Even the most experienced hunters and golfers can mistake distances.
That mistake can mean going home without a kill or set you back several strokes during a competitive match of golf with buddies.
So why leave it to chance?
Below, we’ve listed the best rangefinders under $200 available in the market that you can use for golfing and hunting without breaking the bank.
Rangefinder
Features
Price
- Range: 767 yards
- Magnification: 4x
- Weight: 10.58 oz
- The 8 Best rangefinders under $200
- Best golf rangefinders under $200
- Nikon Coolshot 20 GII Golf Laser Rangefinder
- Golf Buddy Laser1S
- TecTecTec VPRO500 Golf Rangefinder
- INLIFE Laser Rangefinder
- Best hunting rangefinders under $200
- LaserWorks LE-032 Riflescope Mate Rangefinder
- Bushnell Engage Hunting Laser Rangefinder
- Nikon PROSTAFF 1000i
- Bushnell Laser Rangefinder Bone Collector
- How to choose the best rangefinder under $200
- Conclusion
The 8 Best rangefinders under $200
The two most common uses for rangefinders are hunting and golf.
Having a rangefinder with you when you go on a hunting trip or maybe play golf with your business partners will surely elevate your game to the next level.
For starters, a rangefinder can be used to take precision shots when hunting or measure the distance to a flagstick when playing golf.
While it might seem that any rangefinder is the same as the next, all are not designed the same.
Both have similar specs: weight, range, and magnification. Yet the designers incorporate differences you might enjoy.
For instance, some golf rangefinders can detect the flag pole. And some hunting rangefinders are designed so you can see at dawn or dusk, both times when animals are active.
We will review the best hunting rangefinders under $200 separately from the best golf rangefinders under $200. This way, you can better understand the differences between the two.
Best golf rangefinders under $200
Picture this, you’re heading into the 18th hole down a stroke. A bunker sits right in front of the green.
Misjudge the distance by a few yards, and you land your ball straight in the bunker, all but assuring your defeat.
A golf rangefinder allows you to choose the right club and swing with confidence.
You no longer have to guess the distance.
You still have a chance to win the match because you know your distance to the hole.
You know how hard you need to hit the ball to get over that bunker and on the green.
Elevate your game.
Check out the best golf rangefinders under $200 you can buy before you schedule your next game with your family, friends, and business partners!
Nikon Coolshot 20 GII Golf Laser Rangefinder
- Range: 800 yards
- Magnification: 4x
- Weight: 6.5 oz
The most compact model in Nikon’s rangefinder line is the Coolshot 20 GII. It has features that enable a quick distance assessment to bunkers, fairway ends, dogleg corners, and flagsticks.
It is also capable of automatically displaying the range to the nearest target among multiple targets within sight without waiting for a secondary indicator, such as a vibration.
Its eyepiece focus diopter can be adjusted according to your eyesight for eye relief, which is beneficial for people with imperfect-vision.
Golf Buddy Laser1S
- Range: 880 yards
- Magnification: 6x
- Weight: 6.5 oz
Golf Buddy Laser1S is your model of choice when you’re looking for a water-resistant rangefinder.
It also comes with an on/off slope feature that you can use to adjust elevations for more accuracy when targeting.
With its Pin Finder Vibration technology, you can lock on to your target with ease as the device vibrates to alert you when it finds a target in view.
TecTecTec VPRO500 Golf Rangefinder
- Range: 540 yards
- Magnification: 6x
- Weight: 6.52 oz
TecTecTec is known for its golf rangefinder models most professional golfers use in their official games.
One of its cheapest in its line-up is the VPRO500, which delivers precise measurement faster than any rangefinders you can find in the market.
It has Target Lock Technology, which makes it easier to measure targets even if you have shaky hands.
It’s lightweight, durable, and comes with a fully-equipped premium shock-resistant protective case that you can use in your weekend games with your best buddies!
INLIFE Laser Rangefinder
- Maximum Range: 540 yards
- Magnification: 6x
- Weight: 7.05 oz
This laser rangefinder from INLIFE has multiple mode selection that offers the flexibility of use in different applications aside from golfing.
Its adjustable eyepiece within the -5/+5 range is also beneficial for people with a far-sighted vision.
For more reviews on different golf rangefinders, check out our Best Golf Rangefinder Review & Buying Guide.
Best hunting rangefinders under $200
You’ve been out hunting for hours, and an elk finally comes into your sights. You estimate the elk to be between 200-250 yards away.
To an inexperienced hunter, this might not seem like much, but the difference in where you aim is significant.
It’s the difference between hitting a kill-shot and having to track the blood-trail of a suffering animal.
Hunting rangefinders allow you to accurately estimate the distance.
No more guessing. No more wasted shots.
You’ve zeroed in your rifle and been practicing your shot. Don’t let misjudging the distance keep you from having a successful hunt.
LaserWorks LE-032 Riflescope Mate Rangefinder
- Range: 767 yards
- Magnification: 4x
- Weight: 10.58 oz
This rangefinder from LaserWorks has real-time ranging features ideal for fast target acquisition.
Its durable material comes with a universal clamp-on mount that you can easily attach in any types of guns and rifles.
It also elevates your experience as it provides easy reading of measurements from its digital and colored OLED display.
Bushnell Engage Hunting Laser Rangefinder
- Range: 1,300 yards
- Magnification: 4x
- Weight: 8.25 oz
This rangefinder from Bushnell has EXO barrier technology that repels water, dirt, and debris that is perfect for rough road hunting adventures.
Its ARC technology also provides high precision in measuring the line-of-sight distance to any objects uphill or downhill.
With its 40% larger objective lens, more light and brighter images can be viewed, which is ideal for hunting at dusk and dawn.
