Question on Rangefinders

[Alohaed]

Hi all,

Years ago I had an inxepensive $20 - $30 rangefinder/scope. I remember having to aim and focus on the pin/flag to get a reading. I now have my skycaddie, for distance to doglegs/eofs, parts of the green, hazards, etc. Although hitting range balls is not as accurate as real balls, a gps can not help determine distances at a range, Similarly, going to my local course end of day, when empty, I would like to hit balls, using various clubs, without chasing them using my gps. Do rangefinders still need to point to the pin, or any object such as trees? Can any be used to point to my ball and find the distance? And if so, can anyone recommend a decent one at a reasonable price?

[Fourputt]

Originally Posted by Alohaed

Hi all,

Years ago I had an inxepensive $20 - $30 rangefinder/scope. I remember having to aim and focus on the pin/flag to get a reading. I now have my skycaddie, for distance to doglegs/eofs, parts of the green, hazards, etc. Although hitting range balls is not as accurate as real balls, a gps can not help determine distances at a range, Similarly, going to my local course end of day, when empty, I would like to hit balls, using various clubs, without chasing them using my gps. Do rangefinders still need to point to the pin, or any object such as trees? Can any be used to point to my ball and find the distance? And if so, can anyone recommend a decent one at a reasonable price?

The scope type you apparently had are purely optical and mostly worthless.  The modern laser rangefinder can be used to measure the distance to any object within its visual range.  I shoot trees, bunker lips, mounds - all sorts of things other than flags - to help me plan my shots.  However, a ball 200 yards downrange is an awfully small target.

[MikeLowry5]

You would be better off going to your ball and shooting back to your starting point to measure distance.

Iacas will recommend the Leupold and I think they are the nicest looking rangefinders and have the nicest display, however I sold my GX4 for the 1600 Bushnell (with slope) and could not be happier.  I get one consistent dimension when using this rangefinder as opposed to 4-5 from the Leupold.  Both of these are the top of the line models from each company and run between $350-$500 on Ebay and Amazon new.

Good luck.

[Fourputt]

Originally Posted by MikeLowry5

You would be better off going to your ball and shooting back to your starting point to measure distance.

Iacas will recommend the Leupold and I think they are the nicest looking rangefinders and have the nicest display, however I sold my GX4 for the 1600 Bushnell (with slope) and could not be happier.  I get one consistent dimension when using this rangefinder as opposed to 4-5 from the Leupold.  Both of these are the top of the line models from each company and run between $350-$500 on Ebay and Amazon new.

Good luck.

Only one hitch.  If it has slope it can't be used for any round played under the rules of golf.  If you ever plan on carrying a handicap or playing in a tournament, then you are wasting your money on the slope feature.  If you have a clue about playing the game you don't need that feature anyway.