfaces which helps maximize the light transmission, brightness and contrast.

Technical Specs

It has 10 levels of brightness for clear visibility in any light conditions. It has the magnification power of 1x with both eye open rapid engagement. It is also compatible with night vision. Its first two brightness settings are compatible with the night vision. Its battery life is 14,000 hours.

Design

Its dimensions are 2.8 x 1.7 x 1.7 inches and weighs only 4.2 ounces. It is constructed using aluminum. It is designed to fit picatinny rail.

Features

It has multiple anti-reflective coatings, maximizing the light transmission. It is also waterproof and shockproof. It is powered by a single CR2032 battery.

Performance

Its aircraft-grade aluminum housing provides for a lifetime reliable performance.

What’s in the box

It comes with one lithium metal batteries.

Pros
  • The colour through the glass does not distort
  • The controls are easily changed even while wearing gloves
  • It has a very natural view
Cons
  • A user complained that the red dot was a red squiggle instead.
  • Another use also complained that his red dot didn’t work straight out of the box

Verdict

I don’t know what exactly it is about some products that they just wouldn’t function for some. Probably the reason is their poor quality control. If a product reaches your door step, it might not be what it looked like when you saw it with someone else.

4 – Bushnell Optics TRS-25 – Red Dot Riflescope with Riser Block

Bushnell Optics TRS-25 Hirise 1x25mm Red Dot Riflescope...
Bushnell Optics TRS-25 Hirise 1x25mm Red Dot Riflescope...
  • Beautiful design and durability built to last
  • Black with 3 MOA Dot reticle
  • High-Rise mount
  • Waterproof Construction - O-ring sealed optics stay dry...
Click Here to View on Amazon

This stylish red dot prolongs the battery life by self-regulating the brightness based on the available light. It has 11 brightness settings and an impressive 3 MOA red dot which is visible in all light conditions.

Technical Specs

Its 11 brightness settings provide for regular illumination in all light conditions. It has unlimited eye relief which means it can be used with both eyes open.

Design

It has a beautiful design with the dimensions of 6 x 3 x 6 inches and it weighs only 6.4 ounces.

Features

It is lightweight and durable. It is built in a way to withstand bumps, bangs, drops and the harsh weather conditions. This high-performance red dot is O ring sealed which helps the sight to stay dry on the inside even when it is completely immersed in water. It is also fog proof. Built to Nitrogen inside the scope ensures interior optical surfaces won’t fog due to humidity or rapid temperature change.

Performance

It performs very well as it has a durable body to resist water and fog.

What’s in the box

It comes with integral mount, 1 CR2 battery and protective lens cover.

Pros
  • It has crystal clear optics
  • It is durable as it survives the harsh weather condition
Cons
  • The mount is too high
  • Some users were found to have a problem with its bad working conditions

Verdict

This is a good product which comes at a good price. It also includes a mount and lens cover, thus, it is a complete package. It is one of the popular red dots.

5 – Vortex Optics VMX-3T Magnifier with Built-in Flip Mount

Vortex Optics VMX-3T 3X Red Dot Sight Magnifier with...
Vortex Optics VMX-3T 3X Red Dot Sight Magnifier with...
  • The VMX-3T Magnifier and Flip Mount combo adds a 3x...
  • The lens are fully multi-coated maximizing resolution, light...
  • The VMX-3T does not require any special sight-in. The dot...
  • The magnifier is nitrogen purged for reliable waterproof and...
Click Here to View on Amazon

This popular red dot is simple fast and effective. It has an excellent magnification of up to 3x. Its allows the magnifier to lock in at the desired position. Its push button design engages and disengages.

Technical Specs

It has an eye relief of 2.2 inches. Its lens is completely multi coated which helps maximize the resolution, light gathering capability and color fidelity.

Design

Its dimensions are 10.2 x 8.4 x 6.8 inches and it weighs only 11.8 ounces.

Features

It is waterproof and fog proof. It is light weight and tough which assures its durability. It also has field of view of 38.2 feet/100 yards. This VMX-3T does not require any special sight in. It allows for lower 1/3 or co witness mounting heights which makes it ideal for shooters.

Performance

It performs very well as it is simple, fast and effective. It is also a good quality product which makes it durable.

What’s in the box

It comes with a mount.

Pros/Cons

Pros
  • This is the best budget red dot sight of high quality
  • It is simple to use
Cons
  • Some users complained that the mounting hardware was loose or difficult to use.

Verdict

This inexpensive red dot is good on your pocket as you get a high quality product in failry low price. Besides it also it also has the magnification of up to 3 times, which is quite more than other products mentioned above. It is one of the top red dots. So if your priority is both, a good red dot sight and high magnification power then this will prove to be yoir best choice.

6 – Tacticon Armament Predator V1 Red Dot Sight

Tacticon Armament | Predator V1 Adjustable Red and...
Tacticon Armament | Predator V1 Adjustable Red and...
  • ✔ TACTICON IS A COMBAT VETERAN OWNED COMPANY ✔ STURDIEST...
  • ✔ RED OR GREEN DOT ADJUSTABLE BRIGHTNESS - Whether you are...
  • ✔ CO-WITNESSES BEAUTIFULLY - This red/green dot scope was...
  • ✔ WATERPROOF AND FOG PROOF - Sealed with O-rings to...
Click Here to View on Amazon

This sight comes with red or green dots. Its brightness is also adjustable with 5 different brightness levels to give you the best results during any time of the day or night. It has a life time warranty which means that your product can be replaced or repaired by the company in case of damage. Besides that this product is also refundable. The elevation and windage are easily adjustable.

Technical Specs

It has 5 different brightness settings, 4 reticle patterns, 4 MOA and an eye relief of 2.5 inches. It has adjustable elevation and windage. It can zoom up to 1 times.

Design

Its design is such that it is compatible with any hunting or tactical rifle including Winchester, Remington, Colt, etc. It can also fit any rifle platform and all picatinny rail and weaver rail sections. It weighs only 15.2 ounces.

Features

It is waterproof and fog proof. It is sealed with O rings to prevent moisture and dust to get inside and nitrogen purged to prevent fogging inside the glass optic.

Performance

It performs quite well. Besides it is easy to use as it has a hand tightening rail mount to easily mount the red dot sight. It is one of the best red dots.

What’s in the box

It comes with one lithium ion battery and one extra battery.

Pros/Cons

Pros
  • You don’t need tools to tighten it. It can be done by hands
  • It has life time warranty
Cons
  • Users complained that it needed a flat edge screw driver to turn the knob

Verdict

Whether you need a screw driver to turn the knob or not, although, as advertised it should perform as it says but I personally don’t think it be a great problem. What is rather worth considering is its life time warranty. You can purchase a product and always be able to replace, repair or refund it. Isn’t it awesome?

7 – Vortex Optics Crossfire Red Dot Sight Gen II- 2 MOA Dot (CF-RD2), Black

Vortex Optics Crossfire Red Dot Sight Gen II - 2 MOA...
Vortex Optics Crossfire Red Dot Sight Gen II - 2 MOA...
  • The updated Crossfire is a no-nonsense sight for near any...
  • With up to a 50, 000 hour battery life and night-vision...
  • The 2 MOA dot is quick to acquire in close-quarters, while...
  • Increased light transmission with multiple anti-reflective...
Click Here to View on Amazon

This is a simple and updated crossfire red dot sight. It has a battery life of up to 50,000 hours. This is a new red dot. It is a versatile red dot which proves to the best red dot sight for shotgun, best red dot sight for Rifle and a best red dot sight for pistol. It has elevation and windage dials.

Technical Specs

It has a 2 MOA dot which corresponds to one inch at 100 yards, 1/2 inch at 50 yards, 1/4 inch at 25 yards and so on. It has 11 brightness settings to work efficiently in all light conditions. Its battery life is up to 50, 000 hours. It allows the shooter to change the dot intensity. It has night vision compatibility at the lowest two settings.

Design

Its dimensions are 4.7 x 5.6 x 2.7 inches.

Features

It gives an unlimited eye relief, for use with both eyes and target acquisition, has multiple layers of anti-reflective coatings on all its air to glass surfaces and comes with O-ring seals which prevents moisture, dust and debris from penetrating into the sight.

Performance

With its 11 illumination settings the sight will keep working in a variety of light conditions and with its long lasting battery it performs very well.

What’s in the box

It comes with one lithium metal battery.

Pros/Cons

Pros
  • It is well built and durable
  • It can be easily installed
Cons
  • For some, the brightness knob is difficult to turn.

Verdict

If you are looking for the best affordable red dot sights you should definitely consider buying this sight. Personally I think the product of Vortex are great and they also come at an afforable price.

Being a hunter, you must carry one of the Best Rangefinders for Money

8 – HOLOSUN HS403C Solar Power Micro Red Dot Sight, Black

Sale
HOLOSUN HS403C Solar Power Micro Red Dot Sight, Black
HOLOSUN HS403C Solar Power Micro Red Dot Sight, Black
  • Two power systems: Primarily Solar Powered, the red dot...
  • Military grade optics without the military grade price
  • High quality clear lens with crisp red dot and 12 brightness...
  • Parallax-free; when the red dot is on the target, so are...
Click Here to View on Amazon

It has two power systems, primarily solar powered. Its red dot brightness auto adjusts according to available light. Its battery life is 50,000 hours. It is a military grade optic but it does not come with the military grade price. It has a life time warranty.

Technical Specs

It has 2 MOA dot size. It has 12 brightness settings which includes 10 Daytime and 2 night vision.

Design

Its dimensions are 2.4 x 1.6 x 3 inches and it weighs only 4.2 ounces.

Features

It is completely waterproof. It has high quality clear lens with crisp red dot.

Performance

With its 12 brightness setting and crisp dot it performs very well.

What’s in the box

It comes with 1 Lithium Metal battery.

Pros/Cons

Pros
  • It has life time warranty
  • It is accurate and strong built
Cons
  • A use complained that it was rugged red dot

Verdict

I personally like products with warranty because you can always replace or repair. This lightweight red dot sight especially comes with a warranty for life. Besides, it is also strongly built.

9 – Sig Sauer SOR31002 Romeo 3 Miniature Reflex Sight with Riser 1x25mm 3 MOA Red Dot Reticle Graphite

Sig Sauer SOR31002 Romeo 3 Miniature Reflex Sight with...
Sig Sauer SOR31002 Romeo 3 Miniature Reflex Sight with...
  • Activated through motion sensing technology, MOTAC...
  • Highly efficient, ultra-wide broadband, anti-reflection lens...
  • Electro-Optics industrial design inspired by our legendary...
  • 3 MOA Red Dot
Click Here to View on Amazon

It is activated through motion sensing technology. In order to prolong the battery life MOTAC immediately powers up illumination when it senses motion and powers down when it does not.

Technical Specs

It has a 3 MOA red dot. It has elevation/windage adjustments. Its magnification power is 1x and has an unlimited eye relief, for use with both eyes. It has an objective clear apparatus of 25 mm. It has 11 brightness settings which include 9 daytime and 2 night vision.

Design

Its dimensions are 2.4 x 1.1 x 2 inches and weighs only 1.44 ounces.

Features

It has anti-reflection lens coatings which helps reduce surface reflections to extremely low levels across the whole visible spectrum providing superior light transmission.

Performance

It has a MOTAC technology which proves helpful in its efficient performance.

What’s in the box

Within the box you will find Sig Sauer SOR31002 Romeo 3 miniature red dot sight.

Pros/Cons

Pros
  • It is a solid and durable
  • The red dot is bright and highly
Cons
  • A user complained that he could not see the dot in low light.

