Thread: Which rangefinder?

Yesterday a mate took me to a place that he had found when out hunting. He'd seen some goats hanging out on a distant bluff where he believed I'd be able to take a shot at them from quite a long way (longrange hunting). I'm always on the lookout for such places to hunt in my own time, so I didn't squander the opportunity and went for a walk with him to see for myself.

I currently have a Bushnell 800y rangefinder and for shots out to max 600-700y its always managed to return a range value, all be it sometimes you may have to aim at a nearby tree or rock etc.

As described the spot was perfect, with large rock bluffs and an abundance of goats sunning themselves - it was a longrange shooters paradise. I'd estimated that the range window for this location would be is 600 to 1200y(?). I managed to get a range on the first goat at 801y by aiming at a rock next to it, so I set myself up, entered the data into my ''shooter'' app on the phone and proceeded to smack a 162 Amax right through its shoulders! The the rest of the goats took flight at the disturbance, but pulled up a little further back. They all turned and presented the classic broadside shot as they looked back to try figure out what had just happened? Now no matter how steady I held the rangefinder, or what I aimed at...I just couldn't get a reading. Bugger, opportunity lost and I had to watch them walk away unharmed.

So my questions are;

- what rangefinder in the realistically affordable category should I be looking to buy?
- what are the pro's and con's for this model
- Anything else I should know?

Cheers

kj