Bushnell Rangefinders

[shoot4par]

So I have a Tour Z6 that has served me quite well. It's not in immaculate shape but it's been kept up to standard. Long story made short, the laser is starting to go in it. It's giving inconsistent numbers and sometimes outright wrong numbers? Anyway Bushnell helps if the electricals go? I know Leopold is really a phenomenal brand for issues regarding their optics, etc. (Stepdad is a hunter and told me they released rangefinders years ago, I've heard praises of their customer service, etc.)  I'm wondering if Bushnell is the same way for the situation at hand as it may affect my decision regarding my next purchase.

Edited November 7, 2021 by shoot4par

[Abh159]

This is direct from their website:

 

All Bushnell Golf devices come with a free limited warranty (2 years for GPS units and 1 year for laser rangefinders) that guarantees our products to be free of defects in materials and workmanship. If our products are used in they they’re intended and you’re having device issues within your warranty period, it’s our responsibility to repair or replace it.

 

If you know your unit is outside of the warranty-period, please contact us at [email protected] or by calling 1-800-423-3537 PRIOR to sending your device to our repair lab.

 

Considering the Z6 was first released in 2012 I would say it's a safe bet that you are well outside of that warranty period. You could try reaching out to them, but I wouldn't imagine they'll replace/repair it for free. 

[shoot4par]

46 minutes ago, Abh159 said:

This is direct from their website:

 

All Bushnell Golf devices come with a free limited warranty (2 years for GPS units and 1 year for laser rangefinders) that guarantees our products to be free of defects in materials and workmanship. If our products are used in they they’re intended and you’re having device issues within your warranty period, it’s our responsibility to repair or replace it.

 

If you know your unit is outside of the warranty-period, please contact us at [email protected] or by calling 1-800-423-3537 PRIOR to sending your device to our repair lab.

 

Considering the Z6 was first released in 2012 I would say it's a safe bet that you are well outside of that warranty period. You could try reaching out to them, but I wouldn't imagine they'll replace/repair it for free. 

 

Certainly wouldn't expect anything covered under a warranty. 

[Abh159]

8 minutes ago, shoot4par said:

 

Certainly wouldn't expect anything covered under a warranty. 

 

When you said "Anyway Bushnell takes care of us on this?" I interpreted that as you meaning they would fix or replace it with no charge. My apologies if I read that wrong. Maybe you just meant they would repair it with you paying all of the associated costs?

 

Out of curiosity... What would you consider to be a positive resolution to your issue? 

[shoot4par]

No, no. It was just a question as to wether or not they are fixable. IF not $549 for the top end is a tad steep, I might try to call in a favor. 

Edited November 5, 2021 by shoot4par

[GolfCsty]

I just went through this. Tour XE stopped going into slope/elements mode. It’s out of warranty. I contacted them about repair and they wouldn’t take it. Gave me a discount voucher for a new rangefinder. From my own experience I guess they’ve just stopped attempting repair on anything not in warranty. For some perspective on this stance, I did take it to a small electronics repair shop hoping they’d be able to fix it but once they cracked it open they decided they didn’t want to proceed as well. Not sure how delicate these things are inside but I’m  getting the sense they just aren’t very repairable anymore. Repair by replacement seems to be the norm now except for the most expensive of electronics. 
 

Bushnell’s customer service doesn’t seem to have a good reputation here on WRX but then again people rarely write about positive/neutral experiences. We here about Leupold because of some of the astounding stories of folks getting free brand new replacements for range finders several years old. I think that’s notable and may be a good reason to support the company but this day in age I wouldn’t hold anyone to such a high expectation of support/service.  

[brew4eagle]

FWIW Nikon offers a 5 year warranty with their lasers

[Abh159]

On 11/5/2021 at 6:35 PM, shoot4par said:

No, no. It was just a question as to wether or not they are fixable. IF not $549 for the top end is a tad steep, I might try to call in a favor. 

