Have you ever given any thought to why hunters and golfers have their own laser rangefinders, don’t they do the same thing; get you the distance to an object?
Well you would be right they do get you the distance to objects with speed and accuracy but they have different software governing their operation.
Rangefinders | Hunters
They have many modes that parallel each other, and maybe just a few that actually set them apart. The modes that set them apart make the difference between owning one for golf and one for hunting.
Second Priority Mode
Perhaps one of the biggest differences in the targeting of each unit, a hunters rangefinder has a second priority mode (different manufactures
may have various names for this).
Taking the distance of an object (deer) in the background instead of the trees, boulders or some brush instead, giving you the distance to the game for an accurate shot, not a branch.
They are usually a bit longer in maximum yardage up to 1300-1600 yards, they may be a bit smaller (not by much if any) but I have found no golf laser rangefinder that is bullet proof like the models for hunting.
Rifle mode – giving you the bullet drop and the holder information in inches Bow mode – gives you the horizontal distance from 1-100 yards
Rangefinders | Golf
Let us take a look at the golf rangefinder and see what makes it so useful for golfers.
First Target Priority
The hunting model has a second target priority mode a golf rangefinder has a first target priority mode.
The difference being that the golf rangefinder is going to give you the distance to the first target it acquires which would be the flag and not what is behind it. Golf and Hunting Laser Rangefinders | Not The Same
These may be the biggest differences between the models, different manufactures will have various modes that will enhance your game such as slope modes that will give you the distance to the flag taking into account the slope of the course, say like a bunker shot.
In Conclusion
Both laser rangefinders will get you the distance to your object in relatively no time at all and accurate to +/- 1 yard or even better at 1/10 of a yard with newer models with newer technologies.
One gives you the first target that is taken and not background noise and the other gives you the background object and not the branches or brushes in front of the object.
The big question is can one do both, yes they can. In choosing, one that will do both you must first make sure that they each have a separate mode for the first target priority and another mode for the second target priority.
Make sure you read the specifications when looking for one that does both. It may cost a bit more than just a single unit used for golf or hunting, but will be much cheaper than buying one laser rangefinder for each sport.