Rangefinder slope or no slope?

[Dien]

Well after two years of use I forgot my Callaway/Nikon Rangefinder at the range and it was swiped. So frigging mad but it is my fault. I've found rangefinders and plenty of other stuff and have always returned them to the office or asked around.

 

I saw some reviews of other range finders saying they only lasted 15-120 round before needing battery replacement. I NEVER changed out the batteries on my Nikon after around 100 rounds. Is that normal or do some of these things chew up batteries?

 

Also, for some of y'all who use rangefinders with slope, was it worth it? Accurate?

 

Thanks

[Troyefl]

There is a a forum discussion regarding Slope vs. Non-Slope rangefinders. All I know is if you play tournaments, Slope rangefinders are illegal to use.

[url="http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/640744-slope-or-no-slope/"]http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/640744-slope-or-no-slope/[/url]

[BuckeyePaul01]

I personally would avoid slope capabilities. I just want to know the yardage............


Troyefl makes a very valid point too.

[Dien]

The thread wasn't clear as to the accuracy issue for them. No tourneys here so not a problem.

Still worried about battery life on some of these though.

[Mdmspop]

I have the Bushnell V2 with no slope, and my buddy has the same one with slope. I have found that the slope feature tends to underestimate the effect of an upslope, compared only to my eyeball estimate of "that's a 5-yard hill, that's a ten-yard hill" etc.

I have no doubt his number is more accurate, but I think my tendency to overestimate the impact of the upslope tends to put a smarter club in my hand and allows for a slight mis-hit to work out well.

On the downslopes the laser tends to jibe pretty well with my own eyeball estimates. Therefore for me, I would go with no slope which is both a bit cheaper and allows me to use it in a tournament if necessary.

[crazygolfnut]

Real simple. Rules of golf say No Slope.

[borgore23]

[quote name='crazygolfnut' timestamp='1351729605' post='5874955']
Real simple. Rules of golf say No Slope.
[/quote]

agreed. if you want to keep a registered handicap then you cannot use slope. otherwise it is not a truly valid handicap.

[stage1350]

I'd go without slope.

[Hateto3Putt]

Slope feature is way over rated.

The battery life for most lasers is pretty dang good. Mine uses a 9 volt battery that lasts for months on end.

[Kylekoz17]

Agreed slope is overrated. Haven't even paid attention to it on my v2

[saltrunner]

I also have a the Bushnell V2 and I love it. I have the no slope model and I can't say I have ever had a misread on distance....

[atlanta golfer]

Adjusting for elevation is like adjusting for wind or temperature or softness of the greens, etc. ... you use your experience and judgement. Plus, as someone above said, real simple ... slope models aren't permitted for handicap purposes or tournaments. It is basically the same thing as playing with non-comforming clubs.

[Norboo]

I have Bushnell 1M ,I tried both version and decided to go with without slope. It didn’t make a big difference at all. I know how much to adjust for the slope so, no point in going illegal or paying little more for something that I do not need.

[lobub]

Slope is great. I use the Leupold GX4 which gives both yardages. My only gripe is that the battery the Leupolds use is way expensive compared to rangefinders that use 9V.

[NostraDEIMOS]

I went with no slope and got the Leupold GX3i.. just following the rules (that and I think slope feature isn't worth it)

[Golf Rangefinder Shop]

The Leupold GX-4i has that faceplate that turns the slope feature off. It's not allowed in tournaments even with the slope turned off, but for anybody who wants keep it legal when playing with friends, but still get a better understanding of elevation during practice, it's a nice option. I remember seeing a tour player using a rangefinder with slope during a practice round. I bet tour caddies use slope models in pre-tournament prep.