Vortex Optics Rangefinders - 2024 Forum Member Review

[GolfSpy_KFT]

The MyGolfSpy Forum prides itself on bringing new brands and equipment to our member testing platform. Golf is growing and so are the brands entering the golfing industry. It can be difficult to keep track of them all and even harder to discern which brands are actually producing worthwhile equipment for consumers. This is where you come in.

About Vortex

Vortex Optics is an American company that makes high-end scopes, binoculars and rangefinders for hunting and other outdoor sports. In February, Vortex released golf-specific rangefinders.

With world-class optics and an unlimited, unconditional lifetime warranty, their new line of rangefinders has a lot of potential.

The @Vortex Golf lineup of rangefinders consists of three models: Anarch, Blade Slope and Blade. The Blade is the base version and includes a cart magnet and pin-spotter mode. The Blade Slope builds on those features by adding a slope function. The Anarch, their premium model, adds a red display and image stabilization. All models are tournament legal, shockproof and waterproof.

Congratulations to our selected testers!

@sirchunksalot - Anarch

@Shrek74 - Anarch

@PrismFlopper - Blade Slope

@Hosel_Rockets - Blade

[sirchunksalot]

Hello everyone!

Before I get started, I want to say thank you to the forum staff and Vortex Golf for this incredible opportunity.

Who am I?

Most of you who have been around for a while are familiar with me and my game. I’m a high handicap golfer and frequent poster in the “Good Morning” thread.

I’m blessed to be married to the most amazing woman who is very supportive of my golf addiction and am thankful for every day of our 12 year marriage.

I have been playing this wonderful game on and off for about 27 years. My brother bought my first set of clubs from a yard sale for $10 which included persimmon woods, odd numbered irons, a putter, and a two toned brown bag. I just played a few times a year to start out and enjoyed the game but my first loves of hunting and fishing took priority.

I quit playing for a while and really didn’t get back into the game until I started my current job around 2011. I found the forum in 2018 and have been addicted to playing since then.

I don’t have an official handicap, but have input my last 20 rounds into a calculator and it shows I play to a 31.5.

 Why did I sign up?

In all honesty I didn’t initially plan on signing up for this test until the community call with Vortex. While listening in I was swayed by the excitement of the Vortex team and @GolfSpy_KFT.

Even though I wasn’t overly familiar with their brand from my days as a hunter, one of the things that I do know about optics is quality means a lot. I did some research and got excited about this test.

I currently carry a Bushnell V4 Tour rangefinder that serves me well on the course.

What are my plans for testing?

I’m hoping to figure out a way to get photos through the lens to compare the Anarch and the V4 in terms of quality. I have an idea from previous rangefinder tests and hope to get it to work.

I want to test the waterproofness and will discuss this aspect of my testing with the Vortex team to see what the industry standard is and make sure I don’t do something so extreme I void the warranty.

Image stabilization is a big one, I’m not the most steady person and being able to lock on to a target at distance quickly is a big factor in rangefinder performance for me.

We’re going to test the strength of the magnet out to ensure it doesn’t fall off the cart during the round.

I use ShotScope along with the V4 and will be comparing the numbers against the Vortex.

The one thing I’m most excited about with the Anarch is slope mode which is not available on the Bushnell. I’m not going to say it’ll make me a better golfer but I’m hoping it’ll help me make better decisions on hilly courses.

Ergonomics are important since I work in automotive assembly and have achy hands. The weight and how well it fits in my hand along with the ease of pressing the buttons are important to me.

I’m sure there will be more come to mind once I have the Anarch in hand. If anyone has any questions, please reach out.

First Impressions
If you happened to watch my unboxing video then you know I was highly impressed with the Anarch. 

It came packaged really well inside of the carrying case and was wrapped in plastic inside of that to insure that it would arrive safely without any scratches or scuffs.

Once I unwrapped the Vortex, I was blown away with the quality of the grip it provided and was doubly impressed with it after pulling it out after the water test I did and shaking it around with both the rangefinder and my hand being wet.

 The storage case is just a basic black case with grey trim around the zipper. I love how Vortex included a magnetic ball marker on the outside of the case to  ensure I have one if I can’t find mine. 

As testers, we were also gifted with what Vortex calls their “Flight Pack” which included a hat, extra ball marks, 3 custom balls, a towel, and a divot tool. We also received a personalized letter from the staff which I thought was a really nice touch. 

First Impressions 10/10

Aesthetics
They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder and let me tell you, this thing is a beauty. It’s not trying to stand out from the crowd with bright colors yelling “look at me!” but instead is wrapped in a nice, subtle camo pattern that acknowledges their hunting heritage. 

 While it’s a little heavier than some of the other rangefinders on the market, it feels solid in hand. I let my wife use it one round to get my yardages and she raved on how good it felt and how easy it was to use. 

I also have no doubt about the build quality of the Anarch since I’ve had it fall off the cart twice and the second time it rolled aggressively down a paved cart path suffering only cosmetic damage and nothing that affected performance.

Plus, @Shrek74 tossed it across his lawn a few times in a video earlier in the thread and hasn’t reported having any issues. 

Aesthetics 10/10
The Numbers

Coming into the test, I used both ShotScope Connex and a Bushnell V4 to obtain yardages. I compared both to the Anarch during the testing period and here’s what I found. 

•Connex: yardages were similar to what I saw with the Anarch but not quite the same. I’m thinking it all comes down to where the pin is placed in the ShotScope app and not matching up with the actual location. I do love the front/back yardages ShotScope offers and combined with a rangefinder it allows me to know what margin of error I have on my approach shots. 

•V4: yardages were within a yard of each other with the major differences being the Bushnell doesn’t calculate slope or offer image stabilization. 

I had no problems getting it set up and ready to use on the course, all I had to do was install the battery and it was good to go. 

Cycling through the menu and changing options was a breeze. A simple press of the menu button allows you to turn the slope mode on and off and if you hold the menu button down a couple of seconds it’ll take you to the menu to adjust brightness, change from yards to meters, turn pinspotter mode off/on, and change the recticle. 

One of the physical features I like is the indexing of the measure button with four raised dots that allow you to know you are hitting the right button on the course. 

My two favorite internal features of the Anarch are slope mode and image stabilization. 

