What's the best budget rangefinder?

[csbonek]

What is the best laser rangefinder available on a budget? I really am not looking to spend any more than $150 (EDIT: $200ish...). I know I have seen a few out there but I don't know which ones are junk and which are actually worth taking a look at. I'm not opposed to buying used either so that is always an option. Thanks in advance!

[Stuart_G]

Hopefully someone else might have an idea but when I did the research when buying my laser range finder, the least expensive I found was over $200 - and that was a couple years ago. If you want one at that price, used might be your only option.

[avgjoe]

not sure I've ever seen a new one <150, and used ones often go for more than that

[eppey]

You might be able to find something on the Bay or BST that is used for $150 but I don't think there is anything available that is new for that price. You could also broaden your scope a little and look at non-golf lasers such as those for hunting and archery.

If you have a smart phone there are GPS apps that can be downloaded for golf that will give yardages. The smaller golf specific GPS units such as the Golf Buddy Voice or Garmin S1 (?) watch are around $200.

[CheckJV]

I have the Callaway LR550 (4 years = bullet proof) which is a Nikon 550. The Callaway sells for about $230 new and the Nikon 550 sells for about $200 new. Check Amazon. Not sure if you could find a used one in your budget.

[csbonek]

I've seen a few used ones on eBay for that price but they seem to be the hunting ones instead of golf specific. I have the GPS on my iPhone and I really like it for general yardages but there are times when I really want to know exactly what I have to the pin. I could bump the max up to $200 so that it broadens my options. Or even more, I'm just looking to get the most for my money.

[mahanate]

I was in the same boat (best bang for the buck), so timely post, OP!

[eppey]

Golf specific and new - probably the Bushnell Medallist. It's more than $200 though.

[nathanealy]

I did the same search and ended up buying and Leupold Gx-1 on ebay for around 200. If you want one new I think you can find a bushnell medalist for around that much and it gets good reviews. Otherwise you might look at ebay for the Gx-1, medalist, bushnell tour v2, or bushnell 1600.

[csbonek]

Thanks! I think ill cruise eBay and the BST on here for a week or so and see what I can get for the best deal.

[quote name='mahanate' timestamp='1339100423' post='5048680']
I was in the same boat (best bang for the buck), so timely post, OP!
[/quote]

Let me know what/if you end up purchasing and I'll keep you updated myself. There's gotta be some deals out there!

[talan]

The bushnell medalist is a very good option. They are a little more than you are looking to spend but you may be able to get a deal.

[Ereim]

If the course you play has prisms on top of the pins then i would suggest getting a hunting rangefinder, such as the Bushnell Sport 600. Found one new on the bay for 150$.

 

[hook_or_slice]

[quote name='csbonek' timestamp='1339095840' post='5048254']
I've seen a few used ones on eBay for that price but they seem to be the hunting ones instead of golf specific. I have the GPS on my iPhone and I really like it for general yardages but there are times when I really want to know exactly what I have to the pin...........
[/quote]

If you have the GPS you really don't need a golf specific model , hunting will be fine. You know the pin has to be between the long and short #'s on the green. I have a non-pinseeking model and easy enough to pick up the flag under 150. Just hit the scan function and when you see a # between front and back of green you are good.

[Bombn]

http://www.sportsman...13016/cat100757

 

 

$150 its a steal...looks exactly like some Callaway models....hmmm

 

[Stuart_G]

The callaways are based on the Nikon 550 series but most hunting lasers are distance priority to give you the proper distance to the hunters target without interference from brush and small branches. That means it will generally ignore the flag stick and give you the range to the trees behind the green. Some allow you to change modes but I'd look up and read through the manual on any hunting laser to make sure before buying.

[ddongman]

nikon prostaff 550 only has distance mode which is not appropriate for golf
callaway/Nikon LR550 has only the priority mode
Nikon Riflehunter 550 has options for both priority and distance mode AND slope ----------> Hidden GEM

[makaveli]

best deal is at golfdiscount.com. the medallist is $204.99 and the tour v2 is $245.99, thats shipped and tax free. just enter the code "golfspy" during checkout and it takes 18% off. i just got the tour v2 patriot pack.

[the_coondog]

[quote name='makaveli' timestamp='1339902754' post='5111208']
best deal is at golfdiscount.com. the medallist is $204.99 and the tour v2 is $245.99, thats shipped and tax free. just enter the code "golfspy" during checkout and it takes 18% off. i just got the tour v2 patriot pack.
[/quote]

Are there any big differences between the Medalist and the V2? Those prices are really good!

[KILLEDBYASHANKEDWEDGE]

You can pick up a Bushnell 800 used for under a hundo on the bay, solid R/F.

[prestiege]

im not sure if its the bushnell 800 but i read a topic a while back where there is a hunting version of the V2 that was cheaper than the golf version from bass pro shop or cabelas or something. it was the exact same rangefinder just the icons were different, hunting icons vs golf icons

[csbonek]

I've come close to buying a few but a rangefinder is something I'm concerned about buying used. I don't want a scratched lens or something someone beat up.

[gmangolf]

Bushnell Medalist can be found new for about 200. If you get lucky (I did) you might find a deal on a V2 which put it around 225. 250 is probably more realistic though.

Rangefinder is probably one of the items that you should buy new, unless you get it from someone you know.

Typically the hunting models do not have pin seeker which I would say is a desirable feature if you want to scan pins from over 200 yards.

[gmangolf]

[quote name='the_coondog' timestamp='1340583303' post='5160416']
[quote name='makaveli' timestamp='1339902754' post='5111208']
best deal is at golfdiscount.com. the medallist is $204.99 and the tour v2 is $245.99, thats shipped and tax free. just enter the code "golfspy" during checkout and it takes 18% off. i just got the tour v2 patriot pack.
[/quote]

Are there any big differences between the Medalist and the V2? Those prices are really good!
[/quote]

The medalist doesn't have as much magnification of the lens and according to bushnell is accurate for pins at a slightly shorter distance than the V2. Most reviews are extremely positive though, particularly the fact that they take a 9volt battery that lasts forever.