Another rangefinder question...

[Ctam9]

If you could purchase any rangefinder which one would you purchase and why?

[iacas]

Leupold GX-I.

[Ctam9]

Erik...appreciate the suggestion.

Have a question though...most companies that manufacture a golf version rangefinder also manufacture a hungting version that is available for less money.

Would I be doing the wrong thing to purchase a RXI or RXII vs the GXI or GXII?

I guess my question now is do the golf versions offer different options vs the hunting versions?

Appreciate it!

[imaguy3]

I'm looking on Leupold's site right now, and their golf rangefinders talk about "tournamnet legal"... I don't know what makes it tournament legal, but if that's something that would concern you I'd find out.

Also the GX1 gives maximum range for the pin as 350 yrds, but then it can see "reflective targets" and trees from much farther out. I'm wondering if the laser in the GX1 is more precise than the hunting ones. Being that the hunting ones only have to fixate on a large animal, as opposed to a small flagstick...

Pure speculation though...

[iacas]

Would I be doing the wrong thing to purchase a RXI or RXII vs the GXI or GXII?

The hunting version is a little different. The optics and laser are tuned a bit differently.

I wouldn't get the -II versions of either. In addition to costing more, they are not legal for tournament play.

I'm looking on Leupold's site right now, and their golf rangefinders talk about "tournamnet legal"... I don't know what makes it tournament legal, but if that's something that would concern you I'd find out.

Tournament legal = won't measure anything but distance.

[denver_nuggs_15]

No one ever talks about the Laser Link Gold when they talk of rangefinders. In my opinion it is the easiest and fastest to use of any of them...Literally point and shoot like a pistol. Bushnells and the others, you need to look through a scope and it takes a bit more time and they dont always work with shakey hands. Laser Link Golds always work (but don't zoom in).

[iacas]

No one ever talks about the Laser Link Gold when they talk of rangefinders. In my opinion it is the easiest and fastest to use of any of them...Literally point and shoot like a pistol. Bushnells and the others, you need to look through a scope and it takes a bit more time and they dont always work with shakey hands. Laser Link Golds always work (but don't zoom in).

Only if the flags have reflectors built into them, which many courses don't have.

[imaguy3]

Thanks, I noticed some of the hunting ones also measured temperature...

[iacas]

Thanks, I noticed some of the hunting ones also measured temperature...

Angle (i.e. slope) is the big one. Wind speed is illegal too, as is temperature:

Source: USGA Rules If, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g., gradient, wind speed, temperature, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional function is actually used."

[Ctam9]

No other suggestions folks?

How many of you folks own a rangefinder? If so, what make and model...does it perform well? Would you recommend it?

Is a rangefinder not on anyones x-mas list?

[doug J]

I have the Bushnell Scout 1000 which is the hunting version. It works great for golf and I highly recommend it. It does everything I want a rangefinder to do and it cost $200 ($150 with the $50 rebate).

[firstcut]

No other suggestions folks?

Haha! It's on the list, but I don't think I can make it till' X-Mas...

Thanks to Eriks review I'm really just trying to decide between the I and the II. I don't play tourneys and am thinking the II would help more. I'm so ready to pull the trigger. I took some clubs back and have $150 at GS and am thinking about bringing another back... Anyone have a strong opinion on why NOT to go with a rangefinder that does slope?

[biscuity]

I use a Nikon 800, same as the Callaway version except the outside color is black. It works great, easy to use, small, quick and accurate. I bought it on eBay for $214 shipped, new in box.

The only negative is that some people who have tried it say they shake too much to get a reading. For me it's not an issue.

I tested it against a Bushnell 1500 and found that the Nikon was easier for me to use. I recommend that you try them out at a golf shop or ask to try it if you see someone using one.

[Fourputt]

I use the Bushnell Pinseeker Tour V2. Works great. I've only used a Nikon 440 before, and the Bushnell is hands down better than the Nikon.

[Trav]

For what may be a less important reason to a lot of people, I use the Bushnell Pinseeker 1500, which is not tournament legal because of the slope feature. The reason is that I like to play when traveling and I prefer something that will help make an unfamiliar course more playable (read = enjoyable) during a vacation, etc. Some resort courses have GPS but typically they don't have the slope feature, and frankly I'm not sure they are always accurate.

You can get a good deal on ebay if you're patient.

[Ctam9]

Erik.....question for you...if you were not using the reangefinder for tournament play would you opt for the GXII?

[iacas]

Erik.....question for you...if you were not using the reangefinder for tournament play would you opt for the GXII?

No. I don't care what club some pre-programmed thing thinks I should hit.

[denver_nuggs_15]

Only if the flags have reflectors built into them, which many courses don't have.

Not True. The Laser Link Gold can hit anything including people, trees, sandtraps, fairways, or pretty much anything else. The other laserlinks need a reflector.