Best rangefinder out right now?

[teeithigh33]

Looking to switch from gps to a rangefinder and wondering what is doing the job well for you guys? Was looking at the Bushnell tour V5 Shift but any others to consider ?

[North Butte]

Get a Nikon with the optical image stabilization. After several years with one I'd never even consider a non-stabilized rangefinder. Once you're used to the steady image and accurate aiming, trying to use anything else from farther than 100 or so yards seems extremely annoying. 

[teeithigh33]

Yes have heard good things about Nikon, but haven't seen it in action. Does it perform accurately and quickly?

[SouthBayGolfer]

31 minutes ago, North Butte said:

Get a Nikon with the optical image stabilization. After several years with one I'd never even consider a non-stabilized rangefinder. Once you're used to the steady image and accurate aiming, trying to use anything else from farther than 100 or so yards seems extremely annoying. 

I don't have an issue with my bushnell with 7x magnification. 

 

 

 

As far as the question goes, I think any rangefinder with a slope is fine. I opted for the crazy expensive bushnell pro xe. It works. It works well. Feels nice. Is it worth the $550 that I paid for it? Probably not. 

[North Butte]

32 minutes ago, teeithigh33 said:

Yes have heard good things about Nikon, but haven't seen it in action. Does it perform accurately and quickly?

The original 1st generation Pro 80VR had like a half or three quarter second delay between when you pressed the button and the stabilization locked on. It was quick enough I never even noticed it but when I'd let other people use it they'd complain every single time (they say, "It jumps around").

 

The current generation Pro Stabilized have that down to a tiny fraction of a second that I don't think anyone would notice. The other improvement in the 2nd generation was the optics work fine with polarized sunglasses. The 1st-gen units tended to look dim if your glasses were polarized. 

 

As for accuracy, it has the same accuracy as typical for lasers in terms of getting the distance correct to within a yard or so. But in normal use the stabilization makes the aiming accuracy much better, that's the big advantage. Because the image is so steady it is obvious whether you're pointing exactly at the thing you want to measure. 

[10undrbogey]

Certainly not in the running for “best”, but I wanted to get a cheap rangefinder to play around with. Grabbed an “Anyork” off Amazon, $75 after using $10 coupon.

 

I’ve used it a couple times now, and checked it against a distance measuring wheel. It’s within a yard or so compared to anything I’ve checked it with.

Has slope, not stabilized, but I don’t have any problem holding it steady enough.

 

Is it a finely machined precision instrument? Probably not, but it works really well, and if I drop it, lose it, or it’s stolen I’m only out $75😄

 

If you want to test the water & see how you like using a rangefinder, not a bad choice.

[teeithigh33]

1 hour ago, SouthBayGolfer said:

I don't have an issue with my bushnell with 7x magnification. 

 

 

 

As far as the question goes, I think any rangefinder with a slope is fine. I opted for the crazy expensive bushnell pro xe. It works. It works well. Feels nice. Is it worth the $550 that I paid for it? Probably not. 

Ok yes saw the xe and thought the same thing. Looks like the creme de la creme of rangefinders but wasn't sure it was worth the price for what it does when others do the same thing. Thanks for the input!

[teeithigh33]

58 minutes ago, North Butte said:

The original 1st generation Pro 80VR had like a half or three quarter second delay between when you pressed the button and the stabilization locked on. It was quick enough I never even noticed it but when I'd let other people use it they'd complain every single time (they say, "It jumps around").

 

The current generation Pro Stabilized have that down to a tiny fraction of a second that I don't think anyone would notice. The other improvement in the 2nd generation was the optics work fine with polarized sunglasses. The 1st-gen units tended to look dim if your glasses were polarized. 

 

As for accuracy, it has the same accuracy as typical for lasers in terms of getting the distance correct to within a yard or so. But in normal use the stabilization makes the aiming accuracy much better, that's the big advantage. Because the image is so steady it is obvious whether you're pointing exactly at the thing you want to measure. 

Ok great ! Ya I honestly don't have any idea about the stabilization and how that plays a factor in aiming at the target as I have never used one. This info is extremely helpful, thanks!

[Is Golf Fun or Work]

Nikon's are the best....if insist on Bushnell save yourself 50% and buy the equivalent hunting version, a "for golf" sticker isn't worth the extra cost.