Slope mode has helped me make better club selections on those holes at my course with severe elevation changes and I’ve seen anywhere from ½ to ¾ club differences and have adjusted accordingly. 

What can I say about image stabilization? It’s cool to hit the measure button and watch the image snap into place. I’m finding it easier to quickly lock on to target and have been able to easily range targets over 400 yards away. 

The Numbers 20/20

On Course

The Anarch is a performer on the course, it’s instinctually easy to pull it out and get the yardage quickly. The 6x zoom and image stabilization make it easy to find pins and any hazards you might need to carry and the clarity of the optics are second to none. 

It only takes a few seconds to get all the information I need to make a club selection and be ready to make my shot. 
I am going to nit pick here a little bit and say that I wish the magnet was placed on the right hand side of the unit instead of the left. When driving the cart it would be nice to have it hanging to where I can reach over with my left hand and have it ready to go without having to flip it in my hand. I have adjusted my routine and place it toward the inside of the cart so I can just grab and go. 

On Course 19/20

The Good, Bad, and In Between
I love the image stabilization, clarity of the display, slope mode, and how good the Anarch feels in hand. 

I also like the fact there are green LED lights on the outside of the unit so I can immediately tell whether or not it’s in slope mode. I have never really played in tournaments where you can’t use it, but if I ever do it’ll be good to know. 

This rangefinder is built like a tank which is something I would expect from a company that spent years in the hunting market before branching out into the golf space. If I still hunted, I would not have a problem climbing 20 feet into a tree without fear of dropping it.

 

It’s comforting to know the Anarch has an IPX7 waterproof rating. I know both Jason and I submerged our units in water without any adverse effects and I believe it could handle any rain nature could throw at it. 

The most worrying things I’ve seen so far during the testing phase has been the magnet allowing the unit to work it’s way around on the cart rail and fall off twice.

 
The other issue was the display washing out and becoming opaque during a round a couple of weeks ago. I haven’t seem it again and am hoping it was a one time occurrence. 

The Good, Bad, and In Between 18/20

Play It or Trade It 

The Anarch is solidly hanging on the side of my bag going forward and don’t see it leaving for a long, long time.
It’s a well built, solid unit that offers features my Bushnell doesn’t have. The Bushnell will find a good home, it will be freely given to one of my golf buddies. 

Play It or Trade It 20/20

TLDR

The Vortex Anarch is a solid rangefinder offering both ease of use and features like stabilization and slope. It comes from a company with a hunting background so you know it’s built to last under the harshest conditions. 

I’m not totally in love with the placement of the magnet, but that’s just me looking for something to critique. 

It does come with a bit of a hefty MSRP of $599, but I have found it on some sites for less than $400. Honestly, for the features and the lifetime warranty it's worth every penny. 

Thank you again to the forum staff and Vortex Golf for trusting me with this review. 
Final Score 97/100

 

Edited August 11 by sirchunksalot

[Shrek74]

Greetings my fellow spies!

First and foremost, thank you to the MGS team (Jamie & Jason) and @Vortex Golf for this amazing opportunity to really dig into a somewhat new and unknown golf rangefinder brand (although a SUPER well known shooting optics brand). I am honored by this selection and will do my very best to give the Anarch a proper test and review.

Now, for the question on everyone's mind – who the heck is Shrek74.

The answer is a long and complex story, albeit a rather boring one. So, I'll give the Cliff Notes version.

My name is Jason. I started playing golf more than 35 years ago when my dad bought me a set of lightly used Primo III irons along with his old MacGregor 1, 3, 5 persimmons woods when I was 13. I don’t know what else was in the bag, but these I’ll remember. Funny story about those MacGregor’s. For those that remember, the heads were basically held on with cement and plastic wire (seriously, wire). I was on the first tee of our local muni with a few onlookers since it wasn’t too far away from the street and sidewalks. I reared back and let a good one go. The main problem was that when I looked up with my follow-through, I noticed 2 roundish objects in my vision and my club felt a lot lighter on the head side. Flying through the air was the head of my 1 wood, some 20-30 yards ahead. Needless to say, I was a bit freaked out since these were dad’s clubs. I don’t remember much from my early days and years of golf, but I’ll never forget that.

Professionally, I’m a Senior IT Engineer & Architect working for Georgia Tech’s Office of Information Technology (OIT), fully remote. Needless to say, sitting at a desk 8-10 hours a day (plus some nights/weekends) doesn’t help open up those speed producing muscles very well. One of those things on my “to fix” list.

I live about 45 miles West of Knoxville in a community called Fairfield Glade, TN (https://www.fairfieldgladeresort.com). FG is a golf resort (Wyndham)/retirement community with 5 golf courses inside the community (Heatherhurst Brae & Crag, Dorchester, Druid Hills, and Stonehenge). All award winning/recognized courses here in Tennessee and are always in great shape. I moved here a year ago to be closer to GT’s campus, but mostly to be closer to my folks (4.8 miles now vs 1825 miles before) and my sister/nephews (about 4.5 hours North in SW Ohio). This is my eventual retirement location, just getting here early to take advantage of both the family and golf situation. Being a resident gets me sweet pricing on golf too.

(above) Dad and I about a year and a half ago. He was visiting me for some golf in the West Valley of Phoenix, where I was living at the time. Sidebar (and proud son moment): Dad got his first ever hole in one last summer. 133 yards with a 7 iron. He’s 83 and still swings a regular flex shaft and drives the ball 200 yds! #golfgoals

As for my golf, I’m a 21 handicap at this point, but improving.

I haven’t really played more than about 10 rounds a year since I generally only played when either dad was visiting me or I was visiting them. I never really had any friends who played golf and the bit of social anxiety I found I have has prevented me from playing with complete strangers. I’m working on that last part now as I want to play more than just once a week when dad and I play Sundays (he plays in leagues W & F and can’t do back-to-back days anymore). I’ve never really had lessons up until the last couple years I was living in AZ where I had a handful from a local teacher. I took 5 lessons over the past year with a swing coach here locally. It’s helped, but not enough to really see great improvement. I’m looking to switch to online lessons, but that jury’s still out. I’m hoping to see that index drop along with my scores as my swing gets better, I play more, and I lose some lbs.

