Easy to use rangefinder

[hangontight]

Reccomendations? As my son, 9, plays more tmnts on his own He needs an easier to use rangefinder than the Nikon coolshot we have. It works, but it has a tiny crosshairs and gives no indication of locking on flag- he often is getting bad yardage. the other day in a tmnt he is standing directly next to the 100 yard marker, shoots the flag (so he thought), pulls a 3 wood and proceeds to sail it into the trees behind the green...hit it perfect for the yardage he thought he had, geez.

 

[leezer99]

https://forums.golfwrx.com/discussion/1816001/bushnell-tour-v4-rangefinder

[Bridges]

I use the Precision Pro 7 with slope and it has been great for two years. The only problem I have found is when it is foggy it has trouble locking in on the pin.

[TripleBogeysrbetter]

@leezer99 pointed out the Bushnell v4. I would second it. I originally brought my son a nikon on clearance before freshman year of high school. He had to shot about 3 places to get a true number.

The Bushnell is simply and quick. You might see kids with the case hanging from their bags, Word of caution if you buy one. Put it in the skin (put away the case) and ensure he puts it in pocket of the bag.
My son's case has came undone during a couple of tournaments. He's had friends lose their theirs doing the same.

[Londoner]

I think the first thing to do is teach him to sight what 100 yds looks like.

Then get him a Bushnell.

[hangontight]

Couldn’t agree more...but 9YO...boy.....only so much capacity.....

[Socrates]

I'm assuming he can use a GPS. He's 9. Likely a watch or hand-held device that gives him front-middle-back would be sufficient.

[wildcatden]

My 9YO boy uses our Nikon Coolshot 40 with no issue.

[BloctonGolf11]

Teach him to look at the markers so he knows about what it should be and stick with the Coolshot. This is not a rangefinder issue. Sorry to be that guy but is what it is.

[leezer99]

FYI - whenever my son and I are on the course I have him give me a number he thinks the flag is. He can use markers or course knowledge but I'm just looking for him to kind of guesstimate. From there he will shoot it with his Bushnell and adjust. I'm not looking for him to be perfect but if a battery dies (yes, he has an extra one in his bag) or he loses his rangefinder then he can still salvage a round.

[Tannerbug33]

We are actually looking at the Bushnell hybrid. We use a cheap Amazon one at the moment but would like for him to have one with a GPS when he starts playing on his own.

[kekoa]

Basically any of the newer version bushnells. I use the v4 personally. I'd get the one with no slope too just in case. I can't stand the Leupold although some swear by them.

[tiger1873]

Agree with Bushnell can’t beat it.

I would also look at the golf buddy GPS unit simple as you can get Everything is automatic and you just push a button and it will tell you the distance. Nothing stopping you having both in a tournament either.

[tiger1873]

forgot to add avoid the Bushnell Hybrid the battery always goes dead on it for the gps part. Better off just buying a regular rangefinder and carry a separate gps unit.

[darter79]

cheap GPS are nice like a watch or the phantom. Cheap too. But we have a Leupold that my daughter can use most days. Next time she plays solo I might just give her the GPS as it takes 20 days to shoot a target. 9 year olds....

[heavy_hitter]

Bushnell Hybrid is awesome.

[leezer99]

https://www.bushnellgolf.com/sale/

[MikekiM]

I have my son use a Bushnell along with a GPS that shows front/middle/back distances. This is for those times when he's off the fairway, or can't see the flag. Also helpful for those times when he shaky hands accidentally shoots the trees in the background. This way he can at least confirm he's got a good number.

[Tannerbug33]

That's excactly why I want the Bushnell hybrid. On a few occasions when the wind was. It blowing at all I've picked up the tree are bank behind the green and gave him the wrong number. Now I shoot the front edge just to make sure it makes since.

[hangontight]

as far as rules go, using a GPS unit is OK? Can’t say that I recall ever seeing anyone ever use one.

[tiger1873]

Lots of kids use GPS devices out there. If you do buy a GPS device just make sure it is approved for tournaments. Which honest is most of them unless you end buying an expensive one in that case you might have turn off some features when playing tournaments.

[darter79]

as long as its not measuring, wind elevation or anything to the sort of plays like its legal. Its a good quick way to cross check a juniors yardage.

[BFD3]

So the Bushnell Phantom should be ok?

[leezer99]

@bdecena
If you order from Rockbottomgolf.com and use the code redditrocks they give you 5% off.

[jonradus]

I have a tectectec vpro500s that works really well and is easy to use. I recommend this model.

[MikekiM]

That one's fine. Same as what we use.

[nuthin but a hacker]

That’s what my daughter does. She uses a rangefinder and a small GPS. The rangefinder is good for most of the time but the GPS comes in handy when there’s water or some other trouble up ahead that you can’t see and shoot.

And here’s another vote for the Bushnell Tour V4. She had trouble using my Bushnell Medalist but the V4 was no problem.

[DMess18]

How are people mounting the Bushnell Phantom or similar GPS units to a push cart or bag? I'm thinking of buying one for my son and I'm worried that it may get dropped if it is carried loose.

[BFD3]

I ended up getting my kids the Phantom. The Bushnell app that comes with it is great. You can measure distances to every hazard. Can kids use the app on a cell phone?

[darter79]

not during a tournament round.