Help! Bushnell V4 shift or Nikon 80i vr?

[Londoner]

Santa is going to bring me one of these (she'd better). Bushnell sv4 shift or nikon 80i vr.?

 

I have a Garmin s6 approach but want a Laser. Our home course is hilly and 90% of my golf.

 

Whats the best one to go for? To date i haven't tried either and no local retailer has both.

 

Users opinions will be much appreciated. Thx guys.

[ian-500]

Hahahaha my wife has bought me (for crimbo) the V4 shift......

[Londoner]

Hahahaha my wife has bought me (for crimbo) the V4 shift......

Oh good has "she" tried one? :taunt:

[North Butte]

What does "shift" mean in Bushnell-speak?

 

I have a Coolshot 80 VR (the non-slope version, not the 80i) and honestly would not consider buying a non-VR rangefinder again.

 

Maybe "Shift" mean vibration reduction in which case Bushnell would be good. But if not, no-brainer to go with the advanced tech that really, truly makes a massive difference.

[Londoner]

What does "shift" mean in Bushnell-speak?

 

I have a Coolshot 80 VR (the non-slope version, not the 80i) and honestly would not consider buying a non-VR rangefinder again.

 

Maybe "Shift" mean vibration reduction in which case Bushnell would be good. But if not, no-brainer to go with the advanced tech that really, truly makes a massive difference.

Cheers North. The shift means slope switchable. The bushnell vibrates when you lock on the nearest thing, usually the flag.

 

Some report the VR keeps hoping about.

 

I have the garmin g6 approach gps and am convincing myself i need laser as well. Any thoughts on that?

[North Butte]

I've read those complaints. The day I got mine, I took it out on the front porch and tried getting distances to various things around the neighborhood. For the first 5 minutes I didn't quite have the knack. Once I got used to it no problem.

 

I've handed it to 3-4 guys I play with. They try it for two shots and say, "It moves around, I can't use that" and hand it back completely uninterested.

 

The issue is, the VR motor has a limited range of motion. So if your hand moves too much, it loses the lock and has a half-second delay before re-locking again. When it catches up, the image jumps.

 

Once you've shot 10 or 20 targets you get used to it and it's amazing. But for whatever reason that steady-steady-steady-steady-steady-jump-steady-steady... type of behavior drives some people nuts. They rather have it wobbling around continuously I guess.

[Sam Bennett]

I’ve tried the V4 shift and is simple and easy to adapt to for the first time using a laser. Initially finding where it suits you to hold it and how to hold it takes a couple zaps but after that it’s as easy as anything.

 

I would personally go for the shift because you can switch between slope and non slope whereas I believe you cannot with the Nikon. I don’t know if this is a problem for you if you play in competitions?

 

However once you’ve played a few times round our own course with a slope setting you’re going to know our yardage’s pretty accurately so not really vital unless you hit it the exact number.

 

I think technology between the two brands is virtually identical. They’re both going to tell you the exact same yardage which is the primary use. After that just ask the question:

 

Do I need to switch between non conforming (slope) and conforming for competitions?

 

Which do I prefer the look of/feel/weight/size/features?

 

And I don’t know for you but which is the best value for money? But this certainly is for me being a student.

 

Sorry it’s lengthy but i has a similar dilemma and learnt a lot so hope this helped

 

 

[Londoner]

I've tried the V4 shift and is simple and easy to adapt to for the first time using a laser. Initially finding where it suits you to hold it and how to hold it takes a couple zaps but after that it's as easy as anything.

 

I would personally go for the shift because you can switch between slope and non slope whereas I believe you cannot with the Nikon. I don't know if this is a problem for you if you play in competitions?

 

However once you've played a few times round our own course with a slope setting you're going to know our yardage's pretty accurately so not really vital unless you hit it the exact number.

 

I think technology between the two brands is virtually identical. They're both going to tell you the exact same yardage which is the primary use. After that just ask the question:

 

Do I need to switch between non conforming (slope) and conforming for competitions?

 

Which do I prefer the look of/feel/weight/size/features?

 

And I don't know for you but which is the best value for money? But this certainly is for me being a student.

 

Sorry it's lengthy but i has a similar dilemma and learnt a lot so hope this helped

Cheers Sam and welcome to the forum. Ive not been here too long myself. Theyre mostly a good bunch. :taunt:

[B.D.O’C]

Great thread... also debating V4 vs. Coolshot 80 VR

 

Sounds like the VR tech by Nikon is a game changer