As for the test, I’ll be approaching this simply from a user’s perspective. I won’t be talking about numbers and specs and stuff you’d likely find in a ball or club test. That can be really difficult for a test like this. I’m going to be reviewing it as I use it, and possibly through some goofy durability tests for fun. I’ll test it at my 5 ranges to see how accurate their posted numbers are as I warm up. I’ll shoot trees, bunkers, stakes, and other natural things on the course as I play, not just to pins. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who shoots things other than pins with their rangefinder during a round.

I have a Shot Scope Pro L2 that was a gift this Christmas that I’ll be comparing it to. I realize the Anarch and my L2 aren’t exactly apples to apples, but I’ll at least compare them where it’s appropriate (distance, slope adjustment, optics, clarity, display, etc).

Some topics I’ll look to hit on during the review include:

• Distance accuracy – Compared to the L2 and my V5 watch for both regular and slope numbers.
• Image stabilization – my hands aren’t as steady as they used to be, so this will be a big one.
• Eye relief – I wear sunglasses on the course if the sun’s out at all, so the eye relief will be a big one to compare.
• Durability – I have a few fun ideas for testing things like water resistance.
• Optics & Display – These are big ones for anyone looking at a rangefinder (or scope).
• Ergonomics/Aesthetics – This is a bit subjective, but I’ll at least give my thoughts on how it looks and feels.

LET’S DO THIS!!

Final Review

First Impressions (9 out of 10)

I will do my best not to repeat myself as I did the first impressions within the various pages of our topic (https://forum.mygolfspy.com/topic/65161-vortex-optics-rangefinders-2024-forum-member-review/?do=findComment&comment=1093575)

Overall, my initial impressions were extremely positive. We received 2 boxes, both well packaged and protected within the larger shipping box such that everything arrived intact. Inside that main box was an unexpected handwritten note addressed to me, welcoming me to the Vortex family. I do love a good handwritten note. The larger of the two interior boxes contain a wonderful surprise – GOODIES!!!

Among the haul included a rope hat, towel, sleeve of Vortex branded TM Tour Response balls, divot tool, tees, and multiple ball markers. Plus, there was a QR code for another pre-release hat (non-rope, more my style). Markers are in my pouch, towel is on my bag, non-rope hat’s already been worn, and the divot tool isn’t being replaced any time soon. Finally, there was another handwritten note signed by the Vortex Golf crew which is currently displayed on a shelf in my office.

Now that the surprises are done, let’s have a look at that rangefinder. Here’s where I deducted a point. The box had already been opened by persons unknown.

That made me wonder if it was just an open box they sent me or if something was taken out of the box or some other reason. I proceeded onward to get into the box and see what was what. I found everything I expected – case, microfiber cloth, carabiner, battery, case, ball marker, and rangefinder. Nothing seemed amiss. The case was a perfect size for the Anarch, not too tight and not too loose. You can easily put the cloth in the case without needing to jam it in there. You can probably have another battery in there too, if you want. The bungy cord is the way I like it – it comes over the top of the opening and wraps around a peg to help keep the rangefinder in the case while leaving the zipper open for those that attach the case to their bag and don’t want to constantly fumble with the zipper. The ball marker was another surprise as I’ve not seen anyone else do that before. And man does the magnet keep it on there. That ball marker’s not falling off. Wow!

The review’s off to a great start. Now, to talk about the Anarch itself.

Aesthetics (9 out of 10)

The case is unlike any I’ve used before. It’s a Magnesium Chassis with Comfort Guard (from the website). The magnesium allows the Anarch to be very strong, yet very light. The Comfort Guard is best described as a hardened gel-like wrapping over the Anarch with a very light texture which makes holding on to it very easy, especially if you have sweaty hands or it’s raining. I never felt like I had to baby it or that I’d lose my grip. Almost nothing is plastic. The only plastic is the battery cover and the rings inside of the lenses. And even that plastic just feels strong and durable, which was put to the test later.

It weighs in at 9.3oz which is less than 2oz heavier than my Pro L2 which has far more plastic. It isn’t heavy, but it feels heavy. Heavy as in solid as a rock. Not heavy as in I’m carrying a bunch of rocks. Measurements show approximately 4.2”x3.0”x1.6”, which are almost the exact same as the Pro L2.

There is a slight curve on the bottom towards the back where it fits into the web of your hand, which it does so nicely. There is also a slight curve on the top where your fingers wrap around. It’s a comfortable curve and my fingers never felt unwelcome when gripping the Anarch for a range shoot. Speaking of shooting ranges, the “Measure” button is really the only strong color on the Anarch in a bright but slightly muted neon green with white lettering. The Anarch itself is a basic black with white lettering. On both sides of the Anarch it has a stylized “lined camo” as I call it. It’s the same look as the towel. Interesting touch, visually.

Vortex has gone a bit of a different direction with the Slope on/off function. Most today have a switch on the outside of the case to turn it on and off. Vortex has it as part of their Mode selections. The way you know if it’s on or off is via the dual green LEDs at the front of the Anarch between the lenses. If the LEDs come on, the slope is on. If they don’t, the slope is off and it can be used for tournament play.

Overall, the look and feel of the Anarch works well. It sticks to its roots by being simple and rugged, albeit a bit bland. I took a point off as it comes across as a bit too plain and blends into the background of the market, due to not having any coloration to it outside of the Measure button. I’d suggest looking to add some dark earth tones to it for a little bit of something, while still sticking to their roots.

The Numbers (19 out of 20)

My first outside distance test was at one of the community ranges. I simply hit a few flags on the range standing on the distance marker to give the most accurate opportunity I could. The Anarch didn’t disappoint. All hits were within the 1-yard variance Vortex Golf mentions in their specs.

I found the distances given on the course to be accurate and completely reliable throughout the half dozen or so rounds I played with it. I never once waivered on the number the Anarch gave me, regardless of how much or how little slope adjustment needed to be made. After the second round comparing it to my Pro L2, I started leaving my L2 at home and only played with the Anarch. That’s how confident I had become with the Anarch’s numbers.

Even after doing both the water test (https://forum.mygolfspy.com/topic/65161-vortex-optics-rangefinders-2024-forum-member-review/?do=findComment&comment=1101672) and literally tossing the Anarch across my front lawn a dozen times (https://forum.mygolfspy.com/topic/65161-vortex-optics-rangefinders-2024-forum-member-review/?do=findComment&comment=1099756), the numbers never wavered. What I hit before the test from one spot to a target was the exact same number I was given from the same spot to the same target.

