What Laser Range Finder should I buy?

[dgrelecki]

Budget is $250. Used or new?

Hey all. I'm looking to buy a laser range finder. I'm not interested in the SKy Caddie type GPS product, as they can't be used on the range to find yardages. If I'm going to spend about $250, which one should I buy? Should I buy a lower end product, or a used higher end to keep around my budget? Anybody have any experience??

[dgrelecki]

Is the Nikon Prostaff 440 any good?

[MoGolf]

I've got the Nikon 440 and it works fine for me. The problem with it is...it's hard sometime to pick up the flag. However, if there's someone on the green in front of you, it's easy to "shoot" the guy that pulls/returns the flag.

It's also good to use on the range, to shoot yardage signs to know what the exact yardages are.

I picked mine up at the Bass Pro Shops outlet store for $100, and it was new.

[def]

My vote is for Nikon 500G. Good size, under $300, easy to scan for yardages.

[oregongolf]

I'd say keep your eye on the BST.

 

People are always trying the latest and greatest...

 

Pinseekers are great though!

[NicholasP]

Please do not spend your hard earned money on anything other than the Bushnell Pinseeker 1500. You can find one to fit your price range even if is lightly used. I have tried every range finder on the market and nothing compares.

[Skeets]

Bushnell Scout 1000.

 

It's the hunting version of the Bushnell Pinseeker Tour V2 but about $100 less. Other than the terminology to describe its features (i.e. bullseye vs. pinseeker), it's exactly the same.

[stasek]

I HAD the Nikon 440 (lost it in AZ) and HAVE the 500G. Both solid pieces, but don't expect to shoot a flag from 300 yards out. IMO, both start losing effectiveness at ~250 yards.

[atlanta golfer]

I've had the Nikon 500G for 6 months and love it. It's true you can't shoot a flag at 300 yards but why would you want to? I purchased new for $211 all in, from Amazon. I like the compact size. Shoots flags pretty easily up to slightly over 200 yards, and can shoot trees, bunkers, hazards, etc. as far as you can reach with driver. Technically is is not quite as good as the Bushnell but it is smaller (small enough to be worn on belt) and significantly cheaper.

[kwijyboy]

I have the Bushnell Pinseeker 1500. It was $399 but I was told by several that you get what you pay for and that you want something with pinseeker. When I went to buy it, however, Edwin Watts had a new Bushnell product with Pinseeker that was $299. We used them outside on light posts and stuff and they were both within a few yards of each other. I chose the 1500 because I was afraid to skimp and get something that was not as good. I still wonder if I should have gotten the $299 one. It was a little smaller, but still Bushnell and still Pinseeker.

 

Ok, I guess that really didnt help you.

[mr_divots]

Save $50 more and get a PinSeeker 1500 TE off the 'bay brand new. If you're gonna spend $250, spend the $300 and get the best.

[Ronzo]

Save $50 more and get a PinSeeker 1500 TE off the 'bay brand new. If you're gonna spend $250, spend the $300 and get the best.

 

+1,000

 

I wish I had done the same.

[Tom Lerch]

After reading the positive posts in this forum, (do a search for LASER range finders) and conducting my own Internet (not hands on) research about the Bushnell 1500, I bought a brand new one from a power eBay seller for Buy it Now price of $319 + $10 shipping. (arrives on the 31st) I bought the Tournament Edition so I can use it in tournaments. You can't use the Slope version in handicap or tournament play. I currently have a SG4 Sky Caddie but I am tired of downloading courses. I was recently on a mini vacation and the course I planned to play and had input in my SG4 was unavailable when I got there so I had to choose another course. Needless to say, I was left unarmed. LASER's are the way to go. Spend the extra $70 and get a 1500.

[TeeTime907]

I would go on eBay and buy the Nikon Monarch 800. Its the exact unit Callaway uses. Then what you do is call Callaway and tell them you need a replacement cover for your Range Finder. They will send you a Callaway cover for your Monarch for $20.00. Its a very sweet deal. Nikon in my opinion has the best Range finders out there.

 

If you buy the Nikon and not the Callaway you will save over a $150.00 and they are the same unit.

[Canuck]

Had a Nikon 500G. Broke after one season :) . Nikon was then a total pain to deal with and I told them to just keep it.

 

The 1500 TE has been in the bag for 3 season's now and NO PROBLEMS AT ALL. Great laser, water proof, better case, easy...as others have said, you won't regret it.

[laseranimal]

can someone explain to me WHY you need a rangefinder that gives you > 350 yards?

 

I can see why the pro's might need it while mapping the course for a yardage book, but how many of us can legitimately hit a ball 330+?

 

I'm not trying to be flip, just wondering. I've got the Nikon 500 and its worked fine, I just want to know what I'm missing

[Roughneck]

Bushnell Scout 1000.

 

It's the hunting version of the Bushnell Pinseeker Tour V2 but about $100 less. Other than the terminology to describe its features (i.e. bullseye vs. pinseeker), it's exactly the same.

 

+1

 

I picked up a Scout 1000 and love it. Same Pinseeker technology, as a 1500, smaller, and 5x zoom (7x on the 1500). It's a great unit, easy to use. And you can find a new one for a little over $200 now.

[babywax]

can someone explain to me WHY you need a rangefinder that gives you > 350 yards?

 

I can see why the pro's might need it while mapping the course for a yardage book, but how many of us can legitimately hit a ball 330+?

 

I'm not trying to be flip, just wondering. I've got the Nikon 500 and its worked fine, I just want to know what I'm missing

 

For laying up to a specific yardage. If I'm 330 out on a par 5 I don't necessarily want to lay up to say 80 yards, I might want to know I'm exactly 330 out and can then lay up to 100 exact for a sand wedge or whatever I'm hitting well that day.

[waylman]

pinseeker 1500!!! I love this thing!!!

[fatmouse]

i got the nikon 500 on amazon for 200 bucks. like people said above, you can't beam a flag from more than 250 yards or so, but usually I'm shooting other objects like bunkers, edges of hazards, front of the green, other golfers etc. larger objects you can pick up pretty easily 300+ yards out.

 

Its pretty small, I usually have it in my back pocket when I'm playing

[gochargers5]

Save $50 more and get a PinSeeker 1500 TE off the 'bay brand new. If you're gonna spend $250, spend the $300 and get the best.

 

+1,000

 

I wish I had done the same.

 

 

I totally agree with this opinion. I have Nikon 500 and my buddy have 1500 TE and Slope. If I were you, I will buy 1500 TE. For example, there is Par 3 around 200 yards. I check the distance from tee to the bunker infront of green, because it is hard to focus on flag by Nikon 500. But, 1500 TE shows exact distance from tee to flag. Function is same. They only have different zoom lens. 1500 TE is 2 times higher than Nikon 500.

[totally_addicted]

Bushnell Pinseeker 1500 with or without slope. Quickly and easily ranges to a pin from anywhere. They can be had on ebay used for around $250 or new for $300-350. Best range finder out there IMO. I think it is the best thing I put in my bag in years. I actually have both the slope and non-slope versions. The only time I use the non-slope version is in one tournament a year where it is allowed, kind of a waste but whatever.

[mr_divots]

can someone explain to me WHY you need a rangefinder that gives you > 350 yards?

 

I can see why the pro's might need it while mapping the course for a yardage book, but how many of us can legitimately hit a ball 330+?

 

I'm not trying to be flip, just wondering. I've got the Nikon 500 and its worked fine, I just want to know what I'm missing

Par 5. Hit your drive. Discover you have 330 yards to the pin. Choose appropriate layup club to get to desired layup yardage. Its not always about hitting it as far as you can.