Leupold Releases GX-1i3 and GX-2i3

[iacas]

There's another thread here for the GX-5i3, but these came in a separate press release much later, and I don't want to bury it at the bottom of that topic…

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New Leupold® GX®-1i3 and GX®-2i3
Golf Rangefinders Feature New Ergonomic Design 

BEAVERTON, Ore. — New GX®-1i3 and GX®-2i3 golf rangefinders from Leupold® feature a sleek, new ergonomic design that makes them easy and comfortable to hold in the palm of a hand.

Both models offer Leupold’s high-performance DNA® (Digitally eNhanced Accuracy) engine and an advanced infrared laser that deliver faster measurements with increased accuracy that is superior to GPS devices. New PinHunter™ 3 Laser Technology increases the pulse rate and as a result, the GX rangefinder ignores user movement to quickly identify and lock onto the flag or pin for extremely precise and fast target acquisition.

 “Golfers will appreciate the look, feel and handling of these new rangefinders,” said Rob Morrison, vice president, global marketing for Leupold & Stevens, Inc. “They have all the distance, speed and accuracy to help take any golfer’s game to the next level and with the GX-2i3, you have customization features that make it like a personal caddie who really knows your game and can take the measure of any course.”

GX-1i3 provides line-of-sight distance measurement only and is tournament legal. Tournament use of GX-2i3 is permitted under the Rules of Golf when a Local Rule is in effect (see USGA Decision 14-3/0.5) and the True Golf Range™ (TGR®) and Club Selector™ features are disabled. Using a custom algorithm that no other rangefinder has, TGR allows golfers to compensate for uphill shots that play long and downhill shots that play short.

With the TGR and Club Selector features, GX-2i3 takes customization to an elite level by providing ranging information and club recommendations matched to the slope of the shot, atmospheric conditions and a golfer’s personal hitting strength. TGR displays the adjusted “plays like” range, calculated from the laser-measured line-of-sight distance, incline or decline, trajectory of the ball, current temperature, and specific altitude. Club Selector factors in the golfer’s specific hitting strength and TGR to the target, automatically recommending the proper club for each shot. Users simply input their personal striking distance for three specific clubs and the GX-2i3 does the rest, even indicating when the distance falls between clubs.

Other key features for both GX-1i3 and GX-2i3 include audible Prism Lock Technology™ that allows golfers, including those with unsteady hands, to get their distances easily, quickly and with extreme accuracy when a course is outfitted with reflective prisms. Maximum ranging distance on prisms is 700 yards.

Both models also offer Fog Mode to cut through mist and provide fast, accurate distance measurements. Each has 6X magnification and a one-touch scan mode that allows users to sweep the landscape while continuously measuring distance. Golfers can select from seven aiming reticles for each model, choosing the one that works best for the intended target and usage. Multi-coated lenses deliver a crystal-clear image.

GX-1i3 and GX-2i3 are compact, weighing just 6.8 ounces, and measuring only 4.0 inches long, 2.5 inches high and 1.5 inches wide. GX-2i3 has a black LCD display for high contrast and clarity. Distance can be displayed in yards or meters.

Both models are built to Leupold’s exacting standards for ruggedness. They are waterproof and covered by the Leupold Limited 5-Year Electronics Warranty. Manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $374.99 for GX-1i3 and $414.99 for GX-2i3.

[gregtb]

FYI...I have a 2 1/2 year old 3xi.  The display is fading, I cannot see half of the battery indicator, and the hundred yard digit is out.  I sent it back assuming it was under warranty, and it turns out electronics only have a 2 year warranty, which is apparently a firm 730 days. They provided no details on why the display was fading, would not acknowledge others having the same problem, and were evasive when I asked if they could repair it.  

Their solution was for me to buy another one at a discount, which to me is upselling at best, and bait and switch at worst.  You cannot reply or contact my email, they only want to talk on the phone, makes it harder to document the poor service received and uncaring tone about the expensive POS I purchased.  

Hopefully if you buy one you will have a better experience.  

[iacas]

2 hours ago, gregtb said:

Their solution was for me to buy another one at a discount, which to me is upselling at best, and bait and switch at worst.

How is it either of those things?

You bought a product. You used it for 2.5 years, beyond the warranty date. The product has stopped working as well as it once did.

The company offered you a reduced price on a replacement, when your only other real option is to buy a new one at retail pricing.

2 hours ago, gregtb said:

Hopefully if you buy one you will have a better experience.  

I've had nothing but great experiences with my Leupolds. One of my golfers has one, too, and when his failed (he dropped it, but it wasn't damaged externally), they replaced it with a newer model. He was just inside the two-year warranty period.

Leupold makes a pretty good product, in my experience.

[gregtb]

1 hour ago, iacas said:

How is it either of those things?

You bought a product. You used it for 2.5 years, beyond the warranty date. The product has stopped working as well as it once did.