Verdict

It has MOTAC which helps prolong the battery life and great 3 MOA dot.

HunterWiki’s Choice

The favourite red dot of HunterWiki is the Sig Sauer SOR52001 Romeo5 1x20mm Compact 2 Moa Red Dot Sight which has the amazing MOTAC (Motion Activated Illumination) technology. It means that when a system is not in use it shuts down which increases the battery life. It also activates the system when it senses a slight vibration or movement. It consists of 2 MOA and 10 brightness settings. It is lightweight and compact, thus it is also light on your product. It has a clear objective aperture of 20 mm with unlimited eye relief and elevation adjustment range of +/- 40 MOA, windage adjustment range: +/- 40 MOA and adjustment increments of 0.5 MOA. It comes with one lithium metal batteries, riser mount, low profile mount, lens cloth, lens covers, adjustment and mounting tool. It also includes a user manual.

Do you hunt at Night? Here we have brought the Best Thermal Scopes of the Market

Overall it is a great product at an affordable price. This article includes budget red dot sights with variations of lightweight red dot sights, full-sized red dots, micro red dot and dependable red dot unmagnified red dot, sturdy red dot which gives you a lot of options to choose from. One thing that is worth mentioning is the condition of astigmatism. We human beings usually jump to conclusions. We usually try to find fault in others. You may have this condition and might not know of it. So if in case you see the red dot blurred there can be a problem with the red dot sight but it is also very problem that it is because of your own eyes.

Love turkey and love the Red dots Scopes we have literally reviewed for you

Some red dots come with more magnification power than others. Usually, you will have to buy a separate magnifier for it. The products mentioned in this article have the maximum magnification of 3 times which is not bad. At least you would not have to buy a separate magnifier. One other thing you will be looking for in the red dot sight is that it should be waterproof, shock proof and fog proof because you never know what kind of situation you will have to face when in field. you can find the cheapest red dots of great quality.

If you are looking for a red dot that is light on the pocket then you should definitely choose one from the article which consists of the best red dots under 200 dollars.

You might be using ARs, here is the guide for the AR Scopes of the Year.

WHY SHOULD I USE A RED DOT?

Technology

The typical construction of a red dot sight is its tilted spherical mirror reflector with a red light-emitting diode (LED). The mirror has a partially silver multilayer dielectric dichroic coating which is designed to reflect the red spectrum and allows it to pass through most of the other light. Mostly the LED used is deep red 670 nanometer wavelength because they are very bright and high contrast against a green scene. Purchasing a red dot sight because of its great technology is irresistible. When you are out for hunting or shooting this technology of a red dot comes quite in handy.

Eye relief

Eye relief is the distance between the eyepiece of the red dot sight and what your eyes see in the field of view. Red dot sights can be mounted easily on a shot gun or rifles. How you should be using it is you should locate your target first. Next bring your firearm to a shooting position while keeping your both eyes open. Next make the reticle and your target lined to each other. After that you can shoot. Aiming a  red dot is very simple and fast. The reticle does its job as it corrects itself with the target.

Dot and Clarity of the Glass

A red dot sight is used to display a red dot aiming at your target. The last thing you would want your red dot to do is display a blur dot, it would be worthless and useless. You would want the red dot to be bright and clear that too in all light conditions for precise aiming. Besides that the glass or lens should also be crystal clear without any marks or dirt on it otherwise you will not be able to see the red dot clearly and it will be worthless. Your red dot sight should be able to prove itself in the field.

Ease in Shooting

When in field a red dot should prove to be an asset rather than a headache. Suppose you take a red dot for your help in shooting or hunting but all it does is frustrate you and make you angry because it doesn’t work properly. A red dot sight should make hunting and shooting easy for you as it displays a red dot on your target for accurate aiming. It also has a magnification of 1 to 3 times which further helps in precise aiming. It should be simple and easy to use. You should also be able to mount it easily.

Astigmatism

It is a condition which causes blurred vision. The main reason for it is that the cornea is irregularly shaped or at times because of the curvature of lens inside the eye. Sometimes you might think that the red dot is blurry but maybe it’s your condition which makes it so. Thus before reaching to quick conclusions check if you have astigmatism. If incase you have this condition you can have a surgery, use contact lens glasses or contact lenses. Some find the green dot to be less distorting than the red ones. You can always go for the green one.

Filed Under: Gun Scopes Tagged With: best budget red dot, best red dot, red dot for hunting, red dots under 200

5 Best Rangefinders for Deer Hunting (Buying Guide 2021)

Last updated on March 17, 2021 By JF Martin

Best Rangefinders for Deer Hunting-min

Hunters Wiki may receive some form of compensation from the links on this page, at no extra charge to you. Learn more.

A major problem which hunters face is that they find themselves in a situation where they cannot aim at the target because of the inability to focus. For this purpose rangefinders with laser are used by the users of firearms to measure the distance from the target which results in aiming at the target with greater accuracy. If you are looking for the best rangefinder, you have reached the right place.

This article lists the 5 best rangefinders for deer hunting including rangefinder under 50, rangefinder under $100 and rangefinder under $200 with variations of vortex rangefinder, bushnell rangefinder, Nikon rangefinder, Sig Sauer and TecTecTec.  They come in different designs and sizes with particular specifications such as lightweight rangefinder or waterproof rangefinder. You can use a rangefinder on a shotgun for deer hunting as well as on rifles. The two major things you will be looking for is their magnification power and the capability to range up to certain required yards for example 600 or 1800.

Best Rangefinders for Deer Hunting On the Market

Starting with

1 – Vortex Optics Ranger Laser Rangefinders

Vortex Optics Ranger 1800 Laser Rangefinder , Black
Vortex Optics Ranger 1800 Laser Rangefinder , Black
  • The Ranger 1800 rangefinder is easy to use and features a...
  • The primary HCD mode displays an angle compensated distance...
  • A scan feature gives continuous range readings as you pan...
  • Fully multi-coated lenses deliver optimal light...
Click Here to View on Amazon

Vortex optics ranger laser rangefinder is an impressive long range rangefinders for deer hunting. It has high magnification power and a long range which comes in handy while hunting. Its brightness setting can be changed and managed as per liking. It is also lightweight and has a clear display.

Technical Specs

The ranger 1800 rangefinder has range of 10 to 1800 yards, best rangefinder sight for AR deer hunting. Three brightness setting provides a clear display in different unfavorable environmental conditions or ambient light conditions. It has the magnification power of up to 6x.

Design

It is lightweight and compact. Its dimensions are 5 x 4.1 x 2.7 inches. Its weight is 11.8 ounces. Its rubber armor texture proves helpful in providing a secure and non-slip grip.

Features

It has a clean illuminated display and highly intuitive menu and is easy to use. Its primary HCD (horizontal component distance) mode provides an angle compensated distance which is ideal for majority of the hunters. Continuous range reading is given by the scan feature as you move across a landscape or even track a moving target. Fully multi-coated lenses deliver optimal light transmission. It is waterproof and fog proof.

Performance

It performs very well as it is built to handle tough situations. It operates even in the harshest environmental conditions. Once you power up it takes only one click and the range is displayed to you within a second or two.

What’s In the Box?

It includes neck lanyard, removable utility clip, soft carry case, CR2 battery and a user manual.

Pros/Cons

Pros
  • Compatible with tripod adapter
  • Can be used on car window mount
  • Lifetime warranty
Cons
  • Illuminated dispaly works great in all light conditions except bright sunlight with light colored background

Verdict

With 4.8 out of 5 ratings, excellent reviews and satisfied customers this is one of the best rangefinder camera. With its life time warranty it makes this great rangefinder one of a kind. Vortex Optics is a well known company which have almost 34 years of experience in manufacturing optical equipment such as binoculars, spotting scopes, rifle-scopes and rangefinders for deer hunting, bird watching, outdoor recreational sports, wildlife watching and law enforcement. We will be discussing its Vortex optics ranger laser rangefinder.

2 – Sig Sauer Kilo 1000 5x20mm Laser Rangefinder:

Sig Sauer SOK10001 Kilo1000 Laser Range Finding...
Sig Sauer SOK10001 Kilo1000 Laser Range Finding...
  • 5x20 mm monocular with SpectraCoatTM anti-reflection...
  • Revolutionary LightwaveTMDSP Technology for the fastest and...
  • HyperScan provides 4x range updates per second in scan mode...
  • Features line of sight or angle modified range
Click Here to View on Amazon

It is one of the most advanced, yet simple to use 5x20mm Sig Sauer Laser Rangefinder. This rangefinder has an unlimited life time guarantee. It’s specification of anti reflection lens coatings help reduce surface reflections to an extreme low level across the whole visible spectrum. Apart from that it also offers a 5 year warranty from the date of manufacture.

Technical Specs

It has a high transmittance LCD display. Its range on deer is up to 600 yards whereas as its range on trees is 800 yards while the maximum reflective is up to 1200 yards. It has the magnification power of  up to 5x.

Design

It weighs 12.8 ounces. It comes in two colours; black and flat dark earth. It is user friendly as it only has range and mode buttons.

Features

It has the famous 5×20 mm monocular with its spectracoatTM anti-reflection coatings for superior light transmission and optical clarity. It features a fast, digital signal processing engine using the revolutionary lightwave technology for the fastest and longest distance rangefinder. It is water-resistant.

Performance

It is very quick in performing its actions the second you push the button, you instantly have a range.

What’s in the box

It requires 1 Lithium Metal batteries which are included in the box.

Pros/Cons

Pros
  • Quick processing
  • Very quick
  • Easy to Use
Cons
  • Partial Water Resistant
  • Result is difficult to be read in low light

Verdict

Unlike the first product, it can magnify up to 5 times however it is very easy to use with only two buttons. Its range is 600-1200 yards depending on the user for deer hunting rangefinder sights it might be perfect however there are others with more range. It is one of the most advanced, yet simple to use 5x20mm Sig Sauer Laser Rangefinder. Sig Sauer is a great company which offers an unlimited life time guarantee on their electro optics such as riflescopes, pistol sights, electronic sights, flashlights, lasers, binoculars, spotting scopes and rangefinders. It’s specification of anti reflection lens coatings help reduce surface reflections to an extreme low level across the whole visible spectrum. Apart from that it also offers a 5 year warranty from the date of manufacture.

3 – Nikon 8397 ACULON AL11 Laser Rangefinder

Nikon 8397 ACULON AL11 Laser Rangefinder
Nikon 8397 ACULON AL11 Laser Rangefinder
  • At 3.6"x2.9"x1.5" in size, the ACULON Rangefinder is Nikon's...
  • An uncluttered, easy-to-read screen displays ranges in...
  • Class 1 laser product, power output not exceeding .0975...
  • Measurement Range 6-550 yds.Use:Gun hunting,bow...
Click Here to View on Amazon

The ACULON Rangefinder delivers great performance in the shape of an extremely compact body. The speed, precision and optical quality of the palm-sized Nikon’s ACULON is worth mentioning. Nikon has manufactured the ACULON rangefinder with a high eye point design. It is the most compact laser rangefinder making it rather very easy to take along with you wherever you go. It has 2 years of warranty.

Technical Specs

It has the 4 blade design which is developed for the ultimate penetration and performance even in the most extreme conditions.The 100 and 125 grain 4 blade broadheads have super strong, sharpenable blades. The primary blade measures 040″ and the secondary blade measures .028″. Its Range is from 6-550 yards.

