Nikon Prostaff 3 Hunting Rangefinder

This review will be of both the redfield raider 550 and the nikon prostaff 3, since both are comparable in most aspects and I myself debated between the two. My primary uses are hunting/scouting.I had initially bought the raider because I caught it on sale. However after receiving it, I was not happy. There was a fairly large black scratch or hair near the center of the reticle. It must have been inside the rangefinder because all my attempts to clean it off with a q-tip and windex failed. Other than that it worked fine. So I quickly exchanged it for another raider. My second raider had similar issues. There were a bunch of black specs on the upper left side of the viewing. This rangefinder also had focusing issues the farther away from the reticle. So I bought an Nikon prostaff 3 and decided to compare the two side-by-side.After receiving the prostaff 3 and looking through it and testing it, it is significantly better that the raider. It is larger and a bit heavier but not noticeably so. Besides, I found the larger size better for holding steady to range targets. I also like that all the lenses in the prostaff are recessed more which gives them more protection when tromping in the woods. The "mode" button on the prostaff simply switches the units from yards to meters...nothing big. Both rangefinders range targets quickly and I found little if any difference in distance. Both had similar success and problems in low light conditions and rain (worked fine for the most part). I will note that inside of 100 yds., the prostaff returns distances out to a tenth of a yard which is nice. I got both rangefinders to range targets in excess of 500 yds. The raider returned distance as low a 5 yds. while the prostaff wouldn't range below 10yds. Both rangefinders have "continual scan mode" (just hold down the button). The prostaff had clearer viewing window (something that is important) and easier to adjust the eyepiece focus. The prostaff had darker text and was easier to read than the raider which had larger text, but the text was somewhat transparent. The battery compartment of the raider is on the side while the prostaff's compartment is on the bottom. I like that the battery compartment is on the bottom as opposed to the side because this is the only part of both rangefinders that clearly states is NOT waterproof. Also, the case that comes with the prostaff is thicker and offers more protection. I like the looks of the prostaff more as well. Both products are made in China.I may have gotten a lemon on the raider (it does have good reviews), but 2 in a row! Anyways, the raider went back after comparing the two and I am glad I got the prostaff. Even if the two raiders were not defective, I would choose the prostaff. It is simply a higher quality product for the price. There are clear advantages over the raider and both cost the same price. I will update if anything changes my mind on the prostaff. Hope this helps.

I have had luck with Nikon products in the past, so when I was looking for a range finder, I was happy to see that Nikon made one in my price range.I've used this range finder quite a bit and love it. It's small and light, and provides consistent results. The view is clear, and the use is simple. I wear glasses and have no issues with using this unit.The only reason I give it 4 stars instead of 5 is that I am concerned with the accuracy. I've compared my results with several fellow hunters' range finders of various makes and models. Mine consistently measures 1 yard shorter than any of the others. Mine may be the only one that is correct, but when 3 or 4 others all read consistently a yard, yard and a half longer than my unit, it makes me question the Nikon's accuracy. That being said, a 1 yard difference over 200 or 250 yards isn't a huge deal, but wanted to point it out none the less.

I was looking for a Laser Rangefinder for my husband's birthday and when I read the reviews on this one I had to try it. Someone said it had large black numbers at the top of the screen - it does and they are very easy to read! This rangefinder is light weight, compact and really does a great job at giving yard distances. We are using it for golf and really love it. I highly recommend it!!

I buy a lot of stuff from Amazon Prime and needed a new Nikon given that my old Nikon of 10 years ago gave excellent service in the pursuit of better golf scores. I even won the club senior championship three years ago using my precious Nikon. Thus I ordered another one listed by Amazon on its site as a 'golf rangefinder' after the old Nikon bit the dust.But the problem is that , in fact the ProStaff 3 is not for golf, does not measure any short distance and simply is incapable of measuring even pins with a laser reflectors. It measures the far woods just fine. Yet Amazon sells these things for golfing.Of course ProStaff is a popular name for other golf stuff and thus the deception by Amazon is complete. I am returning it and look forward to receiving my Leupold golf range finder used by some buddies. Just be careful to NOT get the Nikon 3 for golf and Amazon should be much more careful about how it advertises the Nikon ProStaff 3 Rangefinder.

Can't quite reach the advertised 500m extent, tends to top out around 300m. But seems fairly accurate, and it's nice and small/light. For anything a bit more serious than what I needed, I would probably suggest going up to the ProStaff 5.