Nikon PROSTAFF 1000i
- Range: 1,000 yards
- Magnification: 6x
- Weight: 6.5 oz
One of Nikon’s premium models that you can buy at a lower price is the PROSTAFF 1000i.
Its powerful ranging performance is ideal for rifle and bowhunting. With its Tru-Target technology, ranging between two different modes (nearest and distant targets) no longer requires waiting.
It is also equipped with an advanced ID (Incline/Decline) technology that provides ranging up to +/- 89 degrees.
Check out Backfire’s review on PROSTAFF 1000i on YouTube:
Bushnell Laser Rangefinder Bone Collector
- Range: 1,000 yards
- Magnification: 4x
- Weight: 7.2 oz
Another rangefinder from Bushnell that we’ve scouted for your hunting needs is the bone collector cam. It includes an in-view LCD display with crystal-clear optics ideal for targeting in low light.
Built with a weather-resistant housing that comes in rugged and camo skin, this rangefinder will surely be your perfect companion for a hunt. Plus, it’s easy to use!
With its one-button operation, you can easily adjust the settings according to your needs.
You can also check other rangefinder models for hunting here.
Still undecided if you really need one? Read Outdoor Veteran’s spot-on reasons on why you need a rangefinder when hunting.
How to choose the best rangefinder under $200
If you know what to look for, you can find good rangefinders without shelling out thousands of dollars. Some consumers prefer buying products depending on the reputation of the brand.
Don’t feel like you have to sacrifice a reputable brand to get a lower price. Most of these reputable brands also have durable and dependable options for under $200.
Choosing a rangefinder depends on what purpose you will be using it for.
You may want to choose a rangefinder based upon what hobby you take up.
Although some hunting rangefinders can also be used for golf. You’re best sticking to a rangefinder designed for its intended purpose.
To help you decide, here are some factors that you might want to consider when choosing the best rangefinder that will fit your needs:
Accuracy
Generally, rangefinders can precisely measure distances within approximately 1 yard.
That’s why most manufacturers are claiming that their rangefinders are +/- 1 yard accurate.
However, do take note that rangefinders are reading the distance to an object in a straight line, which means that you must also consider the elevation.
Hunting rangefinders under $200 will have fewer features.
If you want a rangefinder that can detect slope and give angle compensation, you’ll have to spend more money.
If you’ve been hunting without a rangefinder for some time, you’ll probably be fine without such advanced features.
Simply knowing the approximate distance in a straight line will be all you need.
Magnification
Most hunting and golf rangefinders will have somewhere between 4x to 6x magnification.
Higher magnification will enable you to scan the environment better. You will be able to see that branch in your line of shot you might not have noticed with the naked eye.
You could use binoculars, but you will waste less time if your rangefinder can magnify. You won’t have to switch back and forth between binoculars and rangefinder to get a better scan of the land.
Range
Rangefinders were designed for a specific range only.
The best rangefinders under $200 can work up at most to 800 yards. On average, they work up to 600 yards.
You’ll find the price jump up anywhere from $200 to $1,000 for a rangefinder designed to work beyond 1,000 yards.
If you’re golfing, anything under 800 yards will be all you need. Even most hunters won’t need to measure beyond 600 yards.
Hunting from such long distances as 1,000 yards is a better fit if you’re hunting in an open plain. If you’re hunting in the woods, chances are a tree or branch will be in your way the further out you go.
If you know you won’t be hunting from such extreme distances, then any of the rangefinders on our list will serve your needs.
Slope Adjustment
Most rangefinders only measure distances in a straight line.
We’ve mentioned earlier about considering elevation when aligning your target. This is where the slope adjustment feature in rangefinders comes in handy.
Some more advanced models have this feature where you can adjust the elevation in the rangefinder. This, in turn, eliminates the need to manually estimate slope.
It’s rare, but you can find cheap rangefinders that can adjust elevation.
Many people feel using a golf rangefinder is cheating, and they aren’t allowed in competitive play. But when you’re out practicing alone on the course, a golf rangefinder can help sharpen your skills.
If your rangefinder can detect slope, it will serve to help you better estimate slope when you do play without one.
Speed
A hunting rangefinder needs to be able to detect the distance within a few seconds, or else you might miss your chance for a shot.
When golfing, you don’t need readings quickly. The flag-pole isn’t going to move anywhere.
Your prey won’t give you that luxury. You need a simple device that reads quickly, so you can spend more time aiming and preparing for your shot.
Easy to Operate
Rangefinders should be easy to operate, or else it will not serve its purpose.
It can have a long list of advanced features, but if it’s taking you so much time to set it up whenever you use it in targeting, you’ll just end up getting frustrated.
Some rangefinders have a button or two which can easily be configured in no time, giving you that breath of relief each time you keep score or hunt wild game.
Size and Weight
Last but not least, choose a rangefinder that is handy enough for you to bring everywhere.
You don’t want to carry a rangefinder that’s big and heavy in your hands, especially if you’re out hunting or golfing. You already have enough equipment to carry without adding too much extra weight.
You also need to be able to easily pick it up or put it away at your convenience. Here’s an instance where bigger isn’t better. Small and compact will serve you better.
Conclusion
Whether you hunt or golf, are experienced or a beginner, a rangefinder can enhance your game.
It can give you confidence by removing any ambiguity that judging distances by eye can bring.
No more second-guessing. No more over-shooting.
You don’t have to judge distances because your rangefinder tells you with accuracy.
We’ve reviewed some of the things you should take into consideration before choosing a rangefinder.
Have a lower budget? Check the following articles for the Best Rangefinders under $150 and Best Rangefinders under $100.