Laser Rangefinder

[Golfingdad]

I've been happy with my Leupold GX-1 for many years now. Only thing that could be improved as far as I'm concerned, is the targetting. I sometimes have a hard time finding the flag if it's hanging straight down and I'm quite a ways from the green. I've read about lock-on technology or something, but not sure if that require the flag to be reflective, or if it works with any flag. If I got a new rangefinder today, that would be one of my top priorities.

I have the exact same issue. I have a slightly newer version and it still doesn't lock on very easily. Minor complaint tho ... It's great overall.

[teamroper60]

I have the Bushnell Tour V3 Jolt (non slope model).   I resisted buying a laser for quite some time partly because of the issues I experienced trying to lock on to a flag using a buddies Nikon.   After finally going and testing the Bushnell, I found it easy to lock onto a flag.   Most of the time, I can be locked on in a matter of a second or two.   I still have a GPS but find that I use it very little.   The laser however would be hard to do without...

[Dave2512]

V3 Jolt was a game changer for me. First time out I was surprised how vague my GPS numbers were relative to where the flag is on the green. I don't necessarily fire at flags but there were wide variances. Could be inside the 150 and be more than 150 from the flag. Typically didn't do anything with par 3's until I got the V3. I am certain I was choosing the wrong club on those. If the tee markers were near the yardage marker I grabbed club X. Soon learned 165 markers didn't mean much if the flag was 177. I was often short on par 3's and now I know why.

[Tim Williamson]

One of my few Black Friday purchases was the Nikon Coolshot AS Slope laser rangefinder at $200. Generally, I'm clueless as to the distances I'm hitting each club in my bag. This will no longer be the case. I am hoping to play some courses around Charleston, SC soon and learn how to use this device. I like the idea of knowing slope adjusted distances. It will be a great confidence builder. Tournament play is not a factor for me. I will have a better feel for distances and how slope figures in to club selection. This Nikon is going to change things for the better. I was about to buy the less expensive Nikon Coolshot Laser range finder but opted instead for the AS Slope at a price that I could still afford. With the Black Friday prices the step up in technology was $50 more than the basic model.

[trickyputt]

One of my few Black Friday purchases was the Nikon Coolshot AS Slope laser rangefinder at $200. Generally, I'm clueless as to the distances I'm hitting each club in my bag. This will no longer be the case. I am hoping to play some courses around Charleston, SC soon and learn how to use this device. I like the idea of knowing slope adjusted distances. It will be a great confidence builder. Tournament play is not a factor for me. I will have a better feel for distances and how slope figures in to club selection. This Nikon is going to change things for the better. I was about to buy the less expensive Nikon Coolshot Laser range finder but opted instead for the AS Slope at a price that I could still afford. With the Black Friday prices the step up in technology was $50 more than the basic model.

cool stuff. Be wary of the extreme slope downhill, but they are very informative tools.

[Mr. Desmond]

Recognizing many in this group are Leopold fans, as am I, having purchased a GX-1 for my son about 7 years ago (and still working fine), I was intrigued by the Bushnell Tour X w Jolt. It seems to be the rage at the moment.

I have a Leica Pinmaster, had it for over 10 years or more, I think, and it was never as fast as the GX-1. I almost decided on the Leopold GX3i2, when the Tour X arrived. Could not find it at a reduction in price and decided to wait. Read many reviews and while it is not waterproof with the slope attachment, and does not have a fog mode, those two issues are not factors in my play (typically). You have a choice of red or white lettering, 6X magnification (like Leopold), and the size is now more ergonomic. Plus its slope edition is also legal without the attachment (like Leupold).

Shopped around and could not find it at decent price-- I thought Bushnell must have had a pricing limitation on $499. Then last night, right before TGW's 20% off sale plus $20 gift card was about to expire, someone said the Tour X was included. I bit on it. The golf addict in me said $379 net was a great deal, my budget said "don't." Budget will be resentful for a while. Will report back on it.

[newtogolf]

Recognizing many in this group are Leopold fans, as am I, having purchased a GX-1 for my son about 7 years ago (and still working fine), I was intrigued by the Bushnell Tour X w Jolt. It seems to be the rage at the moment.

I have a Leica Pinmaster, had it for over 10 years or more, I think, and it was never as fast as the GX-1. I almost decided on the Leopold GX3i2, when the Tour X arrived. Could not find it at a reduction in price and decided to wait. Read many reviews and while it is not waterproof with the slope attachment, and does not have a fog mode, those two issues are not factors in my play (typically). You have a choice of red or white lettering, 6X magnification (like Leopold), and the size is now more ergonomic. Plus its slope edition is also legal without the attachment (like Leupold).

Shopped around and could not find it at decent price-- I thought Bushnell must have had a pricing limitation on $499. Then last night, right before TGW's 20% off sale plus $20 gift card was about to expire, someone said the Tour X was included. I bit on it. The golf addict in me said $379 net was a great deal, my budget said "don't." Budget will be resentful for a while. Will report back on it.

Tour X looks great but it's not waterproof.  The Bushnell site originally (or falsely) stated it was a waterproof model but after research and a call to Bushnell I was told it isn't.  They wouldn't explain why but my guess is the replaceable face plate uses a plastic tab to enable or disable the slope reading by depressing a switch.  That switch doesn't appear to be waterproof and would allow water to get inside the unit.

As a general rule I don't like to play golf in the rain but I can't see paying $400 - $500 for a rangefinder that is useless in it.

Exclusive to the Tour X JOLT, Dual Display Technology allows the user to easily toggle between a bright red vivid display or sharp black display based on lighting conditions or personal preference.

