Going Back To A Rangefinder ----

[sirbanksalot]

Steady Hand ??

After having the batteries fail mid roujnd (again & too often) on my GPS - its back to a rangefinder for me.

I used a Bushnell 1500 quite a bit and it seems like it took an ultra steady hand to get 2 or 3 consistent readings.

Is that normal with all rangefinders or are the Nikon or Leupold more tolerant to those of us with a less than a steady set of hands?

Thanks

[tpariff]

You don't need hands as steady as a brain surgeon, but you can't shake excessively either. Make sure you have it on pinseeker mode and it will find the flag as long as you're close.

 

Kevin

[Rickochet]

I am not sure what type of battery your GPS unit uses. If it takes AA batteries, not all brands are created equal. The cheapie alkaline you get at a "dollar" store normally do not last long. There is a new generation of rechargeable NIMH batteries. These are sold under various brands but all normally lableled as "precharged" and will maintain a storage shelf live charge of up to 85% for a year. I got these in both AA and AAA at Radio Shack and they work very well and quickly recharge.

 

If your GPS has a rechargeable internal battery could be you are having a charger or battery issue.

[arkstorm]

What kind of GPS did you use? My Sky Caddie SG2 has a built in rechargeable battery that lasts at least two rounds between charges.

[nutsnbolts]

My rechargeable uPro last 4 rounds.

[atlanta golfer]

I use a nikon 500g rangefinder (and a skycaddie - got as a gift) and I like the rangefinder a lot and don't have a problem with holding it steady. But some people I play with do struggle with holding it steady. I don't know if it is physical, or just takes practice, or what. I used to do a lot of photography so maybe I just am used to holding steady. But for most people, I can't imagine this stopping them from using a rangefinder.

[labillyboy]

Get a Golf Buddy... if the rechargable battery dies you can just pop in a couple regular batteries. I always keep a few spares in the bag as I have been known to forget to charge it. I usually get 2 full rounds out of the rechargeable battery (10+ hours normally)

The new range finders seem to acquire the target better than those from a few years ago. I have an old Bushnell Yardage Pro that works fine for me, but having used several other newer models they definitely seem to lock in much easier.

I always carry both the Golf Buddy and the Bushnell... GPS is great for longer shots and calculating lay ups. The laser is for anything 150 in where I want to know exactly how far the pin is so I can tell which tier or green features are coming into play... the 6x magnification comes in handy once in a while too... cart girls, swimming pools, all seem closer.

[Buddyjay]

[quote name='sirbanksalot' date='11 June 2009 - 09:56 AM' timestamp='1244728571' post='1749076']
After having the batteries fail mid roujnd (again & too often) on my GPS - its back to a rangefinder for me.

I used a Bushnell 1500 quite a bit and it seems like it took an ultra steady hand to get 2 or 3 consistent readings.

Is that normal with all rangefinders or are the Nikon or Leupold more tolerant to those of us with a less than a steady set of hands?

Thanks
[/quote]

I had purchased both the Leupold GX1 and the Bushnell 1600. I also own a Sonocaddie V300 (I like my toys).
Anyway, the Leupold GX (or the Bushnell V2) was steadier than the Bushnell 1600. I don't know if it's because the 1600 has 7x magnification, or that the Leupold is smaller/lighter? I personally think it might be because with the smaller, vertical units, you can brace your arms up against your body, whereas the horizontal units, you use like binoculars.

I returned the Leupold because I like the Bushnell much better and even though it shakes a little more, I can still hit the flag with no problem.

My Sonocaddie can go 4 rounds before charging.

[avgjoe]

if you had 'the shakes' w/ the 1500, look for something w/ less magnification... however, one drawback, at least for other bushnells, is that the 'display' will be a littler smaller.

[highergr0und]

Don't forget to charge or keep spare batteries in your bag. Even spare rechargeable ones will be cheaper than a rangefinder

[Hstead]

I am a big Leupold GX1 fan. I can get a flag at 200 yards within seconds with no problems. You do not have to be very steady for the GX1 IMHO.

