How long should a rangefinder last?

[edub72]

I found a good price on 2 laser rangefinders, one a bushnell 1500 pinseeker and the other the v2. I know the 1500 is older possibly made as far back as 2005. Any concerns with lifetime of one of these or are they pretty reliable with updated batteries. I'm picking up both of them, price was right.

[swizbeatz]

I would think they last until they break, not a typical wear period like clothes where it would need to be replaced after a certain amount of time. I've had mine for 2 years with no issues, 2 battery replacements a year.

[3_Jack_Par]

I've had my 1500 since sometime around when they were released, and it still works fine. I go through 2-3 nine volt batteries a year.

[avgjoe]

have had my 1500 since around 2005, works fine... there is a known issue w the laser getting misaligned and the units dying a slow death (not reading accurately or reading only within 75-150 yards)

[I_HATE_SNOW]

My 1500 with slope still works fine. 9 volt battery lasts for months. Not sure how old it is but it is older than any club in my bag.

[dijonr2]

I have the Bushnell 1500 w/slope & I only change the battery at the beginning & towards the end of the season here in the midwest & I've had mine for 6 seasons already. I don't see it breaking under normal conditions & I've dropped mine several times already on the cart path

[sheppy335]

I have a 1500 and it is from 07 or 08 and still works like it is brand new. Only thing i have done is change battery.

[edub72]

Thanks, I found a v2 and the 1500, bought both, kept the newer v2 and gave the 1500 to a buddy

[MaxBuck]

Can't speak to the specific models here, but my old Bushnell Medalist lasted about 4 years before the LCD display washed out and the device was no longer usable.

[hbear]

know guys that have been using their rangefinders for 8+ years...still going strong.

[IMAGOLFER]

Got my 1500 in 2005. Still as good as anything out there and still works like new.

[Hateto3Putt]

I started years ago with a Bushnell 400. It lasted at least 5 years, then I think I dropped it because the aiming square was off. Meaning, I has to shoot/aim about 1 foot right of the target to get the correct number.

I sold it to a hunter who uses it for setting up archery targets.

Since then, (about 6 or 7 years now) I've had a Bushnell Medalist. It's been perfect except for one issue. When playing in extreme heat (100+) the lcd display gets quirky and the first number fades away. So my 144 yard approach shot reads as 44 yards. I rectify this by keeping the RF in the cooler that's usually located on the fender of the desert course carts.

To the OP...good luck. Like any other used item you buy, the lifespan will depend on it's prior experience. My first laser is still being used by the hunter and it's 11 or 12 years old. If (when) my Medalist dies (or disappears, or drowns), I would not hesitate to buy another one just like it.

[overtona]

I had my Bushnell 1500 for 3years before I got the dredded e31 error. Not worth anything now.

[Socrates]

As with any electronic devices, they will only be as good as you treat them. Lots of rough handling or not drying they out after a wet day and they won't last long. My V2 is about 4 yrs old and it stopped working. Took it apart and figured out that one of the contact strips connecting the parts had come out. Put it back in and back together and works as good as new.

[cac022]

Bit off topic but do you require the purchasing receipt for a Bushnell to still qualify for warranty?

Was planning buying a newish one from Ebay but the ebayer selling his new one said his V2 won't qualify as he doesn't have the receipt.

Cheers.

[myspinonit]

[quote name='cac022' timestamp='1361097123' post='6444051']
Bit off topic but do you require the purchasing receipt for a Bushnell to still qualify for warranty?

Was planning buying a newish one from Ebay but the ebayer selling his new one said his V2 won't qualify as he doesn't have the receipt.

Cheers.
[/quote]

Your q probably should have been posted in Deal in No Deal but- hmm, a guy is reselling a "new" one on eBay and has no receipt for purchase. Makes how he aquired it sound fishy to me.

Did you look at the Bushnell site? [url="http://www.bushnell.com/global/customer-service/warranty-information"]http://www.bushnell....y-information [/url]

Seems pretty clear that warranty only is to the original purchaser. I'd be surprised if they covered warranty for even the original purchaser without a receipt, but that would be up to Bushnell.

