rangefinder for a senior?

[8thehardway]

I need a rangefinder but didn't do well with a friend's Leupold gx3i (6x magmification) - my hands aren't normally shaky except, apparently, when I'm trying to shoot a flag even at 140 yards. Also, does higher magnification help overcome shaky hands or make it worse? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[GWD]

Higher the magnification = more shake.

You should learn to lean against something. If you use a golf cart, it works well as something fairly solid to lean on.

If the cart has a drop down front window and you are the driver, it works to rest your elbows on the steering wheel.

I'm nearly 70 with a 7X magnification rangefinder and those techniques work well for my purpose.

[squeaker squeaks]

I have a callaway/nikon with pinseeker technology - the pinseeker will hit the flag as you scan across it. My buddy has a Leupold, he likes the way mine locks on the flag better.

[MaxBuck]

I'm pretty much "Mr. Jitters" and find no problem using the Bushnell Z6. My old Leupold GX4 was another matter; it was a lot harder to get to fix onto the flagstick.

[Socrates]

If you have the shakes, which you apparently do - brace your hand up against something. The frame or steering wheel of the auto car. No auto car, use the handle of your push cart and rest your elbow on it. Failing that press your elbow into your chest and then raise you finder to your eye. One of those should give you enough stability.

[cristphoto]

Try the Bushnell Z6. I'm 65 and have no problem locking on targets. It's so easy I simply aim at the flag and give a quick left/right sweep and the reading is locked. Half the time I have a club in my hand and simply one hand it. My Z6 replaced a Bushnell V2 and while the V2 worked fine the Z6 is much quicker - almost instant.

[8thehardway]

Thanks for the tips and recommendations. My sister is gifting me a laser for my 69th birthday and we're going to the PGA SuperStore tomorrow to pick one out - your replies will help me make a much more informed decision. Thanks again

[Shambles]

I use a GPS watch set to the center of the greens and simply estimate the ends or whatever target landing I have chosen. It's a much easier carry and no big deal to estimate the differences. It also keeps me in touch with the skill of reading distances. I do confess that I also have a rechargeable rangefinder for those times I neglect to download a new course I'm visiting, but otherwise, I'm good to go with both. I mostly use the rangefinder on the range.



Shambles

[GWD]

[quote name='8thehardway' timestamp='1441944708' post='12297722']
Thanks for the tips and recommendations. My sister is gifting me a laser for my 69th birthday and we're going to the PGA SuperStore tomorrow to pick one out - your replies will help me make a much more informed decision. Thanks again
[/quote]

Lucky you!

Even though it is your sister, don't go cheap. If she has a budget, then you can make up the remainder of the cost if possible.

As others have said, the "locking on the pin" feature would be of great value for your situation. Be sure to try them out at the store if they have a demo. You can aim at something that has a flag or stick profile in the store and see what happens. The "jolt" feature of the Busnell to verify locking has been useful for me.

If not, ask about their return / exchange policy. There is no reason to be stuck or dissatisfied with an expensive piece of equipment.

Here is a link to the one I have. It is $400 but has been a tremendous help in reading yardages and locking on pins. It is big and really best used two-handed which can help reduce the shakes. Battery life is excellent and the indicator still reads full charge after extensive use.

[url="http://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Golf-Laser-Rangefinder-JOLT/dp/B00HQE9DD8/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1441979518&sr=8-13&keywords=bushnell+laser+rangefinders+golf"]http://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Golf-Laser-Rangefinder-JOLT/dp/B00HQE9DD8/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1441979518&sr=8-13&keywords=bushnell+laser+rangefinders+golf[/url]

[8thehardway]

[quote name='GWD' timestamp='1441979782' post='12298824']
[quote name='8thehardway' timestamp='1441944708' post='12297722']
Thanks for the tips and recommendations. My sister is gifting me a laser for my 69th birthday and we're going to the PGA SuperStore tomorrow to pick one out - your replies will help me make a much more informed decision. Thanks again
[/quote]

Lucky you!

Even though it is your sister, don't go cheap. If she has a budget, then you can make up the remainder of the cost if possible.

As others have said, the "locking on the pin" feature would be of great value for your situation. Be sure to try them out at the store if they have a demo. You can aim at something that has a flag or stick profile in the store and see what happens. The "jolt" feature of the Busnell to verify locking has been useful for me.

If not, ask about their return / exchange policy. There is no reason to be stuck or dissatisfied with an expensive piece of equipment.

Here is a link to the one I have. It is $400 but has been a tremendous help in reading yardages and locking on pins. It is big and really best used two-handed which can help reduce the shakes. Battery life is excellent and the indicator still reads full charge after extensive use.

[url="http://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Golf-Laser-Rangefinder-JOLT/dp/B00HQE9DD8/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1441979518&sr=8-13&keywords=bushnell+laser+rangefinders+golf"]http://www.amazon.co...ngefinders golf[/url]
[/quote]

This looks ideal! Big & two-handed makes sense for steady ranging - am I right in assuming it's held horizontally, like binoculars?

I'm extremely fortunate to be surrounded by sons, siblings and a spouse who enhance the worlds they inhabit and are loving and fascinating to boot.

Thanks for following up with what looks to be the perfect recommendation.

[GWD]

[quote name='8thehardway' timestamp='1441987890' post='12299550']
[quote name='GWD' timestamp='1441979782' post='12298824']
[quote name='8thehardway' timestamp='1441944708' post='12297722']
Thanks for the tips and recommendations. My sister is gifting me a laser for my 69th birthday and we're going to the PGA SuperStore tomorrow to pick one out - your replies will help me make a much more informed decision. Thanks again
[/quote]

Lucky you!

