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Range finders- Incline/Decline

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wthjr

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I went to Bass Pro today to get a Nikon Archer's Choice. It has the Incline/Decline (ID) technology. It automatically calculated the incline and decline angle to give the correct distance to aim. So I asked the guy behind the counter what he thought and he said it didnt make a big difference. Maybe one yard. So I ranged the wall at level and then the same wall 20 feet up and it ranged 2 yards difference. What do you think? I have never used one in the woods. I usually just step off my distance and "eyeball it". I dont shoot beyond 35 yards anyway.

How many of you use one? What kind? If you dont use one, how do you determine what the correct distance is?

My bow shoots 240fps. If I am 12 feet in the air and my target is 20 yards on level ground. Whats the appropriate distance I should shoot? 22yards? How do you figure? What is my target is lower than level? or higher?
 
When you are shooting up or downhill then you should shot for a little less than the actuall yardage. This is because gravity has less of an effect on the arrow when it is fly something other than perpendicular to the earth.

It is not dealing with the difference in level and elivated it is all about physics and the path of the arrow.
 
BigWes50 said:
Yall are mistaken if you don't think it makes a difference! I have done alot of research on this and field testing. If you are 14ft. off of the ground and your target is 17yards true line of sight, then you aim as if the target is 21yards away! So, if you have a faster bow then it would not make a difference with the bow shooting flat, but a slower bow would make a huge difference! The further you got out yardage wise the more it would come into play with a faster shooting bow, with increase in yardagr and change of trajectory.
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Sorry Wes, but your math is wrong. I did a lot of research on these range compensating range finders as well, and unless you hunt on super steep terrain, it is not worth the money. In you�re example, if you are on level ground, 14� up a tree (14 x 14 = 196) and the target is 17 yards = 51 feet (51 x 51 = 2601) from the base of the tree, then the true distance from you to the target will be 17.63 yards. (196 + 2601 = 2797 sqrt = 52.886 feet- divide by 3 = 17.627 yards) I remember when I was looking at them , the ads in the hunting magazines were very misleading. The example they gave didn�t give a distance up the tree so when I did the math it ended up being 60 something feet! Ive noticed in the last couple of years, that they have changed the ads to show the target animal down a steep hill from the hunter. I guess if you were rifle hunting at long distances, then it would help you, but to me it isn�t worth it.
 
Dang Seff, I had to take my shoes off to follow you...needed more than just my fingers, had to add the toes in there too. Been a long time since I worked with figures like that...sure seems to add up to me. Thanks for the info
 
phunter91 said:
When you are shooting up or downhill then you should shot for a little less than the actuall yardage. This is because gravity has less of an effect on the arrow when it is fly something other than perpendicular to the earth.

It is not dealing with the difference in level and elivated it is all about physics and the path of the arrow.
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Yep,there was a good article in Peterson's Bowhunting about that very thing
 
I never use the stupid things . I learned how to judge yardage years ago . I think many bowhunters rely on them and become very poor at judging yardage when a deer is moving in quickly in a spot without pre measured landmarks .
 
I have a Leopold rangefinder with the angle compensator system. All I know is if it is 20 yds on the ground then it is 20 yds in a tree. Bend at the waist to keep the same angle to the peep, kisser and any other anchor points and I will guarentee to hit EXACTLY where you aim at.
 
I use my range finder to range different things around the tree, after that I put it up. Unless I'm rifle hunting. I try not to rely on too much technology.
 
I use my rangefinder to determine the "circle of death"
Range different landmarks to determine when the deer crosses into my 30-25-20yd zone. Then I put it away and enjoy my hunt.

If a deer does come in, I know when he crosses the landmarks what range it is at.

As for the angle, I haven't seen any difference from nearly straight down out to 40 yds. If my form is correct, it hits right on.
 
While up in your stand ,simply range find a tree at the base of the tree and at eye level ,then see what the difference is . If it is drastic , then range find your landmarks at eye level and use that as your range reference .
 
fishboy1 said:
I use my rangefinder to determine the "circle of death"
Range different landmarks to determine when the deer crosses into my 30-25-20yd zone. Then I put it away and enjoy my hunt.

If a deer does come in, I know when he crosses the landmarks what range it is at.

As for the angle, I haven't seen any difference from nearly straight down out to 40 yds. If my form is correct, it hits right on.
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What he said, exactly.
 
My own experiments show no difference with my bow between shooting on the ground and up to a height of 20 feet. (that's as high as I go) out to 40 yards (that's as far as I go).
 
I worry more if the deer is too close to my stand it makes the vital area much smaller at close distances plus the steeper angle of shot.
 
I went back and bought the Nikon 550. Pros, its waterproof/fogproof, it measures in half yards up to 100 yards. Cons, it cost $219 plus tax.

I talked to a lot of friends who use range finders and those who dont. I went to where I normally practice in my yard and checked my distance that I had stepped off and set my pins by and my 20yard pin was actually 19 yards, my 25 yard pin was 24.5 and my 30 yard was 30 on the nose. I must be doing something right!
I agree with what someone said earlier. Range landmarks and go by the "circle of death" I like that! It makes sense to me. I might not have time to range a deer at 25 or whatever if hes moving plus I need to be holding my bow ready to shoot and not ranging a deer.
 

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