This past weekend I played in our member-member tournament, which required the slope to be turned off. It was super easy to do through the mode function, and super easy to validate with the LED’s no longer lighting up when hitting the Measure button. Once again, the numbers were spot on throughout the 2 rounds, even without the slope. Luckily, we know the courses well now and we know how to adjust to the slopes manually. But the slope will be back on for our next round, as knowing the accuracy of the Anarch and its slope leaves me more brain cells to decide on the shot to be hit.

I took a point away for always seeming to struggle my way through the Mode button to get to the slope function. I always end up accidentally turning the display from Auto to a different brightness level and having to fix that and then retrying the Mode button before finally getting to the slope function. Not a big thing, but since I don’t do it with any regularity I tended to goof it up every time I tried.

On-Course (18 out of 20)

Once I got on course for the first round, I realized something quickly. The magnet was on the “wrong” side of the Anarch. All the others I’ve used and/or borrowed had the magnet on the right side (as you go to look through the viewfinder). When I’d go to stick it to the cart frame, I’d slap it on with my outside hand (left) to the outside of the cart post. Then when I’d go to grab it for use, I’d grab it with the same hand, and it would be in the correct orientation to shoot my distance without any adjustment. That was not the case with the Anarch. As I fumbled around with it to put it where I normally would, the Anarch was essentially backwards. When I would go to grab it, my top fingers would be on the bottom and my thumb and web would be where the buttons were with the viewfinder on the bottom. I’d have to turn it around and then I could shoot my distance. It took me way too long to realize I could put it on the inside of the cart frame and it would be “grab ready” with my right hand like my Pro L2 that was on the outside of the frame for my left hand. For most, that would be fine. And it was. Until it rained on us. We had to put the window up to keep the rain from battering us through the front. That meant I had to move the Anarch to the outside again, and in the backwards configuration. Ugh. I’d recommend Vortex Golf consider swapping the magnet to the other side. Point deducted.

Speaking of the magnet, they might want to get a stronger one while they’re swapping sides. Although I have not had it fall off during any rounds thus far (like @Sirchunksalot did), I did have it move on me during a round. It started on the right side of the cart frame, then I looked up and noticed it was now facing me. Hmm, weird. To be honest, I wasn’t overly surprised. I had noted early on that it didn’t have the kind of grab that my Pro L2 did. When a magnet grabs onto the cart, it needs to grab on like me to a chocolate chip cookie or a politician to a bribe. I should have to work a bit to get it off for use. But with the Anarch I don’t get that sensation of having to work for it. Luckily the case is super rugged, and it has a lifetime warranty should it fall off and break. But I shouldn’t have to worry about that. Point deducted.

One other observation I noticed when in use was the eye relief. Eye relief is tough in rangefinders, just like it is in shooting optics. Sometimes we just have to adjust ourselves until we find that good viewing spot. When I didn’t have my sunglasses over my eyes, I had no issues looking through the viewfinder, finding the display, and grabbing my distances. Super quick and easy. But with my sunglasses on it was a different story. I found I had to adjust in one of multiple ways to see through the viewfinder and grab my numbers. Sometimes I had to adjust my arm up/down/sideways until it was in view. Other times I had to adjust the orientation of the Anarch to get the numbers. It’s not so much a complaint as something for Vortex Golf to continue to work on as well as for me to try and find that best way forward. No point deduction, but a note for Vortex Golf.

The Good, the Bad, the In-Between (18 out of 20)

The Good: The image stabilization is a game-changer for me. My hands, arms, and shoulders aren’t as steady as they once were thanks to time, sports, and life. The other rangefinders I’ve had were not great if I didn’t have something to lean on to stabilize myself. I had to fire at the pin when I was “falling” towards it in the viewfinder. Not anymore. The Lifetime Warranty is another item you cannot overlook, especially compared to the other main brands that give at most a 2-year warranty. A high-quality rangefinder like this one isn’t cheap (although less than some other brands), so you want to get as much use out of it as you can for as long as you can. Having the knowledge that the Anarch is covered by just about anything under the sun for as long as you own it is peace of mind that I can’t even truly explain. They’ve taken this no questions asked for your lifetime warranty from their big brother at Vortex Optics, and I for one am very glad they did. Especially after sending it for multiple “trips” across my yard during testing.

The Bad: I mentioned this in my first impressions, but the battery cap handle did not snap down out of the way once you have the cap secured. It just kind of sticks out. It’s not intrusive when using the Anarch, but it doesn’t look great (at least to me). I can have an OCD issue with something like this, and in this case, I look at it all the time. So, to me, it falls here in the bad category. Luckily, Vortex Golf knows about it and is addressing it in the next version. I’ve already discussed the magnet issue, so I won’t continue to beat on it. But it also goes in the bad category to me.

In-Between: A small and sometimes overlooked finish on the Measure button are 4 small “knubs” that you can feel with your finger to remind you that that is the button to grab your distance. It’s a small thing, but sometimes it’s the small things that you notice the most.

Play it or Trade it? (20 out of 20)

It’s simple. Do you want one of the best built and highest quality optics in a rangefinder that can withstand everything but a nuclear blast (which is probably still covered by their warranty)? Get a Vortex Golf Anarch.

There’s a saying that I think applies here.

Cold. Dead. Hands.

Yup, the Anarch is not going anywhere. It’s in my bag for the foreseeable future thanks to the optics, stabilization, accuracy, quality of its manufacturing, and its lifetime warranty. It’s not perfect, but I’m ok with it’s “flaws.” Lord knows I have a few of my own.

Conclusion (TL;DR)

If this is all you read, let me make it simple for you.

Fantastic image stabilization, accurate numbers, some of the best optics around, unbelievably rugged frame (see these 12 videos for proof - https://1drv.ms/f/s!AqLG5oUGm4iagbE37OJ3dPm7Qx7fUA?e=fdcfVH), auto-adjusting and dimming display, and LIFETIME warranty.

The magnet needs some work on strength and location, and they’re already fixing the battery cap gripper issue I mentioned in our Zoom call with them (they knew about it before I said something though).

Yeah, it’s good.

