Best Range Finder (Any Brand, Any Price)?

[johngalt312]

Thoughts?

[Yrrdead]

First realize that they are all good at range finding.

 

By that I mean the technology is such that the point at object get distance function is very good on almost any unit. All of them will perform that task very well and that the differentiation is based more on extras. Such as size, additional calculations, longer range, vibrating, screens, etc.

[MarkFromTheUK]

Bushnell Pro X7 Jolt. 7x magnification rather than the usual 6.

[avgjoe]

"best" is subjective... for many it will be the most expensive for any given brand and feature (i.e., +/- slope)

[jrodgers0622]

Hard to beat the price on the Nikon range finders. I personally just switched from an old Bushnell with only 4x magnification to a Callaway unit that has 6x magnification and it has been working like a champ. All rangefinders today are very accurate so it really just comes down to which design and feature set you prefer.

[GWD]

Bushnell Pro X7 Jolt. 7x magnification rather than the usual 6.

 

Have to agree with this ^^. My wife uses it for reading my yardage and if she can do it, anyone can. (She doesn't play anymore so has to do something besides drive the cart!) Prices have come down a bit lately.

 

I play at courses that have GPS in the cart and the Pro X7 is right on when measuring yardages to the pin or even hazards and other physical features.

 

The only negatives might be that the greater magnification makes it a little more difficult to hold steady and the large size makes it a two-hand device that is a bit more difficult to tuck away. Not a problem in my situation but it has been mentioned by others. The solution is to lean on the cart or steering wheel for steadiness and wear it around the neck for accessibility (non-player).

[mokedaddy]

I just picked up a Bushnell Tour x that I am really happy with.

 

The biggest difference in rangefinders is optics and magnification. If you have poor eyesight like myself I have found that it is worth it to purchase a little better rangefinder.

 

The best advise is to go try them out. Feature sets as well can play a roll in what you may favor.

[tim6918]

I have had the Leupold GX-4 for several seasons. The ability to turn the slope feature on and off is priceless. I usually map out elevation during practice rounds then swap the cover for tournaments.

 

Tim

[glensmithis]

I have had the Leupold GX-4 for several seasons. The ability to turn the slope feature on and off is priceless. I usually map out elevation during practice rounds then swap the cover for tournaments.

 

Tim

 

+1

[joechang]

When the Bushnell V4 comes out, likely will be the best mix of features, performance, and size. Right now for size, I'd have to say the Leupold models take the cake. Could never understand why Bushnell is ranked highly, are they the Taylor Made of laser rangefinders?

[Leftymoose]

Just bought a Leopold GX 4i2 and it's pretty fantastic

[bridgeview]

I caddie and use a rangefinder every day. I have tried every brand. I don't want to say what was bad but I can tell you pound for pound the best one in my opinion is the leupold. Nothing close. I've had the 3i. And customer service is by far the best.

[vonasemj]

What made the Leupold the standout? Clarity, brightness in low light, accuracy, read time?

[bridgeview]

The brightness and clarity. Gets the reading to the inch. The yardage is bright bright bright !! Also the smallest one I have seen. I just keep it in my pocket. Very durable.

[avgjoe]

Reading to the inch??? I can't imagine many really need that. "Durability" or solid feel is tops for higher end leupolds, but one of the nikons is even smaller

[Kenny Lee Puckett]

for a $200 unit the Callaway 300 is phenominal... for $400 the Leupold GX3i is the only one I'd recommend to a friend.

[tpcdeere]

This is easy...leupold. Mine is awesome

[capking]

I bought a caddytek from Costco last year for around $170 CAD, and it's extremely accurate. Not sure if you guys can find it in the states but definitely worth the price.

[LundieJT]

Leupold... hands down! I bought a GX-1 about 5 years ago and it worked great. My friends had Bushnells, and my rangefinder was easier to lock and faster. Also, the build quality was much better and felt more solid.

 

Last fall the display finally started to fade. I resigned myself to the fact I'd probably have to buy a new rangefinder, which was fine since it lasted for 5 seasons. However, I read some posts about Leopold's customer service and offering free replacements, so I thought it was worth a shot. I contacted Leopold, and they told me to send it in. Sure enough, the rangefinder needed to be replaced, and they said they'd send me the updated model (GX-1i2) for free, or I could upgrade and pay the difference. I ended up paying $100 to upgrade to the GX-3i2 (a $400 rangefinder), and just received it last week. It is amazing... and I could not believe how small yet solid the device is. And I love the red optics.

 

I think Leopold makes a superior product, and add that in combination with their customer service, and it's not even a question. The only company I would ever buy a rangefinder from is Leopold.

[cristphoto]

I have the Bushnell Z6 and it does everything I need. It locks on almost instantly, is accurate, waterproof, and small enough to easily fit in my pocket. Great battery life too.

 

[sroest]

I have the Bushnell Z6 and it does everything I need. It locks on almost instantly, is accurate, waterproof, and small enough to easily fit in my pocket. Great battery life too.

 

+1

 

And a great adjustable red display!

[johngalt312]

I went with the GX-4i2. Works great - no complaints.

[OspreyCI]

Can't go wrong with a Bushnell Tour V4 or Tour X. Both high quality and very accurate.