Cobalt has released a new version of their Q-6 laser rangefinder, the Q-6SM. If you are unfamiliar with Cobalt rangefinders, I wrote a comprehensive review of the Cobalt Q-6 laser rangefinder last year.
If you missed that review because you had a doctor’s appointment or jury duty, just click that link above and you will have the complete rundown on the Cobalt Q-6.
If you are link-click-adverse these days, I’ll give you a quick rundown before telling you what is new with the Q-6SM.
Key Elements: Cobalt Q-6 laser rangefinder
During my previous testing, I discovered the key characteristics of the Cobalt Q-6 laser rangefinder.
First of all, it is fast. It picks up targets quickly with the touch of a single button. The haptic feedback when it locks on targets lets you know the range value is correct. When the pins have built-in reflectors, the targeting time is almost instantaneous.
Its contours fit my hand, placing my fingers in the correct orientation for firing on the target. This speeds up the overall time to get your yardage since you’ll not be fumbling with the laser when you grab it.
The Cobalt Q-6 is accurate. Not once did it give me a number that was unexpectedly long or short. Did it occasionally measure the tree behind the pin and then lock on the pin? Of course.
All lasers do that. What the Q-6 didn’t ever do was tell me my 150-yard shot was 170.
Finally, the Cobalt Q-6 has proven to be quite durable. My brother has used it exclusively since last fall and he hasn’t broken it yet.
He’s one of those guys who shoots a yardage and then drops the laser on the ground to hit his shot. What a barbarian. At least he uses the case most of the time.
The bottom line is that the laser works as well as it did on Day One and aside from some minor body scratches, it still looks great.
So what did Cobalt change moving from the Q-6 to the Q-6SM?
Water, fire, air, dirt
Those of you who wear clown makeup and quaff a delicious Faygo soda on a hot summer day have already figured out what Cobalt added to the Q-6SM.
F*cking magnets, how do they work?
The “only” thing Cobalt did this time around was to add a magnet to the body of the rangefinder. For the technophiles, it’s a N48-rated neodymium magnet.
(For the luddites, that’s a strong sticks-to-metal thingy.)
The addition of a magnet seems like a minor alteration. It is minor but it is significant.
Those who play in riding carts know the addition of a magnet dramatically improves the laser’s ease of use and playability.
Mountain golf with the Cobalt Q-6SM attached to the cart
A few weeks ago, I played Grizzly Ranch GC in Portola, CA for the first time. I used the Cobalt Q-6SM almost exclusively for distance determination.
For most rounds at familiar courses, I tend to use my simple Bushnell Phantom GPS for yardages.
However, when I play a course for the first time, I prefer to use a laser rangefinder. With the laser, I can quickly shoot the pin, all of the hazards and intermediate targets as well.
The addition of a magnet to the body of the Cobalt Q-6SM made it a breeze to use in the cart. Slap it on the metal roof strut and it will be readily accessible when needed.
The magnet is strong enough to stay attached during occasional ventures into treacherous terrain and a full-speed dash down the 18th to avoid an unexpected thunderstorm.
(Pro Tip: Don’t forget that the laser is attached to the cart when you sprint back to your car in the parking lot.)
The magnet matters more for riders
If you are a walking golfer, adding a magnet to the Cobalt Q-6SM may not draw you in. Since carry bags lack metal attachment points, bag-on-back golfers will use the clip on the laser’s case to attach it their bags.
If you push your clubs, a magnet may not be needed either since you have consoles and nets to hold the laser. Most of the metal on your push cart is likely not magnetic anyway.
If you ride, you want a laser with a magnet. End of discussion. You need a magnet on your laser.
Put your new magnetic laser right next to your magnetic bluetooth speaker and magnetic cigar holder.
In your cart, you are Magneto, the Master of Magnetism!
Cobalt is a new company and I understand the hesitation at sending them $450 for a laser.
There are two things that impress me about Cobalt that may lessen buyer hesitation. First, all of their products have lifetime repair or replace warranties. They also have some of the most environmentally friendly packaging I’ve encountered. In a plastic world, Cobalt packages in paper and I dig that.
One final thing for those of you interested in buying a Cobalt Q-6SM or another model of Cobalt laser rangefinder: Buy the bundle. For about $40 more than the price of the laser, you get a towel, Yeti water bottle and a dozen Vice Pro or Pro Plus golf balls.
Having said that, the bundle for the Q-6SM is not yet available, probably because these just launched. Hopefully, that option will be available soon.
Find out more about the new Cobalt Q-6SM laser rangefinder at cobalt-golf.com
Peejer
12 months ago
$450 is a complete non-starter for me. I don’t care how awesome you say it is, at the end of the day – it measures the distance. So many cost-effective options that offer slope and magnets are available that I’d NEVER even give this a second look. I won’t pay that much for a Bushnell, much less a brand I’ve never heard of before. Easy pass for me.