best golf rangefinder review in 2018

The Best Golf Rangefinders – Reviews & Buying Guide

Introduction

Do you want to swing confidently and with better accuracy like a pro golfer?

Get the best golf rangefinder, and you’ll be able to dial in your distances, no matter you’re an amateur golfer or wannabe pro golfer. Well, it won’t straighten out your tee shot or do other miracles, it will help lower your score eventually.

With such a wide variety of distance measuring gadgets and products promising improved accuracy and lower scores, finding the right rangefinder can be hard. However, you can solve this problem by doing some basic research and reading the best golf rangefinder review articles.

But if you don’t have time for that, here’s an even better solution: we have put together everything: a list of the ten best golf rangefinders in 2018, quick golf rangefinder reviews, buying tips, and more.

Product Main Feature Range Price Rating View

Nikon Coolshot 80 VR Golf Laser Rangefinder

8-second continuous measurement scans the area to find multiple distance measurements simultaneously 8 to 1000 yards $$$$
Callaway 300 Laser Rangefinder 6x magnification, pin acquisition technology, lightweight 5 to 1000 yards $$
Leupold GX-4la2 Rangefinder Conforms to USGA Rules, Digitally Enhanced Accuracy (DNA), Pin Hunter 2 & Prism Lock Technology 6 to 700 yards $$$$$
Halo XL450 Rangefinder- Best Starting Golf Rangefinder 6x magnification, Ai Technology for measuring slope to the target, water resistant up to 450 yards $
Breaking 80 Golf Rangefinder speeds up play, lifetime replacement plan up to 550 yards $$
TecTecTec VPRO500 Golf Rangefinder -Best Upcoming Brand Laser Rangefinder with continuous scan mode, Pin sensor technology with 1-yard accuracy up to 540 yards $$$$

Bushnell Pro X7 JOLT Slope Rangefinder

Pinseeker technology combined with JOLT technology tells when you hit the flag, second-generation E.S.P. and Vivid Display Technology, waterproof; 2- year warranty 5 to 1760 yards $$$$$
Bushnell Tour X JOLT Golf Laser GPS/Rangefinder Dual Display Technology, faceplate exchange system allows you to use slope for practice and makes it tournament legal when required 5 to 1,300 yards $$$$
Bushnell Tour V4 Rangefinder -Best Budget Choice Pinseeker with JOLT Technology to reinforce the laser has latched onto the target, 5x magnification, fast focus 5 to 1,000 yards $$$
Bushnell Tour Z6 JOLT Rangefinder- Best Golf Rangefinder E.S.P. and VDT (Vivid Display Technology) for better clarity and light transmission, 6x magnification, waterproof 5 to 1,300 yards $$$

$- Below $100 / $$ between $100 – $200 / $$$ Between $200 – $300/ $$$$ Between $300 – $400 / $$$$$ over $4o0

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The Best Golf Rangefinders on the market

Nikon Coolshot 80 VR Golf Laser Rangefinder

Nikon Coolshot 80 VR Rangefinder

The biggest hassle in getting a fast, accurate range of the flagstick is the lack of stabilization because of chilly temperatures, shaky hands, physical exertion or nerves. The Nikon Coolshot 80 VR – the world’s first Optical Vibration Reduction Golf Laser Rangefinder – can solve this issue with its unique features.

The unit only stabilizes your image but also balances it with the activated laser to offer a rock-solid view of your target and precise ranging for an accelerated pace of play.

Key features

  • Lets you scan an area with multiple targets
  • Amazing accuracy from 8 to 1000 yards
  • Impressive VR (vibration reduction) technology helps you to focus on your target even with one hand
  • Lock-on technology to accurately measure the closest Target with noise in the background

Objects, such as trees in the background can result in errors finding the distance to the target, but lock-on technology reads the distance to the closest object – which is most likely the flagstick.

Nikon Coolshot 80 VR is packed with the world’s most advanced rangefinder technology. It’s incredibly simple to use, the quality 6X magnification allows easy target acquisition, and with a push of a button, you can just make the world stand still for a fast, precise distance measure. Not to mention your Nikon 80 VR is covered by a 2-year warranty.

How Nikon Coolshot VR 80 Rangefinder Works

Things we liked

  • Conveniently size and economically designed
  • Enhanced accuracy, thanks to the VR image stabilization
  • Allows you to measure different parts of the flag flagstick such as top, middle, or bottom
  • Very fast processing increases the pace of the game
  • Waterproof body and 6x magnification

Things we didn’t like

  • Hard to adjust the diopter which makes things getting in focus a little inconvenient
  • Battery life isn’t impressive

Verdict

Although we loved the combination or image stabilization and lock-on, we believe the rangefinder is a little overpriced for the features and performance. But if you’re serious about improving your swing, and the price isn’t a big factor, this can be your rangefinder.

