Laser Range Finders

[Ernest Jones]

LOL ... yes I really want one!  But the reason why I'm leaning towards it currently is because I have the gift cards.  Of course, the problem is that golfgalaxy only has new v3's at $300, and I can go to ebay and get v2's, it appears, for $200 or less.

But then, what am I going to get with my gift card?? ;)

The good news is that most courses around here, and especially the ones where the tournaments are held, usually have gps in the carts.  So I kind of have a built in check.

Example:  Last Sunday we noticed that the GPS was off by a few yards (compared to the laser that a FC had) on the first hole.  On the 3rd hole it showed us at about 95 yards from the pin.  FC shot it with his laser and said its actually 105.  I didn't believe him** and went ahead with the 95 number.  We got to the green and I noticed that the hazard behind the green (which had trees and bushes growing up higher than the flag) was pretty close to 10 yards beyond the flag so I'm thinking that is exactly what he did.

**So, a lot of the courses around here give a "to the pin" number on their GPSs in the cart.  Since all of the stuff for GPSs (as I understand it) is pre-mapped out, I have to assume that that number is always an estimate.  Like, they pre-programmed their green quadrants, and then use that number every time, even though each time they stick the hole in that quadrant it could very by several yards.  This particular hole had something like 95 to the flag, 100 to the back of the green, and 75 or something to the front of the green.  My assumption was that since the front and back of the green never move that those numbers were probably right, which is why I said I didn't trust his laser number.  (Not because I thought he as lying to me or anything ;))

We got to the green and ... what happened? Was the 105 right or the 95? I'm rooting for you Gdaddy!

[Golfingdad]

We got to the green and... what happened? Was the 105 right or the 95? I'm rooting for you Gdaddy!

LOL ... sorry about that!  Well, we never really technically resolved it, other than the fact that I felt like I hit the shot I wanted to hit and it ended up in a pretty good spot.  He didn't fly the green either though, so he could argue he was right, I guess??

But the number he got from his laser was 10 yards past the GPS number for the pin, and the GPS number for the pin was a few yards less than the GPS number for the back of the green.  If I assume that he shot the bushes, then all 3 numbers match up with each other.  If he's right, then the number on the GPS for both the pin and the front and back of the green are wrong.  And since the GPS seemed to be pretty accurate all day (expcept for a couple of obvious bad numbers on a few pins) I'm thinking that I was right on this one.  ;)

But since we both hit good shots with different numbers, this could be where that axiom (usually invoked in regards to putting) comes into play ... where they say it's better to be confident with your stroke (or yardage) than it is to be correct.  Before I hit my shot, I didn't doubt myself because of his number, I simply "knew" I was right and he was wrong .. at least for that moment. ;)

[Ernest Jones]

I simply "knew" I was right and he was wrong ...

TIGER HATER!!!! Lol.

[Mr. Desmond]

My son has had the Leupold GX1 for about 6 years - it's not too big or small, and it's fast and accurate. If you want yardage in 10th of degrees, I guess the 1i might fit you.

I've used a Leica Pinseeker for about 10 years.

Once you get one of these, you tend to keep them. Except for Bushnells - I see guys switching every other model. My guess is they were tooooo big. Get what you like, but I like the Leupold. They're keepers.

When I start playing more and in different places, the next (Leupold) will have slope, and then after I know the effect of slope, I'll turn it off. I don't do tournaments. If so, I still have a Pinseeker.

[Golfingdad]

@tristanhilton85 or @Mr. Desmond ... is the leupold powered by a 9 volt?  It looks like thats what the bushnell takes from the "patriot pack" pictures I've seen.

It also looks like they are fairly similar in size, but maybe the leupold (I'm looking at the gx-1) is a bit smaller?

Oh, who am I kidding ... I really just need to get on over to golfsmtih and check them out in person.  Is it 5 o clock yet?

[Mr. Desmond]

@tristanhilton85 or @Mr. Desmond ... is the leupold powered by a 9 volt?  It looks like thats what the bushnell takes from the "patriot pack" pictures I've seen.

It also looks like they are fairly similar in size, but maybe the leupold (I'm looking at the gx-1) is a bit smaller?

Oh, who am I kidding ... I really just need to get on over to golfsmtih and check them out in person.  Is it 5 o clock yet?

cr-2 Lithium

[jamo]

@tristanhilton85 or @Mr. Desmond ... is the leupold powered by a 9 volt?  It looks like thats what the bushnell takes from the "patriot pack" pictures I've seen. It also looks like they are fairly similar in size, but maybe the leupold (I'm looking at the gx-1) is a bit smaller? Oh, who am I kidding ... I really just need to get on over to golfsmtih and check them out in person.  Is it 5 o clock yet?

The GX-1 might be a little bit smaller than the V2 and V3, but the GX-3 is substantially smaller. The main reason I went for the V2 was price (and a lack of glaring weaknesses; if it was utter crap I wouldn't have bought it no matter the price). I probably would have bought a GX-1 if it was the same price as a V2.

[tristanhilton85]

@Golfingdad , Like Mr. Desmond said, it's CR-2 Lithium.

They last a long time too. However, I'd make sure to have a backup because if you get one, you'll feel lost if it dies on you in the middle of a round.

… and yeah, between the GX-1 and the V2, I'd go with the GX-1 if they were the same price, but if you can save a little bit getting the V2 then go for that as it'll get the job done just as well.

