Rangefinder Survey

[theshow]

Rangefinder Survey

I have seen the debates before on Laser vs GPS. In the past week I have taken three different surveys on the topic from online publications. Furthermore I have read a couple of articles that show Laser is DOMINATING pro events in 4 different states. Not PGA Tour events, club pro events.

My questions to all of you is:

Do you own an Electronic Measuring Device (EMD)?

Laser or GPS?

Which brand?

If you don't own an EMD, what's holding you back?

Which EMD is more accurate, Laser or GPS?

How accurate is Laser, on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the highest

How accurate is GPS, on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the highest

Keep it in the fairway!

Thanks,

[ALPINE240]

i own both right now.
laser 5 out of 5
gps 4 out of 5 and takes a little guessing on exact location of the pin on large greens.

i would rec' laser for everyone. if you want a gps on the side, go with a phone app like the Skydroid golf app. its $1.99 and works well for front, center, back.

[highergr0und]

Own both laser and GPS

Bushnell 1500 and iGolf Neo

To a fixed position, +/- 2 yards (by fixed I mean if you have the pin directly in the center of green so the GPS has a shot, with a relatively flat shot for the laser to do its stuff)

I'd say laser is 5

I'd say GPS is 5

I gave them both 5's because unless you are about the best player in the world, you will not hit shots consistently within the tolerance / difference area between the two. Both work well and it's up to the user to decide. I like the GPS for being able to map landmarks and give a great overall yardage to positions on the green (front, center, back). The laser on the other hand gives you exact distance to the pin which I think is more useful over a round.

I believe the laser has had a bigger (positive) impact on my scores, and in fact I've pretty much stopped using the GPS altogether. I used to be a proponent of using the GPS and a pin sheet to guess the distance to the pin, but getting a dead on number (save for slope) with my laser has given me shorter putts and easier ups and downs on misses since I'm pin high WAY more often. Now I have to guess how much green I'm working with, but I guess that's easier than guessing the pin location with the GPS...... for me anyways

I do miss the GPS in some spots though, mainly on doglegs and certain forced layups. With good hole mapping, you can have a good guide with the GPS while I'm left aiming the laser at a tree beyond my target and guessing how far back I have to lay up to keep it safe. Those situations are kind of rare, and since I mainly play the same courses I know the number I need to take off with the laser now. On an unfamiliar course, I'm more likely to fire up the GPS and use the laser for only approach shots.

[rhyno18]

I've owned a couple GPS units. I've played around with laser units but never owned one. From what I've seen, I would give laser a 5 out of 5 for accuracy, and GPS a 4 out of 5 overall for accuracy. Some GPS units are slower than others to update your position, especially when you are using a cart, so if you have a slower responding unit you have to be careful to make sure it has your position right before you count on it to make your club selection.

I prefer GPS because its just seems quicker and easier to me to use, and frankly I'm just not good enough that I need an exact, down to the single yard measurement.

[rhyno18]

Oh, I didn't answer all your questions, sorry.

1. yes
2. GPS
3. GolfBuddy is what I am currently using. I previously had a Skycaddie
4. N/A
5. Laser is more accurate IMO
6. Laser 5/5 for accuracy
7. GPS 4/5 for accuracy. Some GPS units are good enough to rate 5/5, but since some aren't quite as accurate I lower the overall score for the category.

[prm387]

Do you own an Electronic Measuring Device (EMD)? [b]NOT currently[/b]

Laser or GPS? [b]Had a UPro MX GPS - sent it back for refund in early September...[/b]

Which brand? [b]Callaway
[/b]
If you don't own an EMD, what's holding you back? [b]End of Season for me...will be buying a Garmin G5 over winter for next spring [/b]

Which EMD is more accurate, Laser or GPS? [b]There was never more than 3 yards variance between the UPro MX, my playing buddys' SkyCaddie SG3 GPS, UPro, or Bushnell Tour V2 Rangefinder
[/b]
How accurate is Laser, on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the highest [b]4
[/b]
How accurate is GPS, on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the highest [b]3
[/b]

[JDFish]

Do you own an Electronic Measuring Device (EMD)? [b]YES
[/b]
Laser or GPS? [b]BOTH
[/b]
Which brand? [b]SKYCADDIE (ORIGINAL VERSION) AND LEUPOLD GX3
[/b]
If you don't own an EMD, what's holding you back?

