Laser rangefinder shows different distance

[Darin322]

I golfed with a buddy last week, and we compared the distances we got on our rangefinders (different brands). Anyhow, our distances were always 4-5 yards different (mine always showed the less yardage). The next week, I golfed with someone else and we also had different yardages. So I'm thinking mine is the one that's wrong. Is there a way to calibrate these things (didn't see anything in the manual)? Or what's the best way to test the accuracy?

[BrianMcG]

Do you have slope or anything like that? Or do they?

[Darin322]

I have slope but have it turned off so I don't see it. Not sure about the other guys.

[EricWGolf]

Most common mistake I see with “incorrect” yardages is that people accidentally put the laser in meters mode when they want yards (or vice-versa). Check yours for the Y or M on the display. Then check your buddy’s laser.

[Darin322]

Most common mistake I see with “incorrect” yardages is that people accidentally put the laser in meters mode when they want yards (or vice-versa). Check yours for the Y or M on the display. Then check your buddy’s laser.

 

We compared on a bunch of par 3's in the 165 yard range. If one of us would be in meters, we'd be 14 yards off.

[EricWGolf]

In that case, I’d say that you should take your laser somewhere with a known, exact yardage and shoot it.

 

[ThinkingPlus]

Could be the others had slope on as mentioned. You can expect variation from unit to unit of +/- 1 meter or so. Anything more implies a unit was poorly calibrated or the internal component timing has changed since calibration. For example the timing relationship between when the laser fires and the counter starts is critical and the primary error source that requires calibration. If that timing relationship has changed then the unit would need to be re-calibrated. Is the error always roughly the same no matter the yardage being measured?

[Darin322]

Could be the others had slope on as mentioned. You can expect variation from unit to unit of +/- 1 meter or so. Anything more implies a unit was poorly calibrated or the internal component timing has changed since calibration. For example the timing relationship between when the laser fires and the counter starts is critical and the primary error source that requires calibration. If that timing relationship has changed then the unit would need to be re-calibrated. Is the error always roughly the same no matter the yardage being measured?

 

Yeah, pretty much 5 yards whenever we compared. I think I'll take it to a golf store and see if I can compare it to all their units (even though mine is from Amazon).

[Darin322]

After testing against other rangefinders, the error is definitely with my unit. Scouring the internet, there ARE some cases with defective rangefinders showing consistently shorter yardages (haven't seen any complaints of longer yardages).

 

Fortunately mine is still under warranty, so the company said they'll replace it.