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Any real difference in accuracy for cheap $50 range finder?


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Years ago bought a hunting range finder off ebay for $50, never had any issues until I lost it somewhere, seemed very accurate and easy to find target, also very durable, only came in camo.  These golf rangefinders are $400+ seems pretty ridiculous, I get that they measure slope also but I've never really needed that, any real reason I shouldnt just buy another hunting range finder cheap?

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The reason I went with a Bushnell Slope is that I found the cheap rangefinders were not near as good as locking on to the pin. Good for getting yardages to trees etc, but it was hit and miss getting the flag.

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Ping G425 Tensi Orange 3W

Ping G30 5W Tensi Orange 5W

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Ping Glide LW

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When I've played with people using off-brand lasers I've noticed they do get similar yardages to my Bushnell but it takes them a few seconds more.  My V4 is virtually instant in locking on, plus so easy to use I operate it using just one hand most of the time.  My guess is the premium brand lasers use the latest/fastest processors while the cheaper units use slower/cheaper components while accomplishing the same results.  Akin to using a top of the line computer vs something slower/older. You get the same answer but may wait more.  

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I got a cheap one off amazon after my leopold display disappeared. It works great. Yardages are pretty accurate compared to a buddys bushnell. Yardages may vary 4-5 yards but you do get what you paid for. It does take a couple seconds to lock onto pin compared to bushnell  which was locked on almost instantly. For me its great gives me yardage and go. I am not that good of a golfer where i can hit exact yardages. It gives me enough info to feel confindent in what im hitting and didnt break the bank.

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I didn't spend as little as $50 but I did get an inexpensive rangefinder off Amazon. I compared readings against an old Bushnell I have and except for the newer, cheaper one also showing tenths, the readings were identical. Plus, the new, cheap one vibrates when it locks on the flagstick and it seems to pick it up in a reasonable amount of time. Oh, and it also has slope.

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On 8/18/2021 at 6:17 PM, swgolfer said:

It is not really a matter of seconds in the time difference...it is tenths! Cheaper lasers dont go 1,2,3,4 seconds later LOL! it is mili seconds, don't overpay. 

 

In my personal experience it was definitely a couple of seconds. Earth-shattering - no but after using virtually instant lasers its inconvenient. I briefly had a Nikon Coolshot 20 that after about 175 yards easily took about 5 seconds to lock on.  At closer distances it responded much quicker. I exchanged it for a V4 and the difference was easily seen.  Tenths of a second really wouldn't be noticeable, and as I previously stated when I've played with some golfers using "non-premium" lasers they would never get their reading as quick as I did despite reading the same distance.  

Edited by cristphoto
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My current Wosports (from Amazon) rangefinder is the third I've bought. It locks on in under a half a second. Probably less, if I'm really honest.

 

It is faster than the first one I bought years ago - no surprise as it's several years newer. It's every bit as fast as my friend's 1yr old Bushnell.

 

The reason I have bought three of these is the first two went to other family members. Rather than sharing a single rangefinder, I just bought more as they're relatively cheap. They all still work fine and are as accurate as any out there.

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Yes Dubb - every year and every new generation they're improving.  To me the next hurdles are weatherproofing and durability if dropped.  It seems the efficiency of the electronics is improving as a few years ago I would need to change the battery around mid-summer.  Now battery life is easily a full year if not longer.  Non-issue.  

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On 8/17/2021 at 3:55 PM, Beavis1846 said:

 any real reason I shouldnt just buy another hunting range finder cheap?

No.

Cleveland TL310 10.5* driver

Cleveland HB Launcher 15* 3-wood

Srixon H65  19* 3 hybrid and 22* 4 hybrid

Mizuno MP63 5 thru 9-iron

Cleveland RTX 48-52-56-64 wedges

Scotty Cameron Classic III putter

 

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Bought a $50 one from AliExpress that has slope, pin seeker, and is fast enough. Yardages are comparable to other range finders, so no complaints. Feels a bit “plasticky” and cheap, but then it was 😄 

[size=1][b]Driver[/b] Titleist 915D3 8.5* Veylix Rome Roughneck S, tipped 1''
[b]Spoon[/b] [/size][size=1]Cobra King LTD 13.5* UST Mamiya Chrome Elements S[/size]
[size=1][b]Hybrid[/b] Adams A2ts Aldila Voodoo SNV8 S
[b]Irons[/b] Epon AF-Tour 5 - PW KBS C-taper S
[b]GW[/b] Titleist SM6 52* K-grind
[b]SW[/b] Titleist SM6 oil can 58* V-grind
[b]Putter[/b] Scotty Cameron Phantom Futura[/size]

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There are definitely some good quality units out there at bargain prices, but I would urge some caution. I'm currently using a Nikon Coolshot Pro Stabilized, and for me the stabilization feature was the reason I was happy to pay a premium price.

 

As for comparison to cheaper units, usually others in my group come up with similar numbers to my Nikon, but there is one problem I have seen come up fairly routinely. Every now and then someone in the group will announce a lasered yardage that is just not right. I'll check with my Nikon and the difference can sometimes be substantial. Now this can often be put down to user error, and we should all make sure we know exactly how to use our device correctly.  However, it seems fairly common that the cheaper units seem to be more challenging to use reliably.

 

If you come up with a number longer than it should be, that is easily explained by just missing the pin. However, I have seen folks ready to commit to a number that is dangerously short of the real value. Just the other day I had this happen on the 15th at Chambers Bay. This is an elevated tee, usually to a fairly short 120yds or so. There is really nothing short of the pin that you could reasonably accidentally laser to come up with a short yardage, but one guy in my group was kind of the designated laser guy for his threesome (I was a single) and he announced 110yds vs my reading of 122. Of course this made me recheck my work and I told him I thought he should check again. After a few repeated attempts he got 123 which was close enough. This is just the most recent example I can think of but it seems to happen more often than I would have ever guessed. I couldn't quite tell what brand he was using and I didn't want to ask after that 🙂

 

This will often be user error of course, but there is something to be said for a rangefinder that minimizes the chances that will happen. At the very least make sure you are very familiar with best practices for whatever you choose to buy. 

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