Design

It comes in colours grey and xtra green.  Its size is 3.6″x2.9″x1.5″ and weighs only 6.4 ounces. Nikon has manufactured the ACULON rangefinder along with many of their other optics, with a high-eye-point design.  This provides a clear view of field for everyone even if the user have sufficient space between his brow and the rangefinder. It gives you a clear view of the targets even when the user is wearing eyeglasses.

Features

Its screen display is easy to read. It is the ultra compact size It is also user friendly as it allows easy measurements with the single button operation of the ACULON rangefinder. The product made with multiplayer coatings to provide an even higher light transmittance across the entire visible light spectrum and has an LCD display. It features long eye relief. It is water resistant or rainproof.

Performance

Operating the ACULON Rangefinder is very easy and requires just the simple push of a button to get an instant distance reading. When the button is held down, the rangefinder gives a continuous measurement for up to 20 seconds as you scroll across the visible area. The display is uncluttered and free of any unnecessary obstructions so you can concentrate on the object you are ranging. It automatically powers down after eight seconds of inactivity. This rangefinder is conveniently programmed to display the range of the furthest target among a group of targets measured which is the best rangefinder for deer hunting, specifically useful when the subject is partially obscured by grass or brush.

What’s in the box

It operates with 1 CR123A batteries. A nylon case and lanyard is also included in the box.

Pros/Cons

Pros
  • Two button controls make it easy to use
  • Legible display
  • Light weight
Cons
  • Hard to stabilize due to its small size
  • One of the reviews said if you have regular sized hands or larger it’s hard to hold the small rangefinder steady

Verdict

If you are looking for a small lightweight and compact rangefinder then this would be the right rangefinder for you as it is easy to handle and use. However if you prefer more range capability than easy using rangefinder there are better options of rangefinders you can choose from the this list of 5 best rangefinders for deer hunting. Nikon is a world-famous company in the making of optics and is on the cutting edge of laser rangefinder technology. The ACULON Rangefinder delivers great performance in the shape of an extremely compact body. Its speed, precision and optical quality of the palm-sized Nikon’s ACULON is worth mentioning. Nikon has manufactured the ACULON rangefinder along with many of their other optics, with a high-eyepoint design. It is the most compact laser rangefinder making it rather very easy to take along with you wherever you go. It has 2 years of warranty.

4 – TecTecTec ProWild Hunting Rangefinder – Laser Range Finder for Hunting with Speed, Scan and Normal Measurements

Sale
TecTecTec ProWild Hunting Rangefinder 6X Magnification,...
TecTecTec ProWild Hunting Rangefinder 6X Magnification,...
  • 𝐇𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐑...
  • 𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐃 𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐑...
  • 𝐔𝐋𝐓𝐑𝐀-𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐑...
  • 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝐀𝐍𝐃...
Click Here to View on Amazon

If you are hunting for laser rangefinder and you are tired of cheap rangefinders with short ranges of measurement then this prowild laser rangefinder is a great product for you which is both cheap and have a good range. It offers two years warranty and amazing deal of “love it or your money back” which means that up to 30 days if you don’t like their product they offer full money refund guarantee.

Technical Specs

It can measure up to 540 yards. It has a continuous scan mode, features advanced speed technology and a durable body which is water resistant. You can get closer to your target without taking a single step forward with the help of this rangefinder for deer hunting. The TecTecTec ProWild is designed for hunting with accuracy and can measure both distance and speed. It gives hunters the distance data needed for accurate shots. It has the magnification power of up to 6x.It has eye-safe rangefinder class 1 laser with <0.5mW average power output.

Design

It is lightweight and portable with dimensions of 104x72x41 mm. It weighs only 185g. Moreover, it is durable.

Features

Its lens display is premium, ultra clear and multilayered which is easy to read. It also displays distance and battery meter and offers continuous measurement mode for fast, convenient measurements. It is water resistant as well as dust resistant.

Performance

It performs very well as it provides fast measurement with +/- 1 yard accuracy. As their laser rangefinder uses the latest technology making it more accurately precise and flexible than any other measuring device. It is quick to measure distance and speed. The ProWild has a continuous measurement mode. Its durable body makes it perfect for carrying while hunting.

What’s In The Box

This rangefinder comes with a complete package for quick setup. It includes carrying pouch, CR2 battery, strap, microfiber cleaning cloth, quick start guide for easy setup, TecTecTec Happy Guarantee for 2 Years (Online Registration Required) and Lifetime customer support.

Pros/Cons

Pros
  • Compact and Accurate
  • Money back guarantee for 30 days
  • 4.4 out of 5 rating
Cons
  • Problematic LCD display with the problem of showing only half of the digits after some time

Verdict

It has absolutely great magnification resolution of 6x which proves to be a great one for deer hunting. However if your preference is more range there are certainly other options you can consider. One of the best thing about this rangefinder or any of the products of TecTecTec is that they offer 2 years warranty and money back guarantee for 30 days. If you are hunting for laser rangefinder and you are tired of cheap rangefinders with short ranges of measurement then this pro wild laser rangefinder is a great product for you which is both cheap and have a good range. TecTecTec is a family-owned manufacturer of quality optical products including laser rangefinders, cameras and projectors. It offers two years warranty and amazing deal of “love it or your money back” which means that up to 30 days if you don’t like their product they offer a full money refund guarantee. They have become one of the leading rangefinders vendors online with one of their product receiving Amazon bestseller status with outstanding 4.5 ratings from thousands of buyers worldwide. They provide their customers with first class technology at unbeatable and a satisfaction guarantee.

5 – Bushnell Laser Rangefinder Bone Collector Cam_202208

Sale
Bushnell Laser Rangefinder Bone Collector Cam_202208
Bushnell Laser Rangefinder Bone Collector Cam_202208
  • Quality optics with stunning HD clarity; 100 percent quality...
  • Beautifully designed with durability built to last; Simple...
  • Displays exact distance to target from 10 to 600 yard with...
  • Bright, crystal-clear optics for targeting in low light;...
Click Here to View on Amazon

The bushnell laser rangefinder bone collector cam is an absolute example of a great quality, made using 100 percent quality materials used and tested extensively. It has a beautiful design and clear display.

Technical Specs

It displays exact distance to target from 10 to 600 yard with +/ 1 yard accuracy. The range for deer is 200 yards, the trees for range is 400 yards whereas the maximum reflective range is 600 yards, best rangefinder reflex sight.  It has bright and crystal clear display for targeting in low light. Its magnification power is 4x.

Design

It has a beautiful and different design with camo pattern which is very durable. It is lightweight. The Bushnell Bone Collector cam is small enough to fit in a shirt pocket. It is only  3 x 5 x 5.5 inches and weighs only up to 7.2 ounces.

Features

It is user friendly as it offers the easy one button operation. It has a LCD display. It also has a battery life indicator. It is capable of displaying range in meters or yards.

Performance

It performs very well as it is simple to use with its single button operation in a compact

What’s in the box

It comes with a carrying case.

Pros/Cons

Pros
  • Good deal for the amount for money
Cons
  • Reflective targets up to 600 yards with deer up to 200 yards

Verdict

Many reviews show that the customers are not very satisfied with the product. However some are also really happy for its fast accurate mechanism and for the less price they had to pay. The choice is always yours in accordance with your preference. Bushnell produces quality optics with stunning HD clarity. It uses 100 percent quality materials used and tested extensively. This bushnell laser rangefinder bone collector cam is an absolute example of its great quality.

Are you tight on your budget? Here we have Best Red Dots under $200

TYPES OF RANGEFINDERS:

To round it up there are different types of rangefinders 5 of which are mentioned below.

Golf Rangefinders

If you use a  golf rangefinder on the course it will help you measure the yardage of a particular target by offering a precise measurement. There are further two types of such devices, namely GPS and laser. The first one requires the user to download the golf course map to achieve the distance. The latter uses a laser technology.

Ballistics Rangefinder

This rangefinder is incorporated with the firearm. The most commonly used technology is the laser one. When a target is detected a dot is displayed. The device have a maximum range of up to 1500 yards.

Forestry Rangefinder

One other type of rangefinders is the one that is meant to surveying in a forest. These rangefinders come with different features such as anti leaf filters which prove to be very helpful.

Hunting Rangefinder

There are different types of hunting, while each of them requires special features  you will have to find rangefinders with the required specifications such as those that are made for rifle hunting, bow hunting, or target shooting

Rangefinder Camera

Rangefinder camera allows the user to find the distance to shot the object for a precise and accurate focus, resulting in good pictures.

FAQS

What does a Rangefinder do?

A laser rangefinder is quite essential when you are out on hunting. It displays a dot on your target for precise focus which helps you magnify and also measure the distance between you and your target. Whether you are a beginner or a pro having a hunting rangefinder comes quite in handy as it proves to be essential because to judge a range has always been a difficult task for many hunters regardless of their proficiency. Such a device has many applications. Whether you what to improve your golf skills or hunting abilities it proves helpful in both the cases.

How to shoot with a Rangefinder?

You can use a rifle, a bow or even a muzzleloader to hunt but the way you use your rangefinder mainly determines whether you will be successful in killing your target or will be going home empty-handed.

First of all get familiarized with your rangefinder, read the user manual and make sure you know how to use it. Next, hold the rangefinder, this can be challenging sometimes. Then look through it using only one eye and spot your target. Next step is to find the range. After you have found the range shoot for your target. Make sure you have a clear understanding of the environmental conditions as it may effect the accuracy.

What is the accuracy of Rangefinder?

The accuracy of rangefinders depends upon the quality and specifications of the rangefinder. For accurate range finding you need to take into consideration its magnification power which ranges up to 4 or 6 times the original size. You also need to consider its range capability which can be as much as 1800 yards or as less as 10 yards. Even with the most perfect product the exception is that you should know how to use and handle the product you are using. You need to be well aware about your product specifications. Moreover while choosing a product the same should be taken into consideration that is you should know what you require and what you are buying.

Are Rangefinders good for Hunting?

Rangefinders are of different types, used for different specific uses. A rangefinder is simply a device to find the range. While hunting if you are a beginner or even a pro a rangefinder comes in handy and proves to be very useful for killing your target. Killing/ shooting on a target can be very challenging at times. For this purpose rangefinders are made to assist you in your hunting. So yes, rangefinders are good for hunting. For its accurate use you need to know how to use it and also to buy one according to your specific needs and requirements.

Do you keep both eyes open when using a Rangefinder?

A tricky and curious question asked is do we keep both eyes open when using a rangefinder? Well I believe this is totally up to you. Some people close one eye for better results while others keep both the eyes open which is usually considered peculiar. You can keep or both eyes open depending on your results. Some are used to using one eye while others are used to using both. However, there are no pros or cons to each. The only thing under focus should be your target. As long as you can focus on your target do whatever feels right.

Final Words:

One of the favorite would be the Vortex laser rangefinder because of its absolutely great magnification of 6x, Its outstanding range of up to 1800 yards, best rangefinder sight for deer hunting and good compact design with its three brightness setting to be used in ambient light conditions and clean illuminated display. It is small and easy to handle yet not small enough to make it hard for some hands to use. The crux of using laser rangefinders is to help you focus on the target.

While carrying a gun, you must know about the Best Gun Safe of the Market

There are different types of rangefinders for deer hunting mentioned in this article. Now it is your turn to choose the best for yourself. Make sure to make yourself familiar with the product you are using. Must give the user manual a read for even if you have been a user of rangefinders in the past one might be new for you, resulting in facing difficulties. Keep in mind your requirements, compare them with the product’s specifications and try not to settle for less.

Here we have Best Red Dot Scopes for Turkey Hunting, its worth reading!!!

