Range Finders

[TitleistHOG]

What is everyone's thoughts on Range Finders and using them on the course. I was considering purchasing one to help me determine the correct distance instead of guessing. My thoughts are the pros know the exact yardage which helps them determine the correct club. I don't think I will have a personnal caddie anytime soon but I do think it might help me pick the right club if I knew yardages better. How many people use them, how well do they work, which type do you use and did it help you out in scoring?

[iacas]

I'm currently reviewing the SkyCaddie, and soon I'll be reviewing the Bushnell range finders, I think. So if you can wait about three weeks, you'll know my answers on both.

The quick review of the SkyCaddie is that it's nice, but the computer interface for it kinda sucks. Forces you to use IE, too.

[Rafcin]

To get really good yardage you'd have to spend some money... the "under $100" range finders (I had 2 different ones) don't do it for me - hard to know, what it is focusing on. Another minus is that you can't figure out with them i.e. how far is it to the end of the fairway, to the edge of the bunker etc., since there is no "object" to focus on.
On unknown courses (while travelling) I'm using SkyGolf GPS (If I'm lucky and the GPS map is available...). It's not too accurate (+/- 6yds), but works perfect as an yardage book. Exact distances still have to be stepped off. I can't understand why USGA doesn't allow to use them, even if scores are used for hcp. I guess when you play on a course, where carts have GPS installed - you're supposed to look away too