Nikon has a well-earned reputation in the outdoor industry for producing some of the best quality optical products on the market. The company’s Prostaff 7i Rangefinder is among the most popular rangefinders that have hit the industry in recent years as it offers much of the exceptional quality that Nikon is known for with a relatively affordable price.
The Nikon Prostaff 7i Rangefinder may first appear to be very similar to the Nikon Prostaff 7, but the two models differ greatly when it comes to some features and capabilities.
The Nikon Prostaff 7i has many of the abilities that hunters look for in a rangefinder, including the ability to determine range when compensating for angles, as well as the ability to range moving targets from a considerable distance and maintain accurate readings.
This particular rangefinder model offers plenty of reasons why hunters might choose it over other brands and models, but let’s take a closer look at what separates this rangefinder from its competitors and why it’s among one of the best rangefinders Nikon has produced in recent years.
Nikon Prostaff 7i Rangefinder Review
Let’s quickly run through the specs of this rangefinder.
Specs:
- 6x magnification
- 21mm objective diameter
- Angle compensation
- CR2 battery
- 4.4″ x 1.5″ x 2.8″ dimensions
- 1,300 yards maximum reflective range
- 6.2 oz. weight
The Nikon Prostaff 7i Rangefinder is all about getting precise range readings in a quick and efficient manner with consistency when compared to other models that are offered at similar prices.
This particular model is very similar to the Nikon Prostaff 7 Rangefinder that is capable of ranging targets out to a shorter distance of about 600 yards.
Both models are great for hunting or golfing as they offer angle compensation data that helps shooters compensate for significant angles they might have to shoot from, but the Nikon Prostaff 7i Rangefinder is the better choice between the two.
This is one of the better rated golf rangefinders that Nikon has released in recent years.
The Nikon Prostaff 7i Rangefinder gets its namesake from the new feature known as advanced ID, which stands for Incline/Decline Technology.
This capability is able to provide users with a precise reading that takes into account the horizontal distance to the target, even when the rangefinder is recording readings at various incline or decline shooting angles up to an angle of almost 90 degrees.
One of the most important qualities of a rangefinder that’s intended to be used for hunting or golfing is the capability to be used quickly without having to run through a significant number of settings and formats as you might have with other brands of rangefinders.
The Nikon Prostaff 7i Rangefinder boasts what is known as ‘single-button operation’ that allows the user to pick up the rangefinder and turn it on with a simple touch of a button.
This can be extremely useful for hunters who have only a few seconds to get their rangefinder, turn it on, and produce an accurate reading before making a critical shot on their target animal. Nikon Prostaff 7i Rangefinder.
The single button operation capability of the Nikon Prostaff 7i Laser Rangefinder is a huge advantage this model has over other popular brands and models.
The Prostaff 7i Rangefinder is very simple to use and it also helps to conserve power by automatically powering down when the user has not altered any of the settings or pushed any other buttons after about 8 seconds.
This is intended to help reduce battery use, and plays a major role in extending the overall life of the battery in cases where other models would drain a considerable amount of power.
Related: Leupold RX 2800 TBR Rangefinder Review
Features
Nikon is well-known for making products that cater to the specific needs of hunters.
Unlike other brands and companies that produce rangefinders based on their own interpretations of what hunters might look for in a quality rangefinder, Nikon goes to great lengths in listening to their customers and the feedback they get in order to produce a rangefinder that meets and sometimes exceeds the needs of their customers.
When it comes to rangefinders, hunters are usually most concerned with two main factors: angle compensation readings and true horizontal distance to the target. Getting this information in a timely and accurate manner is more difficult than most people realize.
The Nikon Prostaff 7i Rangefinder is able to range reflective targets out to a maximum distance of 1,300 yards.
The rangefinder utilizes multilayer coated optics that are both scratch resistant and help to prevent fog from building up on the lens, which is crucial to using the rangefinder at times during early morning or late evening when fog can be overly prevalent in many parts of the world.
This particular rangefinder also offers what Nikon dubs as Tru-Target Technology which allows users to choose between two separate ranging modes depending on the particular situation they’re trying to determine the accurate range of the target for.
While using the Nikon Prostaff 7i Rangefinder in what’s known as first target priority mode, users can range an object as small as a fence post.
Nikon’s other mode, known as distant target priority helps a user to determine the range of long-distance objects by displaying the range of the farthest target among a group of targets measured.
Many users have raved about the level of ease with which the Nikon Prostaff 7i Rangefinder can be used. This model offers an uncluttered screen display that helps golfers quickly and easily determine the exact range of their target without worrying about other settings or readings interfering with the accuracy and speed of the Prostaff 7i’s readings.
The rangefinder is able to range targets in .1-yard intervals out to an impressive distance of 1,000 yards, and 1-yard increment readings of objects at more than 1,000 yards away.
This is one of the better rated golf rangefinders that Nikon has released in recent years.
We have more rangefinder content on the website, take for example the top rated hunting rangefinders for 2021. Check it out here!
Conclusion
The Nikon Prostaff 7i Rangefinder is a relatively affordable model that is more than capable of providing hunters or golfers with readings that are quick and accurate—allowing them to get set up to take those crucial shots.. This rangefinder is very easy to use and offers intuitive settings and controls that most hunters can figure out how to use in a relatively short amount of time.
If you’re looking for a solid rangefinder that will hold up against the elements and provide accurate readings out to considerably long distances, the Nikon Prostaff 7i Rangefinder is a great choice.
