Marking your range finder--all models

[stevestrike]

Anyone find a good way to label them?

After recently losing (and fortunately recovering) my Neo GPS at a local golf course, I have been searching for a way to mark my unit with my name and phone number. It may or may not help, but it will at least give the opportunity to anyone who may find to contact the owner and return it.

So far, I've tried small white labels, and a silver sharpie marker. The labels didn't last very long, and the sharpie rubbed off of the slick surface on the back of my GPS.

So do you guys mark your range finders, and what is the most effective way to get a readable, permanent mark on them?

[ronbo]

Well, if you were to buy a Skycaddie, all your contact info. is loaded on the unit, just for that reason. If it gets lost, stolen and not returned, you can call Skygolf and deactivate it. It then become useless. Or if someone find it, they can call you and return it. Great feature I like the about my Skycaddie. Just trying to help.

[stevestrike]

I'm glad you like your SkyCaddie, but that is not helpful to me whatsoever. I am happy with the laser range finder, and GPS I already own--I just want to keep them and have a way for someone to contact me if they get lost.

[BlackDiamondPar5]

How about using a small engraving tool, like a dremel? Might not be pretty, but you could at least put your cell number on it, so if you dropped it on the course, you might get a call while your still playing.

[PlaneMaker]

If you putting the label on the back try using plain white return address labels with some clear packing tape over the top.

FYI - I make my own return address labels on my computer for this purpose

[bytehoven]

The uPro also has a user programmable profile section that can only be changed by logging into the uPro website with a username/password.

Unfortunately, depending on where you lose a device, it may or may not be turned into the Pro Shop.

If I decide to keep the Nikon 800 I recently bought, I may go the dremel tool route to label the device. However, such labeling is permanent.

Maybe attaching some other type of label with epoxy could be an alternative approach, that could be removed later.

[stevestrike]

Some good ideas. I know some GPS units offer a registration, but I want something right up front (or rather on the back in this case) that someone can see and clearly identify who owns the unit. What if the battery is out of juice, or the unit has malfunctioned? There is no way to miss a clearly labeled one, however. Ideally, if I ever lost it again, someone could find it, read the label, and call my cell phone while I was still out at the course. I know that is what I would do if I found something labeled like that.

I may try the clear-tape thing, and I also had the idea of scuffing the plastic case with some sandpaper before using the silver sharpie. Engraving would probably work, but I'm kinda scared to do that just yet.

[Rickochet]

Order a set of address labels made to be put on golf shafts. I think most are made from mylar and don't peel or fade. I have them on all of my clubs and slapped one on the back of my GPS.

[ronbo]

If it were me, I would make sure it doesn't leave my sight and be responsible enough to not lose it! You just paid $200-$400 for the device, treat it like it!
Ever see one of those Baby Leashes that don't let there kids get more than 5 feet from them, while shopping, maybe that would work? ha ha

[ShortButCrooked]

[quote name='Rickochet' post='1913684' date='Aug 25 2009, 01:50 PM']Order a set of address labels made to be put on golf shafts. I think most are made from mylar and don't peel or fade. I have them on all of my clubs and slapped one on the back of my GPS.[/quote]

Very good idea Rick. I know if I found anything on the golf course (GPS, rangefinder, golf club, etc.) and it had a label with a cell number on it, I would call it right then and there and have the owner walk/drive back to me to get it.

[rkruff]

[quote name='stevestrike' post='1913002' date='Aug 25 2009, 08:49 AM']I'm glad you like your SkyCaddie, but that is not helpful to me whatsoever. I am happy with the laser range finder, and GPS I already own--I just want to keep them and have a way for someone to contact me if they get lost.[/quote]


Just do the same thing that you do with your car keys, your sunglasses, your wedding ring, etc., etc.. Don't lose them to begin with.

[stevestrike]

[quote name='rkruff' post='1913823' date='Aug 25 2009, 04:48 PM']Just do the same thing that you do with your car keys, your sunglasses, your wedding ring, etc., etc.. Don't lose them to begin with.[/quote]
Two completely different things. My car keys, wallet, wedding ring, etc... all get put away securely in my bag until after the round. A range finder is taken out and used frequently during the round. Besides this, accidents happen. I do keep track of my stuff, but I've also realized that mistakes happen.