[Golfingdad]

Now to complicate the decision:

Roger Dunns is offering a 20% off everything (over $100) sale right now ... and the z6 is coming with a $100 mail-in rebate.  If I were to order that one, by my math, I could get it for $220.  With my $50 GC, it would be 170.  (At golfgalaxy with my 100 gc but without the 20% it would be 199 cash for me)

Anybody know anything about the z6?  (Other than the fact that its 4 times better than the z2 and 3 times better than the z3 ;))

[Mr. Desmond]

Now to complicate the decision:

Roger Dunns is offering a 20% off everything (over $100) sale right now ... and the z6 is coming with a $100 mail-in rebate.  If I were to order that one, by my math, I could get it for $220.  With my $50 GC, it would be 170.  (At golfgalaxy with my 100 gc but without the 20% it would be 199 cash for me)

Anybody know anything about the z6?  (Other than the fact that its 4 times better than the z2 and 3 times better than the z3 ;))

You've just got to try it out, press the buttons, hold it in your hand, look thru the viewfinder … does it work for you?

[Golfingdad]

You've just got to try it out, press the buttons, hold it in your hand, look thru the viewfinder … does it work for you?

I know, I know.  I get excited though.  Didn't have a chance to check them out last night, probably won't have a chance tonight either, and really want to get one!  (Maybe I will sneak out of work a pinch early ... it is Friday after all ;))

[tristanhilton85]

Now to complicate the decision:

Roger Dunns is offering a 20% off everything (over $100) sale right now ... and the z6 is coming with a $100 mail-in rebate.  If I were to order that one, by my math, I could get it for $220.  With my $50 GC, it would be 170.  (At golfgalaxy with my 100 gc but without the 20% it would be 199 cash for me)

Anybody know anything about the z6?  (Other than the fact that its 4 times better than the z2 and 3 times better than the z3 ;))

I've played around with it in the store and I think it's a good one. To me it would compare to the GX-3 from Leupold. IIRC, it's a bit smaller than the V2, and it also has the red LED display. This is nice if you are shooting a flag with a darker background as you can easily see the numbers. For $170 (or even $200) I think that'd be a great pick. Obviously you'll want to make sure you get the non slope version since you'll use it in tournaments.

[Golfingdad]

Alright guys ... I went to Roger Dunn today and tested them all out.  I had it narrowed down to the v3, GX-1i, and the v6 (because with the rebate, it was basically the same 300 price).  I also tried out the GX-3i, but that was never really a consideration because it was 400.  Anyways, they all seemed pretty nice and somewhat similar.  They all felt about the same in my hand ... or at least all felt comfortable enough that that wasn't going to be an issue.  The GX-3i and the v6 both had really easy to read, bright red numbers.  The big difference was that for some reason, the Bushnells both seemed to be a little iffy on the response.  Like, it only gave me a number every other push, or 2 out of 3.  Don't know if I was not pressing the button hard enough, or if it's simply not great sample when you're looking at things indoors that are only 20 yards away.

Regardless, both Leupolds gave readings every time I pressed the button.  And since the 3 was 100 more, I went with the GX-1i.  Throw in their 20% weekend sale and my gift card, it was 205 out the door. :)

Thank you @jamo , @tristanhilton85 , and @Mr. Desmond for your help!!

Also, thank you @boogielicious as well, because it was your review, and specifically the update to your review in regards to their great costumer service that helped me make this decision. :)

Can't wait to get this thing out on the range and on the course to test it out.

[jamo]

The big difference was that for some reason, the Bushnells both seemed to be a little iffy on the response.  Like, it only gave me a number every other push, or 2 out of 3.  Don't know if I was not pressing the button hard enough, or if it's simply not great sample when you're looking at things indoors that are only 20 yards away.

That could just be because it was a display unit that people use and abuse 20 times a day. Either way, $205 for a GX-1 is great!

[Mr. Desmond]

Alright guys ... I went to Roger Dunn today and tested them all out.  I had it narrowed down to the v3, GX-1i, and the v6 (because with the rebate, it was basically the same 300 price).  I also tried out the GX-3i, but that was never really a consideration because it was 400.  Anyways, they all seemed pretty nice and somewhat similar.  They all felt about the same in my hand ... or at least all felt comfortable enough that that wasn't going to be an issue.  The GX-3i and the v6 both had really easy to read, bright red numbers.  The big difference was that for some reason, the Bushnells both seemed to be a little iffy on the response.  Like, it only gave me a number every other push, or 2 out of 3.  Don't know if I was not pressing the button hard enough, or if it's simply not great sample when you're looking at things indoors that are only 20 yards away.

Regardless, both Leupolds gave readings every time I pressed the button.  And since the 3 was 100 more, I went with the GX-1i.  Throw in their 20% weekend sale and my gift card, it was 205 out the door. :)

Thank you @jamo , @tristanhilton85 , and @Mr. Desmond for your help!!

Also, thank you @boogielicious as well, because it was your review, and specifically the update to your review in regards to their great costumer service that helped me make this decision. :)

Can't wait to get this thing out on the range and on the course to test it out.

Congrats!

You may motivate me to replace the Leica Pinseeker.

Now go eat a steak... lol ... with those savings. ... grass fed, of course.

[Golfingdad]

That could just be because it was a display unit that people use and abuse 20 times a day. Either way, $205 for a GX-1 is great!

Entirely possible. Also figured it didn't really matter that much. They both seem really solid, doubt I could go wrong either way.

[tristanhilton85]

I think you'll like the GX-1i very much. Good choice. Make sure that you buy an extra battery to keep in bag just in case.

[Golfingdad]

I think you'll like the GX-1i very much. Good choice. Make sure that you buy an extra battery to keep in bag just in case.

Definitely will ... I like how the case comes with a pocket designed for an extra battery. ;)