The company offered you a reduced price on a replacement, when your only other real option is to buy a new one at retail pricing.

I've had nothing but great experiences with my Leupolds. One of my golfers has one, too, and when his failed (he dropped it, but it wasn't damaged externally), they replaced it with a newer model. He was just inside the two-year warranty period.

Leupold makes a pretty good product, in my experience.

Fair questions.  I guess you routinely pay top dollar ($450 in my case) for the use of a product with a website promising a "lifetime warranty" and then think 2.5 years is a lifetime?  Yeah, buyer beware, I get that.  If it was 5 years, I would not be on here.  You missed the obvious option, but I think on purpose.  I can buy 5 $80 range finders that last a lot longer, do the same thing, and be about 20 years ahead of buying a name brand, and still get the same yardage.  

I did not know you could own golfers.  Maybe you sell them to "your" golfers and do not want the truth out?  I can only think Leupold sold out to private equity or passed on to their children and the business model has changed from quality to quantity.  I am glad you have had great experiences and your golfers too.  Some companies back their products, this one at this time chooses to use the letter of their warranty.  

I thank you for your experience and opinion.  It does not change that I own a $450 slowly dying piece of junk.  I just want others to be be aware.  

 

[iacas]

23 minutes ago, gregtb said:

Fair questions.  I guess you routinely pay top dollar ($450 in my case) for the use of a product with a website promising a "lifetime warranty" and then think 2.5 years is a lifetime?

Read the site: the lifetime is for the optics. The electronics are not guaranteed for a lifetime. That would be unprecedented. https://www.leupold.com/leupold-dna/lifetime-guarantee

Scroll half a page and you get this:

Quote

Leupold Electronics Limited Two-Year Warranty

For components not included under the Leupold Full Lifetime Guarantee, this warranty covers any defects in materials and workmanship in the electronic components of illuminated riflescopes/sights, RX Rangefinders, GX Rangefinders, Pin Caddie Rangefinder, LTO thermal products and Vendetta Archery Rangefinders. This warranty lasts for two years from the date of purchase. If, during that two-year period, these products are found to have defects in materials or workmanship, Leupold will repair, or if repair is not possible, replace the product, free of charge.

You weren't really "fooled" at all. You just didn't do much actual research.

BTW, Bushnell's policy? Two years. One year on their GPS models… http://bushnellgolf.com/support/

Quote

WARRANTY INFO

Bushnell Golf guarantees these products to be free of defects in materials and workmanship as follows:

Laser Rangefinders: Two Year Limited Warranty
GPS Rangefinders: One Year Limited Warranty

Nikon's? The same. https://www.nikonsportoptics.com/en_US/SRO/Images/CPCAssets/shopping-help/pdf/Nikon-Laser-Rangefinder-2-Year-Warranty-Sample.pdf

23 minutes ago, gregtb said:

Yeah, buyer beware, I get that.

Not trying to be controversial here, but more a matter of "buyer be educated."

23 minutes ago, gregtb said:

If it was 5 years, I would not be on here.

It's two years for just about every laser rangefinder. Or less, if you buy a cheap-o one.

23 minutes ago, gregtb said:

You missed the obvious option, but I think on purpose. I can buy 5 $80 range finders that last a lot longer, do the same thing, and be about 20 years ahead of buying a name brand, and still get the same yardage.

Then do that. Perfectly valid choice.

23 minutes ago, gregtb said:

I did not know you could own golfers.

I coach a college team, and I'm an instructor. When I say "one of my golfers" I'm likely referring to the former, but it could be the latter (though I usually say "students" in that case).

23 minutes ago, gregtb said:

I thank you for your experience and opinion.  It does not change that I own a $450 slowly dying piece of junk.  I just want others to be be aware.  

Hey, I want people to be aware of the fact that I've had nothing but great experiences with my Leupolds.

[gregtb]

14 minutes ago, iacas said:

Hey, I want people to be aware of the fact that I've had nothing but great experiences with my Leupolds.

Yeah, great that you teach young people.  And great that your experience is better than mine.  I guess that the last time you bought an expensive product, lets say a high end TV, with a 2 year limited warranty, you were "educated" enough to expect and be happy if it crapped out in 30 months?  Whatever you are teaching, and maybe you are so lucky to never have had to pay for a defective product, but I am happy you have it all figured out and had no bad experience.  I just hope you never pay a lot of money for something and have it die right after a warranty that is not clear on the site suddenly expires.  I know I am not the majority, but I also know others have this experience.  Thanks for the learning lesson on buying crap products.  You teach real well.

[iacas]

Just now, gregtb said:

Yeah, great that you teach young people.  And great that your experience is better than mine.  I guess that the last time you bought an expensive product, lets say a high end TV, with a 2 year limited warranty, you were "educated" enough to expect and be happy if it crapped out in 30 months?