Which EMD is more accurate, Laser or GPS?[b] LEUPOLD GX3
[/b]
How accurate is Laser, on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the highest [b]5[/b]

How accurate is GPS, on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the highest [b]2 - WAS DICEY FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS AND BECAME COMPLETELY NON-FUNCTIONAL LAST MONTH. [/b]

[Golfwolf]

I own both a laser (Leupold GX-3) and GPS (SkyCaddie SGX). The laser is a 5/5 on your scale, it is more accurate than the GPS device which I would rate at 4/5. Either one is good, I know that I am not good enough to worry about a few yards deviation between either device but I do like to have the option of using either one during a round.

[sirparalot]

Yes, I own both.

Bushnell V2 and Skycaddie SGX

Laser 5 out of 5

GPS 4 out of 5 (laser is 100% to pins but GPS gives me more data quickly...front of green, back of green, to trap, carry trap)

[golfdad907]

Own both.

Bushnell v2 (Scout actually, way cheaper, same thing without 'golf' in name) and SG5

Both are very accurate. Give both a 4.5, as Sky caddie is for pretty much everything except Par 3s, unless course puts prisms on flatsticks, sometimes laser had to dial in to flag, which is the downside of lasers.

The GPS is just sweet, has multiple targets, without having to laser everything.

Both serve their purpose, if only had one to choose, would go with GPS

[crazychris022000]

Laser. I use a Bushnell V2 and I love it. I have had a sky caddie but I sold it due to paying those damn fees !!!!

[silver77]

I had both bushnell xg pro and bushnell 1500 both broke and bushnells customer service is terrible both are paper weights.. I have the callaway diablo laser and it works great 5/5 .

[CBedo]

[size=2][font=arial, verdana, tahoma, sans-serif][size=2]I carry both, a Leupold GX2 laser & Callaway Upro MX GPS.

On courses with small greens, I just take the GPS, but my home course greens are huge; just knowing front, middle, or back can still leave you guessing what club you need; so I carry the laser.[/size]

The GPS is quicker and easier to find distances to hazards, traps, corners, trees, etc but except for the cart based gps systems where they enter pin placement information, you need the laser to dial in a yardage to the flag. I am by no means a good enough player where a couple yards here or there will really affect me, but when "middle" could be +/- 10 or more yards, it matters.[/size][/font]

[WJLIII]

Leupold GX-1 5/5
Golf Guru 4 2/5

Both have their faults and challenges but I have not used the Guru since I bought the rangefinder. I use the Guru as a GPS in the car when needed.

[BlackDiamondPar5]

My questions to all of you is:

Do you own an Electronic Measuring Device (EMD)? Yes

Laser or GPS? GPS

Which brand? Golf Guru G002

Which EMD is more accurate, Laser or GPS? If you can see the target and you acquire the target properly, the laser. However I've seen the target missed and got the wrong number. I've also measure the lip of a bunker with the laser from 150-200 yards away, and got a different answer each time by as much as 10 yards, while the GPS was steady. (my laser experience is based on using my friends Medalist)

How accurate is Laser, on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the highest - 4.0 due to repeatability errors I've experienced or error in shooting certain types of targets. For distance to the pin, then 5.0.

How accurate is GPS, on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the highest - 4.0. I prefer GPS because I get yardage to multiple data points (hazards, doglegs, front/center/back) in one glance and it's usually faster to use than laser.