Even though it is your sister, don't go cheap. If she has a budget, then you can make up the remainder of the cost if possible.

As others have said, the "locking on the pin" feature would be of great value for your situation. Be sure to try them out at the store if they have a demo. You can aim at something that has a flag or stick profile in the store and see what happens. The "jolt" feature of the Busnell to verify locking has been useful for me.

If not, ask about their return / exchange policy. There is no reason to be stuck or dissatisfied with an expensive piece of equipment.

Here is a link to the one I have. It is $400 but has been a tremendous help in reading yardages and locking on pins. It is big and really best used two-handed which can help reduce the shakes. Battery life is excellent and the indicator still reads full charge after extensive use.

[url="http://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Golf-Laser-Rangefinder-JOLT/dp/B00HQE9DD8/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1441979518&sr=8-13&keywords=bushnell+laser+rangefinders+golf"]http://www.amazon.co...ngefinders golf[/url]
[/quote]

This looks ideal! Big & two-handed makes sense for steady ranging - am I right in assuming it's held horizontally, like binoculars?

I'm extremely fortunate to be surrounded by sons, siblings and a spouse who enhance the worlds they inhabit and are loving and fascinating to boot.

Thanks for following up with what looks to be the perfect recommendation.
[/quote]

The unit is held like binoculars and the red button on top is pushed with a free index finger. Demoing will give you more a feeling for how it works for you.

Here is a WRX review of the product:

[url="http://www.golfwrx.com/192665/review-bushnell-pro-x7-and-tour-z6-rangefinder-shootout/"]http://www.golfwrx.com/192665/review-bushnell-pro-x7-and-tour-z6-rangefinder-shootout/[/url]

Watch out for the price. Amazon has it for $400 while Golfsmith has it for $600!

eBay may have it for less, but I haven't checked. You never know about eBay, the source, and the warranty.

[Guia]

I also have shaken hands and had to replace my rangefinder. I went to the Bushnell Jolt, they make several models and they vibrate when you get your target, much easier than older models to acquire the target. I use the Bushnell Tour X, but less expensive models work just as well.

[Hateto3Putt]

If your looking for a binocular style rangefinder with lower (4x) magnification that works great... Check out the Bushnell Medalist.

I had one for years until it melted....don't ask.

[url="http://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Medalist-Laser-Rangefinder-Glossy/dp/B005V9DGJM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1441998174&sr=8-1&keywords=bushnell+medalist"]LINK[/url]

[Foofighters]

The callaway 300 has worked well for me and
I can be pretty shakey early in the morning ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.

[8thehardway]

[quote name='GWD' timestamp='1441991286' post='12299836']
[quote name='8thehardway' timestamp='1441987890' post='12299550']
[quote name='GWD' timestamp='1441979782' post='12298824']
[quote name='8thehardway' timestamp='1441944708' post='12297722']
Thanks for the tips and recommendations. My sister is gifting me a laser for my 69th birthday and we're going to the PGA SuperStore tomorrow to pick one out - your replies will help me make a much more informed decision. Thanks again
[/quote]

Lucky you!

Even though it is your sister, don't go cheap. If she has a budget, then you can make up the remainder of the cost if possible.

As others have said, the "locking on the pin" feature would be of great value for your situation. Be sure to try them out at the store if they have a demo. You can aim at something that has a flag or stick profile in the store and see what happens. The "jolt" feature of the Busnell to verify locking has been useful for me.

If not, ask about their return / exchange policy. There is no reason to be stuck or dissatisfied with an expensive piece of equipment.

Here is a link to the one I have. It is $400 but has been a tremendous help in reading yardages and locking on pins. It is big and really best used two-handed which can help reduce the shakes. Battery life is excellent and the indicator still reads full charge after extensive use.

[url="http://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Golf-Laser-Rangefinder-JOLT/dp/B00HQE9DD8/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1441979518&sr=8-13&keywords=bushnell+laser+rangefinders+golf"]http://www.amazon.co...ngefinders golf[/url]
[/quote]

This looks ideal! Big & two-handed makes sense for steady ranging - am I right in assuming it's held horizontally, like binoculars?

I'm extremely fortunate to be surrounded by sons, siblings and a spouse who enhance the worlds they inhabit and are loving and fascinating to boot.

Thanks for following up with what looks to be the perfect recommendation.
[/quote]

The unit is held like binoculars and the red button on top is pushed with a free index finger. Demoing will give you more a feeling for how it works for you.

Here is a WRX review of the product:

[url="http://www.golfwrx.com/192665/review-bushnell-pro-x7-and-tour-z6-rangefinder-shootout/"]http://www.golfwrx.c...inder-shootout/[/url]

Watch out for the price. Amazon has it for $400 while Golfsmith has it for $600!

eBay may have it for less, but I haven't checked. You never know about eBay, the source, and the warranty.
[/quote]

GWD - thanks for the advice. I ended up with your model, the Bushnell Pro X7 and the size/weight and horizontal orientation made all the difference in stability and the display is fantastic. The salesperson at the PGA SuperStore quoted $500 and the cashier double checked and confirmed the price but following your advice I had checked prices on Amazon; when I showed them it could be had for $400 (iPhones are so nifty) they price-matched it and I took it home. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee as well, which I would have forgot about in all the excitement if not for your reminder.

What can I say? My sister thinks I'm brilliant, I have the perfect rangefinder at the best price and I'll have years of pleasure because you took the time to sheppard me through a daunting process. Thank you very, very much.

PS Thanks for your suggestion FOO and again, thanks to everyone kind enough to respond,

[GWD]

Yes, WRX is a good resource for golf purchases. There are so many options out there and these forums help narrow down the choices.

I know that the people on here are very skilled at spending my money!

Enjoy your new toy!