Considering a Range Finder

[KevB_44]

I have been using an app (Grint) as my tool for distances and course management.  It has served me well, but wonder if I am missing something as I know a lot of people with rangefinders.   The people I play with are 50/50 split between using an app/GPS or a range finder.  I believe the one thing I may be missing out on is slope as the GPS provides distance accurately enough, but does not take elevation into account.

Looking for honest opinions with respect to either form of technology and if you were to suggest a range finder, which one and why?

 

Much appreciated

[GolfSpy_APH]

3 minutes ago, KevB_44 said:

I have been using an app (Grint) as my tool for distances and course management.  It has served me well, but wonder if I am missing something as I know a lot of people with rangefinders.   The people I play with are 50/50 split between using an app/GPS or a range finder.  I believe the one thing I may be missing out on is slope as the GPS provides distance accurately enough, but does not take elevation into account.

Looking for honest opinions with respect to either form of technology and if you were to suggest a range finder, which one and why?

 

Much appreciated

I have a range finder coming for testing soon. I have always used Arccos before so am in a similar position.

I don't have it yet so I can't say for sure, but will be sure to link the review and updates here for you to read! 

[cnosil]

1 hour ago, KevB_44 said:

I have been using an app (Grint) as my tool for distances and course management.  It has served me well, but wonder if I am missing something as I know a lot of people with rangefinders.   The people I play with are 50/50 split between using an app/GPS or a range finder.  I believe the one thing I may be missing out on is slope as the GPS provides distance accurately enough, but does not take elevation into account.

Looking for honest opinions with respect to either form of technology and if you were to suggest a range finder, which one and why?

 

Much appreciated

I have both and there are advantages and disadvantages to each.  The hybrid units are the best of both worlds.  
 

rangefinders: give you exact distance to something that you can see.  Meaning, If the flag is around the corner and blocked by some trees you can’t get a distance to the pin.   You probably also want some kind of stabilization; shooting a pin forum a distance does require a fairly steady hand.  Slope is a nice feature, especially if you play courses with lots of elevation. I see it more  as a learning tool and I try to guess the distance before I laser.   
 

gps: is generally pretty accurate but due to commercial limitations it may be a few yards off.   I like GPS becuase it helps my know landing area distances on the green  and not just a distance to a pin.  Front, middle and back distances are more important to me than the pin itself.   They typically provide array distances for hazards so I know far I need to carry the ball on most shots.  
 

I personally use a GPS 90% of the time and typically only shift to the rangefinder for distance wedges or par 3 distances.  

[russtopherb]

I have both, and find myself reaching for the rangefinder only a few times during 18 holes. It's far more convenient to look down at my smartwatch and get distances.

That said, there's a few spots where I've learned the GPS is definitely off and giving incorrect distances, so having the range finder as a "second opinion" is definitely helpful.

[tony@CIC]

I use a range finder all the time in tandem with my Shotscope watch. I find that many times the  middle flag is not in the middle or the gps is off by several yards where the middle (or front/back) flag should be. It provides a level of assurance. However, I'd label it a 'nice to have' vs. a 'must have'. 

If you're convinced you need one, the three things I'd look for: optics - clarity and brightness, pin seeker technology, and if your hand isn't steady - stabilization.

 

 

[Tom the Golf Nut]

Like @cnosil I have both as well. As he also mentioned there are advantages and disadvantages. 

Thanks to MGS and Cobalt I am currently testing and reviewing the Cobalt Q6 laser rangefinder. Last year there were a group that tested the Precision Pro Laser rangefinder. Check out the official testing threads.  I have had several GPS units and lasers over the years. The GPS units all rely on course mapping Some companies actually go and map the course in person and a lesser-known course might have been mapped via satellite. Obviously, one will be more accurate than the other. I played several courses where the GPS was way off. As an example, on my last home course, they moved the green to the right to make the hole harder on a par 5 eighteen years ago. I'm standing on the 200 yard marker and the GPS tells me 150 yards. I can accept a few yards off but not 50.  I have also been to a course or two that was not in the units system. So it was useless. I had to request them to map the course. Six months later it was available. But in general yardages are close but not nearly as accurate as a laser. Other things to consider is how much you are willing to pay. You can get high end and low end on both types of range finders. I have had both high and low of each. My advice, get the higher end (more features like @tony@CIC mentioned). You get what you pay for. Watch you warrantees and customer service reviews too. The Cobalt I am testing is lifetime. Pretty unheard of these days.   

