GPS or LASER range finder?

[myspinonit]

I just bought a Bushnell V3Tour on an end of Boxing Week price realizing that I needed more exact distance to the pin, especially close to the green, with my depth perception issues.

It will be interesting to see if I decide to turn on my Callaway MX+ GPS too for an ongoing overview ( at least for in-frequently played courses).

[Bodee]

I personally like both. Each has their own merits and shortcomings, I only own a laser but my regular playing buddy has a Golflogix which is nice also. If I had to choose one or the other, I would go laser. YMMV

[CactusGolf]

I have both a Bushnell range finder (on its last legs) and a Garmin S2 golf watch that I got over Christmas.

I only have one round in with the watch, but I don't think I like it enough to get rid of the rangefinder as the primary tool.

The distances are relatively accurate if all you need is front, middle, back, but I'm used to using the rangefinder as a way to get carry distances and to the pin distances.

I like the watch because I can actually measure my shots accurately.

[gambit]

Last week I played on a course that I've played a couple of times before, but not within the last year. I got paired up with a couple of really fun guys. I had my laser and one of the other guys had his GPS. By the turn his buddy tells him he's done with getting yardages from his range finder and starts to get exact numbers to pins, front of greens, and hazards from me. I'm not sure if the really hilly area has anything to do with the screwy numbers coming from the GPS though.

[dxdgenert]

[quote name='lettucebcereal' timestamp='1388813842' post='8395431']
Why not get the best of both worlds? I bought a Bushnell Hybrid rangefinder this past year and I love it. It has both a GPS on the side and a laser rangefinder, but it does not give you slope. If you can live with no slope, it's a great rangefinder. Although it will cost you an arm and a leg, I think it's definitely worth it.

For your convenience, I provided a link to Mark Crossfield's review of the Hybrid Rangefinder.

[media=]http://youtu.be/vCiRVCioAZ0[/media]
[/quote]
I CANNOT recommend the Bushnell hybrid enough. I always chuckle reading the GPS vs. laser threads, knowing the solution already exists! it seems like Bushnell hasn't done a good job of marketing the Hybrid. With rebates and discount codes, I was able to purchase mine for $275.

[LCP]

Both -- that seems simple enough. I carry the ultra-small SkyCaddie Aire in my pocket and check it for quick front-middle-back all the time without taking any time. Then occasionally pull out the laser to get distance to a trap, trees, landing area or to the pin if I'm not sure what part of the green it is in. That's not more than about 7-8 times a round for using the laser though.

[baylorlefty]

I have both. If I could only use one it would be the laser. You can shoot distances for any targets on the course and as others have said the exact # for shots inside 100 are helpful when flag hunting.

[myspinonit]

[quote name='baylorlefty' timestamp='1390400739' post='8508091']
I have both. If I could only use one it would be the laser. You can shoot distances for any targets on the course and as others have said the exact # for shots inside 100 are helpful when flag hunting.
[/quote]

I just got my Bushnell laser the other day and have only been able to snap at the odd thing from off the course, but yeah, already it will be my go to device, especially for those flag-hunting distances as I have depth perception issues. Plus the bonus for range practice.

I'll still plan on turning on my GPS initially, but my initial hit is I can't see me using the GPS much now on [u]familiar[/u] courses. That said, with GPS watch technology getting better and cheaper, I might down the road wear one of those too. But carrying and/or mounting and fiddling with two devices all the time on my pull cart- probably not. I'm also a very fast player, (actually hoping the laser helps me slow down a tad for planning!) - but pace of play is a big issue in our men's club and I don't want to fuel that issue.

[Roemike99]

[quote name='samawc' timestamp='1384273992' post='8137286']
I am finally going to buy a yardage measuring device. Like many people, I can choose between a GPS or a LASER range finder. Can I get some pros and cons for both? In my line of work, I use both technologies for pinpoint accuracy and I prefers the LASER by a slight margin. Thanks! If you know of any posts that have covered this discussion, could you please post the link? One of the things that I would like answered is wether a LASER range finder is affected by foggy conditions and slight rain or not. In theory it should.
[/quote]I use a laser. I even shoot it off trees and bunkers from the tee. I don't think a GPS is that useful IMO..