Final Score (93 out of 100

Edited August 12 by Shrek74

[PrismFlopper]

Saw this test opportunity pop up and knew I just had to throw my name in the hat. I’ve been using their cheaper hunting range finder for a while now for archery seasons and have some of their scopes on various other items. Can’t wait to see how they continue to excel in optics in the golf space!

First off who is PrismFlopper? Well I am a 30 y/o real name Tom. I am married with a baby boy on his way any day now. I’ve been playing golf for about 3 years now and about 2 years really seriously working on my game. I played when I was young with my grandfather but when he passed I quit the game due to that being his and I’s thing and took me a long time to get back to the game we love. I play mostly out of the South Shore/Cape Cod area so a lot of hills. During the winters I play in a league out of X golf just to keep swinging and hitting balls. I am currently a 12.6 HC according to what 18 birdies says. Playing more 9s has been really effecting my HC so I think with some more work I could be closer to high single digits in the next few months but we all know how that goes. I play on average about once a week and usually a weekend 18 every other week. I’ve been getting out for more morning 9 prior to work which has been feeling pretty good. I tend to be a longer hitter but then kinda having to scramble on a second shot from not the best positioning ie: the thick or scrambling out of the woody stuff. You can find me a lot in the daily threads and the How’d you play threads and floating around in the others. I had to take a break from April 2023-Aug 2023 due to being diagnoses with a rare cranial nerve and autoimmune disorder when I was a recruit in the MSP that med pushed me out. I am about to finish my 12th year in the Army Reserves after 4 yrs active duty prior. I been working as a 911 EMT in towns/cities south of Boston for about 7 yrs now. 
Onto the Review Format I will like to follow:

I will be comparing this to the hunting vortex rangefinder I use in just a general accuracy test on a straight line. Then on course I will be comparing it to other rangefinders friends use and then apps like 18 birdies or golf shots for how this Vortex Blade Slope stacks up in an on course comparison. The slope and pin finder features on this will really help set this apart from most other rangefinders due to these being a harder feature to find on other makes. Usability and accuracy will help determine if and where this stays in my bag, due to if it’s a pain to use or just to bulky it may sway me out of keeping it in the bag. I have some experience in Vortex products from their hunting equipment like scopes, rangefinders, flashlights and stuff like that. They have all excelled in their own rights and I expect that these rangefinders will be in the same category of greatness that all their other equipment sit in. Any questions you all have in here I will be in the threads and trying to answer if my review doesn’t specify enough or answer the question you may have directly. 
Now to the standards:

Of course Accuracy: we all know how even a 5 yard distance can effect club choice, swing length, or many other choices that decide whether we’re hunting pins or  just getting it close. Accuracy is key with these things so I have to place it above all.

-Durability: How’s does the rangefinder stand up to the average everyday use whether it a bag tipping over or the magnet fails and it falls off the cart. Does wet weather ruin the electronics? 
-Lens Focus and clarity: Does water or moisture penetrate to the lens/casing? Is there a focus to help with varying vision qualities? Do sunglasses or certain lenses effect the readability of the screen?
-Looks/feel: How does it feel in the hand? Do the button locations affect the usage of the rangefinder? Is the size make it an easy thing to carry with you in the bag, on the cart or attached to the pushcart. 
Battery: Is the battery usage allow for a round to be played in full or is it something that you have to constantly monitor, no one wants to have to worry about extra batteries or having a battery charger on hand midway through a round.

-Features: Do the features work as intended? Are they easy to use? Are they accurate? Amounts of features can help determine price point and model of choice. Are the features in the display organized and easy to read?

I am excited and have ideas buzzing around of how to best test this Vortex Blade Rangefinder, so let’s get going!

 

Final Review of the Vortex Blade Slope Rangefinder!!

Aesthetics 10/10

Looks are incredible! It keeps the design super simple with the clean colorway coyote greenish grey with the black upper. The neon green button for the measuring keeps the button easy to locate. The tournament legal lights on the front make it fantastic for the ability to use it in tournament or out without any question of slope usage. I was a little worried about size prior the arrival and could not be more pleased! It has the ability to fit in any pocket in the you bag without taking up too much space. I played last week and maybe like some of you all I carried it out to the ball with me and after finding the range I just out of nature or being afraid to leave it back, I just threw it in my pocket. The fact that it has the ability to just be thrown in a pocket without hindering my swing was awesome. Customization considering it’s a rangefinder is of course limited but the ability to switch between yds and meters means anyone no matter what country you play in can get distances accurately to your desired measurement. I was thrilled to see that it has a focus dial on the rear sight, the ability for anyone with varying vision abilities makes this Blade Slope quick and easy to dial in for your vision no matter if you use glasses or need that little extra focus. This range finder comes with a storage case that uses a clip to attach it to your bag or cart, with the zipper and a bungee to keep it closed. Also the extra ability to magnetically attach a ball marker that they provided to the outside. Durability in the testing I was able to give it really have set it apart from the other range finder I used in comparison! The rubber feeling of the casing to give a secure grip. There was no gapping in the build to allow for dust, debris, or water to enter the case. The magnetic outside is crazy good, didn’t slip even on the wet cart post and didn’t fall in some of the “off-roading” trips I took it on through the woods to find a ball. A few drops didn’t so much as scuff the case.

The Numbers 20/20

In comparison to using a bushnell rangefinder and 18 birdies the numbers seemed to be accurate beyond these two methods. With the bushnell on average I was getting around a 3-8 yd difference in straight line distances in comparison but with the ability for this Vortex Blade Slope to be put in a Slope mode I was getting much more differences due to playing in a hilly area. Example: I played a par three that ina straight line measurement respectively the Vortex Blade Slope got 119yds and the bushnell gave me 124, for some that’s not a huge comparison but when I placed it in slope mode I got a measurement of 96yds. That is a MASSIVE difference where I would possibly have to guess yds with the bushnell b7 given the slopes I can really pick my shot. 18 birdies in comparison is more of a guess placement of the pin and hope that’s the distance and again that is a straight line unless you pay for the approximate yds feature. I will say due to not having a image stabilization mode(which the anarch does have so Vortex is really hitting the market strong) that I had some trouble getting the pin spotter feature to work but it has gotten better with usage.

