Bushnell Introduces Hybrid Laser + GPS Rangefinder

[iacas]

Bushnell Golf, makers of the #1 laser rangefinder, chosen by 97% of pros on the PGA Tour today, introduces the industry’s newest innovation – HYBRID. HYBRID combines the latest in Laser and GPS technologies to provide better data so golfers of all levels can make better decisions on the course. The new Bushnell HYBRID utilizes precise Laser and GPS yardages allowing the golfer to see distance like never before.

“HYBRID provides golfers  more information than ever before. The two technologies ‘talk’ so that the golfer sees the front and back distances of the green in relation to the pin that is targeted with unmatched accuracy by the laser,” said John DeCastro, Bushnell Golf Product Lane Director. “The introduction of the HYBRID demonstrates Bushnell Golf’s commitment to providing the best, most accurate information so those who golf with Bushnell can play their best golf.”

The new Bushnell HYBRID takes the guesswork out of the game by displaying the lasered distances to the pin and GPS provided front and back yardage readings within the LCD.  Additionally, Bushnell has incorporated exterior GPS front, center and back yardages to assist with correct club selections when golfers have cart path only or blind shots.

To support the power required by the combination of GPS and laser technology in the Bushnell HYBRID, the brand introduced the use of Dual Power Technology.  The CR2 battery will power the laser and the USB rechargeable lithium ion battery will power the GPS.  Dual Power Technology allows you to be able to able to use your laser, even if the GPS is not charged.

Additionally, Bushnell Golf includes PinSeeker with JOLT Technology amongst the host of features offered in the new HYBRID. When the golfer aims the HYBRID at the flag, JOLT provides short, vibrating bursts to reinforce that Bushnell’s advanced PinSeeker Technology has isolated the target and locked onto the flag. The vibrating bursts provided by JOLT Technology ensure golfers have the exact distance to the flag.

Key Differentiators

• 1st ever integrated Laser/GPS display
• Dual Battery source (CR2 for Laser, USB for GPS)

HYBRID Laser Features

• PinSeeker w/ JOLT Technology
• Accurate to 1 yard
• 5X Magnification
• Ranges 400 yards to a Flag
• Fast Focus System
• Stable-Grip Technology
• Tournament Legal

GPS Features

• Exterior Front/Center/Back Readouts
• Up to 4 hazard distances per hole
• Bluetooth for auto course updates
• Auto course recognition
• Auto hole advance

The HYBRID will be available at Bushnell Golf retailers nationwide beginning in April. Retail price for the HYBRID is $399.99.

[billchao]

I'm surprised nobody else came out with one of these. I switched to a GPS device a year or two ago but there are times where I could use a rangefinder (mine is kind of broken). Best of both worlds.

[iacas]

The only downside as far as I can tell (ignoring the price; I try not to make value judgments for others) is the battery life. I would almost hope for a removable, standard rechargeable battery or a built-in Li-Ion type battery. GPS tends to take away battery life pretty quickly.

[billchao]

3 minutes ago, iacas said:

The only downside as far as I can tell (ignoring the price; I try not to make value judgments for others) is the battery life. I would almost hope for a removable, standard rechargeable battery or a built-in Li-Ion type battery. GPS tends to take away battery life pretty quickly.

Isn't the laser and GPS device powered separately?

1 hour ago, iacas said:

To support the power required by the combination of GPS and laser technology in the Bushnell HYBRID, the brand introduced the use of Dual Power Technology.  The CR2 battery will power the laser and the USB rechargeable lithium ion battery will power the GPS.  Dual Power Technology allows you to be able to able to use your laser, even if the GPS is not charged.

It's basically Just two separate devices combined into one, isn't it?

[iacas]

25 minutes ago, billchao said:

Isn't the laser and GPS device powered separately?

Derp. Didn't read that far into the press release. That's good.

I'll ask what the battery life is like on the GPS.

1 hour ago, iacas said:

HYBRID provides golfers  more information than ever before. The two technologies ‘talk’ so that the golfer sees the front and back distances of the green in relation to the pin that is targeted with unmatched accuracy by the laser,” said John DeCastro, Bushnell Golf Product Lane Director.

So if there's a weird-shaped green, does it somehow know the angle at which you're aiming the laser so it can tell you where the front and back of the green are on that line? I doubt it. That wouldn't really make sense.

So what is the extent of the "talking"?

[MiuraMan]

The review in Golfweek states that the GPS battery lasts 16 hours.

The Front/Back yardages display in the rangefinder display - that is probably what they are referring to as "talking".

This would be a Grand Slam if the front/back yardages took into account the angle of approach when ranging the flag.

[iacas]

1 hour ago, MiuraMan said:

This would be a Grand Slam if the front/back yardages took into account the angle of approach when ranging the flag.

Yeah, it can't do that without knowing both exactly where you are and exactly what angle you're aiming the laser at to hit the flagstick. To a very small margin.

1 hour ago, MiuraMan said:

The review in Golfweek states that the GPS battery lasts 16 hours.

It's not a review, but yeah, good find. Thanks.

[jamo]

Curious to see how it compares to their old Hybrid laser + GPS. I think I remember the old one being $500, so $100 off ain't bad.

[Buckeyebowman]

1 hour ago, iacas said:

Yeah, it can't do that without knowing both exactly where you are and exactly what angle you're aiming the laser at to hit the flagstick. To a very small margin.

Not sure, but wouldn't this be where the GPS mode would kick in? Knowing exactly where you were on the course, so knowing the angle of approach? But, if you're shooting a laser beam at the flagstick, why would it matter?

1 hour ago, jamo said:

Curious to see how it compares to their old Hybrid laser + GPS. I think I remember the old one being $500, so $100 off ain't bad.

As far as 400 bucks for that accurate a yardage? Meh! I'd rather save the 4 hundy and put it to playing more golf! It's not like my distance control is so accurate that this will do me all that much good. I didn't play all that badly when I was pacing off yardages.

[Elvis Estrada]

I bought a leoupuld gx2 for $200 on eBay and works great with slope calculations and club selector. I also use an app called golfshot that gives you exact distance to middle of greens for no fee. Best of both worlds. 

[iacas]

1 hour ago, Buckeyebowman said:

Not sure, but wouldn't this be where the GPS mode would kick in? Knowing exactly where you were on the course, so knowing the angle of approach? But, if you're shooting a laser beam at the flagstick, why would it matter?

One of these days you'll read and understand what is being discussed before you respond…

GPS is not that accurate, nor can it tell at what angle you're pointing the laser. Thus, it cannot know at what angle you're hitting the flagstick and thus where on the green the hole is, where the front and back are, etc.

[georgep]

I usually carry both GPS and laser when I play, so I like the idea of the Hybrid. I appreciate both the speed of GPS (one glance) and the accuracy of laser.

I use GPS for most of my yardages (centers of greens and general guidance where a +/-2ish yards is not much of an issue, which with my game is most of the time). GPS is also useful when you have a slope or trees blocking your line of sight to shoot with the laser. I take the extra effort  to bend over and pull the laser out of the bag for more exact numbers and for things that aren't marked. It is especially helpful for nailing down where pins are located on the green. 

GPS readings are entirely subject to how well the course has been mapped for green shapes, hazards and fairway edges, etc., by either a human using a GPS targeting device to manually mark locations on the course (not sure how much this is done, anymore) or by a computer comparing GPS and satellite imagery. Course changes (new mowing patterns, etc.) are often not reflected even years after the change takes place. For these reasons, I anticipate GPS to have a larger margin of error than the technology would have under ideal conditions (especially when playing an unfamiliar course). So, if in doubt, pull out the laser.