Range finders - golf specific?

[txgolfer45]

May be a dumb question but, I need a new range finder for hunting and would like one for golf. Are range finders sport specific or can I use one for both sports? I would prefer not to have to buy two range finders.

 

Thanks!

[JeffreySpicoli]

I thought you meant RANGER finders!

[txgolfer45]

Opps, corrected the title.

[JeffreySpicoli]

> @txgolfer45 said:

> Opps, corrected the title.

 

That’s no fun. :(

[Double Dodger]

Get a golf range finder with slope. Works great. Especially for bow hunting.

[RSinSG]

I cant say if golf ones work for other sports but I know hunting ones are crappy at locking on to flags. I think a good golf one would work fine for other shooting / hunting sports. I use my Bushnell to set up targets when shooting.

[Stuart_G]

You can find hunting range finders that can handle both jobs but you have to find those with certain capabilities, specifically the ability to change targeting modes. Different OEM's use different terms - so you'll have to pay attention to the specs and instructions to tell how to do it but hunting rangefinders generally are set up allow hunters to get ranges from a big target even when shooting through small branches and brush. Unfortunately, that can cause the pin to be ignored for golf. For golf you'd want one that also has the capability to give the first target priority mode - returns the range to the closes object regardless of how small it might be.

 

I think Bushnell used the terms "Bullseye" targeting mode for first target priority (good for golf) and "Brush" targeting mode for size priority mode (bad for golf). And as an example, the Scout Rangefinder doens't support both so wouldn't be a good choice, but the Prime 1300 does so could be used for both.

 

https://www.bushnell.com/compare/310/315

 

Other companies like Nikon and such have similar types of features but typically just use different terms.

[LHGolf4]

I had a Nikon model for hunting and if you don’t care about slope then it was great. However it was terrible when calculating slope for golf. I compared it with several other rangefinders that my golfing buddies had (all with slope) and it essentially did not calculate anything until you started targeting 200+ yards out and even the it was minimal difference compared to the non slope number.

[txgolfer45]

I ended up buying a Precision NX7 Pro for golf. Will figure out a rangefinder for hunting later.

[jacobtanaka]

For hunting you should always consider models that can track speed measurement as well. Also, focus on the magnification aspect and most models comes with fog proof too. So, do remember these little things before taking your final decision. All the best!