Keep in mind that great products come at a great price. Although that’s not always the case, you can even at times get a good thing for a cheap price. Make sure to thoroughly read the product specifications. For further help with choosing a product, you can always take help from the comments. But while doing so take into consideration both positive and negative comments. Friendly advice would be to choose a rangefinder with the capability of ranging far away to hunt deer using your rangefinder.

Filed Under: RangeFinders Tagged With: deer hunting, rangefinders for hunting

10 Best Small Gun Safes for the Money in 2021

Last updated on March 17, 2021 By JF Martin

Best small gun safes 2020-min

Hunters Wiki may receive some form of compensation from the links on this page, at no extra charge to you. Learn more.

Be it your firearms, ammunition or even valuable documents, gun safes are a great way to protect your property. A gun safe can range from a briefcase (for small handguns) to a walk-in vaulted armoury: they come in different shapes and sizes. They can be used to prevent burglaries as well to keep your firearms out of reach of youngsters.  Modern gun safes are equipped with advanced security technology. They are feature-rich and budget-friendly options are available as well. In this article, we are going to discuss the top 10 best small gun safes for the money.

Best Small Gun Safes on the Market

1. BILLCONCH Biometric Gun Safe

No products found.

Smart Handgun Safe with APP Two Small Guns Capacity Pistol Safe with Auto-Open Lid, Silent Mode, Rechargeable Battery

Billconch is a fairly new name in the security market but is a good starting point for all. The company makes less but well-equipped products. The product under review is the BILLCONCH Biometric Gun Safe.

Technical Specs

16-gauge carbon steel construction. Powdercoat finish to prevent corrosion. Unlocking modes (fingerprint, pin code, smartphone app assisted, backup keys). Pre-installed mounting options. Space for 2 handguns.

Design

Overall size: 12 inches x 9.9 inches x 3.2 inches. Internal size: 10.3 inches x 6.9 inches x 1.9 inches. Weight is 4 kg. It comes in black.

Features

4 unlocking modes make it very easy to use; can be accessed with a fingerprint, pin code by the keypad on the safe, Billconch smartphone app (Android and iOS), manually by the backup keys provided. Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery that can be recharged with USB that gives about 5000-6000 uses on a single charge (charges in only 2.5 hours). Adjustable LED lighting to see contents in low lighting. Dual anti-impact latches that won’t open when dropped. Interior mounted hinges that are unreachable from the outside. Anti-pry bars. Portable.

Performance

The safe performs well for the price. Opens quickly. Interior design is attractive. Unlocking options work well. Adjustable LED lighting and silent mode (mode to turn off unlocking sounds) are small, yet nice customization options for people. An inexpensive alternative to Vaultek safes.

What’s in the box

It comes with a 18650 rechargeable lithium-ion battery, charging cable, safety cable kit, 2 backup keys, screwdriver and user manual.

Pros/Cons

Pros
  • Merges old-school safes with modern technology
  • Inexpensive
Cons
  • Issue with the app and fingerprint reader sometimes

Verdict

A safe that is an excellent starting point for more expensive safes. It holds its own when compared to other expensive options. As with all products, some units may be problematic, but one of the most famous names in budget gun safes.

2. Vaultek Essential Series Quick Access Handgun Safe

VAULTEK Essential Series Quick Access Handgun Safe With...
VAULTEK Essential Series Quick Access Handgun Safe With...
  • FULL SIZE DESIGN can securely hold 2 handguns plus extra...
  • TOUGH AND RUGGED heavy-duty 14-gauge carbon steel...
  • RESPONSIVE LED LIGHTING in low light situations so you can...
  • RECHARGEABLE LITHIUM-ION battery provides on the go power...
Click Here to View on Amazon

Vaultek is one of the most famous companies that make safes. It started almost half a decade ago but very quickly rose to fame because of its high-quality products. It has a variety of products, one of which is Vaultek MXE (Essential Series).

Technical Specs

Hybrid 12 gauge and 14-gauge steel construction. Powdercoat finish to prevent corrosion. Unlocking modes (pin code, backup keys). Space for 8 handguns (6 using pistol racks, 2 in top shelf). LCD screen for showing all information.

Design

Overall size: 15 inches x 11.5 inches x 11.6 inches. Internal size: 13 inches x 11 inches x 8.6 inches. Weight is 14.5 kg. It comes in black.

Features

Unlocking through an 8-button keypad (with proximity sensor) and manually with the backup keys. Belongs to the MX Series which are for high capacity and has space for 8 handguns. Easy front access door. LCD to show status and battery of the safe. Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery that can be recharged with USB that gives about 4 months of normal use on a single charge (charges in only 2.5 hours). LED lighting to see contents in low lighting. Dual anti-impact latches that won’t open when dropped. Interior mounted hinges that are unreachable from the outside. Anti-pry bars. Portable. Comes with a polymer pistol rack for 2 handguns.

Performance

The safe is known for its excellent performance. Unlocking options work exceptionally well. Capacity is great for the size. Very secure. Interior design is not only pleasing to look at it but fulfils its function of providing maximum space too.

What’s in the box

It comes with a 18650 rechargeable lithium-ion battery, charging kit, 2 backup keys, mounting hardware, twin pistol rack, user manual.

Pros/Cons

Pros
  • Basic unlocking options with the enhancement
  • Space for 8 handguns
Cons
  • Lack of technology may be a turn off for some

Verdict

The MXE is a safe that works amazingly well. The company makes up for lack of technology in its exceptional performance. Highly recommended for the price and for people who don’t care much about gimmicks.

3. Fort Knox PB1 – Handgun Safe with 13.5 Inch Dean Safe Pistol Sock

Fort Knox PB1 Handgun Safe with 13.5 Inch Dean Safe...
Fort Knox PB1 Handgun Safe with 13.5 Inch Dean Safe...
Click Here to View on Amazon

Fort Knox Vaults. Well, the name says it all, doesn’t it? It’s a company that is known to have one of the widest ranges of safes globally. They provide services from banks to personal safes. The product up for review is the Fort Knox Original Pistol Box.

Technical Specs

10-gauge steel construction with a 3/16″ plate door. Powdercoat finish to prevent corrosion. Unlocking modes (pin code). Pre-drilled mounting options. Space for 1 handgun with accessories or 2 handguns only.

Design

Overall size: 12.5 inches x 10.5 inches x 4.5 inches. Internal size: 10.2 inches x 8.2 inches x 3.6 inches. Weight is 9.9 kg. Antique silver textured finish.

Features

Simple in features, but the most secure safe on the list. Has a 5-button punch lock for unlocking. It uses a Simplex® mechanical lock. Foam-lined for protecting contents. Comes with a limited lifetime warranty. 4 pre-drilled holes for mounting to cars, walls, furniture, etc.

Performance

As guessed by the beautiful vintage look of the safe, Fort Knox aims to go back to the basics, by giving customers a raw experience. The safe is known to be the most secure option not only on our list but generally too. The absence of any kind of gimmicks has helped the company focus on the performance, where it exceeds with flying colours.

What’s in the box

It comes with a warranty card, user manual.

Pros/Cons

Pros
  • Secure small gun safe for the money
  • Stronger
  • Simple, yet most effective
Cons
  • Limited warranty
  • Absence of technology
  • Vintage look

Verdict

The Original Pistol Box is a safe that has its specific users. However, if the looks and lack of technology aren’t an issue for someone, this might as well be the most secure and most functional pistol safe or gun safe in the market.

4. RPNB Gun Safe – Pistol Safe for Bedside

Sale
RPNB Gun Safe,California DOJ Certified Gun Safe, Smart...
RPNB Gun Safe,California DOJ Certified Gun Safe, Smart...
  • Fast & Dependable 3 Methods of Entry : RFID activated by key...
  • Anti-Theft Protection & Tamper Proof : Featured on safes...
  • Tough and Rugged : Heavy-duty 16-gauge carbon steel...
  • Mobile Security : Included cable allows the safe to be...
Click Here to View on Amazon

California DOJ Certified Gun Safe, Smart Pistol Safe Handgun Security Safe with LED & RFID Quick Access,11″ x 7″ x 1.8″

RPNBSafe is another new company that makes affordable vaults and safes for different applications. The gun safe on our list is the RP1136/Digital Portable Vault.

Technical Specs

16-gauge carbon steel construction. Powdercoat finish to prevent corrosion. Unlocking modes (RFID tags, pin code, backup keys). Space for 1 handgun and extra magazine.

Design

Overall size: 11 inches x 7 inches x 1.8 inches. Internal size: 8.8 inches x 6.8 inches x 1.8 inches. Weight is 2 kg. It comes in black.

Features

3 unlocking modes; the most special being RFID tags (up to 4 programmable), 3-button keypad, manually by the backup keys provided. Uses 4 AAA alkaline batteries. Anti-impact latches that won’t open when dropped. Interior mounted hinges that are unreachable from the outside. Anti-pry bars. Portable. Meets TSA requirements when carrying a handgun in checked luggage.

Performance

The RP1136 is a decent performer for the price that it’s offered in. The RFID tags are something new to gun safes, however they need a lot of improvement. Size is its biggest selling point as it is extremely portable.

What’s in the box

It comes with 2 RFID key fobs, 2 manual keys, security cable, button tool, user manual.

Pros/Cons

Pros
  • Smaller in size
  • Meets TSA requirements
  • Cheapest safe
Cons
  • Quality is the biggest criticism

Verdict

A safe that is only recommend for people who travel a lot or would want a handy, portable safe for taking their gun around. Other than that, quality is a big issue in this model.

5. RP311F – Desk Mounted Gun Safe with Biometric Fingerprint

RPNB Mounted Gun Safe with Auto Open Lid Biometric...
RPNB Mounted Gun Safe with Auto Open Lid Biometric...
  • Quick Access : 500 DPI Semiconductor Biometric Fingerprint...
  • Handgun Safe : If you have young children who don’t...
  • Desk-Mounted Design : Slim Vertical Design stores great...
  • Tough & Rugged : Expertly crafted using sturdy steel...
Click Here to View on Amazon

The second RPNBSafe product on our list. The product is RP311F/Desk Mounted Firearm Safety Device with Biometric Fingerprint. Its not a gun safe per se, but more of a “holster safe” that is supposed to be mounted.

Technical Specs

Carbon steel construction. Powdercoat finish to prevent corrosion. Unlocking modes (fingerprint, pin code, backup keys). Mountable from left, right and top. Space for 1 handgun.

Design

Overall size: 7.4 inches x 3 inches x 13.4 inches. Weight is 4 kg. It comes in black.

Features

3 unlocking modes; a 500 dpi fingerprint sensor, 4-button keypad, manually by the backup keys provided. Designed for easy incorporation and fitting on many different surfaces. Tough and rugged for long-lasting performance. Low battery warning. Anti-pry fittings. Foam-lined interior. Portable.

Performance

The RP311F is a holster-design safe that is different from usual gun safes. It performs really well as compared to the other RPNBSafe product. The fingerprint is fast and works as advertised. Quick drop access is fast enough to use in emergencies.

What’s in the box

It comes with 2 backup keys, mounting accessories, user manual.

Pros/Cons

Pros
  • Great in performance
  • Previous bugs and issues have been fixed
  • Different idea executed excellently
Cons
  • Keypad configuration is a bit of an issue

Verdict

A top handgun safe that is more like a fixed holster, but if this is what you’re looking for, the RP311F is the best option available for the performance and the money.

