VIDEO – Quick Hits: 2018 Laser Rangefinder Technology
Buyer's Guides

VIDEO – Quick Hits: 2018 Laser Rangefinder Technology

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VIDEO – Quick Hits: 2018 Laser Rangefinder Technology

As we touched on in our 2018 Rangefinder Buyer’s Guide, in just one year, technology has taken a massive leap forward. In previous years, features like Bushnell’s Jolt technology and the slope adjustment were considered differentiators. This year, however, manufacturers stepped up their game with things like onboard GPS, mobile app integration, and vibration reduction technology that finally makes the rangefinder a viable choice for those with less than steady hands.

In today’s Quick Hits, our Harry Nodwell gives you an overview of some of the more compelling new rangefinder models and the unique technologies that differentiate them from the field.

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      ChrisK

      6 years ago

      I’ve got something of a hybrid setup myself, i’ve found it highly useful for a few years now. I got a good deal on the Bushnell ProX7, and i’ve got this “SkyDroid” app on my phone. It costed me $10 or so, but you’ve basically got something that looks like Google Earth looking down at the hole layout, and you can get distances to spots on the fairway by holding your finger on a spot for a moment. So you can get a distance from that where you couldn’t with the laser. Excellent for teeshots and layups on unfamiliar golf courses. I’d recommend that to anybody.

      Reply

      Wilde

      6 years ago

      I use a Garmin GPS watch and a Leupold laser. The GPS is for distances to the green and tracking accurate lengths of shots. The laser is for the distance to tree lines on doglegs and narrow fairways, other hazards, and exact pin distances. Before getting the laser, I’d drive right through some of the dogleg fairways on an unfamiliar course. Plus, if the battery on one dies, I can still use the other. Combined they were less expensive than the hybrids.

      Reply

      Shawn Sarantos

      6 years ago

      I just got the garmin z80 and it is awesome fast technology is amazing I love it!!!

      Reply

      BenSeattle

      6 years ago

      Ironically great timing on this review. Because I play at my club and a few familiar courses, I’ve never owned either a rangefinder or GPS. But because I’m now traveling…. playing different tracks and I wanted to dial in my distances during late-evening practice rounds, I researched rangefinders EXTENSIVELY. Yes, you can read reviews but the best way to make a selection is to demo every model in every nearby golf store.

      Yes, I was impressed by how fast the latest Bushnell is (red read-out) but after looking at everything out there, my heart and my budget said go with the Nikon 80 VR. This isn’t the one reviewed in the video, the MGS “Rangefinder of the Year.” I didn’t want to pay for Slope — that’s the i80 VR –but after trying this one in the shop, it was the STABILIZATION that sold me. My hands aren’t shaky but when you’re zeroing in on a target 400 yards away, the “gyro effect” simply cannot be beat. It’s also fast and easy to read. Their “targeting” feature makes sure you’re reading the flagstick — not the trees behind the green. Without Slope you can get this for well under $300. (I paid $250 online.) Today I took it to the Sahalee Players Championship outside of Seattle and measured off drives from these hot-shot college kids. Believe me…picking out a tree from 320 yards away isn’t usually this easy but the 80 VR made it a piece of cake.

      Great rangefinder — and it ain’t 600 bucks. Also less expensive than a Bushnell. Remember: SOMEBODY has to pay Rickie Fowler those endorsement dollars and it certainly isn’t me!

      Reply

      S.W.

      6 years ago

      I have a Bushnell hybrid that was made in 2007 that still works very well & is very accurate as compared with a lot of the new models. It has original rechargeable battery that will last for 4 or 5 rounds without recharging. The GPS is also accurate.
      So the hybrid is not new, just a little more compact.

      Reply

      Sandy Rosenthal

      6 years ago

      I bought the Bushnell Hybrid. Save your money and buy the Bushnell Tour V4 instead. The hybrid is cheaply made compared to the V4 and accuracy sucks. Often the laser gives me a distance to the hole that is longer than the distance the GPS gives me to the back of the green.
      It is as new with all original box and materials. Contact me if you want it at a substantial discount.

      Reply

      Dan Gray

      6 years ago

      Hey how much you looking for boss. I’d love to rock this for a bit. I’m in Canada though ?

      Reply

      Mark

      6 years ago

      It isn’t uncommon to have GPS yardages vary significantly from laser yardages. GPS on carts or on range finders often give different readings. I used to only use GPS but I’ve found the Tour V4 to be much more accurate. But I’d think the hybrid would be the way to go because on new courses with blind shots the laser is of limited value until you learn the course. I like phone apps that show you your location on a satellite image of the hole your own so you can see where you are relative to hazards etc….

      Reply

      Sanford Rosenthal

      6 years ago

      I bought the Bushnell hybrid new on eBay for $329.00, free shipping and no tax. Save your money and by a discounted V4. Several times the laser gave me distances to flagstick and the GPS gave me distances to back of green shorter than the laser distance. Accuracy is terrible!

      Reply

      AFenner

      6 years ago

      Wazzupp is a bit of a golf snob. Everybody should do like he says? I am one, too. But I realize not all will take my “two cents”.
      Take a breath. Enjoy the view. Enjoy the game.
      Great reviews and info on gps/lasers, guys.