SET-UP

This rangefinder is super easy to use. As simple as opening the box and getting out the the course. The Vortex Blade Slope did come with a usage guide that is a good idea to read through, but Vortex Golf has a YouTube channel that is newer due to the initiation to the golf space but goes through everything with these different rangefinders. The videos on their channel go step by step every feature and how to use the. They provide simulation visuals and what you would personally see when going looking through the optics. The rangefinders use a CR2 battery that does not currently charge so I can’t speak to charging capabilities but since receiving the rangefinder and using it during 6 rounds, I have yet to have an better usage issues. I did not have any personal customer service interactions but I do know that Vortex provides a lifetime warranty for the rangefinders. Any questions I had about the rangefinder and what it was made of or the specs were all easily located on their website and the videos reiterated the info. I did post in here just talking about how I had a newborn and out of nowhere I received a package with clothes and hats for my newborn and I could no be more impressed that Vortex took the time to to do that!

On Course 20/20

I will start this by saying that using the Vortex Blade Slope did not change how I played it more adjusted by decision making. This is mainly due to the ability to find the area or pin that I want to hit a shot and trust that the number is exactly what the rangefinder tells me. I absolutely love using this rangefinder! The optics are more clear than the bushnell I had used in the past and even though the state that the optics both have a 6x zoom for some reason this one seemed more focused at the distance. The lenses definitely seem to be cleaner and avoid of blemishes or spots. Since I wasn’t used to have a rangefinder at my side during all playing times made me have to remind myself to use it but after a few rounds I got used to checking distance and with that the time it took me to find accurate distance was faster. When it comes to playing better or worse let’s be real this rangefinder gives me the perfect distance and is still up to me to hit the shot so after 6 rounds it didn’t bring my HC down much. I believe it went from 13.6 to a 12.8 but were it really helped as stating above is the confidence to make the best course management and shots possible.

Good, the Bad, the In Between 18/20

The look and build of this Vortex Blade Slope makes for a nice clean package that feels good in the hand and doesn’t feel bulky or boxy like some others on the market. I do wish it had image stabilization but compared to some others on the market at the price range you won’t find a stabilization without jumping up to the next model. The pin spotter feature does take a bit of practice to get used to and sometimes the vibration didn’t go off when the pin spotter was activated. The magnetic side in my experience was great and didn’t allow for a slipping or detaching from the pole I attached it to. The lights on either side are bright enough that even on t(e brightest day you know for sure that the slope feature is on or off depending on what you are trying to do. Locating the measurement button on the top of the rangefinder is easy and unmistakable. The display is crisp without cluttering the visual field.

Play It or Trade It 20/20

This without a doubt has a permeant spot in my golf game! How can you beat the ability to step onto the course and know that the you can hit a shot from anywhere knowing you have accurate distances?! Having accurate distance gives you a confidence you won’t when guessing yardages. The price as listed on the website is $399.99 which compared to the market is about on par. Pin Spotter is a feature that even some more expensive other products is not listed. The visuals coming from this brand exactly meet what I would expect from a high end optics company.

Conclusion:

Vortex being new to the market didnt hit a single bogey! Out of the box ease of use with the features you always desire. The Vortex Blade Slope blade slope is a rugged package that meets style and use! With a little bit of practice the pin spotter feature will keep you hunting down lower scores with confidence.

A MSRP of $399 may seem a little hefty but with a lifetime warranty and a customer service team that keep you in control, you won’t have to worry about babying this product. Keep the swing in your control and let Vortex give you the distance.

Vortex I want to thank you for the opportunity to test an amazing product! Thanks to the MGS forum team for searching out the best products and providing opportunities like this to those of us that love the game. Also thank you to all you awesome forum members for your inputs, likes, and following along this test. I will continue to use this Vortex Blade Slope in every round and keep you all updated withe my journey with vortex by my side!

Final Review 98/100

 

 

Edited August 12 by PrismFlopper

[Hosel_Rockets]

Hello fellow spies, and everyone following along!

First things first, thank you to the MGS team and @Vortex Golf for giving us the opportunity to test out your products. I’m thrilled to be part of the test group, and can’t wait to dive in and see what the Vortex Blade is capable of!

So, a bit about myself:

My name is Dan, I’m 34 years old and a Talent Acquisition professional who’s been living in Columbus, Ohio for the past two years with my wife, Caitlyn and our two German Shorthaired Pointers. Prior to Columbus, we spent time in Hershey, PA, and Dayton, Ohio. I also spent about a year in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic prior to meeting her.

Outside of golf and work, I am an avid sports fan (Go Buckeyes, Guardians, and Packers!), and enjoy running, biking, and hiking.

 

 As for my golf game, I started playing around 2017, but haven’t really taken the game seriously until the last few seasons. I’m currently a 13.7 handicap thanks to a couple of career best rounds so far this year, but depending on the day I could shoot anywhere from 82-92. My strengths are my short game and putting, though my irons have improved drastically this year, and I tend to struggle a bit from the tee with driver. I play my best on links style courses, or courses where hitting an iron from the tee doesn't hurt you.

 Here in the Columbus area, I feel like I’m spoiled for choice when it comes to courses. My “go-to” courses are Westchester GC in Canal Winchester, and The Links of Groveport, but my favorite Ohio course is Pipestone in Miamisburg, OH.

My nickname, Hosel_Rockets, is derived from a particularly rough stretch of golf I had a few years back. Due to an over the top, ugly baseball swing, I had a proclivity to hit the ball off the hosel, and that paired with a decently high swing speed led to three separate snapped shafts at the clubhead in the span of a couple of months. Thankfully, it’s been nearly two years (knock on wood) since I’ve managed to snap a shaft.

For this test, I have a few ideas below on how I’ll test it, and will compare it’s accuracy and usability to my current rangefinder (CaddyTek V2), and my Garmin watch. I would also love to hear from the community if there is anything you would like me to test throughout this process – feel free to reach out and share your ideas!

• Accuracy – I think a good initial test would be to shoot flag distances at my local range, where it’s flat and open. How does it compare to my current rangefinder?
• On Course Accuracy – how does it perform on different types of holes, including elevated tee boxes or greens?
• Situational Accuracy – how does it perform in “unsual” situations, such as shooting a body of water, bunker, or landmark on a dogleg?
• Usability – how’s the stability? Does it lock onto the flag quickly and seamlessly? How clear and easy to read is the distance once displayed?

