Looking for a laser range finder. Any suggestions?

[Vinny Nguyen]

Like the title says I'm looking for a laser range finder. Mainly looking at bushnell because I really like the pinseeker technology but I'm willing to look at whatever. I prefer the laser over gps because my home course isn't on most gps devices. My phone gps (which I had to map my course on) can be off by sometimes 10 yards. Anyways just looking at some recommendations. Nothing too expensive please!

[Jimmie48]

The callaway Lr550 is a pretty good unit for the price. Waterproof and very accurate. Also the older Leupold GX's are nice as well.

[ALPINE240]

I have the non slope V2 and love it. you can find these for under $200 now.

[silver77]

[quote name='Jimmie48' timestamp='1321985724' post='3836773']
The callaway Lr550 is a pretty good unit for the price. Waterproof and very accurate. Also the older Leupold GX's are nice as well.
[/quote]

+1
bushnell are known to break down

[toddnt]

Leupold Gx series, hands down..Best optics!

[KaTooM]

[quote name='toddnt' timestamp='1322013797' post='3839059']
Leupold Gx series, hands down..Best optics!
[/quote]



I second this. Plus, I absolutely LOVE the audible beep when my GX-1 locks on to a prism. Kinda like a little vote of confidence that the yardage is exact! Very nice feature...IMO.

[Vinny Nguyen]

I'll look into these. Thanks!

[Bodee]

[quote name='ALPINE240' timestamp='1322001428' post='3837973']
I have the non slope V2 and love it. you can find these for under $200 now.
[/quote]

+2 for the V2...love mine. It replaced the Bushnell Medalist which I also liked. Will admit that the Medalist was easier to hold more steady, but the v2 seems to lock onto the flag easier.

[OSKARJONES]

The Bushnell 1600 has 7x magnification...I can shoot almost any flag I can see. I bought a factory refurbished one for $230

[mliebs]

I have the GX-3 and it locks onto pins extremely easy plus it's fairly small and has an excellent display.

[nitram]

I used a Bushnell for 6 trouble-free years until last year. I changed to the Leupold GX and have no regrets. Simply put the Leupold optics are superior. After that, it's a wash.

[Tom S]

I dumped the Skycaddie for the Bushnell V2 non-slope. I love the V2. It is accurate and easy to shoot any target. I love this laser!

[motofrog]

Just saw the V2 Tour a Costco today think it was around $260 with a couple rubber skins in red and blue and maybe a cradle of some sort. Also had the Neo GPS for around $56 with a 1 year membership card. I'm sure they can be had cheaper but Costco has a great return policy if it craps out just after the warranty expires.

[Vinny Nguyen]

Thanks for the input everyone. As of now I'm looking at the bushnell v2 and the callaway LR550. I've tried both in a store and I like them both but just seeing which I can get a better deal on. Both are pretty similar and great as well.

[golferbud14068]

[quote name='Vinny Nguyen' timestamp='1322506948' post='3862085']
Thanks for the input everyone. As of now I'm looking at the bushnell v2 and the callaway LR550. I've tried both in a store and I like them both but just seeing which I can get a better deal on. Both are pretty similar and great as well.
[/quote]

If you like the V2 and are looking for a deal Bushnell also makes a Scout 1000. It has the same pinseeking mode but it is targeted for hunters. I have one and I think it is the exact same thing as the V2.

http://www.overstock.com/Sports-Toys/Bushnell-Scout-1000-Laser-Rangefinder/3128924/product.html

Cheapest I could find with a quick google search but I got mine for under 200 with a rebate or something.

[Harry Longshanks]

I would recommend staying away from the Bushnell V2. Do a search (here or generally) for the E31 error. (Basically the unit dies when the battery gets low.) Far too common of a problem for an expensive piece of equipment. And the V2 has also had problems with faded LCD displays. Mine had LCD problems from day one and just recently died from th E31 error when I went to change the battery.

And, having used the Callaway/Nikon (extensively) and the Leupold (briefly), my opInion is that the Bushnell is no better than either when it comes to accuracy or ease of use. In fact, I felt like the Callaway locked on to pins a little easier than the Bushnell.

So, with price and performance roughly the same, why taken chance that your laser will crap out?

[spoonhead]

One further tip I will provide regardless of which one you choose, put some bright yellow or orange tape on the body of the rangefinder,(as well as your name and phone #) I don't know how many times I have put mine down to hit the shot and then walked 10 feet to look back and see it still laying on the ground. Misplacing a range finder has to be the worse thing to do!

[WJLIII]

I have had the Leupold GX-1 for almost 2 years and have been extremely happy with the performance. I like the carrying case which attaches to the bag. I carry most of the time and put the bag down, pop it out, get a quick read especially if there are prisms in the pins and right back in the case. Can be a little difficult directly into the sun but you learn to work around it. Fog and rain have not been a problem. I wear prescription glasses all the time and not a problem. Battery life is very good, I play 120-150 rounds a year and I think I have changed the batteries twice. No matter what type you get I agree with the poster that recommended putting your name and number on the rangefinder. Have not left mine yet but I'm glad it's there. Our daughter has the Callaway Diablo and she is very happy with that one. Good luck.