6. V-Line Top Draw Locking Tactical Gun Storage Box

V-Line Top Draw Locking Tactical Gun Storage Box, Black
V-Line Top Draw Locking Tactical Gun Storage Box, Black
  • MADE IN THE USA
  • Genuine Simplex 5 Button mechanical lock
  • CA DOJ Approved
  • Continuous hinge is welded so the pin cannot be removed
Click Here to View on Amazon

V-Line is a company that offers security cases and cabinets for almost 20 years. Their product, V-Line Tactical Top Draw-Quick Access Handgun Safe with Simplex Lock is reviewed by us. It is our second safe that lacks any kind of digital technology.

Technical Specs

16-gauge steel construction. Powdercoat finish to prevent corrosion. Unlocking modes (pin code). Pre-drilled mounting options. Space for 1 handgun with accessories or 2 handguns only.

Design

Overall size: 12 inches x 9 inches x 2.7 inches. Internal size: 11.7 inches x 8.7 inches x 2.5 inches. Weight is 4.5 kg. It comes in black.

Features

Simple in features and lack of digital technology, like the Fort Knox safe. Has only a 5-button punch lock for unlocking. It uses a Simplex® mechanical lock. Foam-lined for protecting contents. 3/8″ thick steel lock block welded to cover guides and adds strength to the lock bolt. Pre-drilled holes for mounting to cars, walls, furniture, etc. Continuous hinge welded on one end to prevent pin removal.

Performance

Just like Fort Knox, there isn’t any technology present. The safe does what it’s supposed to do. Great performer. Size is very good; 2 full-size handguns or 1 handgun with all accessories. Highly rated for being secure and sturdy.

What’s in the box

It comes with a warranty card, Cortec corrosion inhibitor (square foam piece) that is enough for about 2 years, user manual.

Pros/Cons

Pros
  • Mose secure gun safes for the price.
  • Cheaper alternative to the Fort Knox Safe.
  • Value for money
Cons
  • Lack of technology
  • Vintage look

Verdict

The Tactical Top Draw is great in its performance and lives up to the reputation of V-Line. If the looks and lack of technology aren’t an issue for someone, this is a highly secure and functional gun safe for a very good price.

7. RPNB Gun Security Safe

RPNB Gun Safe, RFID Gun Safe for Pistols, Quick Access...
RPNB Gun Safe, RFID Gun Safe for Pistols, Quick Access...
  • Gun Safe : If you have young children who don’t understand...
  • 4 Points Entry : With the unique New RFID Key Fob & Card...
  • Tough & Rugged : Expertly crafted using sturdy steel...
  • High Capacity & Anti Theft Protection : Deluxe quick access...
Click Here to View on Amazon

Quick-Access Firearm Safety Device with Biometric Fingerprint or RFID Lock, Home & Personal Safe Series

The third RPNBSafe product on our list. The RP19001F/Multifunction Pistol Safe is a somewhat better version of the RP1136.

Technical Specs

18-gauge carbon steel construction. Powdercoat finish to prevent corrosion. Unlocking modes (fingerprint, pin code, backup keys). Pre-drilled mounting options. Space for 2 handguns or 1 handgun and extra magazine.

Design

Overall size: 14.3 inches x 10.8 inches x 3.3 inches. Internal size: 12 inches x 7.7 inches x 2.9 inches. Weight is 5.8 kg. It comes in black.

Features

3 unlocking modes; a 500 dpi fingerprint sensor, 4-button keypad, manually by the backup keys provided. Tough and rugged for long-lasting performance. Low battery warning. Uses 4 AA alkaline batteries. Anti-impact latches that won’t open when dropped. Interior mounted hinges that are unreachable from the outside. Anti-pry body. Dual-layer steel housing. Foam-lined interior. Portable.

Performance

The RP19001F is a huge improvement over other low-priced options by RPNBSafe. It works really well. The fingerprint sensor is quick in response and easy to set up. The 90-degree door is silent and great for quick access to contents.

What’s in the box

It comes with 2 manual keys, hardware mounting kit, user manual.

Pros/Cons

Pros
  • Great upgrade from the company over other products.
  • Highly rated for its performance
  • Best value for money
Cons
  • Fingerprint might become annoyance

Verdict

A great safe for the price that works well than its cheaper counterpart.

8. Vaultek VT20i Biometric Handgun Bluetooth Smart Safe

Vaultek VT20i Bluetooth and Biometric with Auto-Open...
Vaultek VT20i Bluetooth and Biometric with Auto-Open...
  • Compatible with the original Bluetooth APP. DO NOT support...
  • QUICK SECURE ACCESS to your valuables, documents, and...
  • AUTO OPEN LID and RESPONSIVE LED LIGHTING views safe...
  • TOUGH AND RUGGED HEAVY-duty 16-gauge carbon steel...
Click Here to View on Amazon

Pistol Safe with Auto-Open Lid and Rechargeable Battery

The Vaultek VT20i (Biometric) of the compact 20 Series is our second Vaultek product. It’s a loaded safe with all of Vaultek’s features.

Technical Specs

16-gauge steel construction. Powdercoat finish to prevent corrosion. Unlocking modes (fingerprint, pin code, smartphone app assisted, backup keys). Space for 1 handgun with a magazine.

Design

Overall size: 11.5 inches x 9 inches x 2.6 inches. Internal size: 11 inches x 5.7 inches x 2 inches. Weight is 3.2 kg. It comes in black and an optional urban camo.

Features

4 unlocking modes; with a fingerprint, 5-button keypad, Vaultek smartphone app (Android and iOS), manually by the backup keys provided. Bluetooth® 4.2 enabled. Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery that can be recharged with USB that gives about 3 months of normal use on a single charge (charges in only 2.5 hours). The LED lighting to see contents in low lighting. Dual anti-impact latches that won’t open when dropped. Interior mounted hinges that are unreachable from the outside. Anti-pry bars. Portable. TSA compliant.

Performance

The safe is known for its excellent performance. Unlocking options work exceptionally well. Capacity is great for the size, as it belongs to the compact series. Very secure. The quick access opening is great.

What’s in the box

It comes with a 18650 rechargeable lithium-ion battery, charging kit, 2 backup keys, mounting hardware, security cable, user manual.

Pros/Cons

Pros
  • Great performer in almost every way
Cons
  • Fingerprint might become annoyance

Verdict

The VT20i biometric gun safe works well in almost everything but needs improvement in the fingerprint department; a solution to which could be to buy the non-biometric version of this otherwise well-performing product.

9. CACAGOO Small Gun Safe

No products found.

Biometric Gun Safe Smart Pistol Safe for Home, Handgun Safe Firearm Safety Device Quick Access with Auto-Open Lid

Cacagoo is famous for its versatile home solutions such as webcams, temperature systems, entertainment systems and so on. The Cacagoo Gun Safe is their entry in the gun safe market.

Technical Specs

18-gauge carbon steel construction. Powdercoat finish to prevent corrosion. Unlocking modes (fingerprint, backup keys). Pre-drilled mounting options. Space for 2 handguns, 4 clips, and 2 handgun bullets.

Design

Overall size: 11.4 inches x 8.8 inches x 2.9 inches. Internal size: 10.2 inches x 8.6 inches x 2.7 inches. Weight is 2.7 kg. It comes in black.

Features

2 unlocking modes; fingerprint and manually by the backup keys provided. Uses 4 AA batteries of No. 5. Dual anti-impact latches that won’t open when dropped. Interior mounted hinges that are unreachable from the outside. Anti-pry bars. Portable.

Performance

The safe doesn’t perform as it should. Many people have issues with security although for the people that it works for, it works well.

What’s in the box

It comes with a wire rope, battery housing, user manual.

Pros/Cons

The Cacagoo Gun Safe is a Chinese made product that is questionable in its performance. Almost half of the reviews say that the product is faulty and doesn’t work as it should be which is a concern for something as serious as guns.

Verdict

The gun safe is a fluke; it may work or it may not. Can be used only for storage with security, but is useless in any other case.

10. Fort Knox PB4 – Personal Handgun Safe

Fort Knox Personal Handgun Safe PB4 + Free Dean Safe...
Fort Knox Personal Handgun Safe PB4 + Free Dean Safe...
Click Here to View on Amazon

Our second Fort Knox Vaults product is the Fort Knox Personal Pistol Box. Almost the same as the Original Pistol Box but with a different design.

Technical Specs

10-gauge steel construction with a 3/16″ plate door. Powdercoat finish to prevent corrosion. Unlocking modes (pin code). Pre-drilled mounting options. Space for 1 handgun with accessories or 2 handguns only.

Design

Overall size: 12 inches x 9.5 inches x 5 inches. Internal size: 10.5 inches x 8.2 inches x 4.7 inches. Weight is 9 kg. Antique silver textured finish.

Features

Simple in features, but the most secure safe on the list like the Original Pistol Box. Has only a 5-button punch lock for unlocking. It uses a Simplex® mechanical lock. Foam-lined for protecting contents. Comes with limited lifetime warranty. 4 pre-drilled holes for mounting to cars, walls, furniture, etc. Fire proof construction, a trademark feature of Fort Knox Vaults.

Performance

As guessed by the beautiful vintage look of the safe, Fort Knox aims to go back to the basics, by giving customers a raw experience. The safe is known to be the most secure option not only on our list, but generally too. The absence of any kind of gimmicks has helped the company focus on the performance, where it exceeds with flying colours.

What’s in the box

It comes with a warranty card, user manual.

Pros/Cons

Pros
  • Most securing safes
  • Stronger than other products
  • Simple, yet effective in doing its most basic job
Cons
  • Limited lifetime warranty
  • Lack of technology
  • Vintage look

Verdict

The Personal Pistol Box is just the Original Pistol Box with a different design. They even have the same price. Customers should think of it as a variant in design with the same amazing performance.

Features to Consider While Buying the Best Handgun Safe

Size & Capacity

The size of the gun safe depends on your preference. While dealing with small handguns, we recommend going for compact safes, with a standard look.  Nothing that is too big and nothing that would make it ostentatious. Keep in mind that even a small handgun safe can be roomy. The capacity of the safe depends on interior. If the interior is roomy, it can store extra items such as ammunition as well.

Steel Gauging

The lesser the gauge, the thicker the steel is. Thicker steel helps prevent burglaries, as a thicker mechanism is difficult to drill into. It also protects against fire hazard; because the steel gauging is thick, it takes fire time to penetrate it. Standard gun safes range from a 14 gauge (which is thin) to a 6 gauge (which is thick).

Door Thickness

You would think that door thickness wouldn’t matter; that a normal steel or hard carbon door would do just as well as anything. But with the advent of new robbing techniques, it has become very easy to cut into a vault using specialized equipment. To prepare against such an event, we recommend that you get a thick, hard-carbon vault that will provide you with maximum protection. ¼” of solid plate steel in most cases and ¾ or ½ of a solid plate steel in some cases is highly recommended.

Bolts

Bolts help anchor your gun safe to the ground or onto a wall. It is up +to you to decide whether you need to anchor down your handgun safe or not. If you do not get much use out of your safe outside the house and are more concerned with robberies, anchor your safe. In this way, any potential robbers will not be able to take the gun safe to a secure place where they can work on it. Most gun safes have anchor holes in them that can be used to pass through rods or bolts into the ground.

Locking Mechanism

Some gun safes come with a mechanic locking system, such as a ‘lock and key’ mechanism. Others are electronic and use things like keypads or fingerprint recognition to unlock the safe. Some come with both options. An electronic lock may be quick but will wear down through time. A mechanic lock is durable and can handle rough treatment but it will take longer to operate.

