My Dumb "Which Rangefinder?" Thread

[BeerPerHole]

OK. When sitting on Santa's lap my boy said he wanted an optical range finder. I know, I know. Which one do you suggest, that won't break the bank? Dad's going to use it too, I admit. Santa's not going to deliver one that takes slope into account, etc. Just a basic model.

 

Thanks

[North Butte]

Honestly, I think any of the generic ones you see on eBay or Amazon are probably just fine. If it were me, I'd just go on Amazon and find one for around $150 or so that seems to have good Amazon reviews. If you don't care about slope or vibration reduction, the basic technology is pretty easy to manufacture nowadays.

[cristphoto]

Dicks Sporting Goods has a Callaway rangefinder on sale for $149.95. They have a coupon for $35 off if you spend over $150. So order a pack of tees also and you’re at about $115 net. Online only. Free shipping too.

[GolfNuts4]

I bought the MG range finder from MG golf for $119 and am very happy, don't need to spend $400, by any means.

[BeerPerHole]

Thanks so much, guys!

[BlackDiamondPar5]

I like this advice. Just don't go with a cheaper hunting model that doesn't have pin seeking/pin acquisition technology.

[gravel42]

Just my two cents:

 

I don't disagree with any of the suggestions everyone else made, but for my money, I'd never buy any rangefinder other than Leupold. Why? Their unmatched warranty and customer service. You'll see tons of examples if you do a search here--here's mine. I bought a used Leupold GX-3 from another Wrxer here probably 2-3 years ago for like $150--the rangefinder was probably already 3 years old at that point. Worked great, but lately the OLED display was starting to fade a bit on the edges. Still useable, but definitely getting harder to read. Sent it in this October for repair. I got an email reply that it might take 3-6 weeks. I just called in today for a status update, and the customer service rep said that since they no longer made/carried stock in the GX-3, they were waiting to get more stock in the next model up, the GX-3i, which they were going to send to me. That would have been just great with me, a newer model. Instead, because they were still out of stock on that model, and the return estimate of 6 weeks had passed, the rep asked if it would be okay if he just sent me their top of the line model, the GX-5i3. I wasn't complaining or arguing on the phone or demanding things -- just following up on the status. Incredible service, and combined with their awesome product, I'm not buying anything else.

 

Now, I know that they are super expensive--remember, I bought mine used. But they do have a less expensive model called the PinCaddie, which might suit your needs. I've never used one of that model though.

 

It's more than the others that you could get--but to me, I think I'd get a Leupold (used, new, whatever)--simply for the fact that they will stand behind their product, it'll hold its resale value and they work great. I've had a TecTecTec one, which is one of those sold on Amazon, and I returned it. But to each his own. Good luck!

[Lomo Saltado]

I also just picked up an MG for $119. I've been using their gloves for a while so decided to try the rangefinder. Of course it arrived on the first day it's rained in San Diego since about March 2017. It shipped and arrived quickly and seems pretty damn solid and came with a nice case. I'll update here once I've had a chance to use it on the GC. I can verify that from my desk to the door is about 8 yards.

[cristphoto]

A quick check for accuracy is to simply go to a local school or park football field and stand under one of the goal post uprights and measure to the opposite goal post upright. Should be 120 yards.

[Mtngolfer1]

I have had a CaddyTeK V2 w/Slope for about 6 mos. prior to that a Bushnell V3. TheBV3 was taken out of my golf cart so that put me back in the market for a new range finder. The Bushnell was great and I had every intention of getting another. However I had just prior to that purchased a CaddyTek Ez fold push cart. I was impressed with the value and the quality of the CaddyTek Push cart and I was aware that they also had a Rangefinder, so I started to do some research and the CTV2 was getting excellent reviews. I decided to purchase off Amazon and I have been using it since. The CaddyTek is performing great. Like the CaddyTek push cart the rangefinder is of high quality, a great value at under a $150. Its accurate easy to use, switching to the slope mode is a breeze and the provides both a pin seeker and scan mode. It has met all my expectations.

[Snell golfer2014]

Nikon LR550.

[GolfNuts4]

I bought the MG range finder from MG golf for $119 and am very happy, don't need to spend $400, by any means.

 

Any issues here with finding pins regardless of some courses having the reflectors, etc?

My course has reflectors and I have both the MG as well as a laser for the reflectors on the pins. MG is dead accurate, I have only had it for about 6 months, but so far, it works great.

[rukahs]

$20 :D

 

https://www.dhgate.com/product/new-portable-digital-7x-golf-scope-range/172856128.html#s1-0-1b;searl|1176076105

[irishmike27]

I agree with the advice from gravel42. Leupold’s quality and customer service are legendary. Yes you pay more upfront, but seems that you are set for a very long time.

[North Butte]

If his teenager (or pre-teen) is anything like the ones in our family were at that age, any small electronic gadget is likely to be lost, stolen or completely destroyed far sooner than it would need any service from the manufacturer!

[sneaky_pete]

I agree with the advice from gravel42. Leupold’s quality and customer service are legendary. Yes you pay more upfront, but seems that you are set for a very long time.

 

+10000 to this.

[Double Gee]

Bought a range finder via eBay from China. Cost new, Inc delivery, £67. Had it 2 years. Has pinseeker technology on it...works perfectly well with exact same distances as my mates Bushnell.

They now do a 'slope' version for £75 and I'm sure it will be excellent.

 

Seems to me the only reason not to buy these is if you are a brand whore [sic]