 

Gotcha. Looks like someone else already chimed in with their experience trying to get one repaired. I'd say getting a discount/voucher for a new one is a decent result.

 

Although I will say that in your case it sounds like your rangefinder lasted closet to 10 years before it finally went out. Yes the $550 price tag on a new one seems steep, but when you break it down to +/- $50 a year it really isn't a bad deal.

[shoot4par]

1 hour ago, Abh159 said:

 

Gotcha. Looks like someone else already chimed in with their experience trying to get one repaired. I'd say getting a discount/voucher for a new one is a decent result.

 

Although I will say that in your case it sounds like your rangefinder lasted closet to 10 years before it finally went out. Yes the $550 price tag on a new one seems steep, but when you break it down to +/- $50 a year it really isn't a bad deal.

 

That was kinda my thought process on it. I'd say maybe 7 years max. It's never really had any drop or any trauma. It has a few scratches on the outside casing from cart chatter and a dirty eye piece. Other than that its pretty pristine. 

[SwingBlues]

One of the reasons I went and kept Bushnell is my Medalist is still going strong., after 10+ years...

 

However, I noticed that last Saturday morning, my Pro X2 started acting odd. It was a slightly foggy morning but nothing too bad. However, the X2 would find the pin flag (symbol and buzz) at the range but it would not register a number, just all "- - - -".

 

Battery was still full charge. I tried to figure it out for about 5 - 10 mins. Decided to go back to my warm up and left it alone. Next time I went back, it was fine. Played the round and it did not miss a beat. By this time it was sunny skies.

 

I've never came across this with either my Medalist or my X2 (it's about ~4 years old now) until last Saturday. I know it a little foggy but it was not pea soup and you can clearly see 250 yard sign easily.

 

Anyone else come across this? Laser issue or electronics?

[cristphoto]

I know from reading past posts here that if you contact customer service sometimes they will offer to trade up to a current model with some credit given for your defective unit.  With an old unit like yours that may be iffy.  Possibly they would take it in trade however to obtain some hard to find parts for their service department.   FYI - you can get brand new Bushnell V5's for $300, sometimes a bit less.  

[dekez]

On 11/7/2021 at 9:52 AM, GolfCsty said:

I just went through this. Tour XE stopped going into slope/elements mode. It’s out of warranty. I contacted them about repair and they wouldn’t take it. Gave me a discount voucher for a new rangefinder. From my own experience I guess they’ve just stopped attempting repair on anything not in warranty. For some perspective on this stance, I did take it to a small electronics repair shop hoping they’d be able to fix it but once they cracked it open they decided they didn’t want to proceed as well. Not sure how delicate these things are inside but I’m  getting the sense they just aren’t very repairable anymore. Repair by replacement seems to be the norm now except for the most expensive of electronics. 
 

Bushnell’s customer service doesn’t seem to have a good reputation here on WRX but then again people rarely write about positive/neutral experiences. We here about Leupold because of some of the astounding stories of folks getting free brand new replacements for range finders several years old. I think that’s notable and may be a good reason to support the company but this day in age I wouldn’t hold anyone to such a high expectation of support/service.  

I had one of those Leupold experiences.  Sent in a broken GX-2i and got a new GX-4i2 back.  I've had that Gx-4i2 for 8-9 years now. 

[shoot4par]

I ended up stacking discounts and buying a Bushnell Pro XE - ran me around 470 after taxes, S&H, etc. The Z6 will be functional in the Sunday Bag.  

Edited January 25, 2022 by shoot4par

[Petch]

Fyi...it is not a GPS device!!!! There is never a connection to any Satillite in the heavens of earth..... Bushnell is using the term from using cellular location from your phone as a distance reference.....why the consumer reports have not banned this is a surprise..... Also your cell phone must be turned on to function..if it goes to sleep mode you lost distance reference......Again this is not nor ever will be a GPS DEVICE!!!