Here's a story about what happened to me about week ago--I lost my GPS on the golf course. It started raining, and we ran in from the 9th green. We sat around waiting for rain to pass, and when it turned out that it wasn't going away we left. About 30 minutes later I realized that the holster I keep my GPS in was empty. I called the course, and told them what had happened and where I might have lost it. About 30 minutes later, they called me back and said they found it. It was probably a cart guy, or another player who turned it in. The point being, that I got lucky this time, but I want to make it as easy as possible for someone to return something if it ever happens again.


PS--I've lost about six wedding rings in my life, so maybe that wasn't the best example!

[23muc]

Steve,
How about a sticker or sharpie inside the battery compartment door?
not overly obvious granted...but someplace I would look if I found something without a name on it.
It shouldn't wear off etc and you could open it to ID the unit if there was ever a dispute???

[stevestrike]

Not a bad idea, but the my GPS (Neo) does not have a battery compartment, or any type of door--it is totally sealed! The laser has a small coin-sized door, that has the metal spring for connection to the battery on the other side.

[iamhuey]

now you have gotten me thinking, i thought i had lost my range finder the other day, but it was a friend playing a hoax on me. i was researching option and remember seeing this in one of my local electronic stores.
[url="http://www.trackitback.com/portal/"]http://www.trackitback.com/portal/[/url]
fairly inexpensive. pays the finder a reward. free shipping.
just a thought

[stevestrike]

After some extensive Googling I think I am going to try these labels: [url="http://www.ifoundyouritem.com/OnlineStore.htm"]http://www.ifoundyouritem.com/OnlineStore.htm[/url]

They claim they are waterproof, have a permanent adhesive, and I can get a sheet of them for about $11. This will be enough to do both my rangefinders, cell phone, camera & video camera, and some other expensive gadgets I have around the house. I'll post back on how they work if anyone else is interested.

[Hateto3Putt]

I hope you didn't order those yet.

 

Here's a site I used for labels. They are designed specifically for golf clubs. They are very durable and weather proof. I do have one attached to my rangefinder.

 

Price: $2.50 for 18 (or is it 20?)

 

On Mine I just have:

Name

Cell Number

Reward if found

 

I trim off the little advertising line at the top. I think it says PGA Professionals Something

 

https://www.pinhighinc.com/pinhighinc/freelabels/design.asp

 

[stevestrike]

Great find, thanks! I just ordered my set. I may have to order a few more sets if they are nice.

Also, I did scuff the back of my NEO GPS with some medium sandpaper. I had dropped the GPS a few times, so it was getting pretty worn anyway. It is UGLY, but the silver sharpie sticks to it much better. I figured having an ugly one, vs. a lost one was worth the poor appearance. I also bought a new case with a velcroe top latch that should keep it much more securely by my side.

I don't have the heart to scuff my brand-new laser yet though.

[ronbo]

Hey, what a waste of a post. Talk about something more than your personal problems labeling your unit! Give me a break!!!!

[stevestrike]

Hey Ronbo, go take a long walk off a short pier. If you don't like it, don't read it. And quit stalking my posts you creep.

[Ronzo]

[quote name='ronbo' post='1919699' date='Aug 28 2009, 01:14 PM']Hey, what a waste of a post. Talk about something more than your personal problems labeling your unit! Give me a break!!!![/quote]

[size=3]Note to all forumites: "ronbo" is NOT ME. My monicker is Ron[b]z[/b]o, with a "z", a la John Bonham = Bonzo.

Please do not associate me with "ronbo" posts. Thanks![/size]

[stevestrike]

Roger that, Ronzo. I'm not sure why some insecure people feel the need to thread-crap, but if you don't like it just don't read it.

Anyway, Hateto3putt that was a nice tip, thanks!

[ronbo]

Perfect response from my 4 year old, Whoops I forgot I was talking to you!

[Ronzo]

[quote name='stevestrike' post='1919764' date='Aug 28 2009, 01:43 PM']Roger that, Ronzo. I'm not sure why some insecure people feel the need to thread-crap, but if you don't like it just don't read it.

Anyway, Hateto3putt that was a nice tip, thanks![/quote]

Thanks!

[farfrompar]

I thought it was a good post

[Hateto3Putt]

[quote name='stevestrike' post='1919535' date='Aug 28 2009, 11:35 AM']Great find, thanks! I just ordered my set. I may have to order a few more sets if they are nice.[/quote]

This is the third time I've ordered these. One from the first set has been on my putter for about 10 years now.

Once I left a club near the green, and I had it returned to me within 2 holes. It was in my league, the guy knew me, he wanted his reward!