Alarms

Alarms are a great addition to a gun safe. Say, a couple of burglars break into your house and stumble upon your gun safe. While the gun safe is built to withstand mistreatment, there is still a small chance that it will be broken into. In that case, alarms help you act quickly. Some handgun safes are such that they sound the alarm if more than 2 wrong combinations are entered into an electronic lock.

Ease of Use

One of the biggest drawbacks in a gun safe is if it’s slow in retrieving the firearm. If you are under attack, you will need to be quick and precise. If your technology fails you, it could mean the difference between life or death. A gun safe should always have a swift unlocking mechanism and very basic structure so as to increase ease of use.

Top Gun Safe Brands

So far, Vaultek has proved to be the brand housing the best small gun safes. It offers standard designs, sturdy builds and durable performances. Our list houses two Vaultek products, both of which are exceptional performers but are worlds apart in pricing. This makes Vaultek a brand that can be approached keeping in hand a range of budgets.

Another top brand is Fort Knox.  This brand aims to provide performance with simplicity. Most of its products lack digital technology but are still considered some of the best small gun safes on the market. Our list discusses two Fort Knox products, both of which have similar features but different designs.

5 Benefits of Gun Safe You Must know About

One of the questions that often pop up among customers when deliberating about investing in gun safes is “Are gun safes safe?”. It’s only natural to think about whether your money will be put to good use in buying a gun safe. Or whether they will be little more than an accessory with no real use. To answer that question, not only is a gun safe, safe, it also has a number of benefits. Here are 5 benefits of gun safes in the market.

1. It keeps your family protected.

In today’s day and age, when home robberies at their peak, it’s always a good idea to keep you and those around you safe. In rushed and panicky situations, a small handgun can prove to be a lifesaver. Gun safes provide easy and quick access to your firearms, if the need arises. Meanwhile, they also prevent any outsider from breaking into your gun safe and disarming you of your weapon. Only you will know how to access your handgun safe.

2. It keeps them safe from children.

Children are fascinated with firearms. They might not understand the dangers that come with handling a firearm but their curiosity can take over any time. No matter how much you try to keep your children away from your handguns, accidents might happen. If the gun is not in a gun safe, children have free access to it. A large percentage of children’s death in which the misuse of a firearm is involved is at home. Teenagers are even more prone to get attracted to firearms. This is why it is always best to keep your handguns locked away in a strong gun safe.

3. They protect your firearm from the elements.

Some advanced high-tech handgun safes provide a build that protects your guns from natural catastrophes. These can be floods or the caving in of a roof. It can even be a hurricane. If your firearms are out on display in a room or a cupboard in the hall, chances are, they will suffer damage in such circumstances. In a strong gun safe, however, they will be shielded from such disasters.

4. Small gun safes are handy.

You might need a small handgun for protection, not only inside your house but outside as well. The best thing about small handgun safes is that they can fit into small areas, for example, underneath your car seat. You can take these “brief-case like gun safes”, such as the BILLCONCH Biometric Gun Safe, anywhere with you. Some gun safes can even be travelled with on airlines.

5. Good for storing valuables

A gun safe is not limited to the protection of guns. You can keep things like important documents, cash, jewellery and small equipment in there as well. Many people use gun safes to keep money and others store valuable documents that they cannot afford to be compromised. It is also possible to store your small handgun along with other valuables, depending on the size you choose.

FAQs

How big of a gun safe do I need?

You should always get a gun safe that is bigger than what you think is appropriate. You might think you have a good idea of the contents that will go into that safe but think further. What if you need to store something else in your safe, in the future? Or what if your calculations are wrong and you actually need a bigger safe? It’s better to be cautious in this situation. After all you will be investing quite some money into your gun safe. To give you an idea, an average size for small handgun safes is 263.6*177*50mm.

Should you store ammo in a gun safe?

You can easily store firearm ammunition in your gun safe, along with the small handgun. Gun safes are versatile vaults; they can be utilized for a number of different reasons. If you think your ammunition is at risk from the natural elements or that they might become a choking hazard for children, feel free to store your ammo in a gun safe.

In situations where you need to use your gun outside the house, back up ammo in your safe will become a lifesaver. This is because small handgun safes can be tucked under front or back car seats. You will have easy access to ammo.

Can a gun safe be kept in garage?

This depends on your preference. However, garages are easier to break into as they are outside the main house. Similarly, if your house is attack by robbers, you will need to retrieve your gun safe from your garage, defeating the purpose of quick action. In floods, garages and basements are always damaged the most. If you gun safe is not water resistant, important equipment might be damaged. We recommend that you keep the gun safe somewhere concealed, inside the house, that you can reach easily if need be.

Do gun safes need dehumidifiers?

This depends on the frequency of usage. If you open your gun safe often to retrieve your handgun or put it back in, chances are you don’t need a humidifier. Your safe is getting plenty of fresh air, as it is. If, however, you do not use your gun safe frequently—say, for months on end—then you should invest in a quality dehumidifier. When safes are locked for a long time, the limited air inside can make the environment humid, which might cause damage to equipment. This can happen in case you have kept important documents in your gun safe that you don’t need to retrieve for a long time.

Can a gun safe be broken into?

The short answer is yes, it can. But a lot of factors are involved in that. The quality of your gun safe, the locking mechanism, the vault construction and more. When preparing against a breaking-into, you should rule out the possible techniques such as drilling, prying and hacking. A ½ inch steel plate door cannot be drilled into; a bolted vault cannot be pried open and; a 3-way unlocking mechanism can prevent hacking. With the right precautions, you can protect your gun safe from being broken into.

Mechanical or Electronic Lock?

A mechanical lock is one that requires you to manually operate the safe, such as a dial lock. While mechanical locks are durable and can withstand rough treatment, they can be a bit slow. They also need to be serviced regularly. An electronic lock, on the other hand, uses keypads and other components to make up the lock. An EMP event, however, might make your electronic lock inoperable. A third option is available in the market, known as a redundant lock. It has both an electronic lock and mechanical lock. If one fails, the other can be used.

Top Pick from Hunter’s Wiki – Small Gun Safes

Gun safes are a great way to make sure your firearms, ammunition and any other important property stay safe. Our list includes some of the best small gun safes. They range from the most practical safes to the most high-tech handgun safes, along with other options such as biometric gun safes. There are a great number of benefits of keeping a small gun safe. If you live in a remote area or regularly deal with dangerous situations, they become all the more important. Our top picks from the list above are the Fort Knox PB1 Handgun Safe with 13.5 Inch Dean Safe Pistol Sock and the Vaultek VT20i Biometric Handgun Bluetooth Smart Safe Pistol Safe with Auto-Open Lid and Rechargeable Battery.

Filed Under: Gun Safes & Cabinets Tagged With: gun safes, pistol safe, rifle safes, small gun safes

7 Best Thermal Scopes for the Money (Buying Guide 2021)

Last updated on March 17, 2021 By JF Martin

Best Thermal Scopes for the Money

Hunters Wiki may receive some form of compensation from the links on this page, at no extra charge to you. Learn more.

If you’re looking to go out on a night-time hunting adventure, thermal scopes are perfectly suited to your purpose. Also known as thermal imagery sights, these units use infrared light, invisible to humans, to pick up heat signatures. For example, in a snow-covered area, hunters can easily detect prey lurking in the dark on the basis of heat imaging.

They can easily be used in pitch-black conditions as they do not depend on light, like night-vision scopes. Instead, they focus on temperature difference in the environment, alone.

Inside a thermal imaging scope, a thermographic camera is installed which uses heat—like a normal camera uses light—to create images. These images facilitate the hunter. Most hunters use thermal scopes for coyote hunting while some use thermal scopes for hog hunting.

Thermal scopes do not come cheap. We have sorted through a number of thermal scopes to bring you the 7 best thermal scopes for the money.

Best Thermal Scopes On The Market

Starting with

1. ATN ThOR HD 384 – Smart Thermal Riflescope

ATN ThOR-HD 384 4.5-18x, 384x288, 50 mm, Thermal Rifle...
ATN ThOR-HD 384 4.5-18x, 384x288, 50 mm, Thermal Rifle...
  • Excellent Image Performance with 384x288 Sensor - it is the...
  • Ballistic Calculator - the system allows you to calculate...
  • Build-in Smart Rangefinder - will make your life easier than...
  • Smooth Zoom - lets you magnify to target without losing...
Click Here to View on Amazon

ATN is a smart optics company that has been around for more than 2 decades. They have a variety of products for different uses. The ATN ThOR-HD 384 1.25-5x is the thermal rifle scope that we’ll review.

Technical Specs

Picatinny mount with quick detach. 1.25-5x magnification. Objective lens is 19 mm. Proprietary system. HD display. Multiple patterns and colour options. Video resolution is 1280×960 at 30 fps. Microphone. WiFi streaming (Android and iOS). Bluetooth 4.1. 4 to 64 GB MicroSD card supported. 4 AA batteries required (8 hours battery life).

Design

It comes in black. Weighs 1.7 lbs. Overall length is 6.8 inches, width is 3.1 inches and height is 3.1 inches. Ergonomically well built for easy use.

Features

Quick detach makes it easy to mount on any firearm. It has many company-trademark features. A Ballistic Calculator is present, which tells you the point of impact after calculation based on different variables that matter, to give the best possible shot for hunting. Recoil Activated Video (RAV), which automatically records all your activity before, during, and after the animal is shot. Profile Manager, to create different data profiles for different firearms, which makes it very easy to switch between them without having the need to calibrate every time. Smooth Zoom helps you zoom in without letting your target out of your sight. Other features include HD recording, barometer, compass and gyroscope. IT comes under the category of some of the best thermal scopes with GPS.

Performance

The ThOR-HD 384 is a good performer for hunting. Image quality is great up to 100 yards. Rangefinder is quite accurate. User interface is quite minimalistic and easy to learn for starters.

What’s in the box

It comes with a help card, quick star guide, Facebook group and ATN forum card, firmware update card, nylon case, manual.

Pros/Cons

Pros
  • RangeFinder
  • Shot Calculator
  • Recording
  • Live Streaming
Cons
  • Small annoyances in almost everything keep it from being a favourite among users

Verdict

The scope is quite good for beginners but that’s just it. Works well for its price, as it gives value for money. It has many features but still has room for improvement in many departments. However, for the price, it’s one of the best thermal scopes for its price.

2. Armasight by FLIR Zeus 336 – Thermal Imaging Rifle Scope

No products found.

FLIR Systems is a company that has been giving sensing solutions for decades. They have a wide range of applications, from military, to government, to personal. The Armasight products are a range of thermal imaging scopes for different purposes. We’ll review the Armasight by FLIR Zeus 336 3-12×50.

Technical Specs

It has a Picatinny/Weaver mount with quick detach. 3x magnification is available. Objective lens is 50 mm. Proprietary system. 800×600 AMOLED display. Multiple patterns and colour options. Video resolution is 768×574 pixels (PAL) and 640×480 pixels (NTSC). Two CR123A 3V batteries or CR123 rechargeable batteries (battery life up to 4 hours at 20°C).

Design

It comes in black. Weighs 1.5 lbs. Overall length is 10.2 inches, width is 2.9 inches and height is 3.3 inches. Compact design.

Features

Its quick-detach technology makes it easy to mount on any firearm. Many company trademark features are included. Active Contrast Enhancement (ACE): a digital contrast correction feature. Digital Detail Enhancement (DDE): a digital sharpness correction feature. Smart Scene Optimization (SSO) for correcting thermal colours to separate them from the background. Automatic Gain Control (AGC): a feature that adjusts the gain of the imaging signal.

