As a golfer or a hunter, you ought to know how much the knowledge of distance matters. You may lose a winning game just because your caddie or you estimated the wrong distance. Similarly, you may lose your prey, just because your bow did not go far enough as your estimated distance to the target was not correct. You need an easy to handle, accurate and long-lasting rangefinder to help you get better at both your game and hunt. So, here we are with the Bushnell Medalist Rangefinder review! It is also legal for use in tournaments.

Unfortunately, this unit didn’t make it in our best golf rangefinder article. But it is still a very good one to review.

Welcome to the Bushnell Medalist Rangefinder review! We hope, this is the product you need!

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Features of Bushnell Medalist Laser Rangefinder:

As always, our Bushnell Medalist Rangefinder review will start with the feature descriptions. We won’t be talking about literally everything. We will talk about the important ones only.

Portability

You can carry it on your golf cart or wear it around your neck while walking without it causing any disturbance. It is very small in size with dimensions of 5 x 1.7 x 3.8 inches (W x H x D). Its weight is only 9 ounces with its battery which makes it lightweight enough to be carried around without any sign of irritation from the user.

Construction

It is stylish in structure with a rubbery gripping area which prevents it from getting dropped and makes it comfortable to hold.

Battery

It uses 9-volt batteries for power. This type of batteries are used in walkie-talkies, transistor radios, clocks etc. so they are easy to find in markets. Besides, they are durable.

Display

It uses an LCD screen as its display. After measurement, the results appear on the screen. This ‘through the lens’ LCD screen beautifully presents all the information gathered by the device.

4X Magnification

You should always buy rangefinders with magnification abilities of 4X or above. Bushnell Medalist Laser Rangefinder has a magnification capability of 4X which makes it one of the good rangefinders for purchase. Moreover, this 4X monocular keeps the view steady.

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Pinseeker Technology

The most special feature of the Bushnell Medalist Laser Rangefinder is its use of pin seeker technology. This tech helps the device to measure more accurately by eliminating everything behind the flag and focusing on the flag only. The device blocks out trees or any obstacle that can be considered a target with this technology.

Range

The Bushnell Medalist can accurately measure a wide range starting from 5 yards to 1000 yards with reflectors. It uses pin seeker technology to measure up to 250 yards with consistency and accuracy. It does not need any reflectors. The long distance calculations might take a bit long but I do not think you will be hitting that hard.

Accuracy 

In short games, 2-3 yards matter the most. Missing target by 2-3 yards is both disheartening and embarrassing. In this case, the accuracy of the rangefinder is much needed. And, the Medalist provides an accuracy of +/- 1 meter which is very good for the game.

Modes

The Bushnell Medalist comes with four modes!

• The scan mode allows you view a large range and keep measuring targets constantly.
• The rain mode allows the device to measure the range of targets accurately through rain or snow.
• The reflector mode is used to measure maximum distances where highly reflective objects are targets.
• Lastly, the pin seeker mode is used to measure the range of target with extreme accuracy.

Quick

The Bushnell Medalist works very fast. It only requires a few seconds to calculate the range when you point it towards your target.

Laser Beams

Concerned that the laser beams used by the Medalist will harm your eyes? No need to worry as the Medalist uses completely eye-safe laser beams to measure distance. It sends out the beam to reach the target. After reaching the target, the beam is bounced back. A clock in the device measures the time required for the beam to bounce back and that is how it finds out the range of the target.

Ease

If you are thinking that buying and learning to use the Medalist will be troublesome and time-consuming in your already busy life then it is time for you to relax. Because, the Medalist is very easy to use. It only needs you to point it towards your object and press a button to confirm your target. Though you might require a manual or some guidance to handle the device in pin seeker mode, it is not that hard to grasp either. 

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Pros:

• Is suitably portable thanks to its small size and weight.
• Can be used easily.
• Accurate by -/+ 1 meters even for long ranges.
• Exact range of pin found accurately by pin seeker technology.
• Weather resistant.
• Has rain mode to be operated to prevent inefficiency during rain and fog.
• Batteries are available and cheap.
• Quick to process.
• Uses harmless laser beams to measure ranges.
• The rubbery grip helps to provide stability.

Cons:

• The lower magnification level of 4X makes it difficult to lock targets, especially the longs ones.
• Difficult to hold steady because of its size.
• Battery cover falls off often.
• Needs to be rechecked to avoid getting the distance to a wrong target.
• Failure of LDC screen.
• Poor casing. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. I have little black spots in my viewfinder. I’ve cleaned the lenses (as did the pro at our golf course). Is there a way to remove the black spots?

Answer: It is not very common to find black spots on the viewfinder as most of our customers do not. The few who found black spots have faced no problems as it does not affect the operation of the device. Just keep it clean.

2. Does the medalist vibrate when seeking the pin?

Answer: No it does not. There is a different model that vibrates.

Now, you know both the pros and cons of Bushnell Medalist Laser Rangefinder. Even if it does have some shortcomings due to its structure, it does the one job it has been designed to do perfectly- to measure accurately! So, if you want to focus more on your swing and direction instead of the distance to play better, The Bushnell Medalist Laser Rangefinder is the product you need.