[teeithigh33]

27 minutes ago, WasatchBogey said:

Certainly not in the running for “best”, but I wanted to get a cheap rangefinder to play around with. Grabbed an “Anyork” off Amazon, $75 after using $10 coupon.

 

I’ve used it a couple times now, and checked it against a distance measuring wheel. It’s within a yard or so compared to anything I’ve checked it with.

Has slope, not stabilized, but I don’t have any problem holding it steady enough.

 

Is it a finely machined precision instrument? Probably not, but it works really well, and if I drop it, lose it, or it’s stolen I’m only out $75😄

 

If you want to test the water & see how you like using a rangefinder, not a bad choice.

I mean can't go wrong with that definitely. I have seena couple off. Rand Amazon ones and thought the same thing as you. If it's junk when I try it , just return it and call it a failed experiment, and if it works then great. Thanks for the input!

[teeithigh33]

52 minutes ago, Is Golf Fun or Work said:

Nikon's are the best....if insist on Bushnell save yourself 50% and buy the equivalent hunting version, a "for golf" sticker isn't worth the extra cost.

Yes since Nikon was brought to my attention, they look real nice and sturdy and consistent from the online reviews I've seen. Thanks for the input!

[North Butte]

26 minutes ago, teeithigh33 said:

Yes since Nikon was brought to my attention, they look real nice and sturdy and consistent from the online reviews I've seen. Thanks for the input!

A friend of mine found a factory refurbished NIkon Pro Stabilized somewhere for like $230, which would be just crazy cheap compared to the normal retail price. Not sure where that was, though.

[Is Golf Fun or Work]

33 minutes ago, teeithigh33 said:

Yes since Nikon was brought to my attention, they look real nice and sturdy and consistent from the online reviews I've seen. Thanks for the input!

I 'upgraded' my Nikon (Callaway branded) this past Christmas, my original Nikon is now my son's, it served me well for 11 years and still works perfectly.

[MPAndreassi]

I just recently went back to a Leupold. I had a Bushnell Pro XE that got stolen last year and liked that. Went to the standard Bushnell V3, no bells and whistles, and that was okay but really missed the red display. Decided to pick up the GX-5c and am happy to be back in it. I tried a Blue Tees 3 Max and it just wasn’t for me. Lens clarity wasn’t nearly as good as the pricier options. Having to depend on it in less than perfect weather during tournaments that was a big con for me. 

[MountainKing]

https://www.blueteesgolf.com/products/series-3-max-golf-rangefinder-with-slope?variant=40475982921925

 

 

You really won't do better than this at $239, I picked one up last year and don;t regret it for a minute. 

[BSTRONG1313]

I just bought a Voice Caddie SL2. I check gps overlays on my phone a lot to find driving targets and green targets and this let's me go down to just one device. It might not be the absolute "best" but it's probably the most unique with the green views with slope and a touchscreen on the device itself.

[teeithigh33]

30 minutes ago, BSTRONG1313 said:

I just bought a Voice Caddie SL2. I check gps overlays on my phone a lot to find driving targets and green targets and this let's me go down to just one device. It might not be the absolute "best" but it's probably the most unique with the green views with slope and a touchscreen on the device itself.

Interesting. As I dive deeper into this, yes seems there are some that will have a phone app that complement the rangefinder too. I'm guessing the app is similar to a GPS unit if not the same thing?

[teeithigh33]

1 hour ago, MountainKing said:

https://www.blueteesgolf.com/products/series-3-max-golf-rangefinder-with-slope?variant=40475982921925

 

 

You really won't do better than this at $239, I picked one up last year and don;t regret it for a minute. 

Yes was looking at blue tees too. Any cons you can think of?

[teeithigh33]

2 hours ago, MPAndreassi said:

I just recently went back to a Leupold. I had a Bushnell Pro XE that got stolen last year and liked that. Went to the standard Bushnell V3, no bells and whistles, and that was okay but really missed the red display. Decided to pick up the GX-5c and am happy to be back in it. I tried a Blue Tees 3 Max and it just wasn’t for me. Lens clarity wasn’t nearly as good as the pricier options. Having to depend on it in less than perfect weather during tournaments that was a big con for me. 

Good info. Honestly didn't even know they had rangefinders. I'll check them out. 