[jrr]

Do you own an Electronic Measuring Device (EMD)? Yes

Laser or GPS? Both

Which brand? Bushnell XGC+ amd 1600TE

Which EMD is more accurate, Laser or GPS? Depends on whether is line of sight but the 1600 is obviously more accurate

How accurate is Laser, on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the highest 5

How accurate is GPS, on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the highest 4

Bushnell Customer Service has been fantastic to deal with on both units when needed.

[NoPro]

[quote name='crazychris022000' timestamp='1318788729' post='3679579']
Laser. I use a Bushnell V2 and I love it. I have had a sky caddie but I sold it due to paying those damn fees !!!!
[/quote]

Just got a V2 a few weeks ago .. mainly because it can travel. I mean ..when I go over to Ireland ..it's all in meters and when Ireland comes to visit me ..I can give them their readings. I like the gps type ...but not all of them play all of the courses ...the V2 doesn't care what course your on.
Un fortunately I now know just how far I do actually hit the ball now .

[MileHighClub]

Do you own an Electronic Measuring Device (EMD)? Yes.

Laser or GPS? I have owned both but currently use laser.

Which brand? Nikon/Caally laser and Skycaddie GPS.

If you don't own an EMD, what's holding you back?

Which EMD is more accurate, Laser or GPS? Laser.

How accurate is Laser, on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the highest 5

How accurate is GPS, on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the highest 3

[MileHighClub]

[quote name='theshow' timestamp='1318536281' post='3668833']
I have seen the debates before on Laser vs GPS. In the past week I have taken three different surveys on the topic from online publications. Furthermore I have read a couple of articles that show Laser is DOMINATING pro events in 4 different states. Not PGA Tour events, club pro events.
[/quote]

I have noticed that the PGA Tour tournament pix that are posted here during practice rounds show a lot of bags with laser range finders attached to them amd none with GPS. Most of them seem to be Bushnell too.

[TN.Golfer]

Laser or GPS? [b]GPS[/b]

Which brand?[b] SkyCaddie[/b]

If you don't own an EMD, what's holding you back?

Which EMD is more accurate, Laser or GPS? [b]Laser[/b]

How accurate is Laser, on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the highest [b]5[/b]

How accurate is GPS, on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the highest [b]4[/b]

[mglosier54]

I own a laser

It is a bushnell medalist which is not by any means top of the line but it works really well

I prefer the laser, I have used both and the laser works so much better

Laser 5 out of 5

GPS 4 out of 5

[reywalwen]

[color=#1C2837][size=2]Do you own an Electronic Measuring Device (EMD)? Yes

Laser or GPS? both, GPS is iPhone Ap.

Which brand? Bushnell Pro 1600 and Leupold Gx1

If you don't own an EMD, what's holding you back? n/a

Which EMD is more accurate, Laser or GPS? Laser by far - Bush Pro1600 is highly accurate with slope adjustment; on linear mode, readings are same as Leupold (prisms or not). 5/5

How accurate is Laser, on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the highest 5/5 -

How accurate is GPS, on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the highest - 3/5 I have been very disappointed in each of the three iPhone Aps I have tried. I have deleted all of them so I can't tell you which ones they were - one was about $20; I have given up on them because (1) they are unreliable, (2) take too long to load, (3) sometimes unable to find the course I'm playing (and I'm in the San Diego area, not exactly remote), (4) absolutely NO ability to adjust slope and account for pin placement; even on cart GPS units are not as accurate as a laser.[/size][/color]
[color=#1C2837][size=2]
[/size][/color]
[color=#1C2837][size=2]for the money, you can't beat the Leupold Gx1 - i got the Bushnell first but wish I would have saved the money and gotten the "beer can" model. I think that slope adjustment is more subjective and wind dependent that you can expect from a laser - for an inexperienced player, trying to understand how much slope impacts distance, this feature is a great learning tool. [/size][/color]

[slawz88]

[color=#1C2837][size=2]yes[/size][/color]
[color=#1C2837][size=2]laser[/size][/color]
[color=#1C2837][size=2]leupold[/size][/color]
[color=#1C2837][size=2]n/a[/size][/color]
[color=#1C2837][size=2]very close[/size][/color]
[color=#1C2837][size=2]n/a[/size][/color]
[color=#1C2837][size=2]5[/size][/color]
[color=#1C2837][size=2]5[/size][/color]
[color=#1C2837][size=2]
[/size][/color]
[color=#1C2837][size=2]If you buy a rangefinder I'd go with Leupold. The functionality, response itme, display = best unit. No interface issues, no software issues, no firmware updates, NO HASSLE[/size][/color]

[firegolfer]

Own both.