The lasers are more accurate. But you need to see your target. The slope feature is fantastic if you play hilly courses. The stabilization, jolt and audible sound lets you know you are locked on. My older unit does not have these feature and now that I have a unit with these features, I don't know what I would do without them. Optics play a big role, and the less expensive units don't always have the best optics or displays. These units usually have magnification. Anything from 4x to 7x. That is really helpful acquiring your target if it is way off in the distance.  On dog legs there is usually a corner and typically trees, bushes or some trouble that you can shoot. I will shoot the corner and the far side, so I know just how much room I have. The GPS will tell you without having to shoot two objects.  On better units GPS will give you a view of the entire hole. On the lesser units it is just a digital number with a distance to a bunker or edge of the fairway. If there are multiple trouble spots the other ones are not defined.  

Since you are already using an app you know it's capabilities. I am currently playing a new course, so I am using both a GPS watch and the laser. This course has many dog legs. I am also doing this for testing purposes.  If I had to pick a type right now it would be a better-quality laser. I play smart golf, meaning I only hit to where I can see anyway. 

Good luck on your decision and let us know what you decide. You can always post an unofficial review on your purchase.  

[tony@CIC]

A few other things to consider:

Expensive doesn't necessarily mean the overall best, especially when you combine the customer service aspect to it. There are some lower end $$ brands that incorporate many of the previously mentioned features that have excellent customer service - Precision Pro being one. As for optics - go to a big box golf store like Golf Galaxy or PGASS and look through the different lenses. You can also check out this MGS article https://mygolfspy.com/best-golf-rangefinder-2022/

Lastly as to customer service  - you can also search on the brand/model in the Forum and you'll get lots of first hand experience. 

 

[Kenny B]

I got a Bushnell Tour V3 about 8 years ago for Christmas, but I use GPS almost exclusively (good enough for my game).  I like to know what the yardage is to the front and back so I know what club to hit to get there and what club will put me off the back. I have a Garmin S62 watch now.   My wife has taken over the laser, so I will get the exact yardage if I want it, like par 3's.

There are times when we don't play together, so a few months ago I bought a cheap GoGoGo laser on Amazon that has slope for less than $100.  No complaints.

[Golf2Much]

Like several others, I use both GPS and a rangefinder.  I have the Shot Scope H4 for GPS and shot tracking and the LX Pro rangefinder.  I typically only use the rangefinder within 110 yards and to get an accurate distance to hazards.  The rest of the time it's GPS.  Each one has its appropriate function.  

Like @tony@CIC, I'd recommend checking out the optics before you buy, especially if you wear prescription or sunglasses when you play.  I wear prescription glasses when I play.  In my rating of the Shot Scope LX+, I found the first lens was set deeper inside the viewfinder than other rangefinders which produced a halo around the outside of the optics limiting the field of view.   It's a nuisance that I didn't have with other rangefinders.  

[GolfSpy_BNG]

On 1/31/2023 at 7:16 AM, cnosil said:

The hybrid units are the best of both worlds.

I have actually found this out while talking to a playing partner towards the end of last year. I tested the Voice Caddie SL2 a a few years ago for MGS. It does GPS/Rangefinder/Green Undulation. While the Green undulation hasnt been used since the test, the other 2 features are used plenty(less when I’m playing my normal course). Being able to look at the SL2 and see front middle back gps yardages then shooting the flag has allowed me to know where the flag is located on the green. With this info I can choose to play for more run out or needing to hit it high to stop it quick.  It is more expensive than most rangefinders but worth it for me. 
 @KevB_44Here is a link to the reviews

 

[TR1PTIK]

I've used both and like others have stated there are advantages and disadvantages associated with each technology. I currently only use GPS and find it works plenty well, but there are times when I wish I had a rangefinder - especially during practice. If I want to work on a specific shot/yardage, it's awfully difficult to do without knowing how far my target is. Some will point to the fact that range balls are nothing like real golf balls but unless we're talking limited flight they are often close enough to develop a feel for distances. I also would be curious to use the slope feature of a rangefinder as a learning tool because that is something I severely lack when determining what club to hit. 

[Middler]

I used GPS only for years, thought there was no need for a rangefinder, couldn't see around trees, hills or other obstacles.

GPS accuracy is wholly dependent on the accuracy of the underlying course files. That was never an issue, until I moved, and there are still errors on a couple of holes, one off by 20 yards. In addition, when a green is 30-40 yards deep, GPS is telling you the distance to the middle - unless you move pins manually and that's a PITA. GPS is pretty accurate most of the time.

So I bought a Precision Pro NX7 Slope a couple years ago. Now I rarely use GPS, always rely on my rangefinder. It's been very rare I run into obstacles, and when I do I can usually walk sideways in one direction or another and get the distance I need.

You can't beat a top of the line Bushnell if money is no object, several of my golf buds have them. But for half the price for equivalent features, I'm more than satisfied with my Precision Pro.

I much prefer a rangefinder. I use my GPS to get a rough distance when it's cart path only, but I take my rangefinder and a couple clubs and choose which after sighting. YMMV