Laser range finders....Golf versus Hunting, which one to buy?

[Grobster]

Hi Guys, what is they key differences between the two?

 

....I can't help but think how can I justify paying £250 to £300 for a golf branded laser range finder compared to some of the hunting units at £90 that may....or may not do the same job?

 

Help me out guys!!

[hoganfan924]

The bushnell hunting ones don't have pin seeker mode (which is very effective). I used a hunting one earlier this year and got burned with bad yardages a few times

[ikari]

Get the hunting range finder with "Bullseye" mode. It is the same as pin seeker of golf range finder.

[highergr0und]

There are some hunting models that are pretty much exact duplicates of the golf ones, like some of the bushnells (scout = tour v2). But there are also some that have the same guts and different programming, specifically some the nikon/callaway units. The golf ones are programmed to give priority to closest target assuming the pin is in front of the brush. The hunting ones give distance priority, assuming you're looking through trees/brush to get to the animal.

Just above all, make sure there is a bullseye or first target priority mode. Makes life easier

[the4hornes]

I have the Bushnell Scout, the hunting version of the V2, and it works great. I've never compared it to a V2 but I can't imagine the V2 working any better than my Scout. I saved a little over $100 by getting the hunting version.

[Grobster]

@the4homes.....that is exactly what I was thinking...saving a bit of money etc!

From what I am gathering it is all about getting one which has a 'bulls eye' or 'pin seeking' feature that will 'lock in', on a specific target or object.

[mwmgolfx]

I used a Bushnell hunting model for 10 years until I finally wore it totally out. Had a square center area that was to be centered on the target and it gave you the distance to that centered target. Sometimes a little tricky getting that centered, but worked fantastic otherwise. And since I only paid $100 for it versus the $300+ for the golf ones, I felt it was a bargain. Every bit as accurate as any of the golf specific ones and once I learned the trick of centering the item, it was super quick.

When I wore out, I went to a gps unit as it was more convenient for the types of courses I was playing. But the hunting unit would be one I'd buy again.

[Truman]

Buy the hunting version.

[feedlotdoc]

I have a cheap hunting model that I got at Cabelas as part of a package deal with binoculars. I use it for inside of 150ish, outside of that I use my Skycaddy. It is exact on with the Skycaddie when the pin is in the middle of the green. I don't have any slope with it, but it works for my game.

[ekimox]

Don't waste your money on the "golf" version. I've been using a Nikon Rifle Hunter for the past 2 years and it's brilliant. Less than half the price of the Callaway one. If you have any issues picking up the pin just use the "pan" mode and scan back and forth across the flag to get the most accurate yardage. It takes two seconds and has never once let me down.

[BraveAnthony]

All callaway branded Nikon rangefinders are programmed to give you First Target Priority mode only. That means that it will give you the distance to the closest target in the range of view, which makes getting the distance to the pin when there are trees behind the green that much easy.
Things are little tricky with hunting rangefinders from Nikon. Some models allow you to switch modes between FTP and DTP(distant target priority mode) like the new A1000 or the old LR800 while some like ProStaff series don't. Once you switch to FTP, it will display "G" at the lower right corner. All Nikon laser rangefinders allow tou to scan.
I have the hunter's LR800 and absolutely love it. It was 200 dollars cheaper than the callaway version and have the DTP mode as extra although I dont plan on hunting anytime soon. It consumes so little energy that i am still on my second battery after 4 years or about 300 rounds. Bushnell pinseekers or other nikons with more advanced features will require new battery after 30 or so rounds.

Edit: riflehunters have both FTP and DTP modes.

[ekimox]

Exactly. My Nikon Rifle Hunter has the ability to switch between the two distance settings and I've just set it on FTP and have left it at that. It even has the slope distance option. It's very well put together, durable, feels good in my hand, very clear optics, super easy to use... It's all I will ever need.

Seriously people, don't waste your money on the golf ones.

[Chief Illiniwek]

Has anyone got a better deal on the nikon rifle hunter than 240ish? Anyone think there'll be after Xmas sales?

[ghalfaire]

I don't know for sure as I use a GPS device, but I would suspect the lasers designed to be used for hunting would be designed for longer ranges. Therefor they might be more sensitive and more likely to range on something other than the flag stick. Of course the lasers designed for hunting would not have the pin seeking software which is handy if you're out some distance.

[ekimox]

You're speculating and wrong. The hunting ones hit what's in the crosshairs no different than the golf ones. First Target Priority hit's the first thing in it's sights: THE FLAG. Using a little common sense when using a rangefinder is a must, no different than a GPS. If you get a yardage that you're not sure about you shoot it again to confirm it or quickly shoot the bunker in front of the green etc. It takes an extra 2 seconds. Litterally.

Why is it that golfers are always doubting the ability of the hunting rangefinders? It's like they can't wait to overpay for the same technology.

[Buddy333]

I use a Leupold RX-1000i with tbr. It is a hunting rangefinder. You can set it for either FTP or DTP. Really easy to use. I hold the button down and kind of sweep across the flag and watch the numbers, when you see the distance drop you know you are on the pin. Really easy and fast. It has tons of features that I would never use but it is very good and easy to use.