Our Bushnell Medalist Rangefinder review ends here. Hopefully, it helped you in taking a decision. Did it?

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It’s about time to stop relying on squinty eyes to get an estimation of the distance. Get game-smart and look into a rangefinder instead. Speaking of which, today we will be doing a Nikon 8397 Aculon laser rangefinder review for you.

We will crack through every feature of this rangefinder, and scour out even the smallest of details so that you know what you are paying for. There’s a lot to cover so if you want to find out if it has what it takes to be your next rangefinder, then continue reading our Nikon 8397 Aculon laser rangefinder review! We have also talked about this product in our best golf rangefinder guide briefly.

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Nikon 8397 Aculon Laser Rangefinder Review

This is a premium product with interesting features. It is time that we look into some of the important ones.

At a Glance

Now, if there’s anything we know about rangefinders, it is that the smaller the better, especially on the field for sports like golf and archery. And the very first thing you are likely to notice about this rangefinder is its size. It is probably one of the most compact rangefinders out there. It measures just 3.6 X1.5 X2.9 inches in dimensions, and seems like it will fit into the smallest of pockets!

Next, you have the start button on top of the finder closest fingertips, which make range finding fast and easy. The Nikon 8397 Aculon laser rangefinder comes to you in all black and because of the textured sides, holding it is very comfortable and secure. Let’s move on to the primary features now.

Camera

The Nikon 8397 Aculon laser rangefinder uses 20 mm lenses and offers 6X magnification. Its display is free from any distractions and has a long eye-relief of 16.7 m which is designed using the company’s own coated optics which we know and love. This consequently gives a higher light transmission across the complete light spectrum that is visible to us. You will never lose or have to compromise with light due reflection anymore.

In addition to these, details and info about this and that does not congest the display. You, therefore, get a clearer and more relaxed view of your target.

Distant Target Priority Mode

Speaking of which,  this range finder has been programmed to display the furthest target from multiple other targets like it. This mode is fantastic in catching up any ambiguous or vague view of the target, which may be hiding or is hidden by things like grass, weed, trees, etc. In other words, no target is safe from your eyes due to the Nikon 8397 Aculon’s sharp scanning.

On the contrary, however, we have come across a fair share of complaints about the finder erroneous readings on various occasions, so that’s something to consider. In fact, many users failed to lock in the flag with this thing. This could consequently be a dealbreaker for golfers.

Distance

The Nikon 8397 Aculon laser rangefinder will offer you range from 6 yards to 550 yards which aren’t bad considering the size and price of this thing, However, we must say, we have seen better and were expecting a little more range from Nikon.

It will also display to you in 1-yard increments which give you maximum control and flexibility to watch over any target under the range.

User Comfort

First of all, the Nikon 8397 Aculon laser rangefinder is super compact. It can’t get any for comfortable for the user than using a finder that is 4.4 ounces in weight and fits rights into their palms!

Second, it is waterproof. This is great for users who need to use range finders even on unfavorable weather conditions and moisture-rich environments like the forest. The battery (CR2) is as tiny as a button, easily available and is probably sealed in a waterproof compartment.

Thirds, it switches off automatically after 8 seconds of inactivity in order to save energy.

And finally, speed. Our Nikon 8397 Aculon laser rangefinder review would not be complete if we didn’t brag out how ridiculously fast this finder works. Press the on button for a few seconds to switch on the finder, and then the button next to it to convert distances.

Frequently asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the default unit if measure for the distance on this range finder? Can we change it?

Answer: the default unit is in yards. However, you can change it to meters by pressing on the button next to the power button. And it has only 2 units only: yards and meters.

2. Is the display colored or black and white?

Answer: Great question. You have a color display and it seems like a dark green to a grayish color.

3. Is the weight 4.4 oz with battery or without is?

Answer: 4.4 oz without it and 6 oz with the battery.

Pros:

• The Nikon 8397 Aculon laser rangefinder is very compact and lightweight
• Is very fast
• Easy and comfortable to use
• Uses Distant Target Priority Mode
• Long eye-relief
• Is waterproof
• Display is uncluttered
• Switch off automatically due to inactivity
• Multilayer coated optics
• An okay range
• Measure in yards and meters

Cons:

• CR2 battery is probably a little bit expensive
• You have to have a VERY steady hand to get reading on small targets
• And finally, it does not work on dark objects or targets

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The Nikon 8397 Aculon laser rangefinder is a brilliant piece, no doubt, but it is definitely not flawless. We can forgive all cracks however, we cannot overlook the fact that it requires a very steady hand to get proper readings. Move and the reading will be inconsistent every time! Moreover, how many of us could say we have non-trembling hands? It misses to lick in on flags, misses pins and so on. It is overall not the rangefinder for golfing. However, it would be unfair if we didn’t give it its due credit for being ideal for use in wildlife scenarios. In conclusion, if golfing is what you have in mind, then the Nikon 8397 Aculon laser rangefinder is not your guy. You will be disappointed.

This concludes our Nikon 8397 Aculon laser rangefinder review. Thank you and see you next time!