GPS in play on every hole

Laser in play on approach shots for best club selection in conjuction with the map on my GPS.

5/5 accuracy on Laser
5/5 accuracy on GPS telling me info the laser can't. (my blind shots from the wrong fairway or our of the rough behind tall trees etc.)

Of course Pros don't use GPS, they already have every yardage marked in their books and the caddie will walk off any distance they don't have. GPS IS the poor mans caddie. Then the laser is used for the pinpoint numbers on approach. They really are mutally inclusive NOT exclusive.

[cristphoto]

I had a Skycaddie but got rid of it because of its inaccuracy. A friend had the exact same model and when we would play together we would get different readings when taken at the exact same spot. I've since purchased a Bushnell V2 rangefinder and it is accurate and simple to use. I just leave it in my bag and its ready to use on any course in the world. A friend had the V2 and after seeing how pleased he was I got one also. When we compare units accuracy they always read the same. End of story.

[RRFireblade]

Do you own an Electronic Measuring Device (EMD)?

[b]Yes[/b]

Laser or GPS?

[b]Both[/b]

Which brand?

[b]Multiple but currently, GARMIN/BUSHNELL[/b]

If you don't own an EMD, what's holding you back?

[b]Very little [/b]

Which EMD is more accurate, Laser or GPS?

[b] Laser, no contest[/b]

How accurate is Laser, on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the highest

[b]-5-[/b]

How accurate is GPS, on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the highest

[b]-3-[/b]

[Greentouring]

Do you own an Electronic Measuring Device (EMD)?

[i][b]Yes
[/b]
[/i]Laser or GPS?

[b]Laser
[/b]
Which brand?

[b]Bushnell TourV2
[/b]
If you don't own an EMD, what's holding you back?

[b]Nothing
[/b]
Which EMD is more accurate, Laser or GPS?

[b]Laser
[/b]
How accurate is Laser, on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the highest

[b]-5-[/b]

[mike03a3]

Do you own an Electronic Measuring Device (EMD)? - Yes

Laser or GPS? - Both

Which brand? - Original Callaway uPro & Bushnell 1600 (w/slope)

Which EMD is more accurate, Laser or GPS? - Laser is the winner for distance to the pin, the uPro for Front/Center/Back, hazard carries, layups, etc.

How accurate is Laser, on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the highest - 5

How accurate is GPS, on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the highest - 4.5 It consistently reads within 1 or 2 yards of sprinkler heads, etc.

[Johnny]

Do you own an Electronic Measuring Device (EMD)? yes

Laser or GPS? Both Laser (bushnell 1600) GPS ( Skygolf SGX and Callaway UproMX

Which brand? above

If you don't own an EMD, what's holding you back? n/a

Which EMD is more accurate, Laser or GPS?.. probably laser

How accurate is Laser, on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the highest 5

How accurate is GPS, on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the highest 4.5

[John Denton]

Do you own an Electronic Measuring Device (EMD)? Yes.

Laser or GPS? GPS

Which brand? GolfLogix on my Iphone.

If you don't own an EMD, what's holding you back?

Which EMD is more accurate, Laser or GPS? Laser to the pin. GPS to everything else.

How accurate is Laser, on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the highest 3

How accurate is GPS, on a scale of 1-5 with 5 being the highest 5

Maybe its just me, but I never was able to line up the laser well when I've tried them. Friends of mine do much better, but the laser is really just good to the pin. I for one am usually more interested in missing the creek! And it can be downright impossible to find a decent flat surface on the course.