Callaway 300 Laser Rangefinder

Callaway 300 Rangefinder

Callaway 300 is an easy to use and simple rangefinder. It works on laser technology, and you don’t have to do anything other than point-and-shoot to get the range between you and the target. At just 215 grams, it’s very lightweight and compact, however, the overall design is not very ergonomic – maybe it was just our personal experience.

Key features

  • Range between 5 and 1000 yards, with 6x magnification and 1-yard accuracy
  • Innovative technology for locking onto the target up to 300 yards away
  • Can acquire multiple targets simultaneously
  • Lightweight, waterproof and fog-proof

The maximum range of the device for locking onto the target is around 300 yards – a quality that makes the best golf rangefinder. This feature works well with pin acquisition technology, even when there are other objects such as trees or people in the background. But it can get a little frustrating when it’s windy out there. Also, the device does not have any stabilization mechanism which makes focusing a little hard – especially when the flagstick is 200 or more yards away.

The Callaway 300 is a user-friendly device. Adjusting the eyepiece or inserting or removing the battery into the flip top compartment is very easy. Ultra-soft casing around the body of the rangefinder makes sure it’s safe in case you accidently drop it on a hard surface though it does not look completely shockproof.

How Callaway 300 Rangefinder Works​

Things we liked

  • Lightweight yet very durable
  • You can get multiple data points instead of just the flagstick thanks to the two different modes i.e. pinseeking and scanning.
  • Ideal for long distances, for example in case of second shot on a par 5 or layup shots
  • Hold down the button, and you will get continuous readings for multiple targets
  • To get rid of the blurry images, the eyepiece has a focus dial just as you would see in the binoculars

Things we didn’t like

  • The overall design is not quite balanced and ergonomic
  • Hard to focus, especially for long distances because of no stabilization mechanism
  • Can be hard to focus special when it’s windy out there

Verdict

It might not be the best device if you play in the courses that experience a lot of wind. However, it can be an ideal device for the beginners because of its affordable price. However, we can’t recommend it to advanced or professional players.

Leupold GX-4la2 Rangefinder

Leupold Gx-4Ia2 rangefinder

The Leupold GX-4la2 Rangefinder comes with an amazing vibrant red OLED display that makes it easy to read the range in the background – which is much better than the black display on most other units.

Two of its most notable features are scan mode and prism lock. To use the scan mode, keep the activation button pressed and look through the device, it will continuously update the readings as you focus on different targets. This makes it easy to get the range for different targets and hone in on the desired one.

Prism mode works with the prisms fixed on the flags. A specific area on the screen will tell you when you focus on the prism on the flag. Pin Hunter feature shows the closest target to make sure you hit the flag.

Key features

  • 6X magnification
  • Digitally Enhanced Accuracy (DNA)
  • Pin Hunter Technology & Prism Lock
  • Quick Set Menu
  • Completely weatherproof

The rangefinder introduces a cool way to disable the slope feature since it’s illegal to use a rangefinder with the slope feature, even if it’s turned off. Leupold has a small chip inside the yellow faceplate that sits on the front of the rangefinder.

When in a tournament, switch the yellow faceplate with the silver one, and switch back to yellow when you’re practicing and want to use slope mode. It makes your unit more versatile and gives you the options called the true golf range when you’re practicing.

When you’re using the yellow faceplate on your Leupold GX-4la2 rangefinder, you can also program it to show how far a target is, how far your hit went, and also recommends what club you should be playing with for that distance.

How Leupold GX-4la2 Ragndefinder Works​

Things we liked

  • Line-of-Sight (LOS) ranging up to 800 yards
  • Compact, easy to hold design
  • TGR (True Golf Range) provides ranging information with reference to personal factors
  • Club Selector feature recommends appropriate club for each shot

Things we didn’t like

  • Prism Lock can take some time to locate the price, especially when it’s 150+ yards away
  • We noticed that taking multiple readings on the target from the same distance varied
  • Aperture is a little small to get accurate target readings quickly, especially in poor light

Verdict

With several impressive features, it’s a decent overall rangefinder that’s worth the price. However, we noticed that taking readings from the same distance produced different results. Maybe this issue is because of some problem with our particular device but makes us a little skeptical about recommending it.