[br61]

As few posters above mentioned, I've had lot of problems with my Bushnell Tour V2 rangefinder until it finally gave up on me couple weeks ago. Not to mention couple parts falling off on me. I had some problems with my old Bushnell 1500 in the past before exchanging it for a new 1500.

Last week, my club pro received his stock of Leopold laser rangefinders, I bought a GX-3. After 2 rounds, I'm glad I bought it instead of another Bushnell.

[golferbud14068]

[quote name='Harry Longshanks' timestamp='1322580321' post='3866105']
I would recommend staying away from the Bushnell V2. Do a search (here or generally) for the E31 error. (Basically the unit dies when the battery gets low.) Far too common of a problem for an expensive piece of equipment. And the V2 has also had problems with faded LCD displays. Mine had LCD problems from day one and just recently died from th E31 error when I went to change the battery.
[/quote]

That's interesting...I've replaced the battery in my Bushnell Scout 1000 twice with no problems at all. Definitely something to keep in mind since it seems to be a trend...

[Harry Longshanks]

[quote name='golferbud14068' timestamp='1322592369' post='3866957']
[quote name='Harry Longshanks' timestamp='1322580321' post='3866105']
I would recommend staying away from the Bushnell V2. Do a search (here or generally) for the E31 error. (Basically the unit dies when the battery gets low.) Far too common of a problem for an expensive piece of equipment. And the V2 has also had problems with faded LCD displays. Mine had LCD problems from day one and just recently died from the E31 error when I went to change the battery.
[/quote]

That's interesting...I've replaced the battery in my Bushnell Scout 1000 twice with no problems at all. Definitely something to keep in mind since it seems to be a trend...
[/quote]

G-Bud,

I replaced my V2 battery twice with no issues (other than the unrelated faded LCD). It was the third time when the unit died.

Interestingly, I posted my thoughts in [url="http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/362605-bushnell-1500-error-message-e-31"]this WRX thread[/url] before it happened to my V2. (FWIW, I've read other posts that stated that Bushnell customer service told them the unit could not be repaired - that they would have to buy another unit.)

Here is another [url="http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/512001-unhappy-with-bushnell-v2-customer-service"]E31 thread[/url].

[golferbud14068]

G-Bud,

 

I replaced my V2 battery twice with no issues (other than the unrelated faded LCD). It was the third time when the unit died.

 

Interestingly, I posted my thoughts in this WRX thread before it happened to my V2. (FWIW, I've read other posts that stated that Bushnell customer service told them the unit could not be repaired - that they would have to buy another unit.)

 

Here is another E31 thread.

 

Great............

 

Thanks for the heads up, I really do appreciate it. That's some absolute garbage from Bushnell though cause there's really no way to tell the battery life left. I guess I just have to be really anal about changing my battery or get something new...

[Guia]

There is a Nikon Range Finder for sale in the For Sale Forum.

[golferbud14068]

There is a Nikon Range Finder for sale in the For Sale Forum.

 

If this was related to my post, this site truly is the worst thing for your golf game . But I appreciate your help and outlook Guia.

 

Sorry to thread jack, I created my own thread. Thanks for the responses.

 

And Vinny Nguyen I would re-think the Bushnell after hearing all these comments.

[Greentouring]

[quote name='Harry Longshanks' timestamp='1322580321' post='3866105']
I would recommend staying away from the Bushnell V2. Do a search (here or generally) for the E31 error. (Basically the unit dies when the battery gets low.) Far too common of a problem for an expensive piece of equipment. And the V2 has also had problems with faded LCD displays. Mine had LCD problems from day one and just recently died from th E31 error when I went to change the battery.

And, having used the Callaway/Nikon (extensively) and the Leupold (briefly), my opInion is that the Bushnell is no better than either when it comes to accuracy or ease of use. In fact, I felt like the Callaway locked on to pins a little easier than the Bushnell.

So, with price and performance roughly the same, why taken chance that your laser will crap out?
[/quote]


I had to have a V2 replaced after I got it wet (they replaced for me even though that was not covered by the warranty) and asked about the E31 error. The technical support person said the issue is not related to the battery at all. It is a software issue that only [i]appears[/i] after a battery is changed. But the issue was there all along. Kind of like an alternator on a car going out but you don't notice till your battery dies. I have had no issues with changing the battery on my units.

[Dukefan1]

Just got the Leupold GX-3. Give it a try, you will be glad you did!

[Vinny Nguyen]

I actually just got my Bushnell V2 in today. Bought it off a member on here before I saw the post in the thread so hopefully I won't have the same problems.

[Vinny Nguyen]

Disregard that.  Found out the eye piece adjustment just needed a little turn or so

[silver77]

I bought a bushnell 1500 of a member on another site and i would not pick up yardage 175 plus, so i will never buy used electronics again and bough a callaway nikon and works great

[Snufles]

As few posters above mentioned, I've had lot of problems with my Bushnell Tour V2 rangefinder until it finally gave up on me couple weeks ago. Not to mention couple parts falling off on me. I had some problems with my old Bushnell 1500 in the past before exchanging it for a new 1500.

 

Last week, my club pro received his stock of Leopold laser rangefinders, I bought a GX-3. After 2 rounds, I'm glad I bought it instead of another Bushnell.

 

Yeah well my Leupold started on fire while it was attached to my bag. Whole thing burned to the ground while I was doing a couple practice swings. Extremely upsetting.