cheap rangefinders worth it

[RickyT99]

I keep seeing these cheap rangefinders all over amazon from brands I've never heard of. They all seem to have 4.5 or 5 star reviews. I just saw this one (https://amzn.to/3Wsidd1) for like $50 on sale. Thinking of taking a flyer on it but wanted to see if anyone has ever done the same on one and how it worked.

[GolfSpy_APH]

I wrote an Amazon Finds on one of these a little while back. 

Here is my take - They do work, they are fine, but truly cheaply made. That doesn't mean they are bad, but I would expect to have to replace it each season. Whether that be battery life or just it breaking down. The plastics they use don't feel great, especially when compared to higher end models. As for accuracy, they are fine. Again not bad, because they are cheap, but they don't pick up the flags as quickly or as accurately as others and using it in combination with a watch or gps system is likely best. I wouldn't use it as my sole be all end all number, especially with slope. 

Verdict - I would be checking out and spending a bit more on something like the Garmin Z30, Vortex Blade, Precision Pro or some other options. While they cost more the functionality is better, the clarity is night and day and you can trust them to last a lot longer. 

That said, if it is this or nothing, then why not? At least it gets something in your hands to get better yardages. 

[JAYER38]

This is something that is worth spending a little bit more to clarity and ease of use.. I tried the cheaper ones and well they are cheaper and honestly harder to shoot with.

I know I recently ran across a deal for a "factory renewed" Blue Tees S3 Max on Maple Hill golf. Believe those are $360 new and think it was selling for $120 at the time

[Rob Person]

I've been using a temu brand one for over a year. It's rechargeable,  has pinlock, and a magnetic sleeve. I have not had to recharge it for the entire time I've used it (over 50 rounds)

That being said, I also have a 4 year old Bushnell. 

Some differences:

The bushnell has a rubberized shell on the sides, and magnet built in. It's optic lcd is only a bit brighter. It also has a red circle when locked on target. The battery is a replacement type.

The temu one is lighter, the optics are clear.

I have not had the unfortunate drop test with it yet,  but the lens probably wouldn't fare too well if it flew off the cart is my guess.

Are there better ones?  Yup. 

Both of these are matched in accuracy within a half yard too

 

[kyleagrant]

My 14 year old got one of the $40 dollar ones three years ago for his birthday. While it doesn't have the bells and whistles of some of the expensive ones it works great and has held up just fine. He's a teenager so that thing has been dropped, kicked, left in his bag to get beat around and is still kicking.  

[PrayingForPar]

I have the gogogo rangefinder off of Amazon. (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PV6NJFH) It was on sale for $59 when I got it.

It is usually about 3 yards off of the more expensive rangefinders of the people I get paired with. That doesn't really seem like it would make a difference if you are always basing your yardages off of the same device. It has taken falls well and still works great. Anything over 220 is very hard to shoot, but if you are patient it will lock on.

That being said, I have never once thought to myself, "Man, I really need to upgrade my rangefinder."

[Wolfstrum]

I got the Cigman CT-800y for $60. It might be slightly slower in locking onto the flag but it does account for slope and has been accurate within a yard of other measurements. It is sturdy. Definitely not cheap. Very long lasting and rechargeable battery. It has a string magnet strap for attaching to the cart.  There aren’t any features I feel I am missing.

Like @WilliamYates said I have not felt I should have spend 5-6x more.  

Edited July 20 by Wolfstrum

[CRoyse]

I picked up a cheap one from Amazon during a lighting deal. $53.99.  I have tested it against big brands and GPS and it is always very close or dead on. Battery life has been excellent. I've used it for two years now and don't have any regrets.  The only feature I really would want is a magnet.  Is it a Bushnell, no.  Is the Bushnell worth 7x the cost?  Probably not.   The one I have isn't available any longer, but it was just a Chinese rangefinder that had a white label brand on it. 

[lwolf007]

Bought a Wosports from Amazon on sale for about $60 a few years ago and haven't looked back. While my buddies have lost and shelled out multiple $300 for new range finders mine is still going strong. Had to replace the battery once over 3 years, range finder gives you battery meter warning. When I bought it I constantly checked against distance markers, my Garmin GPS, and my buddies expensive range finders, always within a yard and usually 1/2 yard of what they are showing. It's obviously cheaper, and I haven't dropped it on a hard surface, but when this one is lost or broken I'm definitely buying another.

[EMacK1961]

I have a cheap (under $90) rangefinder that I got two years ago. it has a vibration when it locks on the flag, gives slope, and overall distance and has very good battery life. It does the job that I need it to do and it has held up to being dropped and left in a hot car for days. I found that I didn't need to spend a crazy amount on such a utilitarian piece of equipment.

[Bulldog]

Costco currently has the CaddyTek Golf Laser Rangefinder, CaddyView V3 +Slope for $119.99 online (it's $159.99 on Amazon).  Out of about 2800 total ratings, it has over 2200 five star ratings, and if you don't like it you can return it.  I have no affiliation with Costco - except I'm making regular payments to the local warehouse. Maybe I'll own it some day...

[Cmra1]

I had found an old Bushnell in FL at a thrift store for $10 that works great, as long as there are reflectors. Then I saw one for $35 on Amazon. No slope or vibration, but it hits the flag and inside a yard compared to a buddies $300 model. Only thing early was the spring had to be stretched a bit for good contact, after that, works great. I can figure up or down on elevation  I also have a Garmin GPS that comes along as well.

Edited July 22 by Cmra1

[Rob Person]

12 hours ago, CRoyse said:

I picked up a cheap one from Amazon during a lighting deal. $53.99.  I have tested it against big brands and GPS and it is always very close or dead on. Battery life has been excellent. I've used it for two years now and don't have any regrets.  The only feature I really would want is a magnet.  Is it a Bushnell, no.  Is the Bushnell worth 7x the cost?  Probably not.   The one I have isn't available any longer, but it was just a Chinese rangefinder that had a white label brand on it. 

A magnetic sleeve on temu is about six bucks

[HeathS16]

I would look at Precision Pro as well.  Most of the time they have their cheapest slope models for $175 or less especially on sale days like Prime sales. 

[RemingtonR]

I just got a GOGOGO pro from amazon, i think it was $70, seems to work pretty well, I'm going to be putting it through its paces this week and will let you know how it is.

[Off Map Oscar]

Absolutely.  Paid 34 for mine. Works great

[LeftyLove]

love my cheapo $50 range finder, If I was around a scratch golfer though, I would prolly go with a better one. 

[chris51]

love my amazon rangefinder Its a red tiger I think that who makes it had great reviews for under hundred bux doesn't have a lock on feature ti pin which I wish it had would recommend buying one that vibrates and locks onto to pin for better reading of the distance n faster

[Rasmaniandevil]

I had a gogogo sports rangefinder from Amazon that I even bought used. It gave me really solid numbers. The only downside was the optics stunk. It was a little hard to see through but the numbers seemed to track with range finders that were almost 10x as much