Halo XL450 Rangefinder – Best starting Golf Rangefinder

Halo XL450 Rangefinder

This is the simplest and most affordable rangefinder on our list, however, it can be used for purposes other than golfing i.e. bow hunting. It’s lightweight, easy to use and ergonomic, but its biggest selling point is its affordable price.

Key features

  • Up to 450 yards to reflective target
  • 6x magnification
  • ​Precise to +/- 1 yard
  • Ai Technology accounts for measuring slope
  • Water resistant

First, the rangefinder is only water-resistant and not waterproof, so keep that in mind when you’re playing in wet conditions. Although it offers fairly accurate readings, once the range is more than 200 yards, not only the accuracy decreases but also it becomes very hard to keep the unit stable or focused on a pin as it doesn’t come with some smart stabilization technologies you see in the latest devices.

How Halo XL450 Rangefinder Works

Things we liked

  • Very affordable
  • Fairly accurate for short distances
  • Slope measuring feature

Things we didn’t like

  • Not very accurate when range gets over 200 yards
  • Sensitive focus
  • No stabilization or pinseeking/hunting, lock-on mechanism

Verdict

We think this is one of the best entry-level devices for new players. Although it might not be the best in any way, however, for the price you pay for more expensive units, this rangefinder is simply awesome.

Breaking 80 Golf Rangefinder

Breaking 80 Golf Rangefinder

The newly designed Breaking 80 Smart Slope Series Golf Rangefinder is one of the most amazing rangefinders available on the market. It has an elegant, compact design and doesn’t make you break the bank.

Key features

  • Pinsensor3 based on first target priority
  • Intelliscan for up to eight seconds of continuous scanning to get range for multiple targets
  • Smartslope for finding True Golf Range (TGR)

The amazing performance lets you step up your game with on-demand distance information to anything on the course. Just point and shoot the Breaking 80 to get laser accuracy and precision, enabling you to read targets up to 250 yards away, without the use of reflectors.

It also comes with a free carrying case for enhanced portability. The Breaking 80 Rangefinder has improved functionality for practice with the slope. It can adjust the distance for an uphill or downhill shot using Smartslope technology, you can be confident that you have an accurate angle compensated distance. It comes with a 60-day money back guarantee for your peace of mind.

How Breaking 80 Rangefinder Works​

Things we liked

  • Sturdy construction and great look and feel
  • Consistent yardage every time
  • Works as good as some of the more expensive units, especially at short ranges
  • Updated, Lightweight, Compact design
  • Lifetime replacement plan and one-year warranty

Things we didn’t like

  • Hard to lock onto something over 150 yards
  • Slope feature is not always 100% accurate
  • Difficult to read digital data when looking thru it to the pin

Verdict

Fair enough, it doesn’t come with some of the cutting-edge features, but this isn’t a bad rangefinder at all for the price. It does exactly what it promises and goes the extra mile. Irrespective of your experience, the Breaking 80 Golf Rangefinder is a great aid for anyone who doesn’t want to spend a lot of money and yet wants to get extremely accurate distance measurements.

TecTecTec VPRO500 Golf Rangefinder – Best Upcoming Brand

TecTecTec Rangefinder

Offered by a rather new player TecTecTec VPRO500 is an amazing rangefinder with 6x magnification and very accurate range up to 400 yards at an extremely tempting price. Although the unit is somewhat heavy yet it is compact in size. This gives the unit a very sturdy feel. Despite being a small and affordable rangefinder, it gets the job done and makes an ideal entry-level rangefinder.

Key features

  • Tournament Legal (no slope)
  • 450-yard Range, accurate to 1-yard
  • 6x Magnification
  • Rainproof
  • Pinseeking Technology
  • 1 Year Warranty

The TecTecTec VPRO500 comes with a decent pin sensing technology and a sturdy case. We liked how big the lens was and offered an amazingly clear view of the target. Although it’s a little more accurate than GPS based rangefinders, the pin hunting or pinseeking feature in this particular rangefinder isn’t perfect.

Something we liked about the unit is its portable size, which can conveniently fit in your pocket or the golf bag. It comes in a water-resistant body – not waterproof – which means that it’ll be fine when there’s an occasional splash of water or when you put it on the early morning wet turf while taking a shot.

