Best low light hunting rangefinders in 2023(Specs, Pros and Cons)

Its a no brainer for hunting enthusiasts to understand that the best time for hunting is the crack of dawn. There are a lot of hunters who set off hunting, to reach the hunting area just in time, for the targets to approach, which is usually few minutes past twilight.

Securing this hunt without the perfect gear and tools equipped for low-light conditions is next to impossible, so you need to definitely carry around a low-light hunting range finder with you. But, with so much options in the market, you might have difficulty finding the best one for you. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! In this article, we will give you the top picks for the best low light hunting rangefinders you can purchase in 2022.

Buying Guide for the best low light hunting rangefinders

Though choosing the best pick for your hunting venture is a personal decision and a lot of personal preferences are included in it, here are just a few check points to consider when purchasing the best low-light hunting range-finder.

Reticle

Reticle is the most critical aspect whenever it comes to lowlight range-finders, since the reticle is also termed as an ‘ aiming point’, letting you target batter, which creates the need to make them extremely calibrated. A lot of the low-light devices feature a red reticle, and this is because if you are targeting your prey with a black point one, you might not see them clear enough, and as the red and black colour contrasts in a red reticle, the vision is seen clearly.

Target Range

Target range, as the name suggests, is the rangefinder’s ability to locate a target far away even under low-light conditions. Generally, a rangefinder can detect a prey that is as far as 300 meters, leaving a considerable amount of ‘safe space’ between you and the target.

Also, a rangefinder must also be able to locate and spot targets in irregular terrains and sloppy sites, on necessity. Apart from the maximum range, a rangefinder’s minimum range must also be considered when purchasing one.

Optics

There are different kinds of glass used under a rangefinder, and the magnification offered by these glasses are another important aspect to determine. The entire quality and accuracy of your target will be vaguely different once the right glass and its types are opted. Although the best of the best magnification lenses can be a little expensive for a low-light range-finder, it is always advised to choose quality over other deciding factors.

Quick look at the best low light hunting rangefinders

1Best with an illuminated display
Sig Sauer Kilo 2200
 

Best featuring an illuminated display, it gives larger objective lens, and has a beautiful OLED display, with self-adjusting brightness levels.

2Best for night vision
Leica Rangemaster CRF 2400-R
 

Leica is a reliable range-finder, mainly with night vision, that is very quick and delivers accurate readings and measurements, plus a wide array of added features.

3Best rangefinder with a red reticle
Vortex Optics Ranger 1800
 

The best one featuring a red reticle, it also has a big enough objective lens and a long enough range, however lacks a tripod mount to further support long range shooting.

4Best Rangefinder with thermal imaging
Leupold RX 2800 TBR
 

You can have short product description here. It can be added as and enable/disable toggle option from which user can have control on it.

5Overall best for low-light hunting
Astra Optix OTX RangeFinder
 

Truly the best low-light rangefinder, with maximum range of around 1700 yards, adjustable brightness modes, several ranging modes if not for the slightly lower magnification of 6x.

#1. Sig Sauer Kilo 2200

Best with an illuminated display

Sig Sauer Kilo 2200

 

Best featuring an illuminated display, it gives larger objective lens, and has a beautiful OLED display, with self-adjusting brightness levels.

 

For anyone familiar with hunting equipments for a long-time, you might already know that Sig Sauer is a really big name whenever it comes to creating the best hunting equipments, with a lot of audience loving their products. This rangefinder with illuminated display doesn’t fall short either, instead is one of the best in its category.

Featuring a 25mm objective lens diameter letting enough light to pass through the range-finder, it also contains a red circle + milling grid reticle. This kind of grid reticle will assist you as a measuring guide creating an on-point detection compared to crosshairs and bars, letting you elevate your vision immediately in the dark backed by its multi anti-reflective coating present. This coating allows for maximum light transmission onto the range-finder and offers highly illuminated image for the user, even under dark settings.

Not just the incredible reticle, the Sig Sauer also features an OLED display, meeting the ultimate purpose of true visibility through the dark. Featuring an OLED display also protects the user’s eyes in a way, since they do not have to constrict a lot during low-light conditions. It also contains Lumatic display letting you switch between the range-finder’s brightness under different light conditions.

Specifications

Maximum Range2400 yards
Magnification7x
Additional FeaturesHyper Scan Technology, BDX Ballistic data Xchange

Pros and Cons

#2. Leica Rangemaster CRF 2400-R

Best for night vision

Leica RangeMaster CRF 2400-R

 

Leica is a reliable range-finder, mainly with night vision, that is very quick and delivers accurate readings and measurements, plus a wide array of added features.

 

Leica Rangemaster CRF 2400-R model is undoubtedly the holy grail for people who tend to emphasize speed and visibility (basically the most important aspects) over any other aspects whenever it comes to low-light hunting. With auto-adjustable brightness levels, this is a perfect range-finder giving accurate night visions,

If you are planning to conduct your hunt at the crack of the dawn, this range-finder will quickly alter it’s settings with respect to the lighting conditions in the area, so you will not need to worry at all. On top of that, to ensure clarity with sharp results, this rangemaster features 24mm objective lens for greater light transmission, with an advanced optical system offering P40 and HDC (high durable coating), allowing the hunters to range without any sort of optical hurdles.

Besides optics, Leica Rangemaster is an expert in delivering commendable results with its ranging, all thanks to its 2400 yards maximum range, and a magnification of 7x, plus an ability to give results as quick as 0.4 seconds. One drawback however, can be for people who are used to manually adjusting the settings to ensure the perfect shot, and this auto-features might not be exactly what you need. Beside these, the Leice Rangemaster is a very trust-worthy tool in low-light conditions ensuring high visibility and accuracy.

