Recommendations for quality rangefinder that masters the basics

grabthepin · June 12

Replacing a Leupold GX3 has just stopped sensing flagsticks after 15 years. Was very happy with it, but if getting a new device, would appreciate more advanced flagstick seeking to improve the speed & confidence it's actually zapped the right thing.

Important
- speed w/o prisms
- distance accuracy
- build quality

Bonus:
- battery life

- long warranty

- screen clarity

- scan mode

Prefer not to have

- digital screens (other than the overlay)

- gps

- data logging
- wind

- slope - but if everyone chucks it in now, no choice I guess.

- triangulation

- club recommendation

Price not too important, but don't like paying for features I don't use.

Edited June 12 by grabthepin

cristphoto · June 14

Can’t go wrong with Bushnell. I have a Tour V6 slope model I’ve used for the past few years with no problem. Accurate, fast, weatherproof, easy lock onto flags (I use mine one-handed all the time). My buddies with their $100 lasers are amazed. You wanted simplicity so you could get the non-slope laser which is identical other than slope. Golf Galaxy has them on sale for $249. Go to their web site and click “accept text notices” before Fathers Day is over and get another 15% off. So $211. Thank me later.

Edited June 14 by cristphoto

jdizzy12 · June 15

I have liked my Pinned rangefinder over the last two years, especially the usb-c charging ability which I enjoy over the traditional swappable batteries (for reference, it's the prior gen model to what is currently on the market). However, my buddy has had constant issues with his over the last year to the point he had to get a new one. Couldn't pick up any flags even after multiple attempts. I like mine but just a word of caution if you want to go the lower-end route.

My dad has had his Bushnell which he bought new in 2007 and it has never failed after 18 years. Still works great and when we play together, I always grab his instead of mine. I think Bushnell as a brand is hard to beat. And I doubt my Pinned range finder will last even half of the time my dad has had his. My vote is for Bushnell.

grabthepin · June 16

Thanks for the recommendations - I had looked at V5 and V6, but hadn't checked out the Callaway and Pinned despite looking at about 20 options. Unfortunately in Australia so can't take advantage of the Father's Day specials.

In the end I went for the Vortex Anarch; the lifetime warranty and that Vortex actually fix them and sell refurbs made me like the company. I messaged Leupold about my failing GX3 hoping they could suggest what dies in time - so I could decide whether it's worth opening up to attempt to fix. But the common "We don't repair, buy a new one, we'll give you a discount". Even worse when the special prices are easily found elsewhere.  Bye-bye.

VoiceCaddie TL1's dual color OLED, quick lock on and no frills had my attention, but I couldn't find any spec of the eye relief for it - important as I wear glasses. So I got the 'toy' vibe. I did come across an owner though who said it was low eye relief and not suitable for glasses.

Bushnell X3+: Only considered it because of the 7x due to my eyesight. But when thinking about it, I often can't see the flagstick to even point the RF in the right direction - so 7x will just mean more panning around trying to find it. And could I hold it still enough anyway at7x? So predicted 6x with Vortex's raved-about optical clarity would work better here, along with its image stabilization   Plus all the frills like slope, home elevation, wind, app... I'd never use and for some reason, I had having features I don't use. Digital version of clutter I guess. Was significantly bigger and heavier too (I carry).

V5/V6 non-shift versions: more like it. Not fond of black overlays but nothing else really discounted them. Just thought the Anarch was worth paying more for the auto brightness, red, optical clarity and stabilization. I liked the red display on the Leupold, but it was too bright making the course look dimmer.

The biggest neg I saw with the Anarch was its magnet strength. I wasn't after a magnet but sort of excited to slap it on the carry bag and get rid of the awkward case. I'll attach it magnet-to-magnet rather than magnet to steel, so strength shouldn't be an issue.

Edited June 16 by grabthepin

RSinSG · June 16

Several of us recently tested the Vortex rangefinder and you can read about it here. Bottom line- every one of us felt it had the best optics of all rangefinders.

grabthepin · June 17

9 hours ago, RSinSG said:

Several of us recently tested the Vortex rangefinder and you can read about it here. Bottom line- every one of us felt it had the best optics of all rangefinders.

It was that thread that made me aware of their rangefinders actually. Very helpful thread, as was the 1100 post thread on THP.

Issues I've read so far:

Magnet strength - that's sorted
Slope adjusted distance - don't use it but I will check reported degrees as it'd be handy for measuring heights of things both on and off course
Magnet on left side - perfect. Not really sure why other other companies put it on the right side. Most people are right eye dominant, do they hold it with their left hand?
Battery latch not sitting flat - if OCD gets me, it's probably a standard size so I'll transfer the one from the Leopold.

AzRoger · June 17

I picked up a Caddytek rangefinder at Costco for under $100 about 5 years ago and still working great, it is just as accurate as Bushnell and has a decent battery life. It does have a slope function but I never use it.

SwingBlues · July 7

On 6/17/2025 at 1:15 AM, grabthepin said:

It was that thread that made me aware of their rangefinders actually. Very helpful thread, as was the 1100 post thread on THP.

Issues I've read so far:

Magnet strength - that's sorted

Slope adjusted distance - don't use it but I will check reported degrees as it'd be handy for measuring heights of things both on and off course

Magnet on left side - perfect. Not really sure why other other companies put it on the right side. Most people are right eye dominant, do they hold it with their left hand?

Battery latch not sitting flat - if OCD gets me, it's probably a standard size so I'll transfer the one from the Leopold.

These are minor, imho. The real big deal is the Lifetime Warranty. I think only Blue offers similar but eveyone else is 3 years or less. Based on my dealing with the folks at Vortex, they are super customer friendly and have been around for a very long time in the hunting/gaming where their optics/scopes are legendary.

Anyway, my 2c & for full disclosure, i am a WRX reviewer for Vortex Anarch, kicked out my Bushnell Pro X2

cristphoto · July 15

I’m not familiar with Vortex rangefinders or have any idea how long they have been in business. However I can’t see them being around long if they continue with a lifetime warranty. My guess is that will change in the next couple years.

klbcec · July 19

On 6/11/2025 at 10:25 PM, grabthepin said:

Replacing a Leupold GX3 has just stopped sensing flagsticks after 15 years. Was very happy with it, but if getting a new device, would appreciate more advanced flagstick seeking to improve the speed & confidence it's actually zapped the right thing.

Important
- speed w/o prisms
- distance accuracy
- build quality

Bonus:
- battery life

- long warranty

- screen clarity

- scan mode

Prefer not to have

- digital screens (other than the overlay)

- gps

- data logging
- wind

- slope - but if everyone chucks it in now, no choice I guess.

- triangulation

- club recommendation

Price not too important, but don't like paying for features I don't use.