Nikon ProStaff 550 Rangefinder Review

The Nikon 550 ProStaff Laser Range Finder is another quality optical product you've come to expect from Nikon Corporation. Whether your intention is to use it while playing golf, or for the intended hunt, It is a fine product and a great improvement over the Nikon 440 Rangefinder model.

I personally use this product for hunting and golf. In the hunting arena I find it to be a product that is exceptional in function options and ease of use. While golfing I use it to determine how far the green actually is for any one drive or shot, and how far my ball is from the green in par approaches. This allows me to easily determine range and select the proper weighted iron to use on a given approach. The use of range finding optics in golf course competition is now accepted, and many people are using the problem solving capability of this technology.

Just like any optical product produced by Nikon, you will get great optical abilities from this range finder. Nikon is the manufacturer of many optical devices: spotter scopes, cameras, binoculars, rifle scopes, and now laser rangefinders. You can be assured the Nikon 550 will provide a clear optical view and accurate measurement of distance to your target.

A quick overview of the product and differences from its predecessor, the Nikon 440 Laser Rangefinder follows here:

• The Nikon 550 improved it's range finding ability by 110 yards over the 440 model. The official range specification is 11 yards to 550 yards, but it's capability to scan and reflective resolve distances exceed specifications as I will explain later in the article.
• Nikon's 550 weight was increased somewhat, which gives it a better form factor. What I mean is the palm fit is enhanced by the size and the weight allowing more stability and less wobble when sighting and scanning for range. Although the lighter weight 440 seemed an advantage that offered better portability because you might appreciate smaller and lighter equipment. The weight and size difference between the two models is not that great, with the trade-off going to the Nikon 550's actual stability and handling improvements winning the decision for me.
• Nikon reduced the power rating of the 550 Model to 6X from 8X. In my opinion, this allows for better optical viewing because of less image wobble again. Reducing the power rating simply improved optical quality for a hand held device. Most all of the range finding I've done with the Nikon or other products, has been up to 350 yards. Most hunters would make their shots at under 300 yards. The 550's ability to range find well between 300-550 yards makes it perfect for hunting or golfing, with the trade-off in power going to the clearer more stable image available under less magnification.
• Battery life is a qualifying improvement. The Nikon 550 and 440 both required a single CR2 Lithium battery. The improvement comes from lower power consumption by the Nikon ProStaff 550. The 550 allows up to 10,000 twenty-second range finding scans versus the 440's 6,000 scans. That is a very significant improvement.
• The Nikon 550 operational modes are favorable in comparison to the 440, and offer several improvements. The 550 has a simple two-mode button allowing you to switch quickly between a yard or meter range display. You also do not have to switch between close or distant scan readouts. The seamless ability to scan near and far objects without having to switch modes is an obvious advantage. The 550's scan mode works the same as the 440's and scans up to 20 seconds while holding down the power button.
• Resolving distance on multiple reflective target hits from a single scan is built in by a 'Distant Target Priority' mode on the Nikon 550 range finder. For instance, advanced and more expensive range finders will give you the option to pick the mode resolution you want. It's resolved by what you personally select. The 550 resolves on the most distant object of a multiple hit automatically. This can be a drawback, but I see it as being an advantage and easy to compensate for. It means if your target is a deer standing between a fence and a large boulder, and your scan has reflected off all three objects, it will resolve to the more distant boulder. It is an automatic scan resolve feature that cannot be reset by the owner.

Note: Being automatic is an improvement of a kind. You must take the resolve distance knowing it is the boulder and not the deer. Obviously the hunter should lay reticle on the deer and hold down the power button for a twenty second scan on one object. Sweep scanning is not going to work with this feature. Know this and be aware. Another way to resolve this is to simply take burst scans of the deer and average the distance readings by dividing the sum by the number of scans taken. I see it as an improvement over the 440 myself. Because you can act to scan quickly without making extra movement to reset options, less movement is made that your prey might catch sight of.

• I've seen reviews that reject the idea of a black reticule option. The Nikon 550 uses a black on clear reticule, which is normal for a base to intermediate optical product. Most of this criticism is brought saying the black reticule is not easily seen during a late-dusk or early-dawn range scan. We are talking about the range finder reticule here while measuring for a shot, having measured that, a gun shot is intended to take your prey. My position is this: Nikon's choice to use a black reticule is sufficient for safe use and practice. You should not take a shot when the reticule is obscured by darkness. The taking of prey is the objective, but the safety of people or other hunters should be our primary concern. This reticule is fine for safe hunting practice, and I agree with Nikon's optical development team in choosing the black reticule.

Reflectivity Improvements Over The Nikon 440 Range Finder:

• Light Color Buildings: 550= 535 yards 440= 453 yards
• Bushes and Plants: 550= 400 yards 440= 350 yards
• Dark Tree Cover: 550= 400 yards 440= 330 yards
• Deer and Others: 550= 300 yards 440= 300 yards
• Highly Reflective: 550= 700 yards 440= 535 yards (Truck or House)
• Narrow Objects: 550= 430 yards 440=360 yards

Note: Both of these rangefinders scan and acquire target ranges accurately when compared to most other units I have tried or intentionally tested.

Conclusion:

Nikon is a leader in this field of optics. You can be assured that your Nikon 550 range finder will have clear optics, a simple display and be easy to use and understand. It has a few features that only the avid hunter can appreciate. I have compared the Nikon ProStaff 550 with four other products and can honestly give it 90 points out of 100. I highly recommend it as a basic to intermediate optical hunting and golfing solution for a great price.

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