Nikon RifleHunter 550 Rangefinder

The RifleHunter 550 laser rangefinder is housed in a 5x2½x2¾-inch, waterproof and fog-proof polymer shell with black rubber molding with a strap eyelet. It can be easily operated with one hand by using the top “power” and “mode” buttons, and it takes a single, 3V CR2 lithium battery that lasts for approximately 10,000 readings. Both the digital LCD display and image focus can be adjusted with a rear, flexible rubber diopter eyepiece, and the rangefinder maintains a constant 6X magnification.

Pushing the “power” button for activation, then once more for a reading, displays the distance and settings, after which the rangefinder automatically shuts off after eight seconds. It has a range of 550 yards/500 meters and has a constant-reading setting, whereby the user can hold the button and instantly read the changes in distance from one object to another for up to 20 seconds.

Distances are displayed in 0.2-yard/meter increments within 100 yards/meters, and 1.0-yard/meter increments beyond 100 yards/meters. It can be set either for straight-line (linear) distance or for horizontal distance, the latter through the rangefinder’s automatic calculation of the linear distance and angle of observation.

There is also a target priority mode: If both close and distant targets are acquired in a single reading, the user can set which is displayed in the viewfinder. The distant target priority setting is recommended for use in thick woods or brush, when getting a clear view of the target is difficult. It has a suggested retail price of about $295 and comes with a carrying case, a battery and a lanyard.

Contact: Nikon, Inc.; (800) 645-6687; www.nikonsportoptics.com.