Buyer's Guides

MGS Tested: LASER RANGEFINDER 2021

BY MyGolfSpy
May 20th 2021
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2021 Best Laser Rangefinder Buyer’s Guide

Are you a laser rangefinder aficionado or a GPS golfer? If you’re the former, this is your lucky day.

Whether you’re looking to buy a new laser rangefinder today, seeking buying advice or just want a closer look at what’s on the market, this guide will help you find the right laser rangefinder to fit your needs

Each year, there is more technology packed into each unit. For example, Bushnell and Precision Pro have units that take into account temperature, altitude and wind to provide you an actual “play-like” yardage that others don’t.

Some can provide GPS measurement readouts on the unit itself for quick feedback. Also, some OEMs have an application that provides more information about the specific hole you’re on.

What’s most impressive about this year’s group of laser rangefinders is that accuracy has improved dramatically across the field. Nearly every rangefinder in the test is accurate within five yards.

Winner: Bushnell Pro XE

Best Laser Rangefinder

If you want the best laser rangefinder that will get you dialed in, go for the Bushnell Pro XE. It comes with adjusted slope and takes into account temperature, barometric pressure and distance to provide an accurate “play-like” yardage. It has a magnetic mount to attach to the cart so it is easily accessible. Throw in a two-year warranty and you have the winner of the 2021 Most Wanted Laser Rangefinder Test.

1st in accuracy
4th in speed
1st in optics
4th in display
3rd in features

BEST RANGEFINDER FOR SHAKY HANDS - Nikon CoolShot Pro Stabilized

If you have shaky hands and struggle to lock onto targets, give the Nikon CoolShot Pro Stabilized a try. Integrated Vibration Reduction technology that is in their cameras helps you lock onto targets quickly and efficiently. Many golfers will find it’s the one feature they absolutely can’t do without.

Best Laser Rangefinder

Features That Matter

Accuracy

A laser rangefinder is useless if it’s not accurate. By and large, the rangefinders we tested read within five yards of each other. Lasers that consistently give the same number every time provide much-needed confidence that the reading can be trusted. We test each laser rigorously to verify that the numbers provided are both accurate and consistent.

There are no more consistently accurate laser rangefinders than those from Bushnell. In 2021, the Pro XE, Tour V5 Shift, and the Tour V5 were at the top of the accuracy list. The Cobalt Q_6 Slope also performed well in this category.

Optics and Display

When we talk about the optics of laser rangefinders, we’re focused on the clarity of the viewfinder and the digital display. The simpler the display, the easier it is to understand. Ideally, you want to look for a display that provides clear and concise information so you know you’ve got the correct yardage every time. Most units include a diopter adjustment to improve focus.

The best laser rangefinder optics in the 2021 test belong to the Nikon Coolshot Pro Stabilized. The clarity of the lens allows you to easily lock on a target and get an accurate yardage.

If you prefer to have the most amount of information available on a single display, the Garmin Approach Z82 employs a GPS-generated hole flyover visual, yardage to front, middle and back pin positions, distances to all hazards, and slope. Precision Pro R1 Smart also has GPS numbers on the display along with an app to tell you what club you should hit based on your club numbers.

Locking indicator

There are a number of different ways laser rangefinders can use to lock on to a target. Some work better than others. Jolt technology, pulse and visual indicators are all examples of alerts that serve as notification that you’ve found your intended target. It’s personal preference but, in our experience, a combination of these alerts, as well as a distinct yardage read-out, tend to be the best.

The Bushnell Pro XE gives you a flashing red visual indicator in addition to a jolt technology alert.

Best Laser Rangefinder

BEST TECH - Precision Pro R1 Smart

Do you want a rangefinder that has all the bells and whistles? If so, look no further than the Precision Pro R1 Smart. It comes with GPS readouts, wind direction, slope to name a few. However, MySlope takes temperature, wind, barometric pressure and provides you with what club you should hit based on your individual launch data. Trust me, this rangefinder app combo is a game changer.

EXPERT TIP-Slope

If you play on a course with considerable elevation changes, a rangefinder that calculates slope will give you the most accurate yardage readout. It takes the elevation changes into consideration and generates both the actual yardage as well as adjusted yardage.

