How does this work? If your in a tree and its 32 yards away.. its still going to be 32 yards away. Why would I want to shoot lower if its still 32 yards away... ARC doesnt seem a likely concept. It says a 32 yard shot is really a 27 yard shot... I dont understand this.. PLEASE explain?!?
On an extreme slope, with a conventional laser range finder you can range the base of a tree down the slope and it may read 42 yards but if you range the tree straight out level to you it may read 38 yards or 4 yards different for the downhill slope. Think of a triangle. The angled distance is greater than the horizontal distance. On level ground however the distance is never more than 2 yards and more likely 1.? yards difference. It really on comes into play on extreme slopes.
Look at this... its a rough drawing I know. How is it that going higher makes it shorter? all geometry I use doesnt make sense. NO MATTER WHAT if you are higher the range is further. basic geometry, even if you calculate arrow weight, diameter and just general mass and fps, and so on, it will still be the same or further.. it seems that no matter what its saying its shorter.
I played around so much with my range finder that I don't think I'll ever have the desire to buy the "ARC" ones. Like you, I've come to realize that its just a few yards difference from the bottom to level with me. Usually not enough to make a difference anyway, not where I hunt at least.
In your drawing. Your 16' up in a tree, the target is 20 yards from your tree, you will want to shoot 20 yards. You would not want to shoot the longer distance (line) as this will cause you to go high. The "arc" of the range finder your referring to compensates and ranges the horizontal distance.
On level ground it makes no difference, worst case, take a yard off and pick a hair. On slopes however I have seen as much as 6 yards differences with my standard rangefinder. Again, extreme slopes and high stands.
Thats where im not grasping it. its not a flat shot, it would be farther away.. not the same or shorter distance.
I think (been wrong before) what your not realizing is...the arrow falls due to gravity, which in turn is based off of the horizontal distance (the bottom line on your triangle). The arrow drops the same at 20 yards on a level shot as a 45 yard shot nearly straight down that has a horizontal distance of 20 still. It seems weird, but it's true and is the same concept for uphill shots as well. Think of it this way, the ONLY line that matters for shot distance is the bottom line on your triangle, regardless of the angles or angled line distance (what a regular rangefinder reads)...only the horizontal distance matters.
your right on trev. u are shooting the horizontal distance for a correct shot, thats why so many people miss high in tree stands.
But wouldn't arrow weight come in factor on this? idk, seems kinda pointless this ARC technology ( and others alike ) when people with regular LRF's get great shots with out this. I'm a stop arguing here, I am bull headed and I dont wanna argue it to a point :P But you do make a point, its just.. I dunno... stupid physics
Then whats the point of the technology? I go out and make marks on my shooting lanes for yardage at the base of my tree stand and go off that when up in it..... sorry for double posting Do you atleast see my point??
To be honest the ARC rangefinders aren't designed for treestand hunters here in the east. They market them to us because of the HUGE marketplace available...but where they really shine is out west in the mountains. You range a Mtn Goat at 56 yards on a 50* incline, what do you shoot it for? How about a 43 yard shot at a 34* incline? Unless you are great (and quick) with simple calculus, an ARC rangefinder can really help you out. Do it however you like, but you don't HAVE to have ARC. Step it off and put out markers, range trees from the base of your tree, or range trees level with you while in stand...all will work. The only thing that confuses me, is why are you AGAINST ARC? It does NOTHING bad, and now it doesn't even cost any more over the regular models (of similar models). there is no reason to NOT get one without ARC if you are buying new. Arrow weight obviously has a play in your arrow drop, but you shouldn't be changing arrow weights. You sight your bow in from the ground with your arrows, then you climb up in trees to hunt...to stay true to how your pins are sighted in you must go by the horizontal distance which is the same as the distance you used while level with the target in your yard. (because the gravity will work on the arrow the same whether it is going straight out, up, or even down)
I'm not against them, I like how the work with a gun, but the bow thing just kinda flabbergasted me. I didn't mean it to seem I was against it, I just don't understand it. Like I said I'm BULLHEADED and i do shoot with a bunch of older gentlemen who are stuck in their old ways and it rubs off on me Thanks for your 2 cents guys :D it is appreciated, and the thing about out west makes sense, I never really took in mind that mountains are a common place for western goers to hunt in, HEY I'm 20, I'm allowed to be ignorant at sometimes.
they are indeed, they are great for bow shots for those guys who hunt 30 ft up in climber, in places they dont have lanes taped out
And downhill sloping lands. Like I said, I showed Preacher Tony when we hunted my triple tree where I shot my Halloween buck last year and my 3 legged doe this year. I ranged a tree downhill at the base and it said 42 yards, when I ranged the tree on a level plane the actually distance was 38 yards. A difference of 4 yards which could result in a bad hit or complete miss. (We were 20' up) I also experienced this when I was IL last year. A trail below me ranged at 45 yards but I was at the trail and ranged back to my tree the actual distance was 41 yards. A 4 yard difference. ( I was 25' up)
THis is my first year using a rangefinder, I always just stepped the distance off and marked with some flagging. So, I have been sitting IN my treestand (12-16 feet up) and then ranging a tree AT GROUND LEVELwhere I think the deer will be standing when I shoot. Am I doing this wrong? Should I be ranging that same tree the deer will be standing by, but instead ranging it out horizontally away from my treestand rather than pointing down where I think the deer will be. All shots under 25 yards.
From what we have discussed you should go horizontally from where you are. Best bet would be to step it off, if not get the ARC thingy, altho you just got one better off using your LRF on ground and using certain land marks as markers for yardage