[PaulFitz]

I had my 1500 for about 6 or 7 years. I started to experience the same thing one of the guys further up was talking about where it only works between 60 and about 160 yards. Granted, I played close to every other day using it. Now I just ordered the new v3 so we'll see how that goes.

[Socrates]

[quote name='PaulFitz' timestamp='1361465992' post='6472329']
I had my 1500 for about 6 or 7 years. I started to experience the same thing one of the guys further up was talking about where it only works between 60 and about 160 yards. Granted, I played close to every other day using it. Now I just ordered the new v3 so we'll see how that goes.
[/quote]
That sucks. It either works or it doesn't. I would bet that it was banged or dropped and the laser is no longer pointed exactly where you think it is. As you get closer to the object it is easier to get it somewhere on the object and it records the yardage. Longer distances exacerbates the direction error and you don't pick up the target. I had an older one where that was the case. Got to be too much of a pain to figure out how much I needed to aim off the target so that it would register.

[avgjoe]

[quote name='PaulFitz' timestamp='1361465992' post='6472329']
I had my 1500 for about 6 or 7 years. I started to experience the same thing one of the guys further up was talking about where it only works between 60 and about 160 yards. Granted, I played close to every other day using it. Now I just ordered the new v3 so we'll see how that goes.
[/quote]



you might find this of interest
http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/709120-open-up-the-bushnell-1500/

[TheHomez]

[quote name='avgjoe' timestamp='1361475685' post='6473553']
[quote name='PaulFitz' timestamp='1361465992' post='6472329']
I had my 1500 for about 6 or 7 years. I started to experience the same thing one of the guys further up was talking about where it only works between 60 and about 160 yards. Granted, I played close to every other day using it. Now I just ordered the new v3 so we'll see how that goes.
[/quote]



you might find this of interest
[url="http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/709120-open-up-the-bushnell-1500/"]http://www.golfwrx.c...-bushnell-1500/[/url]
[/quote]

I wanted to thank you for posting this! Really appreciate it! I've been having problems with my Bushnell 1500 lately and tried this fix. It looks like it is working much better! Haven't had a chance to try it out on the course but testing it around the neighborhood its been much faster than before. Thanks again!

[MileHighClub]

My Nikon-Callaway is four years old and still working great. I have to replace the battery (mini size photo battery that can be purchased anywhere) about once per year. One of the best golf purchases that I have ever made.

[PaulFitz]

[quote name='Socrates' timestamp='1361474851' post='6473433']
[quote name='PaulFitz' timestamp='1361465992' post='6472329']
I had my 1500 for about 6 or 7 years. I started to experience the same thing one of the guys further up was talking about where it only works between 60 and about 160 yards. Granted, I played close to every other day using it. Now I just ordered the new v3 so we'll see how that goes.
[/quote]
That sucks. It either works or it doesn't. I would bet that it was banged or dropped and the laser is no longer pointed exactly where you think it is. As you get closer to the object it is easier to get it somewhere on the object and it records the yardage. Longer distances exacerbates the direction error and you don't pick up the target. I had an older one where that was the case. Got to be too much of a pain to figure out how much I needed to aim off the target so that it would register.
[/quote]

Yeah I may have "accidentally" banged it with an 8 iron a few years ago... I may try to open it up at some point.

[firstbatch]

I'm still gaming a Bushnell Compact 600, looks a lot like the current Medalist version, that I bought new in 1992.......so thats now 20 years of use and other then replacing the 9 volt battery it performs like brand new. I often compare it to other players newer model laser and the distance measurement is spot on!

[MahalNeneng]

Had the bush v2 for a 3-4 years. Got pretty dirty, cleaning it was hard to do (its plastic) after 1 too many hits to the cart path it cracked open. Kept another couple months with rubber band holding it together.

Moved up to the v6 aluminum and waterproof (resistant?) hoping it will last really long time.