BEST LASER RANGEFINDERS 2021 - FEATURES

Product	Magnification	Reticle Color	Range	Lock Indicator	Slope	Warranty
Blue Tees Golf 3 Max See the Best Price!	6X	RED	5-900	PULSE	YES	2 Year
Bushnell Pro XE See the Best Price!	7X	RED	5-1300	JOLT	YES	2 Year
Bushnell Tour V5 See the Best Price!	6X	BLACK	5-1300	JOLT	NO	2 Year
Bushnell Tour V5 Shift See the Best Price!	6X	BLACK	5-1300	JOLT	YES	2 Year
Caddytek CaddyView V2 See the Best Price!	6X	BLACK	5-800	VIBRATION	YES	1 Year
Callaway 350TL See the Best Price!	6X	BLACK	5-1000	PULSE	YES	1 Year
Cobalt Q 6 Slope See the Best Price!	7X	RED	5-2500	SURGE	YES	Lifetime
Garmin Approach Z82 See the Best Price!	6X	RED	5-450	LASER RANGE ARC	YES	1 Year
Golf Buddy Aim L10 See the Best Price!	6X	RED	5-880	BLACK SQUARE	YES	1 Year
Inesis 900 See the Best Price!	6X	BLACK	5-1300	BLACK CIRCLE	YES	2 Year
Leupold GX-5i See the Best Price!	6X	RED	5-450	RED TRIANGLE	YES	Lifetime
Nikon CoolShot 50i See the Best Price!	6X	RED	6-1200	RED CROSSHAIRS	YES	5 YEAR
Nikon CoolShot Pro II Stabilized See the Best Price!	6X	RED	8-1200	GREEN CIRCLE	YES	5 Year
Precision Pro NX2 See the Best Price!	6X	BLACK	4-400	BLACK CROSSHAIRS	NO	2 Year
Precision Pro NX7 Pro Slope See the Best Price!	6X	BLACK	5-400	PULSE	YES	2 Year
Precision Pro NX9 Slope See the Best Price!	6X	BLACK	5-400	PULSE	YES	2 Year
Precision Pro R1 Smart See the Best Price!	6X	BLACK	5-400	PULSE	YES	2 Year
Shot Scope Pro L1 Blue See the Best Price!	6X	RED/BLACK	5-875	VIBRATION	YES	1 Year
Sureshot LaserPinloc 5000IP See the Best Price!	6X	BLACK	5-1000	PULSE	NO	1 Year
Sureshot LaserPinlock 5000IPS See the Best Price!	6X	BLACK	5-1000	PULSE	YES	1 Year
Tour Trek Signal Slope See the Best Price!	6X	BLACK	5-1000	VIBRATION	YES	1 Year
Voice Caddie EL1 See the Best Price!	6x	BLACK	5-1000	VIBRATION	YES	1 Year
Voice Caddie L5 See the Best Price!	6x	BLACK	5-1200	VIBRATION	YES	1 Year
Voice Caddie SL2 See the Best Price!	6x	RED	5-1100	VIBRATION	YES	1 Year
Zero Friction SM See the Best Price!	6X	BLACK	5-1000	BLACK CROSSHAIRS	YES	1 Year
Zoom Focus Tour See the Best Price!	6X	BLACK	5-800	VIBRATION	YES	1 Year
Zoom Focus X See the Best Price!	6X	BLACK	5-800	VIBRATION	YES	1 Year

FASTEST RANGEFINDER - Sureshot LaserPinlock 5000IPS

No time for BS? If not, get the fastest rangefinder on the market. The SureShot Pinloc 5000iPS Laser quickly locks on to your target. The highly ranked accuracy, optics and display features allow you to get a clear picture of what obstacle you need to overcome. This one is worth your consideration.