      Reply

      Ken

      6 years ago

      When using hybrid models in overseas or foreign countries, majority of them can’t receive data.

      Reply

      Frank D.

      6 years ago

      Ideally, GPS makes the most sense. Knowing front/middle/back green distances, hazards, etc, is the most useful tool. It’s great for unfamiliar courses, too. I have used both, and like both, but gps provides far more information to give you more confidence before hitting your shot.

      Reply

      Larry Walker

      6 years ago

      Good video and review. I have a 5yr old Bushnell but that stabilization feature on the Nikon has me interested. If the flag stick does not have reflectors I have a hard time. Love mygolfspy.

      Reply

      Mike B

      6 years ago

      Bushnell Tour Z6 Jolt is what I have, hoping it will last the rest of my golfing life. The new Bushnells are cheap feeling plastic, with the current crop from them, I’ll take my Z6, or new Leupold. Yes they are a bit heavier, but feel solid and doesn’t creak when shooting a target, like a friends brand new Bushnell.

      Reply

      Tony L

      6 years ago

      I have the same exact problem with my Bushnell Tour X. Feels like is about to come apart. Older Bushnells were much sturdier.

      Reply

      Todd J

      6 years ago

      That Garmin looks great. Don’t want to mess with a phone AND the rangefinder that you’d have to do with the Bushnell app. But again as mentioned previously, the cost is prohibitive. I’d sure love to try one out and test it before I spent that kind of cash.

      Reply

      Paul

      6 years ago

      Because of this year’s ratings, and learning about Nikon’s image stabilization, I chose to go with the Nikon 80i VR. I got slope, stabilization, and save a $100+ over the top of the line Professional.

      Reply

      Sam

      6 years ago

      I know some people (and industry) won’t like what I will say but I think that these gadgets should just not be allowed on any golf course. It is part of the game to educate your eye and use available indicators on the course to get the right distance. It is part of the game to pay for mistakes. And let’s not forget – it is a game. Technical equipment plays too big a part already. Give more value to the indian- that’s what is all about. It is really ridiculous when you see people who are 80 yards from the flag pull it out and then miss the green.

      Reply

      Waazzupppp

      6 years ago

      Now if people were only realistic about the distances they hit their clubs…

      “Front edge of that bunker is 298… I better go with the 3 wood off the tee here.”

      “Flag stick is 142, that’s a solid 60° wedge for me!”

      “30 yards on a left to right breaker from the back rough, better zap that spot on the green I want to land it.”

      I mean if people were realistic about hitting a 9 iron 125 or a driver 240, range finders would come out a few times a round – not on every shot from start to finish. A standard GPS App or standalone GPS unit is what the majority of players should carry. They should be aiming at a set distance and hoping they can hit it consistently to that point. Also, if more of them would hit to a proper approach distance instead of as far as they can (getting it to half wedges and other difficult shots) they would have a nice full swing in from a yardage they know instead of a half of something.

      Just my two cents…

      Reply

      Dave S

      6 years ago

      Somewhat agree. I’ve found that all a I really need is the front/back/center yardage and distance to hazards. I’m a 14hcp so I’m not flag hunting, I’m just trying to hit the green. Usually if you know the difference b/w the front and back of the green, you can figure out the club to hit that will go somewhere in between. I don’t use a laser for this reason… it adds no value. If you’re a 10+ hcp, you’re much better off buying a GPS watch (or device). If you’re willing to spend $300-$400 on a laser, just do yourself a favor and get the Garmin Approach S60 watch… has more useful features than any laser.

      Reply

      808nation

      6 years ago

      Just received a Bushnell V4 Slope for father’s day and I can’t believe how fast it locks on targets (1-2 seconds) and I also love the jolt feature. Granted this is my first rangefinder and I can’t say how it compares to other units out there, but from all the reviews I’ve read up on it it is right up there at the top. These 3 units have added features, but at a co$t

      Reply

      Ed Heffern

      6 years ago

      How long will the gps function during a round? I had heard that they lose power rapidly and you have to have a usb port for charging. This means I would have to bring it home from my club every time after use. Was interested in the Callway Hybrid but heard negative things about power for the gps.

      Reply

      kt

      6 years ago

      Ed,

      I’ve had a Garmin G6 for a few years now, still holds a charge for 3 rounds of 18 easily. Great GPS unit.

      Reply

      D.A.

      6 years ago

      front, middle, back……fancy, dancy gadgets with many buttons can slow down play. I was unfortunate when I played in a local tournament with a man who used his rangefinder on the greens! No B/S!!! I am not against rangefinders but in the hands of the wrong people the rangefinders and the nerds become the enemy.

      Reply

      ex007

      6 years ago

      Really wish the Bushnell hybrid had slope. The app looks cool, but I’d be worried about adding a significant amount of time to the round switching back and forth between the rangefinder and the app. The Garmin looks perfect, except for the $$$$$ cost.

      Reply

      Dave Mueller

      6 years ago

      Nice review of the new features on lasers. Mine is 5 years old, works fine, but the advances are significant with the 3 models you reviewed!

      Reply

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