Bushnell Pinseeker 1500

[Tmiller72]

slope or no slope?

I recently got an iGolf Caddie II and have used it a few times. I'm really not very happy with it. Too many flucuations in yardages. I really have no confidence in it at all I'm sad to say. It has been cloudy when I've used it, but if that matters, I'd say I'll probably play many rounds when it's cloudy. :rolleyes:
So I've decided to return it and get a laser rangefinder, most likely the Bushnell Pinseeker 1500. Everything I've read about them seems to be great. Is the $50 difference in price worth it to upgrade to the slope model? I know that using the slope function is illegal in tournaments, so can that function be turned off and still get yardages?

[KevCarter]

I recently got an iGolf Caddie II and have used it a few times. I'm really not very happy with it. Too many flucuations in yardages. I really have no confidence in it at all I'm sad to say. It has been cloudy when I've used it, but if that matters, I'd say I'll probably play many rounds when it's cloudy. :rolleyes:

So I've decided to return it and get a laser rangefinder, most likely the Bushnell Pinseeker 1500. Everything I've read about them seems to be great. Is the $50 difference in price worth it to upgrade to the slope model? I know that using the slope function is illegal in tournaments, so can that function be turned off and still get yardages?

 

Tmiller72,

 

I would recommend the non-slope version. If you have the version with slope, and turn off that feature, you may still NOT use it in tournaments.

 

Kevin

[sidewinder]

If a rangefinder has slope capability, it is illegal for tournament play and for rounds used to establish and maintain handicaps. It makes no difference if the slope feature can be disabled.

 

I would suggest getting the 1500 TE. I absolutely love mine!

 

Scott

[KevCarter]

Applicable rules for rangefinders:

 

==========================================

 

14-3/0.5 Local Rule Permitting Use of Distance-Measuring Device

Q. May a Committee, by Local Rule, permit the use of distance-measuring devices?

 

A. Yes. A Committee may establish a Local Rule allowing players to use devices that measure or gauge distance only (see the Note to Rule 14-3). However, the use of a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect a player’s play (e.g., gradient, wind speed, temperature, etc.) is not permitted regardless of whether such an additional function is used.

 

==========================================

 

Supporting my friend Sidewinders post from the USGA Handicap Handbook:

 

5-1f/2. Scores Made Using a Distance-Measuring Device

 

Q: Are scores made using information generated from a Distance-Measuring Device acceptable for handicap purposes?

 

A: In certain situations, yes. If the Distance-Measuring Device measures distance only, the score is acceptable for handicap purposes, regardless of whether the Committee has established a Local Rule allowing the use of a distance-measuring device. However, the use of a device that gauges or measures other conditions that might affect a player’s play (e.g., wind or gradient) is not permitted and makes the score unacceptable for handicap purposes, even if these capabilities are disabled or not used.

 

 

==========================================

 

Kevin

[Tmiller72]

Thanks for the fast responses! I could have sworn I played in a tournament or 2 last year where they said you had to turn the slope feature off. But I could be wrong about that. Just to play it safe, I'll get the non-slope version. I'm probably getting it from Dick's since I have a gift card there. The Pinseeker 1500 that they have doesn't say Tournament Edition. Is this the same as the TE? If not, what's the difference?

 

Pinseeker 1500

[KevCarter]

Thanks for the fast responses! I could have sworn I played in a tournament or 2 last year where they said you had to turn the slope feature off. But I could be wrong about that. Just to play it safe, I'll get the non-slope version. I'm probably getting it from Dick's since I have a gift card there. The Pinseeker 1500 that they have doesn't say Tournament Edition. Is this the same as the TE? If not, what's the difference?

 

Pinseeker 1500

 

Hmmmm,

 

Please check with the store to be sure you are getting the correct unit. I just checked the Bushnell website and they are listed as:

 

1) 1500 Tournament Edition

2) 1500 Slope Edition

 

Kevin

[Tmiller72]

Nothing's ever easy, is it? :rolleyes:

[KevCarter]

Nothing's ever easy, is it? ;)

 

:rolleyes: :D :D

 

Once you get it, it's worth it. You will LOVE it!!!

 

Kevin

[chopper77]

same model number as on bushnell site

[Tmiller72]

same model number as on bushnell site

 

You're right. At first I thought you were wrong, but I was looking at Dick's item number, not the model number. Thanks!

Looks like I'll be ordering that tonight.

[I_HATE_SNOW]

I have the slope model, don't play tournaments and don't carry an official handicap. I rarely use the slope feature anyway, not too many elevation changes here and it is easy enough to guess 1 or 2 clubs slope anyway. My next one won't have it.

[Diesel]

no need for the slope...

 

i'm more curious about your displeasure with the iGolf... i have the same model and i like it alot... i did find i needed to remap some of the greens as the yardages were a bit off from the maps i got from igolf's site...

[Tmiller72]

no need for the slope...

 

i'm more curious about your displeasure with the iGolf... i have the same model and i like it alot... i did find i needed to remap some of the greens as the yardages were a bit off from the maps i got from igolf's site...

 

My displeasure with the iGolf was the inconsistency of the yardages. Even with the stabilizer on it would change as much as 10 yards when I would look at it after hitting a shot. Certain spots on the course where I knew the markers were accurate, the iGolf would be way off. One spot where I knew the 200 yard marker was dead on, it said I was 225 to the middle and 238 to the back. Normally I hit a 4 iron from there to the middle and a 3 iron to the back. So for the heck of it I played the yardage the iGolf gave me (238 to the back) and hit my hybrid. I flew the green by about 15 yards. That was about it for me. I just had no confidence in it all. I really wanted it to work better than it did for me because I like the idea of it over a laser rangefinder. Maybe the bad yardages had something to do with the cloudy weather? Like I said before, I'm going to play plenty of golf on cloudy days.

[Diesel]

did you bother to remap the yardages on the green...?

 

if they happened to be input wrong or the file was corrupted in anyway, that will happen...

[Tmiller72]

I did not bother to do that. I guess I could have at my home course, but what about new courses that I play? It wouldn't be possible. I play a lot of tournament golf and rely on getting accurate yardages and I didn't feel like I was ever getting good numbers with the iGolf. Anyway, I returned it last night and ordered the Bushnell. Probably should have ordered it in the first place. Now I'll get yardages to the pin, not just front back middle.

[max]

I love my pinseeker, however, I played in a tournament this weekend and a guy in my group had a Nikkon Callaway range finder. I think this may pick up the pin faster than the pinseeker, and that's pretty fast. That may be another option you might consider.

[gompers]

I think you'll also be surprised how often you use it to measure things that aren't the pin. I end up using it a bit to figure out how far out other golfers are, hazards, trees, etc.

 

I like it on the range too to figure out exactly how far away the targets are.

 

I know a GPS can do some of these things too, but I have a hard time believing that it's as easy and accurate as the pinseeker for those things.

 

I'm not a good enough golfer (yet) to need yardages to within +/- a yard, but it has given me a lot of confidence knowing exactly how far I hit my clubs because I know how far away what I'm shooting at is, and by how much I missed it.

[luvmp57]

the pinseeker is a great laser. definitely get the non slope version. another good alternative is the bushnell yardage pro 800 if you have a costco membership. it is a little smaller and picks up the pin just fine. i know, i thought that i lost mine and bought a pinseeker only to have my buddy find it in his bag a month later. good luck