Performance

The Armasight performs perfect up to about 200 yards and works quite well till about 500 yards. It may sense further, but it’s hard to recognize due to the quality. Display and image quality are quite well as it is an AMOLED.

What’s in the box

It comes with a battery cassette, video cable, wireless remote control, quick start guide, carrying case, lens cloth.

Pros/Cons

Pros
  • Simple in use which can be used for tracking as well as hunting. Different imaging options are optimized for use and work well
Cons
  • 3-year limited warranty, doesn’t offer much for its price

Verdict

The Aramsight is an average performer as compared with its price. It also lacks several features that other thermal scopes offer at a much lesser cost. Addition of these features would require buying other products from the company.

3. ATN ThOR-HD 640 – High Res Thermal Rifle Scope

No products found.

The second ATN product on our list. The ATN ThOR-HD 640 5-50x is basically a bumped-up version of the ThOR-HD 384 and is the highest end product in the ThOR-HD series.

Technical Specs

Picatinny mount with quick detach. 5-50x magnification. Objective lens is 100 mm. Proprietary system. HD display. Multiple patterns and colour options. Video resolution is 1280×960 at 30 fps. Microphone. WiFi streaming (Android and iOS). Bluetooth 4.1. 4 to 64 GB MicroSD card supported. 4 AA batteries required (8 hours battery life).

Design

It comes in black. Weighs 2.75 lbs. Overall length is 10.6 inches, width is 3.9 inches and height is 3.4 inches. Ergonomically well built for easy use.

Features

Quick detach makes it easy to mount on any firearm. Same trademark features of ATN thermal scopes. Ballistic Calculator, which tells you the point of impact after calculation based on different variables that matter, to give the best possible shot for hunting. Recoil Activated Video (RAV), which automatically records all your activity before, during, and after the animal is hunted. Profile Manager, to create different data profiles for different firearms, which makes it very easy to switch between them without having the need to calibrate every time. Smooth Zoom helps you zoom in without letting your target out of your sight. Other features include HD recording, barometer, compass and gyroscope.

Performance

The ThOR-HD 640 performs great for hunting. Like the ThOR-HD 384, it has a great rangefinder and image quality. The 640 sensor changes a lot in the scope, making it perform even better.

What’s in the box

It comes with a help card, quick star guide, Facebook group and ATN forum card, firmware update card, nylon case, manual.

Pros/Cons

Pros
  • Fixes most of the issues of the 384 because of the upgraded hardware
Cons
  • 3-year limited warranty. Price may be an issue for some

Verdict

The ThOR-HD 640 is the best available thermal imaging scope in its price. It upgrades in an amazing way, making all the good even better, and finishing the bad with it. Highly recommended. It is one of the best thermal scope under 5000.

4. Pulsar Trail XP38

Pulsar Thermion XP38 1.5-12x32 Thermal Riflescope,...
Pulsar Thermion XP38 1.5-12x32 Thermal Riflescope,...
  • 1,475 yd detection range with 640x480 resolution, 17um pixel...
  • 8x digital zoom - continuous zoom and 2x, 4x, 8x stepped...
  • Picture in picture digital zoom with a Stream Vision app...
  • Built-in Recording with recoil activation
Click Here to View on Amazon

Pulsar is an optics company known for its award-wining products. They make versatile products that can be used for many purposes. The Pulsar Trail XP38 1.2-9.6×32 Thermal Riflescope is one of their law enforcement range scopes. Price starting from

Technical Specs

Picatinny/Weaver mount with quick detach. 1.2-9.6x magnification. Objective lens is 32 mm. Proprietary system. 640×480 AMOLED display. Multiple patterns and colour options. Video recording (8 GB internal storage). WiFi streaming (Stream Vision app). B-Pack batteries (8 hours battery life).

Design

It comes in black. Weighs 1.3 lbs. Overall length is 11.2 inches, width is 2.8 inches and height is 2.9 inches.

Features

Detection range is 1,475 yards. IPX7 certification. Picture-in-picture for zooming in on the target. 3 rifle profiles with 5 zero saves. Updateable software. Integrated high definition video and sound recorder. Multi-functional remote control. IRIS technology increased recognition and detection software. White-hot/black-hot viewing model. Wi-Fi for wireless video monitoring, streaming and transfers makes it a contender among thermal scopes with Wi-Fi. Stadiametric rangefinder.

Performance

The Trail XP38 works well with lots of different firearms. It is built for resisting shock, helping it hold zero. The refresh rate of 50 Hz keeps the image quite smooth and clear.

What’s in the box

It comes with a battery pack charging unit, USB cable, wireless remote control, cleaning cloth, carrying case, hex wrench, user manual, warranty card.

Pros/Cons

Pros
  • Range Detection
  • Midranger Modern Thermal Scope
  • Versatile
Cons
  • Outdated than current generation

Verdict

A versatile thermal scope that cannot be a starter only, but can also be trusted as a backup sight for many situations. Gives all basic features in lower specs and lower price than others.

Product is available at the Amazon Store: Pulsar Trail XP38 1.2-9.6×32

5. ATN X-Sight II Scope Smart HD Optics Gen 3-14 x 50mm

ATN X-Sight II HD 5-20 Smart Day/Night Rifle Scope...
ATN X-Sight II HD 5-20 Smart Day/Night Rifle Scope...
  • Use Day & Night in HD resolution - our HD technology gives...
  • Zero range: 100 yard. Day & Night Vision in Millions of...
  • Ballistic Calculator - shifts Point of Impact on the fly...
  • Smart Range Finder - identifies the range to your target...
Click Here to View on Amazon

The ATN X-Sight II HD 3-14X is our third ATN product, but differs majorly in functionality. It is a day/night scope, which means it only has night vision built in. The technology of thermal imaging is completely different and advanced than this.

Technical Specs

Picatinny mount with quick detach. 3-14x magnification. Objective lens is 50 mm. Proprietary system. HD display. Multiple patterns and colour options. Video resolution is 1080p at 30 fps. Microphone. WiFi streaming (Android and iOS). Bluetooth 4.1. 4 to 64 GB MicroSD card supported. 4 AA batteries required (8-12 hours battery life).

Design

It comes in black. Weighs 2.1 lbs. Overall length is 11.5 inches, width is 3.1 inches and height is 3.4 inches. Ergonomically built on the trademark ATN scope design.

Features

Quick detach makes it easy to mount on any firearm. Same ATN trademark features as thermal scopes but in accordance with night vision capabilities. Ballistic Calculator, which tells you the point of impact after calculation based on different variables that matter, to give the best possible shot for hunting. Recoil Activated Video (RAV), which automatically records all your activity before, during, and after the animal is hunted. Profile Manager, to create different data profiles for different firearms, which makes it very easy to switch between them without having the need to calibrate every time. Smooth Zoom helps you zoom in without letting your target out of your sight. Other features include HD recording, barometer, compass and gyroscope.

Performance

The X-Sight II HD 3-14X is one of the best-selling scopes from ATN. All functions are known to work really well. It is durable and quality is exceptional for a night vision scope. Customer reviews have shown great response towards it due to its functionality. Known to be completely accurate. Comes with ATN IR850, an 850 mW infra-red illuminator.

What’s in the box

It comes with a quick start guide, nylon case, 2 CR123A batteries for the illuminator, warranty card, manual.

Pros/Cons

Pros
  • Well-Performing Night Vision
  • Inexpensive
  • Great Thermal Scope for its price
Cons
  • No Thermal Imaging
  • 2-year warranty
  • Larger Size
  • Illuminator makes it bulky

Verdict

An exceptional starter for night hunting and viewing. It is universally regarded as the best night vision scopes for its price.

6. ATN OTS-HD 640 – Top Thermal Scope

ATN OTS-HD, Thermal Viewer with Full HD Video rec,...
ATN OTS-HD, Thermal Viewer with Full HD Video rec,...
  • Thermal Sensor with 640*480 pixel HD resolution - the...
  • Smart Rangefinder - thermal monocular accurately measures...
  • 3D Gyroscope and E-compass - gyroscopic image stabilization...
  • E-Zoom - this enables the device to focus on distant objects...
Click Here to View on Amazon

Yet again another ATN product, ATN OTS-HD 640 1-10x, which is a monocular and serves only the purpose of viewing and as a backup for hunting. It lacks ATN’s hunting-assisting features.

Technical Specs

1.1-10x magnification. Objective lens is 19 mm. Proprietary system. HD display. Video resolution is 1280×960 at 30 fps. Microphone. WiFi streaming (Android and iOS). Bluetooth 4.1. 4 to 64 GB MicroSD card supported. 4 AA batteries required (8 hours battery life). GPS capabilities.

Design

It comes in black. Weighs 1.5 lbs. Overall length is 6.8 inches, width is 3.1 inches and height is 3.1 inches. Built on trademark ATN design with focus on the viewing function of the monocular.

Features

Lacks several features that are found on ATN scopes as it as a monocular. Trademarks features include: Smooth Zoom helps you zoom in without letting your target out of your sight. Smart Rangefinder which helps find the point of impact. Other features include HD recording, barometer, compass, GPS capabilities (elevation, geotagging etc.) and gyroscope.

The ATN OTS-HD 640 offers Smart HD Monoculars/Viewers w/ High Res Video, Geotagging, Rangefinder, WiFi, E-Compass, E-Zoom, 3D Gyroscope, IOS & Android Apps

Performance

The OTS-HD 640 1-10x is a great monocular with regard to its performance. Image quality is excellent up to 1000 yards but works great for farther distances, as it is built for this function only. Rangefinder is quite accurate. User interface is quite minimalistic and easy to learn for starters.

What’s in the box

It comes with a quick start guide, nylon case, manual, warranty card.

Pros/Cons

Pros
  • Monocular in design
  • Exceptional Performance for a Monocular
Cons
  • Expensive
  • 3-year warranty
  • Expensive for a monocular

Verdict

Amazing thermal imaging but too pricey for just a monocular. Limited in applications. Getting an ATN scope in a similar price but with more functionality would be a better option.

7. Armasight by FLIR Predator 336

No products found.

The second Armasight product on our list. It is the Armasight by FLIR Predator 336 2-8×25 (60 Hz). It also comes in a 50 Hz variant.

Technical Specs

Picatinny/Weaver mount with quick detach. 1.6x magnification. Objective lens is 45 mm. Proprietary system. LED VGA display. Multiple patterns and colour options. Video resolution is 640×480 pixels (PAL/NTSC). Two CR123A 3V batteries or CR123 rechargeable batteries (battery life up to 4 hours at 20°C).

Design

It comes in black. Weighs 1.5 lbs. Overall length is 10.2 inches, width is 2.9 inches and height is 3.3 inches. Compact design.

Features

Quick detach makes it easy to mount on any firearm. 60 Hz refresh rate for good image quality. Digital zoom tracking while maintaining boresight. Various colour modes for thermal images (option for custom as well). Wireless remote control. Water and fog resistant.

Performance

The Predator 336 has a good display due to the 60 Hz refresh rate. Range detection is good. Colour modes for the thermal images are really good for a low-spec thermal scope.

What’s in the box

It comes with a battery cassette, video cable, 2 CR123A batteries, wireless remote control, quick start guide, carrying case, lens cloth.

Pros/Cons

Pros
  • Provides basic features of a starter Thermal Scope
  • For the FULL THERMAL SCOPE, customers get standard features
Cons
  • Overpriced
  • 2-year limited warranty

Verdict

Just like the other Armasight product on our list, the Predator 336 is just a basic thermal scope with nothing special, while costing a lot more than its competitors. People should go for lower-priced models that offer a lot more features.