More Tips

You don’t need both a GPS and a laser rangefinder. The Garmin Approach Z82 and Precision Pro R1 Smart combine both technologies into one device.
We’ve found that ease of use in laser rangefinders has to do with the individual golfer, or user, error. For example, it’s easier to stabilize a larger device than a smaller one if you have large hands. We’re advocates of trying before buying to see what fits you.
Many rangefinders have additional features that make life easier. Magnetic mounts, sensors that integrate weather conditions into yardage numbers, vibration reduction, integrated GPS functionality … the list is long. Before buying, decide what features you have to have and those you can do without.
Golfers with shaky hands will benefit from the Nikon Coolshot Pro Stabilized. Integrated Vibration Reduction technology helps you lock onto targets quickly and efficiently. Many golfers will find it’s the one feature they absolutely can’t do without.
Some laser rangefinders use standard disposable batteries while others use charging ports and store power, much like a cell phone. Again, it’s personal preference. Battery life varies widely between each model. If you prefer models that uses disposable batteries, Precision Pro will provide you with an unlimited supply of free replacement batteries for life.

How We Test

We're here to help you find the perfect laser rangefinder to fit your needs.

To do that, we employ a thorough and fully independent testing process that leaves no feature unexplored, no display unchecked, and no stone unturned.

Our Metrics

Rangefinders are tested head to head with rigorous protocols.

The metrics we consider when rating rangefinders include Accuracy, Speed, Optics, Display, and Additional Features.

BEST LASER RANGEFINDER 2021 - RESULTS

Product	Accuracy	Speed	Optics	Display	Features	Total
Bushnell Pro XE See the Best Price!	1st	4th	2nd	4th	3rd	94.5
Nikon CoolShot Pro II Stabilized See the Best Price!	6th	13th	1st	2nd	3rd	94
Precision Pro R1 Smart See the Best Price!	6th	4th	5th	6th	1st	93
Bushnell Tour V5 Shift See the Best Price!	1st	4th	1st	15th	5th	92.5
Voice Caddie SL2 See the Best Price!	11th	11th	11th	2nd	5th	91.5
Garmin Approach Z82 See the Best Price!	5th	24th	22nd	1st	3rd	91
Bushnell Tour V5 See the Best Price!	1st	4th	1st	24th	11th	90.5
Cobalt Q 6 Slope See the Best Price!	1st	4th	5th	22nd	11th	90.5
Precision Pro NX9 Slope See the Best Price!	15th	13th	5th	6th	5th	89.5
Sureshot LaserPinlock 5000IPS See the Best Price!	6th	1st	8th	6th	18th	88.5
Nikon CoolShot 50i See the Best Price!	6th	13th	8th	4th	16th	88.5
Precision Pro NX7 Pro Slope See the Best Price!	15th	13th	11th	6th	9th	88
Golf Buddy Aim L10 See the Best Price!	15th	13th	15th	15th	5th	87
Tour Trek Signal Slope See the Best Price!	11th	1st	13th	15th	18th	86.5
Blue Tees Golf 3 Max See the Best Price!	21st	13th	15th	6th	11th	86
Inesis 900 See the Best Price!	15th	13th	17th	6th	15th	85.5
Caddytek CaddyView V2 See the Best Price!	21st	21st	22nd	6th	9th	85
Shot Scope Pro L1 Blue See the Best Price!	11th	24th	17th	6th	11th	85
Sureshot LaserPinloc 5000IP See the Best Price!	6th	1st	8th	24th	25th	85
Callaway 350TL See the Best Price!	15th	21st	22nd	15th	16th	83.5
Precision Pro NX2 See the Best Price!	15th	13th	13th	6th	25th	83
Leupold GX-5i See the Best Price!	11th	11th	17th	15th	25th	82.5
Voice Caddie EL1 See the Best Price!	23rd	4th	25th	24th	18th	81.5
Voice Caddie L5 See the Best Price!	24th	4th	25th	24th	18th	81
Zero Friction SM See the Best Price!	25th	23rd	27th	22nd	18th	78.5
Zoom Focus X See the Best Price!	26th	26th	17th	15th	18th	78.5
Zoom Focus Tour See the Best Price!	26th	27th	17th	15th	18th	77.5

Best Laser Rangefinder

The Best Laser Rangefinder of 2021 – FAQ

Q: Are more expensive rangefinders better?

A: Not for everyone. Keep in mind that a good bit of the cost associated with the most premium units is a result of features that not every golfer needs or even wants. If you’re looking for every bell and whistle the market has to offer, expect to pay more. That being said, there are several lower-cost units that, while not feature-rich, cover the basics every bit as well as the more expensive units. Brands like Inesis and Precision Pro offer excellent products that won’t break the bank.

