I own an old Bushnell Tour V3 - is it worth the upgrade?

[golfpramparo]

Hi, I currently own and regularly use an old Bushnell Tour V3 Rangefinder. It does the job.

 

There are a lot of new models since this one... my question is: Is it worth the upgrade?

 

I assume the new ones can be "faster" and offer me a slope reading which I don't have now, but other than that, what is better in the new models?

 

Thanks in advance!

[cristphoto]

If it works I'd keep it. Is the battery life OK?  I know the V2's were hard on batteries but I think it was corrected in the V3's. However if you have a friend that wants a rangefinder you could let it go and then upgrade.  I have a pair of V4's - one slope, the other without.  I don't find the slope that necessary unless its a VERY hilly course.  And yes, each new generation is a bit quicker to lock on (at least the Bushnell's are). 

[golfpramparo]

What about the ability to "find the flag"? Has that improved?

 

The V3 rarely gives me inaccurate readings but when it does it's obvious it isn't picking the flag and reading the back of the green (trees, bushes, etc) instead.

 

 

Battery life is OK. No problems with that.

 

[golfortennis]

Tough to say.  I still have my Pinseeker 1500 and it works like it ever did.  If I wanted slope that could be a reason for me to upgrade, but other than the shape and the way they are held, no reason to upgrade that I can see.  It's not as though I am waiting seconds to get a yardage. 

 

Now if you have cash burning a hole in your pocket, sure, go ahead, but I'm not sold the new stuff is that much better. 

[golfpramparo]

2 minutes ago, golfortennis said:

Tough to say.  I still have my Pinseeker 1500 and it works like it ever did.  If I wanted slope that could be a reason for me to upgrade, but other than the shape and the way they are held, no reason to upgrade that I can see.  It's not as though I am waiting seconds to get a yardage. 

 

Now if you have cash burning a hole in your pocket, sure, go ahead, but I'm not sold the new stuff is that much better. 

 

Yeah, I was curious to understand if something really changed in all these years but it seems are just minor updates...

[playit]

I have this very question myself lately. The Bushnell I have had for about many years works fine. And it has slope on it. Advantages of upgrade appear to be a quicker lock time, better clarity, more maximum distance reading, better low light, but I am doubting it's worth it since mine works fine.

[RSinSG]

I do like the slope function. Use it pretty much every round.

[2bGood]

No reason to upgrade unless you are desperate to have slope. 

 

The V4 (and V5) lock on to the flag a bit faster/easier without picking up back ground objects as much. I can't say have had any issues with the V3, but from time to time I did get a bad number as I got a tree behind the green instead of the flag. I golf enough and have a feel for distance enough that I know when this occurs and take another reading. It the sort of thing that happens to me once every 5 or 6 rounds I would say.

[golfpramparo]

21 hours ago, 2bGood said:

I can't say have had any issues with the V3, but from time to time I did get a bad number as I got a tree behind the green instead of the flag. I golf enough and have a feel for distance enough that I know when this occurs and take another reading. It the sort of thing that happens to me once every 5 or 6 rounds I would say.

 

Exactly! That happens to me with the V3, but as you said I know its just a weird reading and try again... not much of a hassle...

[golfpramparo]

21 hours ago, RSinSG said:

I do like the slope function. Use it pretty much every round.

 

Since I never used one with slope, let me ask this question....

Is it accurate? e.g. If you have a 156 yards distance but with slope says 147, is that accurate?

[2bGood]

2 hours ago, golfpramparo said:

 

Since I never used one with slope, let me ask this question....

Is it accurate? e.g. If you have a 156 yards distance but with slope says 147, is that accurate?

I playing too many events that don't allow slope to bother having one with it, but I play with guys that do have it and yes it seems to be accurate - atleast as accurate as a mid single digit handicap golfer needs. 

[RSinSG]

5 hours ago, golfpramparo said:

 

Since I never used one with slope, let me ask this question....

Is it accurate? e.g. If you have a 156 yards distance but with slope says 147, is that accurate?

Yes. Often it is a full club difference. Sometimes the difference is a soft shot vs. stepping on one. 

[philly2kuk]

On 10/23/2021 at 5:02 PM, 2bGood said:

No reason to upgrade unless you are desperate to have slope. 

 

The V4 (and V5) lock on to the flag a bit faster/easier without picking up back ground objects as much. I can't say have had any issues with the V3, but from time to time I did get a bad number as I got a tree behind the green instead of the flag. I golf enough and have a feel for distance enough that I know when this occurs and take another reading. It the sort of thing that happens to me once every 5 or 6 rounds I would say.

I have a V4 without slope and it still picks up trees from time to time. Probably once every couple of rounds but my home course is tree lined.
 

Personally, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it unless you just want to treat yourself.

[Flyers99]

Agree with above. Newer may provide slightly faster readings or slightly better optics but you have a Bushnell already so you have a great product. I personally would not spend the money on slope. I did before and didn’t find the value. I can use the distance and adjust myself. It’s usually only a few yards anyway. I played so many rounds where I’d shoot the number without slope, pick my club and then shoot with slope. I’d say maybe once or twice during the year I changed clubs. I suppose if your courses are in the mountains and you have extreme elevation changes this may help but for me I just found it didn’t and wasn’t needed. 

[platgof]

When I aim the V4 at the flag and it vibrates, it is dead on. I also rely on a Garmin S20 to double check. The S20 is never wrong, always in the ball park.

 

Edited December 16, 2021 by platgof
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