Welcome guest, is this your first visit? Create Account now to join.
  • Login:

Welcome to the NZ Hunting and Shooting Forums.

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed.

Terminator Night Vision NZ


User Tag List

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 20
Like Tree25Likes

Thread: 'Golf' rangefinders any good?

  1. #1
    Member jpurdon's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2021
    Location
    Christchurch
    Posts
    304

    Question 'Golf' rangefinders any good?

    Looking at getting a rangefinder. Not looking to break the bank and don't need anything too high spec. Would be shooting out to 400yd max with .270 and a 3.5-10 vx3.
    Ideally a cheap second hand one would be best but if I went new, would one of the 'golf' ones online be any good? They seem a hell of a lot cheaper than hunting ones but I suppose there's a reason for that...
    One of these would be ideal but don't want to drop $600 https://broncos.co.nz/optics-and-sig...er-rangefinder

    What are peoples thoughts? Or does anyone have a spare/older one kicking round? Cheers
    "Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit ......... wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad"

  2. #2
    Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Te Awamutu
    Posts
    977
    For 400y just grab one of these: Model=SW-1000A https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005...d=dy3Lv2Ro0n6w

    Used one for ages, never failed and regularly ranged past 650m. Range is consistent with my Delta rangefinder binos.
    Grey Kiwi, The bomb, 6x47 and 6 others like this.

  3. #3
    Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2023
    Location
    WA
    Posts
    694
    Bloody hell
    15 years ago that would have been 2k to buy
    Amazing how technology is changing the way we shoot.

  4. #4
    Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    Prebbleton (Christchurch)
    Posts
    651
    Lots of hunters using the SNDWAY. Got one myself. Works well. I keep it in zip lock bag when not in use.
    I suspect many of the golf shop and lower end 'hunting' ones are SNDWAY with a new sticker and the price lifted 50% - 300% ;-)
    wekaman likes this.

  5. #5
    Member Marty Henry's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2014
    Location
    Tararua
    Posts
    7,049
    Had a golf one for years with no issues except for a slightly dull viewfinder. It will range accurately to just over 1000 metres and has bright orange panels that help you find it in long grass.
    Micky Duck and jpurdon like this.

  6. #6
    Member jpurdon's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2021
    Location
    Christchurch
    Posts
    304
    Looks like SNDWAY is the way to go, will have to put an order through
    Carbine likes this.
    "Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit ......... wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad"

  7. #7
    Member zeropak's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Location
    Mangonui
    Posts
    868
    I use a "GolfBuddy" range finder for hunting and have done so for the last 3 years. They are exactly the same as a model branded for hunting. I would suggest staying away from the real cheapies, I have looked through a cheap version and the image was horrible. Its the old story, you get what you pay for.
    ZeroPak Vacuum Sealers, Zero air Zero waste

  8. #8
    Member Waldo Peens's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2017
    Location
    Christchurch
    Posts
    623
    @jpurdon, I second (or third) the SNDWAY. I have the 1000A as well and is plenty useful and accurate. Have dropped it, bashed it against the quad etc. and still works great
    jpurdon likes this.
    The Truth shall make ye fret.

  9. #9
    Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2020
    Location
    Canterbury
    Posts
    176
    +1 for the sndway. I got one a while back to get me through until i could get a "good" one. 4 years on i cant justify the upgrade. Ranges within a couple meters to my mates leupold at less than a 5th of the price.
    Preacher and jpurdon like this.

  10. #10
    Member jpurdon's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2021
    Location
    Christchurch
    Posts
    304
    Did you guys from Ali Express? Obviously there are multiple sellers on there too so just go with this one with the most/best reviews? Looks like they are on trademe from a dealer too for about $180. Could be worth paying the extra to avoid any mishaps via Ali. Thoughts?
    "Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit ......... wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad"

  11. #11
    Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Te Awamutu
    Posts
    977
    Just buy from Aliexpress it'll be fine.
    erniec, PadLo and jpurdon like this.

  12. #12
    Member
    Join Date
    May 2020
    Location
    Palmerston North
    Posts
    267
    Don't discount Amazon. I got a Bushnell for significantly cheaper through them.

    Also overspecing your rangefinder is good. Max ranges are based on reflective targets and animals will be significantly less. For example the Bushnell 1300's quote a max range of 1300yd, but only 600yd on deer. Max range will potentially decrease as the battery flattens too.

    If you can afford it angle measurement/horizontal range is a very useful feature.
    PadLo and jpurdon like this.

  13. #13
    Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2019
    Location
    Canterbury
    Posts
    648
    Amazon, Aliexpess and Temu all have great shipping to NZ now, there is n need to buy off trademe at marked up prices. Temu offers Afterpay which is good.

    If you are buying from Aliexpress make sure you check the shipping because it can be free and take 2 weeks, or the shipping cost could be $1.50 to ship within a week, check multiple sellers and shipping options.

    Anytime something hasn't arrived or got lost which is very rare, you get a full refund.
    Carbine likes this.

  14. #14
    Member zimmer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Waikato
    Posts
    4,986
    Quote Originally Posted by PadLo View Post
    Amazon, Aliexpess and Temu all have great shipping to NZ now, there is n need to buy off trademe at marked up prices. Temu offers Afterpay which is good.

    If you are buying from Aliexpress make sure you check the shipping because it can be free and take 2 weeks, or the shipping cost could be $1.50 to ship within a week, check multiple sellers and shipping options.

    Anytime something hasn't arrived or got lost which is very rare, you get a full refund.
    Just used Temu for the first time. Tried with a lowish value purchase (tin signs) as a test. 5 days to my RD letter box and free shipping.
    I think there was a minimum order 30 buck IIRC.
    Micky Duck likes this.

  15. #15
    Member viper's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Rabbitvegas
    Posts
    2,619
    I use a no name cheap Chinese golf range finder, seems to work great. Don't get a Leupold, mate blew a $1k on one . Two years later the LCD display shit itself . He may have used it 4 times , out of warranty .... in the bin.

 

 

Similar Threads

  1. Rifle golf
    By kimjon in forum Shooting
    Replies: 59
    Last Post: 21-06-2015, 10:16 PM
  2. Golf balls at speed
    By sneeze in forum Shooting
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 20-05-2012, 05:08 PM
  3. Are these rangefinders any good?
    By Savage1 in forum Firearms, Optics and Accessories
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 12-01-2012, 08:01 PM

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Welcome to NZ Hunting and Shooting Forums! We see you're new here, or arn't logged in. Create an account, and Login for full access including our FREE BUY and SELL section Register NOW!!