Q: Do I need a laser with slope functionality?

A: It really comes down to use. For serious golfers, slope technology can help you make smarter decisions on the course. It can be an invaluable tool for tournament golfers looking to learn the nuances of a new course during practice rounds. Golfers who just want to know the yardage to the target and are happy to figure the rest out on their own should consider skipping the slope feature and saving some money.

Q: What’s the best rangefinder for a shaky hand?

A: If you struggle to hold a laser rangefinder steady, there’s really only one model to consider. The Nikon Coolshot Pro Stabilized “freezes” the lens and allows you to lock on to the target. While the Nikon is on the upper end of the price range, it is well worth the money if you have shaky hands.

MyGolfSpy Testing Toolkit

World-class testing requires world-class equipment. This is the gear we trust to help us fulfill our Most Wanted testing.

Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V1
Launch Monitor: Foresight GC4
Simulator Enclosure: Indoor Golf Shop
Hitting Mat: SigPro Softy
Screen: SigPro Premium
Putting Green: PuttView
Official Staff Apparel: UNRL

MyGolfSpy

Our mission is #ConsumerFirst. We are here to help educate and empower golfers. We want you to get the most out of your money, time and performance. That means providing you with equipment reviews you can trust, as well as honest reporting on the latest issues affecting the game today. #PowerToThePlayer

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comments

Join The Discussion

Mike

4 years ago

What is the difference in accuracy from top to bottom? How many yards off are they?

Alex

4 years ago

I bought an NX7 and it is a piece of junk. From more than 150 out it usually can’t pick up the flag. I returned it.

Stephen Brown

4 years ago

Did you test any of the rangefinders measuring distance through the cart windshield? I’ve found some value rangefinders either don’t function or the accuracy is way off.

Thanks,
Stephen

Bruce

5 years ago

You missed the mark. Bushnell rangefinders are VERY DIFFICULT to install a battery – starting the threads on the cap is difficult. Long term this will lead to worn or ruined threads and a useless unit. I returned a Bushnell, and bought a unit with a rechargeable battery. VERY HAPPY NOW

Susan

5 years ago

I totally agree. I’ve used a tek tek tek scope for the past 3 years. It’s accurate and includes slope.. Not the fastest at pinning down the flag but I know I can count on the distance.

Will A.

5 years ago

I’m surprised the warranty wasn’t given more consideration. In my experience with optics in the hunting space, Leupold’s lifetime warranty is a no-hassle, no-questions-asked policy. That alone makes me seriously consider their offering compared to the competition.

James

5 years ago

Any thoughts on the accuracy of the MG rangefinder?

https://www.mggolf.com/gps-rangefinders/

Fran

5 years ago

Is Nikon the only rangefinder with image stabilisation?

Brian

5 years ago

Next range finder review you guys should include TecTecTec. Ive had their products for a few years now and no complaints. Good value and great customer service. Would be interesting to see where they stack up on a list like this.

Susan

5 years ago

I totally agree. I’ve used a tek tek tek scope for the past 3 years. It’s accurate and includes slope.. Not the fastest at pinning down the flag but I know I can count on the distance.

Tony

5 years ago

Enjoyed the review, well done.
However, “This rangefinder also considers climate. It accounts for altitude as well as temperature.”
Really ? Seems like you mean ‘weather’ … current barometric pressure and temperature are weather, altitude is geological.. “Climate” is a long term record of average weather.
Just sayin’.

Michael

5 years ago

No love for the Leupold? Lifetime warranty alone should count for a lot. I had a GX4i for about 7 years that just stopped working. A couple of quick email exchanges and the sent me a brand new one. Never experienced customer service like that before. Also curious as to how you rank “accuracy”. What’s the difference between 1st place and 11th place. A yard? More? Less?

Dave C

5 years ago

You had better luck than me. I have had a 3i2 for the last six or so years and after this winter, when I put the battery back in to use it for this season, the hundreds place stopped working and when I called Luepold I was told that it is not covered as my warranty expired (2 years) and that the rest of the digits would fade over time, too. They offered a discounted replacement, but will not be shipping until “Q3 of this year”.