[Is Golf Fun or Work]

For the $$$ Nikon Coolshot 50i

[teeithigh33]

Been looking at video reviews. Any thoughts on this guy's assessment? Dead on, wrong, or otherwise?

 

[MountainKing]

7 minutes ago, teeithigh33 said:

Yes was looking at blue tees too. Any cons you can think of?

 

That's a tough one to answer.  A range finder really has one job and it does that job as good as my buddies $500 Bushnell.  

[zap311]

It definitely would not be the "best", but in terms of best value, I would recommend the CaddyTek rangefinder with slope & pin vibration. The accuracy has been just as good as other high end models that my friends have. The only downsides I would say is the case is not as good as Bushnell and it takes about a second to lock onto the pin.

 

https://www.costco.com/caddytek-golf-laser-rangefinder%2c-caddyview-v2-%2bslope.product.100419508.html

[badandbogey]

1 hour ago, teeithigh33 said:

Yes was looking at blue tees too. Any cons you can think of?

blue tees is trash

[Carolina Golfer 2]

1 hour ago, teeithigh33 said:

Yes was looking at blue tees too. Any cons you can think of?

I’ve had mine 3 rounds.   The only thing I can pick on it for.  It seems a slight tiny bit slower than some others.  And by slower I mean maybe 1-2 seconds.  And it could be my unsteady hand not helping.  Ha

 

in the grand scheme of things a second or two bear or there won’t make or break it.  But I did notice it.  So it’s not nothing.  
 

i would buy again with no hesitation as the other qualities more than make up for it. 

2 hours ago, MountainKing said:

https://www.blueteesgolf.com/products/series-3-max-golf-rangefinder-with-slope?variant=40475982921925

 

 

You really won't do better than this at $239, I picked one up last year and don;t regret it for a minute. 

I was going to recommend this as well. I have the max 3 series I think.   It is vey high quality.   Graphics are great.  
 

very professional and well designed packaging.  

[BSTRONG1313]

1 hour ago, teeithigh33 said:

Interesting. As I dive deeper into this, yes seems there are some that will have a phone app that complement the rangefinder too. I'm guessing the app is similar to a GPS unit if not the same thing?

It just depends on which rangefinder. I think most show hole layouts and front middle and back. Some will track your rangefinder and let you know if you left it somewhere. 

 

I thing that a lot have now is the rangefinder connects to your phone and adjusts the number depending on wind. I've found that it is not very accurate because it doesn't update very frequently. 

[BSTRONG1313]

Just now, BSTRONG1313 said:

It just depends on which rangefinder. I think most show hole layouts and front middle and back. Some will track your rangefinder and let you know if you left it somewhere. 

 

I thing that a lot have now is the rangefinder connects to your phone and adjusts the number depending on wind. I've found that it is not very accurate because it doesn't update very frequently. 

I would say find 3-4 things you want and find one that does those things. 

 

For me I wanted something thst gave my distsnce quickly, had slope, and had gps readouts that give the width and depth of the green. Sl2 is the only one that does that. 

[teeithigh33]

32 minutes ago, BSTRONG1313 said:

I would say find 3-4 things you want and find one that does those things. 

 

For me I wanted something thst gave my distsnce quickly, had slope, and had gps readouts that give the width and depth of the green. Sl2 is the only one that does that. 

Right. I think accuracy of yardages and more specifically the accuracy of those yardages with the adjusted slope reading is THE most important thing to me. Definitely want slope to be included and accurate. Kind of the reason I'm going into a RF from my GPS. Then it's just really the ease to be able to lock onto the flag and other targets, and maybe water resistance as I have a trip at the beginning of next year that could have rain possibilities. Will continue to analyze but all the info has been very much appreciated 👍

[cristphoto]

On 6/5/2022 at 11:13 PM, teeithigh33 said:

Looking to switch from gps to a rangefinder and wondering what is doing the job well for you guys? Was looking at the Bushnell tour V5 Shift but any others to consider ?

 

TGW has two models of the Tour V5 on sale for $275.  Excellent quality at a great price.  I currently have two V4 models (one slope, one without that I gave to my wife) and they have served me well.  Fast response, easy to lock on, accurate.  After using my slope model for about three years I've come to the conclusion that it wasn't worth the extra price.  Perhaps if I played in mountainous areas it would be different.  

[iKOH423]

17 hours ago, badandbogey said:

blue tees is trash

I appreciate the response...care to elaborate?