I need help guys I need a new range finder my budget is $250 and I want one that is good in ranging very small things line sparrows at about 150 yards. Thanks for the recommendations.
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- Thread starter Abemoreno
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Oh man I have gotta tell you you're asking for the impossible.
Unless someone sells you a very good one used.
Your best bet is to learn to get a reading of something much larger than an English Sparrow, but near to it.
If a ES is in a tree at 150 yards, range the tree. Decide if ES is in branches closest to you or furthest away as a trees diameter can easily be 30'.
Maybe you will get a good recommendation but my point is range the biggest thing nearest to the tiny bird.
I really don't even know if a top tier range finder would differentiate from a English Sparrow or branch it's on. Let alone can you hold it that still for a reading. Also time. By the time you get that reading, it can fly away, move slightly.
I'd get my zero for the distance I'm hunting from down. Range from target rich area back to the blind/stand, bipod on edge of field. Learn the landmarks and learn to judge the wind.
Best Rangefinder I ever tried was a Leica & I still don't know if it would know a Sparrow from the bush it's in.
Unless someone sells you a very good one used.
Your best bet is to learn to get a reading of something much larger than an English Sparrow, but near to it.
If a ES is in a tree at 150 yards, range the tree. Decide if ES is in branches closest to you or furthest away as a trees diameter can easily be 30'.
Maybe you will get a good recommendation but my point is range the biggest thing nearest to the tiny bird.
I really don't even know if a top tier range finder would differentiate from a English Sparrow or branch it's on. Let alone can you hold it that still for a reading. Also time. By the time you get that reading, it can fly away, move slightly.
I'd get my zero for the distance I'm hunting from down. Range from target rich area back to the blind/stand, bipod on edge of field. Learn the landmarks and learn to judge the wind.
Best Rangefinder I ever tried was a Leica & I still don't know if it would know a Sparrow from the bush it's in.
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I agree with jamesD ,Leica brand rangefinders are the only one I’ve found capable of ranging small objects.
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Not sure if it will pick up a sparrow or not but like James said you may need to range the branch that its on but I would take a look at the vortex line their warranty and customer service is too notch.
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James,
that's a great idea!
Where my quarry will appear there might not be much to range to from my hide — like when I leave bait on the ground. My range finder (Bonecollector) won't range that reliably....
But I can range from the bait on the ground to my hide!
Thanks!
Matthias
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I like my Bushnell (low end model).
Does all I need it to do. Looks good. Price is good, esp. if you can get a used one...
Matthias
Does all I need it to do. Looks good. Price is good, esp. if you can get a used one...
Matthias
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I just recently bought a Vortex Impact 1000 to replace my aging Leupold Rxii 350. i like the Vortex, it's simple, there's not a lot of menu options like the Leupold has, and it seems to range fast. It was $200 and Vortex has a fantastic VIP lifetime warranty. So far I like it and it can easily range out to 600 plus yards on non-reflective objects. Not sure about super small objects like ES though, but so far I really like it for the price.
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If you can find Bushnells first laser rangefinder, the big one in the picture, buy it. I have bought a couple since but none can range stuff like this older larger model. I use it to range groundhogs out to 800yards. The tiny Bushnell just can’t do it so it stays with my archery stuff. 
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