I miss, I miss, I make

5 years ago

I have an old GX1. I don’t really remember how long I’ve had it. When I play my home course I have a good idea what the number should be and I don’t ever recall getting a strange one. My guess is no more than a yard or two off. For a 6 handicap that is plenty good enough.

Whitey

5 years ago

“Tells you what club to hit. Slope, wind, barometric pressure, temperature?” I thought deciding what club to hit was part of the skill required to play the game? Next we’ll be inputting type of ball, club model too, maybe an option to tell it how you’re feeling that day? Where’s the rangefinder that includes green reading? Necessity isn’t the mother of invention, Invention is the mother of necessity.!

Chris Nickel

5 years ago

Whitey – quick question – If pulling a club is a required skill, why do we allow players to have caddies? And if we allow caddies, what’s the difference between human intelligence and artifical intelligence?

Anthony

5 years ago

Chris — Do you think players should be able to carry a device that reads the greens for them? After all we all caddies to read the green for players.

Dave C

5 years ago

Anthony, great question

Terry

5 years ago

This is great info. I have the Bushnell Pro XE and love it for all the reasons noted. One suggestion I have for those with shaky hands is to press the button and then sweep across where the flagstick should be. I find it helps me on mornings when I have had too much coffee (is there such a thing?).

Kyle

5 years ago

Great info! In the future any chance you would consider putting a price range column in the product description table? Would make comparing product prices a little easier. Then we could click the affiliate link to see a more specific price if interested.

Sethro

5 years ago

How can the Z82 not have the “Best Tech” if it has built-in GPS with in-viewfinder mapping? That seems like a step above the R1.

Harry Nodwell

5 years ago

You need to look at the Precision Pro R1 Rangefinder.

Pat

5 years ago

Precision pro r1 is a good rangefinder the app is terrible it never works right and about a 3rd of the time I can’t find the course you’re on the rechargable battery sucks last about 27 holes then you have to recharge it should have been regular batteries hell the one in my other rangefinder lasted a year

Walter

5 years ago

I’m curious to know what 21st or 23rd or 11th means in accuracy or should I say inaccuracy. How much are they off by, 1%, .1% or 10%? Saying a unit is ranked at any position does not tell anyone anything. Can you be a little specific on a very important metric like accuracy. Otherwise great review and thanks.

Kris

5 years ago

Ahree on this. First to last, how off were they? 1% at 200 yards is no big deal for most. 10% is huge and should have the laser thrown out.

Mike D

5 years ago

Does battery life factor into the ratings? Mostly curious about replaceable vs rechargeable on something like the Garmin. I went from the old Bushnell hybrid (all features rechargeable) to the newer model (standard functions replaceable, GPS rechargeable), and it’s been a game changer — the fully rechargeable version would not last 36, sometimes not even 18 as it aged.

Harry Nodwell

5 years ago

It does not factor into the ranking because, like you said, as it ages the battery life diminishes. Just like your phone. Everything being equal, a changeable battery will perform better over time than rechargeable unit.

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Buyer's Guides

MGS Tested: LASER RANGEFINDER 2021

2021 Best Laser Rangefinder Buyer’s Guide

Winner: Bushnell Pro XE

BEST RANGEFINDER FOR SHAKY HANDS - Nikon CoolShot Pro Stabilized

Features That Matter

Accuracy

Optics and Display

Locking indicator

BEST TECH - Precision Pro R1 Smart

EXPERT TIP-Slope

BEST LASER RANGEFINDERS 2021 - FEATURES

FASTEST RANGEFINDER - Sureshot LaserPinlock 5000IPS

More Tips

GET FIT FOR YOUR GAME WITH TRUEGOLFFIT™

How We Test

Our Metrics

BEST LASER RANGEFINDER 2021 - RESULTS

The Best Laser Rangefinder of 2021 – FAQ

MyGolfSpy Testing Toolkit

MyGolfSpy

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comments

Mike

Alex

Stephen Brown

Bruce

Susan

Will A.

James

Fran

Brian

Susan

Tony

Michael

Dave C

I miss, I miss, I make

Whitey

Chris Nickel

Anthony

Dave C

Terry

Kyle

Sethro

Harry Nodwell

Pat

Walter

Kris

Mike D

Harry Nodwell

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