bushnell 1500 not working well...any suggestions?

danbailey24 · June 8, 2012

my bushnell 1500 has been awesome for a few years. lately (last 2 months), I have had a terrible time getting a distance to pins. There doesn't seem to be any common variables causing issues. Once in a while, I can get the distance to a pin...but very randomly.

the "pinseeker" function still shows on the screen inside, and I can turn that function off and on with the "pinseeker" button.

question #1. anyone else have this problem? better yet, anyone else have a solution?

question #2. does bushnell have anything like a "craftsman tool" lifetime warranty or really good customer service? just looking for a way to NOT have to buy a new one...

thanks

mbowker64 · June 8, 2012

I have a buddy that was having problems with a refurb. V2 he bought on Ebay.The second time he sent it in they gave him a brand new one.

puttapotomus · June 8, 2012

[i]1500 is fairly old... Probably have to buy a new one.[/i]

avgjoe · June 9, 2012

have you tried a new battery?

bassman1308 · June 10, 2012

I have a similar problem as I usually have to tap the battary latch button to get a reading. Even then, it sometimes gets a reading 40\50 yards longer than what it is although it will evidentually get it right if I keep at it. It's a fairly new battery. I'm thinking it may have to do with the lousy latch system which I had to tape shut.

ChipDriver · June 10, 2012

Lasers are precision instruments. Even with the padded case and "taking care of it" the lasers can get out of tune or break.

Call Bushnell and see what they recommend. They will have you send it in and evaluate it. If they can fix it they will, and if not they will offer you an ability to upgrade your unit at a substantial discount. Their customer service is great.

tyorke1 · June 10, 2012

I have been having the same problerms, any idea what discount they will offer?, thats great advice

[quote name='ChipDriver' timestamp='1339343664' post='5061620']
Lasers are precision instruments. Even with the padded case and "taking care of it" the lasers can get out of tune or break.

Call Bushnell and see what they recommend. They will have you send it in and evaluate it. If they can fix it they will, and if not they will offer you an ability to upgrade your unit at a substantial discount. Their customer service is great.
[/quote]

ChipDriver · June 10, 2012

[quote name='tyorke1' timestamp='1339344238' post='5061650']
I have been having the same problerms, any idea what discount they will offer?, thats great advice

[quote name='ChipDriver' timestamp='1339343664' post='5061620']
Lasers are precision instruments. Even with the padded case and "taking care of it" the lasers can get out of tune or break.

Call Bushnell and see what they recommend. They will have you send it in and evaluate it. If they can fix it they will, and if not they will offer you an ability to upgrade your unit at a substantial discount. Their customer service is great.
[/quote]
[/quote]

I don't remember the percentage I got for my 1600 but I shopped it around and it was better than any advertised discount online + discount code from an authorized Bushnell dealer.

Off the top of my head I'd guess about 1/3rd off?

tyorke1 · June 10, 2012

thanks

[quote name='ChipDriver' timestamp='1339345116' post='5061686']
[quote name='tyorke1' timestamp='1339344238' post='5061650']
I have been having the same problerms, any idea what discount they will offer?, thats great advice

[quote name='ChipDriver' timestamp='1339343664' post='5061620']
Lasers are precision instruments. Even with the padded case and "taking care of it" the lasers can get out of tune or break.

Call Bushnell and see what they recommend. They will have you send it in and evaluate it. If they can fix it they will, and if not they will offer you an ability to upgrade your unit at a substantial discount. Their customer service is great.
[/quote]
[/quote]

I don't remember the percentage I got for my 1600 but I shopped it around and it was better than any advertised discount online + discount code from an authorized Bushnell dealer.

Off the top of my head I'd guess about 1/3rd off?
[/quote]

dutoim · June 11, 2012

[color=#222222][size=2]I have been an extremely loyal Bushnell user, having purchased four devices from them in the past 4-5 years - three for myself and one for my dad. I love the products, which is why I keep coming back; however, their customer service is another thing altogether. [/size][/color]
[color=#222222][size=2]I initially had a Pinseeker 1500 that went bad one month past the warranty expiring. The CSR told me they are extremely sensitive to heat and if I have ever leave it in my car, it may need to be recalibrated. They advised me to send it in for evaluation, but that it would not be covered by warranty. I eventually sent it in thinking that even if it cost $130 to fix, it would be far cheaper than buying a new one. Several weeks later they told me it would cost approx $380 to fix (at the time, new ones were selling everywhere for about $320). They offered me a discount on a replacement, but due to demand they said it would take a few months to get one to me (midway through the golf season in Minnesota). [/size][/color]
[color=#222222][size=2]I decided to forego the discount and bought a Bushnell Hybrid from TGW. It's nice to have both GPS and laser; however the laser isn't nearly as good as the 1500, so I went back to Bushnell in early March of this year to see if they would still honor a discount on a different one. They agreed and said I would have it in about 30 days. I ordered the PRO 1M from them. It is June 11th and I still don't have it. Each time I call in, they tell me they are out of stock because they allocate 100% of their stock to golf shop orders. If any are left over, I will finally get mine. [/size][/color]
[color=#222222][size=2]I'm thankful I didn't sell my Hybrid when I placed my order or I would be spending the season without a range finder. [/size][/color]
[color=#222222][size=2]Long story short, if time isn’t an issue and you can live without your range finder for awhile, roll the dice and send it in. If the contrary is true, shell out the cash for a new one. [/size][/color]
[color=#222222][size=2]Lastly, I haven’t heard the best customer service stories from any of their competitors either, which keeps me a strong Bushnell proponent. [/size][/color]
[color=#222222][size=2]Good luck!!![/size][/color]