In closing, thanks again to @GolfSpy_KFT, @GolfSpy_APH , and the MGS team for taking a chance on a newer member of the community! I’m excited to get started, and hope I am able to clearly articulate how the Vortex Rangefinder performs for my fellow spies!

First impression and unboxing is live!: See my initial reaction and unboxing here, along with my recorded unboxing here!

 

Final Review - Vortex Blade

First Impressions (10 out of 10)

Review my full unboxing and initial impression, including a video and additional images here.

My first impression of the Vortex Blade, and Vortex in general, was extremely positive. My package was delivered quickly and securely, and the team went above and beyond to make me feel like part of the Vortex team. Along with the rangefinder, the team also sent over an extra box filled with goodies, including a hat, divot tools, tees, golf balls, a towel, and two separate hand written notes from the team. 

 My initial impression of the rangefinder itself was just how nice and premium this tool feels. The case feels sturdy and secure, with a strong clip to keep it attached to my bag. Comparing the Blade and case to my previous model (CaddyTek V2) was almost an unfair comparison, as the Blade blows it out of the water in every measurable trait, including looks, feel, and usability.

Initial tests, prior to the course confirmed my feelings about the Vortex Blade, as the picture proved to be very clear, and I was able to lock onto targets quickly. The magnet also proved to be very strong, with initial testing taking place on my refrigerator and comparing to the magnet on my Bushnell Wingman speaker.

Overall, the Vortex team went above and beyond to bring the "wow" factor to my unboxing and initial reaction, and really increased my excitement to get out and start testing.

Aesthetics (10 out of 10)

The first thing I noticed upon unboxing was how sleek and good looking this rangefinder is. It fits comfortably in my hand, and just feels sturdy. Comparing to an old rangefinder I had lying around, the Vortex didn’t seem to even be in the same category, and blew it away by nearly every measure imaginable.

The same could be said for the case, as it feels very durable and well put together. The zipper and bag clip both feel strong and sturdy, and I appreciate the magnet for holding a ball marker. Along with the durability aspect, the case just looks great on my bag.

I also appreciated the ability to change the reticle, with options including a Circle, Circle Crosshair, and Crosshair. I went with the Crosshair, as it’s the most visual appealing to me, but there isn’t a bad reticle choice.

 The Numbers (20 out of 20)

Throughout testing, I compared the Vortex Blade to several different distance measuring tools, including:

1.    CaddyTek V2 (old rangefinder)
2.    Garmin Epix Pro Watch with Garmin Golf App
3.    Bushnell Wingman with Bushnell App

Along with these three, I also did some small comparison tests with my friends’ equipment, including a Blue Tees speaker with app, and Nikon Coolshot rangefinder.

One thing I noticed during these comparisons, is the consistency of the Blade. With my old rangefinder, I felt like I could shoot a flag three times and get three separate numbers, and while a yard or two doesn’t make a huge difference for my skill level, it’s not exactly instilling confidence. However, the Blade is consistent and accurate, and my numbers weren’t all over the place when shooting the flag multiple times. Along with that, the distance you can shoot a flag from with the Blade is super impressive, I'm yet to find a hole where I could see the flag, but couldn't shoot it!

In comparison to the other tools (Garmin Watch, Bushnell Wingman), the Vortex Blade felt accurate, however I had to get a bit creative when comparing these tools as they measure the front, middle, and back of the green, and include things like slope and wind pressure. With that being said, one of my favorite uses for the Blade was shooting the pin, and comparing it to the front/middle/back distances to get a better understanding of where on the green the flag was placed – this helped to determine my club on a lot of those “in between” shots.

To sum everything up – the Vortex Blade is very accurate, but without slope there is a little bit of guessing involved if you’re playing a course with a lot of hills and slope.

 On-Course (18 out of 20)

The Vortex Blade does a great job on the course. The magnet feature is strong, and I didn’t have to worry about it falling throughout my round, and keeping it within my eyesight was a great visual cue/reminder to grab it and shoot the pin. While typically I do not use a rangefinder throughout my round, and focus on front/middle/back numbers on my watch, I didn’t feel the extra step to shoot the flag interfered with my normal routine. 

Comparing to my old rangefinder, the Vortex locks onto the target much more quickly, and has a much better site picture. Everything about the Blade feels like an upgrade compared to the CaddyTek, from feel to usability.

While I do enjoy using the Blade, and think it’s an amazing tool, I did find it hard to give a perfect score here due to the lack of slope. I understand this is the model I’m testing, but it’s something I found hard to move past throughout the testing, as the courses I play regularly are fairly hilly.

The Good, the Bad, the In-between (20/20)

The best feature of the Vortex Blade has nothing to do with the tool itself, or how it performs on the course – it’s the Vortex team. From the second I was selected to be a tester, I felt like the Vortex team was truly invested in our opinions, and really went above and beyond to make us feel like part of the Vortex team. Read more about my unboxing here, but the initial care package from the Vortex team not only included the Vortex Blade and a carry case, but also a very nice hat, towel, sleeve of golf balls, divot tool with various ball markers, tees, and two hand written notes from the team.

My other favorite features of the Blade are the magnet, and it’s ability to quickly lock onto a target, which is where I felt this tool absolutely stood out. There is no doubt the Vortex Blade is an excellent rangefinder, especially if you are looking for a model without slope.

I also want to point out the durability of the Blade. When comparing to other rangefinders, it just feels sturdy and well built, which is a feature I don’t think should be understated. If you are looking for a tool that can take a beating and keep going, Vortex is a great choice.

 Play it or Trade it? (17 out of 20)

I want to preface this part of the review by making it clear that this rating is based on personal preference, and not due to how the Vortex Blade performed. If you are looking for a rangefinder without slope, I think you would be hard pressed to find a better option. However, for my game there is not much benefit to having a rangefinder without slope.

There are so many things I love about the Vortex Blade, but throughout the testing I found myself relying more on other devices for distance, particularly my Garmin watch with slope. I found the Blade came into use the most when targeting specific areas on the course, such as a layup zone, or a hazard from the tee box. Again, every time I used the Blade it performed very well, but for my game I don’t benefit from not having slope, though I think this model would be perfect for a tournament player or someone who needs a rangefinder without slope.