[Above the clouds]

I use the bushnell 1600 and it is superb. With the pinseeker mode on I just push the button and drag it across the flag and it is done in seconds. Could not be happier, I rarely use my skycaddie now.

[Hateto3Putt]

After having the batteries fail mid roujnd (again & too often) on my GPS - its back to a rangefinder for me.

 

 

I've gone that route. I went from a Laser, to a Skycaddie, then back to the Laser.

 

Aside from the "technical" issues I had with the Skycaddie, there were too many other PITA issues that I just got tired of dealing with.

 

For me, it boils down to this: My Bushnell Medalist gives me all the information I need, to the targets I select and it does so without worries about missing/erratic signals, missing or non installed courses, questionable accuracy and since you mentioned it, battery life. I can just pull the laser out of the bag, use it at any course, anywhere, anytime, put it back in the bag and know it will work the next time. When my low battery light starts flashing, I know I still have at least 4 more ROUNDS of battery life left, before I have to replace it with a inexpensive, buy anywhere 9 volt transistor battery.

 

Last week, I had "lost" my Laser, (On the 18th hole of TPC Myrtle no less) fortunately it was found and recovered, I got it back a week later, anyway.... The next round at home, I played with two of my friends who had Skycaddies, er, GPS devices, one was a SG5, the other guy had a Sonocaddie. The course we were playing had HUGE greens. Needless to say I really missed my exact pin numbers. Yeah, guesstimates to the green center were better than pacing, but I found it tough to be pin high, when the pin high range was not nearly as specific as I am used to.

 

As far as "shakiness" goes, another poster mentioned the magnification factor. I agree, 4-5 times magnification is plenty and it allows for some movement.

 

[Dukefan1]

I owned a rangefinder and decided to try a golf gps app with my iphone, well that lasted about 2 weeks. The app quit working but before it did I would get 3 or 4 different readings when I was at my ball, so I had to wait on the last one. I played a course with pretty big greens and was guessing all day with the front, middle, and back readings I was getting with the gps. I despised the gps, so I immediately bought another rangefinder(Nikon Monarch 800). Just got it in today and tried it on some small trees, etc. outside my house and this thing is small, quick to get readings, and very stable. I am glad I tried the gps route because now I know that the rangefinder is far superior and that I will never waste my money on another gps.

[highergr0und]

I have naturally shaky hands.... always have, and the newer lasers with pinseeker or scan modes make it a lot easier. I would like to get one to compliment my gps someday, but it's not too pressing. My course sticks to the pin placement guides very well, so right now I'm able to guess pretty closely knowing the front, middle, and back from the GPS.

[jsmil4901]

If you have an unsteady hand would a 4X magnification be a better choice than a 6X magnification?

[Buddyjay]

[quote name='jsmil4901' date='03 April 2010 - 11:57 AM' timestamp='1270310225' post='2358367']
If you have an unsteady hand would a 4X magnification be a better choice than a 6X magnification?
[/quote]

From my experiences using both a 6x and a 7x, there is a definate "shake-less" with the 6x; so you would assume that a 4x would be steadier than a 6x. However, I don't think a 4x would be strong enough to easily capture a flag from 200 yards.

[Hateto3Putt]

[quote name='Buddyjay' date='04 April 2010 - 06:25 AM' timestamp='1270376701' post='2359536']
[quote name='jsmil4901' date='03 April 2010 - 11:57 AM' timestamp='1270310225' post='2358367']
If you have an unsteady hand would a 4X magnification be a better choice than a 6X magnification?
[/quote]
However, I don't think a 4x would be strong enough to easily capture a flag from 200 yards.
[/quote]

I have a Bushnell Medalist. With 4X magnification, I have no problem spotting the flag, regardless of the distance. For the record, since I turned 50, my eyesight sux....