E.S.P. 2 provides yardage faster and more accurately than ever before. Not only have we increased the acquisition speed to a lightning fast level, E.S.P. 2 is so accurate that from 5-125 yards, the distance is displayed to 1/10th of a yard.

A Tour X JOLT exclusive, Exchange Technology lets you use our patented Slope Technology when the red faceplate is installed and functions as a USGA conforming device when the black faceplate is installed.

This Bushnell Rangefinder complies with USGA rule 14-3/.05.

PinSeeker Technology™ with JOLT provides the golfer with short vibrating bursts to reinforce that the laser has locked onto the flag. JOLT Technology eliminates all doubt. Use what the pros use, feel the exact distance... feel the JOLT.

The undisputed #1 Laser Rangefinder in professional golf. Bushnell Laser Rangefinders are used by more than 97% of PGA Tour pros.

The technology of tour domination. Provides compensated distance based on the hole's incline/decline.

Your Bushnell Golf Rangefinder is warranted to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for two years after the date of purchase.

Magnification x Obj. Lens:6x 21 mm

Dimensions:1.5x4x3 in

Weight:8oz

Battery Type:3-Volt Lithium (CR-2)

Eye Relief:16mm

Exit Pupil:3.5mm

Field of View:393ft@1000 yds

Optical Coatings:Fully Multi-Coated

Display:Dual Display Technology

Range:5-1300 yards

Ranging Accuracy:1/2 yard

Water Proof:No

Built-in Accessory Mount:No

[Mr. Desmond]

Tour X looks great but it's not waterproof.  The Bushnell site originally (or falsely) stated it was a waterproof model but after research and a call to Bushnell I was told it isn't.  They wouldn't explain why but my guess is the replaceable face plate uses a plastic tab to enable or disable the slope reading by depressing a switch.  That switch doesn't appear to be waterproof and would allow water to get inside the unit.

As a general rule I don't like to play golf in the rain but I can't see paying $400 - $500 for a rangefinder that is useless in it.

Yes, saw that, forgot to mention it. It is a big deal for many -- but then, I tend not to play in the rain ... or have not in 15 years. Just hasn't rained much where I play until this winter/spring -- 22 inches since first of year...

Just not a deal breaker for me. I'd rather get the slope and a quick hit of jolt - wakes up the old guy in me.

And the question becomes when is it not waterproof, and if not completely waterproof, is it pretty darn waterproof? I don't play in deluges and would take distance with an umbrella if water is that hindering. I recognize that manufacturers must say "waterproof" or "not waterproof" for liability purposes - so you can't get it soaked. But then, who soaks it?

And for $379, if it bothers me, I can give another guy a deal in the classifieds here...

[Mr. Desmond]

Jolted!

Received the Bushnell Tour X, took it out to the range and it is quick.

With my shaky, one-handed grip, received 88, 142, and 195 flags quickly -- with a jolt.

Ergonomics are good ... jolt is quick.

[David in FL]

Jolted! Received the Bushnell Tour X, took it out to the range and it is quick. With my shaky, one-handed grip, received 88, 142, and 195 flags quickly -- with a jolt. Ergonomics are good ... jolt is quick.

I'm perfectly happy with my GX1, but would likely get the Bushnell next time. My buddy's just seems to lock up a little better on long pins with clutter in the background.

[Mr. Desmond]

I'm perfectly happy with my GX1, but would likely get the Bushnell next time. My buddy's just seems to lock up a little better on long pins with clutter in the background.

My son's GX1 works fine.

I've had a Leica Pinmaster for 10-12 years, while it was one of the first to have pinseeker tech and waterproof, from the outset it was behind the GX1. Did not use if for anything over 200. At that distance, I only had two clubs, so it had no utility. My only questions were 3 or 5 wd, what's the lie, shape, and danger?

My 8 yr old gets the joy of the Pinmaster.

A rangefinder is a nice toy to purchase every 10 years or so. The Bushnell, and I've never been a fan of Bushnell, works quickly. But we'll see what happens on the course.

[joekelly]

I bought a Nikon ProStaff at an outdoor shop.  I believe this model is made for deer hunters and so was good and cheap and seems to work just fine.  But if the flagstick is far off and my hands are shaky, can be tough to lock on correctly.  I ofter need to lock on a caddy or golfer on the green ahead of me, and not try for the flag.

And can anyone answer whether the laser beam can be dangerous to a spectator (fellow golfer or caddy) as in the example i gave.  Am thinking of the beam damaging the eyes of someone.

[newtogolf]

I bought a Nikon ProStaff at an outdoor shop.  I believe this model is made for deer hunters and so was good and cheap and seems to work just fine.  But if the flagstick is far off and my hands are shaky, can be tough to lock on correctly.  I ofter need to lock on a caddy or golfer on the green ahead of me, and not try for the flag.

And can anyone answer whether the laser beam can be dangerous to a spectator (fellow golfer or caddy) as in the example i gave.  Am thinking of the beam damaging the eyes of someone.

Except for military applications all consumer rangefinders (golf, hunting) are Class 1 lasers and not dangerous to human or animal eyesight.

[Clambake]

And can anyone answer whether the laser beam can be dangerous to a spectator (fellow golfer or caddy) as in the example i gave.  Am thinking of the beam damaging the eyes of someone.

Not dangerous, but with a little practice you can start earning a few extra bucks on the weekends performing LASIK surgery on your near sighted playing partners.

[titan90]

I have the Leupold GX-4i2 and love it. If you don't want slope and everything else the basic models would be perfect. Plus Leupold has the best customer service which is the reason I went with them over Bushnell.