ALSO SEE: Best Rangefinders for Deer Hunting

How Does a Thermal Scope Work?

As the name suggests, thermal scopes work on thermal or heat signatures. More specifically, they work with infrared radiation. IR is of three types: Near IR (0.75–1.4 μm); Mid IR (3–8 μm) and; thermal IR ( 3-30 μm). Thermal radiation is electromagnetic radiation that has longer wavelengths than visible light and is generally invisible to humans. However, humans, along with other objects that have non-zero body temperatures, emit infrared radiation.

Thermal scopes use thermal- infrared radiation that dissipates off of objects to create images. Thermal IR has the longest wavelength and occupies the largest part of the infrared radiation spectrum.

The lens of the scope detects and focuses on radiation that dissipates off of objects in an environment. Depending on the intensity of the radiation emitted, the heat signature is focused on by a phased array of infrared detectors built inside the scope. The phased array enables the detector units to catch radiation without having to actually physically steer in its direction. The data is picked up from thousands of different points in the field of view of the detectors and takes less than a second to collect. The process is a quick one, making most modern thermal scopes highly efficient and fast.

Do you hunt at Night? We have got you coverred. Just click on the —> Best Thermal Scopes

After the detectors have collected the radiation available, a very detailed thermal image or temperature pattern is drawn. This is known as a “thermogram”. Next, the thermogram is converted into electrical impulses, internally. The electrical impulses are fed to a signal processing unit. This unit shapes the electrical impulses into data that can be seen through the naked eye. This information is displayed onto a screen in the shape of pixelated images. In this case, that screen is the field of view of the hunter, visible through the eyepiece.

Thermal scopes work on the unit of hertz, i.e. frames per second. a 30 hertz scope, for example, would refresh the image 30 times in a second. As you move the scope from side to side, you will be able to see the image at that speed. The data from the radiation emissions can be seen as a continuous stream, working on the principal of frames per second. Some of the best thermal scopes use a higher hertz value, along with higher resolution to increase image quality.

A thermal scope uses a thermographic camera to capture images. In principle, it works like an ordinary camera that utilizes visible light to capture still photos and videos. However, a thermographic camera has no need of visible light to create clear images. It can work in dark to pitch black conditions and thus offers an advantage over other scopes.

Thermal Scope vs Night Vision and which one to choose!

While the two terms are sometimes confused and used interchangeably, there are some major differences between a thermal scope and a night vision scope.  In terms of purpose, both scopes are useful additions to a hunter’s night time gear. They assist hunters in detecting and targeting game, at night, because they illuminate the field of view. Animals that are frequently abound in the late hours can easily be hunted using thermal scopes or night vision sights. However, the difference comes in the principles used to make both types of scopes work.

A night vision scope uses light—though it does not need a lot—to highlight possible targets in a field. Usually night vision scopes make use of passive light, like moon light, to detect animals. The light bounces off of objects and is caught by the built-in detectors. It is processed into data and is shown in the form of moving images in the hunter’s field of view.

A thermal scope, on the other hand, does not need visible light. It operates through detecting differences in temperature. Any non-zero temperature object (which refers to almost all objects) radiate heat which is caught by the phased array detectors in thermal scopes. The data is collected from the field of view and displayed onto the screen, which can be seen through the eye piece. Thermal scopes use thermographic cameras to achieve this.

In comparison, night vision scopes have some limitations that thermal scopes do not. For instance, if the animal is hidden or camouflaged, a night vision scope would not be able to detect it. It would be out of sight and the barrier in front of it would block the light from reflecting. Thermal scopes experience no such difficulty. As they pick up on heat signatures, camouflage cannot block the signals. A night vision scope can also not be used in broad day light as the intensity of visible light would fry the intensifier tubes. Thermal scopes can be used easily in daylight. If no visible light is present, night visions cannot work. Thermals on the other hand, do not need light or any other assistance from the surroundings. They capture the object’s own body heat.

Thermal scopes also have limitations. They are unreliable in extremely cold temperatures. Night visions are also more detailed and natural than thermals.

When making a decision about whether you should buy a night vision scope or a thermal scope, you need to keep certain things in consideration. If you are more likely to hunt in the dark, high quality thermal scopes are your best bet. Our product reviews list some of the best thermal scopes for coyote hunting, thermal scopes for hog hunting, thermal scopes for .22 rifle shooters and more. If you are looking for more of a beginner unit, which comes under a lower budget, night vision might be the way to go as they are cheaper than thermals.

Both options have their capabilities and limitations. In the end, it depends on the hunter’s purpose, budget and preference.

Points to Consider While Buying the Best Thermal Scope

Magnification

Magnification is that feature of an optic unit, due to which users can see a distant object up close. Just how close can an object get depends on the magnification offered, whether the scope has fixed or variable magnification and—in some cases—whether a digital zoom is available.

Higher magnification is best if you are shooting at long distances. With variable magnification, the result might be a little blurred. If you routinely shoot at small ranges, there is no need to get a thermal scope that offers high magnification. The choice depends on your purpose.

Color modes

While some scopes come with coloured heat map option, others offer a black and white heat map. A coloured heat map shows heat signatures using different colours, making it a good choice at foggy nights. On the other hand, black and white is just as efficient showing the heat signature with a darker grey or black shade. While hunters often prefer a coloured heat map, scopes with black and white heat maps cost less.

Are you tight on your budget? Look we have found Red dots under $200

Resolution

The resolution of your scope determines how clear an image you see in your field of view. It refers to the number of pixels there are in a space. More the pixels, clearer the image. While it is always better to get high-resolution scopes, they might overstep your budget. A good resolution for value thermal scopes is 640×480, many of which range from $4000 to $8000, approximately. If you have the budget, go for a high-resolution scope like 1024×768. In hunting activities, the sharper the image is, the better and cleaner your shot would be.

Range

The range is how far you can successfully detect objects with your thermal scope. This depends on the quality of your scope. Range usually depends on the type of firearm you are using and is different for different units. For example, a thermal scope for .22 rifle will find its long-range at about 50 yards. For others, long-range might be defined as 100, 150 or even 300 yards.

If your hunting activities are limited to, say, 40 yards, getting a thermal scope with a range of 50 yards will be ideal. It will cover your hunting range and give you some extra room.

Durability

Thermal scopes are sensitive equipment. But when you are outdoors, your gear puts up with a lot of environmental factors. In rushed situations, you might also treat it a bit roughly than is best. Keeping in account these factors, always make sure that you get a product with high durability. Today, top performance thermal scopes come with a strong build that keeps them in mint condition through repetitive use.

It is also always better to get a product with warranty. If you are buying secondhand, give it a test run before making the final purchase. Though not ideal, it will give you some idea of the scope’s durability.

Reticle Patterns

Reticles offer an aiming point or an aiming range for hunters. They are built-in illuminated dots or circles that are used to zero-in on your target. They help you pick the perfect spot to shoot and make a clean kill shot. While there is a whole range of different styles of reticles, you only ever need one (according to one situation). Some scopes pack in changeable reticles as an extra feature.

Your need for a specific reticle depends largely on your shooter skill and situation. A 4 MOA dot reticle would be good for a beginner aiming at a still object. While for hunters aiming at a grouped target in a cluttered space, a crosshair reticle might be ideal.

Refresh Rate

The refresh rate of a scope is calculated in Hertz. It refers to the amount of times a picture refresh in a second. Refresh rate can be as low as 8 Hertz and as high as 100+ Hertz and even more. What this means is that when you scout the field with your scope by moving it, the image keeps on refreshing to the new image. If the refresh rate is low, the movement will be slow.

Budget thermal scopes usually provide you with a mid-range refresh rate, say, 30-50 Hertz. But it is better to go higher.

Battery Life

An early concern with thermal scopes used to the fact that they needed to be charged. However, today both the top thermal scopes and the budget thermal scopes offer long battery life. Most items on our list range from an 8-hour battery life to a 12-hour battery life. For higher prices, you can get even higher battery time. Some of the best value thermal scopes run on CR123 batteries, four of which can run up to 5 hours with constant use. 4 AA lithium batteries average 8 hours.

Gun safes are of equal importance, find the Top 10 Gunsafes here

Top Thermal Scope Brands

When you’re making a purchase for your first or next thermal scope, you need to make sure that your investment pays off in product value. For that, certain points are kept in mind, such as your purpose for needing optic gear, your experience level and your budget. But still, one of the most important decisions one has to make when making such a purchase is the authenticity and reputation of the brand you are buying.

We have listed products from some of the top brands, renowned for making the best type of thermal scopes. They range from high quality special thermal scopes to the best budget thermal scopes.

Starring on our list 4 times is the top brand for thermal scopes, ATN. Established in 1995, ATN is a front-of-the-line tech optics brands, dominating the industry. It specializes in optic units assisting users in day and night operations. They manufacture “4K Resolution Digital Smart Optics for Day and Night” and “Smart Thermal Imaging optics” to be used by “hunters, outdoor enthusiasts, military and law enforcement”. It’s thermal scopes such as the ATN ThOR HD 384 Smart Thermal Riflescope and the ATN ThOR-HD 640, 640×480, 19 mm, Thermal Rifle Scope have great features. Both are thermal scopes with rangefinders.

ATN offer all the standard features, plus extra features such as a ballistic calculator. They also offer WiFi streaming. ATN has professional customer support and delivers quality products to a market where competition is tough. While there are concerns about some of its products, most customer reviews are positive. They update their technology regularly. In 2018, they launched their 4th generation line of products, starring the new Obsidian 4 core with Dual Processor.

Another trusted name in the tech optics industry is Pulsar. Pulsar has been around for little more than a decade but has already created a reputation as a front contender in the market. They define themselves as “an industry pioneer that designs cutting-edge products for hunting, law enforcement, personal security, and search and recue operations”. Our list discusses their product, Pulsar Trail XP38 1.2-9.6×32, which has exceptional features. With IPX7 certification, updateable software, integrated high definition video and sound recorder, multi-functional remote control. And IRIS technology, it makes the list of any experienced hunter who need the best equipment. It’s Wi-Fi and rangefinder features push it into the modern market of thermal scopes with rangefinders and thermal scope with wifi.

Final Verdict from The Hunters’ Wiki

On the market, you will find an overwhelming number of thermal scopes to purchase but really, you only need one or two depending on your preference and change in the situation. As you advance, your preference might change but at any given moment only a small number of scopes will perfectly fit your hunting needs. The best scope that which fulfils all your requirements while giving you a good deal on the money. Our list narrows down your option and gives you the best budget thermal scopes as well as the top smart thermal riflescopes.

Before making your choice, we suggest that you read through this article and determine what specifications you require for your hunting purposes. Secondly, buying from renowned companies and under warranty should always be your priority. From our list, our top picks include the ATN ThOR-HD 640 and the Pulsar Trail XP38 1.2-9.6×32.

Filed Under: Gun Scopes Tagged With: Best thermal scope, Smart thermal riflescope, smart thermal scope

  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Go to Next Page »

Recent Posts

  • 5 Best Rangefinders for Long Range Shooting in 2021
  • 10 Best Red Dots Under $200
  • 5 Best Rangefinders for Deer Hunting (Buying Guide 2021)
  • 10 Best Small Gun Safes for the Money in 2021
  • 7 Best Thermal Scopes for the Money (Buying Guide 2021)
  • Blog
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service (TOS)
  • Amazon Affiliate Disclosure
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2023 · Hunsterswiki.com


DMCA.com Protection Status