#10MinuteTalk – Angle Compensation: To Use or Not to Use?

Lots of rangefinders have “Angle Compensation” built in, and if you’ve got a Vortex Rangefinder, regardless of the model, this is certainly the case. (We happen to call it “Horizontal Component Distance” or “HCD” mode) But why is angle compensation so important? When should you be concerned about the true horizontal distance between you and a target and when is it actually more beneficial to just get the straight-line distance between your rangefinder and the target you’re ranging? Believe it or not, which you decide to use can determine whether you hit or miss your target in certain situations!

As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.

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[justme]

Thanks Guy's. I was really confused about the angle compensation. Just bought the Ranger 1800. Way more than I need but the price was right. Appreciate all you do.

[fhckoutdoors]

I love Mark's nodding face. It says "Don't ask me a damn thing, I'm just here for the 300WSM"

[TruckGuyHD]

Could you do a talk on throat burners what it means and what calibers are known to be burners??

[SpetsnazBear-]

Finally made the commitment... and bought a Range Finder... after tonnes of research, bought ANOTHER Vortex product.
"Ranger 1800" ... and am very happy... the HCD feature, is taking a bit to wrap my head around. Im just using LOS right now.

[kglee]

Great information and explanation. Thank you, gentlemen.

[Terpedup]

When I range a target with LOS uphill at 20 degrees, I get the same range in HCD!! So I really don’t know which one to use with archery hunting. I kinda like LOS because it shows you the degree of the hill. I wished the HCD would show the hill slope degree

[TonyYarusso]

There was one thing you didn’t mention that’s worth considering for very long shots - bullet velocity. Just like wind drift that you did cover, basic drag from air resistance is going to affect the bullet over the entire line of sight distance. So, besides the math for how to aim the shot, at longer ranges with steeper angles the LOS distance can be relevant to knowing whether the bullet will have enough velocity to expand reliably and enough energy for it to be ethical to take the shot in the first place. Depending on the cartridge and bullet type you’re shooting, that consideration might come into play at much shorter distances than the 800 yards mentioned for other things too.

[jklo]

Does your range finder account for ballistics info of the cartridge like the leupold product?

[MattH-wgou]

Just got the Viper HD3000 love it so far. But I'm not a long range shooter. I just liked the noticeably clearer glass and longer range purely for my curiousity.

[MrLew]

Is there not Monoculars/ Binoculars that do angle compensation automatically for you ??

[mickys]

Hey guys I really enjoying the podcast as a very new shooter I find them quite entertaining and interesting.
I have a question for you guys and your subscribers that I'd love to get your thoughts on, I'm about to buy my first deer rifle that will get used for pig shooting as well and I was leaning towards a 308 I feel it will be a great cartridge for me to learn on and grow into for mid range and long-range shooting, when I say long-range shooting I hope to eventually want to be capable of taking shots around the 500 yards. would you recommend this cartridge as a good beginner cartridge would love to hear your thoughts as I said I am just a beginner shooter I would love people's recommendations, I'm sure you all remember the excitement of choosing your first deer rifle. Happy hunting

[danielhunsel]

My stand is 20’ up in the tree so am I ok to leave it on HCD mode or go to LOS? Thanks in advance

[davidhadley]

Is it the same math if you’re shooting uphill vs. downhill?

[mgabriel]

This does not explain anything mathematically. Physics is precise.