For my decision to play it or trade it, I’ll say play it* but with an asterisk. I do think I’ll continue to use it for some situations, however if I were purchasing a rangefinder for regular use, I would not select this model, though I absolutely would go with something from Vortex.

Conclusion

Overall, Vortex has done an amazing job with this product, and has a world class team. They went above and beyond to make me feel like I was part of the Vortex family, and I’m so impressed with the extra steps they took to add a very personal touch.

The Vortex Blade is a very good rangefinder, and would be the perfect rangefinder for someone who needs one without slope. It locks onto targets quickly, has excellent picture quality, and overall feels very premium. Along with that, the magnet is strong, and keeps the rangefinder securely attached to the golf cart, and the case is excellent.

While the Vortex Blade would not be the model I would select if I were purchasing a new rangefinder, there is no questioning its performance. If you are in the market for a rangefinder without slope, I truly do not think there is a better option, especially at this price point. 

Final Score (95 out of 100)
 

Edited August 12 by Hosel_Rockets
Final Review

[sirchunksalot]

I'm really excited to be a part of the testing group and thank you to MyGolfSpy and Vortex for this opportunity. I wasn't planning on signing up until the community call and heard the passion that both the Vortex team and @GolfSpy_KFT had about these rangefinders. 

[ParFore74x]

Congratulations testers! Looking forward to your thoughts and experiences with these! 

[Coulter]

Congratulations!!!

[Cfhandyman]

Congratulations to the well chosen testers. Didn’t really know much about Vortex until the community call and was quite impressed with the high quality and warranty being offered. Look forward to the reviews, especially the Anarch model. 

[TJ Hall]

Congratulations testers…heard lots of good things about these rangefinders.  Hope they work well for you!

[MDGolfHacker]

Congrats testers!

 

[Triple_Putt]

Vortex is a great brand, looking forward to seeing how the testers like them. Congrats testers!

[William P]

Congrats to a great group of testers!

[David Leighton Reid]

Congratulations testers!  I look forward to your testing and reviews of the Vortex rangefinder.

[TSauer]

Congratulations, testers! 

[garrett5]

Congratulations testers! Excited to see how the rangefinders preform! 

[rkj427]

Congratulations to this great group and looking forward to reading the comments and reviews of these rangefinders.

 

[tdroma98]

Congratulations Testers!  Looking forward to reading your reviews.  I'm a laser/range finder user & not a GPS user.  Great Community Call with Vortex! 

[Notjackdaniels22]

Congrats to everyone selected! Can't wait to see the reviews coming in! 

[Willie T]

23 hours ago, GolfSpy_KFT said:

The MyGolfSpy Forum prides itself on bringing new brands and equipment to our member testing platform. Golf is growing and so are the brands entering the golfing industry. It can be difficult to keep track of them all and even harder to discern which brands are actually producing worthwhile equipment for consumers. This is where you come in.

About Vortex

Vortex Optics is an American company that makes high-end scopes, binoculars and rangefinders for hunting and other outdoor sports. In February, Vortex released golf-specific rangefinders.

With world-class optics and an unlimited, unconditional lifetime warranty, their new line of rangefinders has a lot of potential.

The @Vortex Golf lineup of rangefinders consists of three models: Anarch, Blade Slope and Blade. The Blade is the base version and includes a cart magnet and pin-spotter mode. The Blade Slope builds on those features by adding a slope function. The Anarch, their premium model, adds a red display and image stabilization. All models are tournament legal, shockproof and waterproof.

Congratulations to our selected testers!

@sirchunksalot - Anarch

@Shrek74 - Anarch

@PrismFlopper - Blade Slope

@Hosel_Rockets - Blade

Looking forward to seeing how these perform - good luck testers , may you range well! 

[sirchunksalot]

5 hours ago, tdroma98 said:

Congratulations Testers!  Looking forward to reading your reviews.  I'm a laser/range finder user & not a GPS user.  Great Community Call with Vortex! 

I use both, on the rounds I use ShotScope I'll use it to get an idea of where the middle is and then zap the yardage to the flag. If I'm not using it, I'll sometimes use the Golfshot app. 

The things I'm most excited about is the image stabilization and slope, which are not features on my current rangefinder. 

The community call and the buzz from the forum staff about the Vortex rangefinders really got me excited about this test. I didn't realize they had some of them on the Kingsmill trip and do wish I could have gotten one of them in hand to try out. 

The good things is, I'll be going into this test blind so you'll all get my genuine first reaction to it. 

[Shrek74]

10 hours ago, Cfhandyman said:

Congratulations to the well chosen testers. Didn’t really know much about Vortex until the community call and was quite impressed with the high quality and warranty being offered. Look forward to the reviews, especially the Anarch model. 

I had no idea they were in the golf rangefinder business until the call. Their shooting optics are some of the best around, so to me it was a no brainer. Lifetime warranty is crazy, and awesome. I can't wait to get my hands on that Anarch and shake the hell out of it!

[Shrek74]

5 hours ago, tdroma98 said:

Congratulations Testers!  Looking forward to reading your reviews.  I'm a laser/range finder user & not a GPS user.  Great Community Call with Vortex! 

I use both when I play. I have Shot Scope V5 on my wrist, GPS in the cart, and a rangefinder on the cart frame. GPS can't get me distances to stakes, trees, bunker lips, etc. I look forward to seeing how quality the optics and display are, plus that stabilization is a big one for me.

[tdroma98]

5 hours ago, Shrek74 said:

I use both when I play. I have Shot Scope V5 on my wrist, GPS in the cart, and a rangefinder on the cart frame. GPS can't get me distances to stakes, trees, bunker lips, etc. I look forward to seeing how quality the optics and display are, plus that stabilization is a big one for me.

@Shrek74 you are well equipped for golf! Watch out for lightning .  
This will definitely be a great testing opportunity for you to compare!  Looking forward to it Shrek! Good Luck & have fun!

[Josh Parker]

Congrats testers!  Great group and can't wait to see how well these perform. 

[Hosel_Rockets]

Thanks everyone! Really looking forward to getting started with this test!

[Shrek74]

My intro is up.

[sirchunksalot]

My into is up!

 

 

[TSauer]

Great start so far, gents!

[BreakfastBall15]

Congrats testers and great intros!