Do You Really Need a 1,640-Yard Rangefinder for 80-Yard Hunts?

Most hunting shots never stretch past 100 yards. A whitetail in the timber or a hog rooting under a feeder is usually inside bow range, not across a canyon. So why would anyone need a laser rangefinder rated for 1,640 yards?

At first glance, it may seem unnecessary. But in reality, a high-capacity rangefinder like the Pulsar Oryx LRF XG35 delivers more than just long-distance bragging rights. Its design makes your short-range hunting more reliable, faster, and safer, while keeping you ready for any conditions.

What a 1,640-Yard Rating Really Means

When you see “1,640 yards” on the box, it refers to the unit’s maximum ability under perfect conditions, typically “lasing” a large, reflective object like a steel barn wall or a bright road sign. Game animals aren’t reflective, and conditions like fog, rain, or brush can shorten a laser rangefinder’s effective range.

That’s why headroom matters. A device rated for 1,640 yards has plenty of margin to give you dependable readings on deer, hogs, or coyotes at much shorter distances. With the Oryx LRF XG35, hunters consistently get fast, reliable yardage on real-world targets, not just theoretical ones.

Why Extra Distance Pays Off in Close Quarters

Even if you rarely shoot past 100 yards, a long-range rangefinder has several advantages:

• Accuracy on small targets: Devices designed for extreme reach lock on quickly to less-reflective animals at short ranges.
  

• Speed of reading: More powerful modules deliver instant results. With the Oryx, you don’t waste time waiting for the number to appear.
  

• Consistency in poor conditions: Rain, fog, or dense brush can confuse cheaper units. A stronger LRF cuts through clutter, giving reliable measurements when conditions aren’t perfect.
  

• Confidence in the shot: Knowing the exact yardage eliminates guesswork, especially when animals appear closer or farther than they really are.

Practical Features That Matter in the Field

When hunters compare rangefinders, the conversation usually starts and ends with maximum distance. But raw yardage is only part of the story. What separates an average rangefinder from one that actually improves your hunt are the practical features that save you time, reduce mistakes, and make ranging feel effortless in the dark or under pressure.

• Scan Mode: Hold down the button and sweep across the landscape. The Oryx’s LRF continuously updates yardage, which is perfect for tracking moving hogs or mapping treelines.
  

• Reflective vs. Non-Reflective Performance: Most manufacturers list maximum range on reflective surfaces, but the Oryx is built to perform on fur, brush, and natural terrain where it counts.
  

• Angle Compensation: While the Oryx doesn’t use bowhunting-style ARC readouts, its precision ranging helps rifle shooters account for uphill or downhill shots when paired with ballistic data.
  

• Integration with Thermal: Unlike a standalone rangefinder, the Oryx overlays distance directly into your thermal image. No juggling two devices or shifting focus between screens.
  
  

Common Scenarios Where It Makes a Difference

A 1,640-yard rangefinder can actually help in the day-to-day situations hunters deal with most, such as tracking in low light, moving animals, unpredictable terrain, and shots where distance is harder to judge than you think.

• Hog hunting at night: Thermal spotting makes hogs easy to see but hard to judge for distance. The Oryx displays exact yardage directly in view, removing doubt.
  

• Coyotes in open ground: Even in flat country, it’s tough to tell if a coyote is at 150 or 250 yards. Range confirmation keeps your shots honest.
  

• Scouting pastures and fence lines: Using Scan Mode, you can quickly establish distances to multiple landmarks and set up an ambush with confidence.
  

• Safety checks: A reliable rangefinder helps avoid mistakes by confirming how far you are from houses, property boundaries, or livestock in low light.
  
  

Pairing Rangefinding With Thermal Imaging

Carrying a separate thermal monocular and a handheld rangefinder isn’t impossible, but it is inconvenient. One hand is tied up with glass, the other with the rangefinder. You have to spot the animal, drop one device, bring up the other, and then try to line up again—often while your target is already moving. Every extra motion increases the chance of noise, fumbling, or losing sight of the animal altogether.

Its 640×480 thermal sensor provides clear heat signatures, while the built-in 1,640-yard rangefinder overlays precise distance directly into your view. You spot the animal, check the yardage, and prepare your shot—all in one motion.

If you only hunt whitetail from the same stand and never take a shot past 80 yards, a long-range rangefinder may not seem essential. But hunting isn’t always predictable. Animals move and terrain changes, while night hunts, brushy thickets, and wide-open pastures all introduce uncertainty.

The Oryx gives you flexibility. Its 1,640-yard rangefinder means you’ll never be limited by your equipment. And at the distances you use most often—50, 80, or 100 yards—it’s fast, accurate, and dependable.

Conclusion

A 1,640-yard laser rangefinder isn’t about shooting that far—it’s about having a tool that performs in every hunting scenario. A device designed with extra capacity will always be more reliable when the shot is close.

The Pulsar Oryx LRF XG35 embodies that principle. It combines a stabilized thermal monocular with a long-range, fast-reading laser rangefinder that makes your hunting more efficient, your scouting easier, and your decisions safer. Even at 80 yards, the benefits are clear.