All I'm saying is that you didn't actually look at the warranty, or didn't understand it, and you shouldn't go on here spouting lies like that they screwed you out of a lifetime warranty. It's not, and never was. And you could have known that prior to purchase.

Would I be happy? No. I might even make a post or two about it on a forum.

But I wouldn't continue to lie about it.

Just now, gregtb said:

Whatever you are teaching, and maybe you are so lucky to never have had to pay for a defective product, but I am happy you have it all figured out and had no bad experience.

I teach golf, dude. C'mon… Do you even see the avatar I've got right now?

I'm starting to understand why you didn't see that the warranty was two years. 

Just now, gregtb said:

I just hope you never pay a lot of money for something and have it die right after a warranty that is not clear on the site suddenly expires.

What are you even talking about?

https://www.leupold.com/leupold-dna/lifetime-guarantee

Seems pretty damn clear to me.

[gregtb]

10 minutes ago, iacas said:

All I'm saying is that you didn't actually look at the warranty, or didn't understand it, and you shouldn't go on here spouting lies like that they screwed you out of a lifetime warranty. It's not, and never was. And you could have known that prior to purchase.

Would I be happy? No. I might even make a post or two about it on a forum.

But I wouldn't continue to lie about it.

I teach golf, dude. C'mon… Do you even see the avatar I've got right now?

I'm starting to understand why you didn't see that the warranty was two years. 

What are you even talking about?

https://www.leupold.com/leupold-dna/lifetime-guarantee

Seems pretty damn clear to me.

"Dude" c'mon.  How many electronic products are out there with a 1 or 2 year warranty?  Philips, Sony, Mitsubishi, need I go on?  Your avatar does not make you a Consumer Products guru, more certainly, you do not have an electrical engineer degree.  What is your real problem?  No product is sold to be defective 1.25 times the warranty.  If they were, why pay a premium for the product.  Is it foreign to you that I bought at the high end of the available range expecting that a company with their warranty and commitment to quality might, just might, want to support that commitment?

I cannot believe you are calling me a liar, I know for certain you do not do that to your clients / students.  You are not helping, you are certainly not respectful, and your rants are missing the point,  Please stop.

[iacas]

15 minutes ago, gregtb said:

How many electronic products are out there with a 1 or 2 year warranty? Philips, Sony, Mitsubishi, need I go on?

Seriously?

One of my TVs: http://www.lg.com/us/support-product/lg-60PB5600 (1 year)
A random Sony TV I looked up: https://docs.sony.com/release//Warranty_459533301.pdf (1 year)
Mitsubishi: https://www.mitsubishi-tv.com/support/warranty/coverage (30 days on the screen, 1 year on other parts)
Phillips: https://www.usa.philips.com/c-dam/b2c/suj/us/supporthome/USA_EN_OWS_SOUNDANDVISION_PCPRODUCTSANDPHONES.pdf (1 year, except for DVD players, MP3 players, and other media players… those are 3 months)

And again… Bushnell rangefinders? 2 years. Nikon rangefinders? 2 years.

23 minutes ago, gregtb said:

Your avatar does not make you a Consumer Products guru, more certainly, you do not have an electrical engineer degree.

How would you know?

(I have a medicinal chemistry degree, a computer science degree, and a French degree. So, though you're correct, you still shouldn't assume. Also, I do't need an electrical engineering degree to know how to read a warranty.)

23 minutes ago, gregtb said:

What is your real problem?

I don't like people who lie. Like I said, I'd be bummed too, if I were you, I might even post on some forums about it. But I wouldn't lie, like you are.

23 minutes ago, gregtb said:

No product is sold to be defective 1.25 times the warranty.  If they were, why pay a premium for the product.

I agree.

23 minutes ago, gregtb said:

Is it foreign to you that I bought at the high end of the available range expecting that a company with their warranty and commitment to quality might, just might, want to support that commitment?

Here's what you're failing to understand: They honored the commitment they made to you. You were out of warranty. They were not obligated, not legally, not morally, not anything to repair or replace your rangefinder for free.

23 minutes ago, gregtb said:

I cannot believe you are calling me a liar, I know for certain you do not do that to your clients / students.  You are not helping, you are certainly not respectful, and your rants are missing the point,  Please stop.

You're lying. Thus, a liar.

[DrMJG]

@iacas

I, too go wit the concept, once a student, they are always one of "my kids".

Having spent some time during my eclectic life as a manager for an Apple store  customer service, such arguments, as above are not uncommon.  I think that the fact, that the company was willing to give a discount, post warranty is an indication of solid customer relations.

Sorry, I just had to put my 2¢ worth in.

[iacas]

Why bump the topic after nearly a full year, @DrMJG? @gregtb hasn't been back since May.

I worked for Apple for awhile, too, and we routinely did all that we could to stretch boundaries on warranties, etc. Apple gives great customer service, generally speaking.