Specifications

Maximum Range2400 yards
Magnification7x
Additional FeaturesAngle Compensation, Equivalent Horizontal Range (EHR), Beam Divergence.

Pros and Cons

#3. Vortex Optics Ranger 1800

Best rangefinder with a red reticle

Vortex Optics Ranger 1800

 

The best one featuring a red reticle, it also has a big enough objective lens and a long enough range, however lacks a tripod mount to further support long range shooting.

 

Besides the formerly discussed Sig Kilo 2200 range-finder, the Vortex Optics Ranger is one of the best picks, frankly for a red reticle feature, allowing you to work amazing even in low light areas.

Featuring a slightly smaller objective lens at 20mm, it features three different levels of red reticle brightness, that adapts accordingly to the constantly moving lighting situations. Display of bright readings by the use of red reticle will help increase the visibility of prey a lot for dim or no light conditions, against a dark black drop too, where the prey seem to be seamlessly blending in with the nature.

Covering a maximum range of around 1800 yards besides the 20mm objective lens, it also gives you 6x magnification. This rangefinder is of a very robust build and highly compact, but many users have reported on this requiring a tripod stand too. This is because you want to maintain stability during the night time or the crack of dawn, where a lot of animals are in their most aware state. All in all, you will have an amazing time with shooting through this Vortex Rangefinder even if you are a newbie in the field.

Specifications

Maximum Range1800 yards
Objective lens20mm
Magnification6x
Additional FeaturesHorizontal Component Distance (HCD)
Line of Sight
Scan Feature

Pros and Cons

#4. Leupold RX 2800 TBR

Best Rangefinder with thermal imaging

Leupold RX 2800 TBR

 

You can have short product description here. It can be added as and enable/disable toggle option from which user can have control on it.

 

If you are in need for a simple kind of range-finder, that will cater your need of not wrapping around your head a lot but being very easy-to-use and understand, then the leupold RX 2800 TBR might be just the thing you are looking for.

Making the use of advanced- level technologies, the rangefinder is truly one of a kind with its incredible thermal imaging rangefinder ability and its adaptability to situations. Like, the Alpha IQ gives great range for even the smallest of targets while the True Ballistic Range (TBR) technology, ensures your shots hit the target on the spot.

Featuring an OLED display, this high-functioning range-finder also provides options like red read out, brightness alterations, and also makes sure of the amazing light transmission within the rangefinder, that are crucial in low-light conditions. It has a unique ‘last target mode’ features within the device, that allows your rangefinder to fixate and then read even the farthest of the target in range. Moreover, it forbids irrelevant objects like grass from getting in the way of the shot.

Despite such amazing features, one feat where the range-finder lacks, is the absents of a set of key modes, that elevate the hunting experience.

Specifications

Maximum Range2800 yards
Magnification7x
Additional FeaturesAlpha IQ engine, True Ballistic Range (TBR), last target mode

Pros and Cons

#5. Astra Optix OTX RangeFinder

Overall best for low-light hunting

Astra Optix OTX RangeFinder

 

Truly the best low-light rangefinder, with maximum range of around 1700 yards, adjustable brightness modes, several ranging modes if not for the slighly lower magnification of 6x.

 

Last but definitely not the least in our picks, the Astra Optix is truly one of the best featuring an all-glass optical system, including the multi-coated lenses, seen in some of the above mentioned products too. Featuring a protective coating, like the anti-reflective coating, the Astra Optix will have you receiving clear calculations with enough light transmission all while being protected by the weather.

One feature unique to this range-finder is it’s ultra-fast ranging feature, that makes way for an accurate and incredible speed of over 1700 yards in a mere 0.25 seconds. On top of that, the provided OLED display features a red reticle, red radout, alongside five adjustable brightness options to choose from. This makes the ideal light transmission with high degree of target location possible.

Build-wise, it is very sturdy in construction and all thanks to its shock-proof and weather-resistant design, it will be you best hunting partner for sure. It also gives you the benefit of switching through the five different ranging modes like horizontal, archery, angle, gun, plus the golf mode. If not for the low magnification of just 6x, this product would have been the best low-light hunting rangefinder in the market of 2022.

Specifications

Maximum Range1700 yards
Magnification6x
Additional FeaturesAdjustable ranging modes, adjustable brightness modes.

Pros and Cons

Final Thoughts

The results for low-light range finders are always obvious, with them either working ‘yes’ in low light or simply ‘no’. After a series of research and analysis, these above mentioned ones were the top picks for the low-light range finders in 2022. These were selected based on their capability of displaying bright images and readings, brightness features, red reticle presence and additional features.

We hope this article was helpful, and on further questions, please feel free to comment them down. We will be happy to answer them.

Check Also: Best rangefinders for hunting and golf 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can laser range-finders work at night?

Yes, laser finders can work at night or in any other dark conditions . For this, it needs to have features like red reticle display, and high light transmission optics.

Is red reticle better than a black reticle?

When it comes to dark settings or low-light conditions, a red reticle is better in a sense that it will be more vibrant since it’s wavelength is more intense, plus travels longer distances. Thus, it can target the area most sensitive to the light, appearing more visible relative to the black reticle.

Is hunting during the night better than hunting during the day?

Yes, hunters believe than hunting during the night, the crack of the dawn or in any other low light conditions is better. The preys will have limited visibility and will be too distracted either by darkness or hunger to defend for themselves.

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