Things we liked

  • An affordable rangefinder that offers 6x magnification
  • With continuous scan mode, can get multiple targets up to 540 yards
  • Comes with the advanced pin sensor technology
  • High-quality, ultra-clear, multilayered optics that offer through the lens display
  • Lightweight and portable
  • Comes with a case and lanyard

Things we didn’t like

  • Not as accurate as some other units (but it’s more cost-effective)
  • A new company with not enough history/track record
  • Long-term battery life and durability unclear at the moment

Verdict

The TecTecTec VPRO500 is a very decent and affordable rangefinder for those who don’t want to spend a lot of money but want to get accurate results. It has all the features and technologies – although not as polished – that you will find in any of the latest exponentially more expensive best golf rangefinder units. The TecTecTec VPRO500 deserves to get two thumbs up.

Bushnell Pro X7 JOLT Slope Rangefinder 

Bushnell Pro X7 Jolt slope rangefinder

Pro X7 JOLT Slope is a tour certified rangefinder by one of the most well-known companies in the United States. It comes with JOLT technology that gives a burst of vibration once it’s locked onto the flagstick or any other targets you have latched on to. In short, it’s one of the most accurate rangefinders available on the market.

Key Features

  • Pinseeker with JOLT Technology with ½ yard accuracy
  • 7x Magnification with HD Optics
  • Ranges up to 1 mile
  • S.P. 2 (Extreme. Speed. Precision.)
  • Vivid Display Technology (VDT) for crystal clear results under all lighting conditions
  • Waterproof and Tour Certified
  • Comes with a 3V battery and a high-quality carry case
  • 2-Year Warranty

The Bushnell Pro X7 comes with some of the most amazing features we have seen so far. It can accurately measure up to 540-yards with +/-1 yard accuracy. On top of that, it offers one of the most amazing and clearest displays we have seen so far.

There is a slight learning curve for beginners, however, the overall user interface has been simplified so you can easily change settings and make adjustments to customize the unit according to your preferences.

How Bushnell Pro X7 Rangefinder Works​

Things we liked

  • Extremely accurate results
  • Simplified setup end adjustments
  • The amazing JOLT and slope technologies
  • Premium carrying case

Things we didn’t like

  • It is slightly bigger than most competitors
  • The price is on the higher side
  • You have to pay nearly $100 extra if you want to get the slope feature

Verdict

The features and price of the device tell you that it is intended for serious golfers only. Bushnell has truly lived up to their promise of delivering the most powerful golf laser rangefinder. If you really want to improve your swing accuracy and can afford it, we highly recommend this gadget. Remember if you don’t use the slope feature a lot, you can save a hundred bucks.

Bushnell Tour X JOLT Golf Laser GPS/Rangefinder 

Bushnell Tour X Jolt Rangefinder

It works pretty much like the Leupold GX-4la2 Rangefinder in terms of allowing you to disable or enable the slope feature with a switch of a faceplate depending on whether you’re going into a tournament or just practicing.

Key features

  • Faceplate exchange technology to switch between tournament and practice modes
  • Dual Display Technology (DDT) for all types of lighting conditions
  • E.S.P. (Extreme. Speed. Precision.)
  • PinSeeker with JOLT Technology to latch on to the flag with utmost accuracy and ease
  • 6x Magnification with HD Optics
  • 5-1,300 yards ranging performance (450+ yards to a flag)
  • Rainproof and 2-year warranty

A really cool feature on the Tour X is called Dual Display Technology or DDT. A button allows you to switch between red and black displays so you can see clearly under different light conditions and with different backgrounds.

Pinseeker eliminates background noise and JOLT technology tells you when you’ve accurately focused on the flag by giving you two short vibrating bursts. Another handy feature is the ESP2 or Extreme Speed Precision that makes the Bushnell Tour X JOLT five times faster than others.

How Bushnell Tour X Rangefinder Works

Things we liked

  • Works in virtually all weather conditions
  • Packed with amazing features
  • Easy to use with very accurate results
  • Extended battery life
  • Customizable, clear display

Things we didn’t like

  • Slightly heavy
  • Somewhat expensive

Verdict

While we might have mentioned that the price of the Bushnell Tour X JOLT Golf Laser GPS/Rangefinder might be on the higher side, but the million-dollar question is: is it worth it? The answer is a resounding yes. For advanced players who don’t want a wishy-washy device, the Tour X is an ideal choice and totally worth the price.

Bushnell Tour V4 Rangefinder -Best Budget Choice

Bushnell Tour V4 Rangefinder

The Bushnell Touch V4 is the perfect combination of size, speed, accuracy and the JOLT technology. The trademark Pinseeker technology by Bushnell combined with their JOLT Technology provides the golfer with vibrating pulses to give a confirmation that the laser has been latched locked onto the flagstick.

Key features

  • Pinseeker and JOLT technologies for more accurate results
  • Ergonomic design with Stabi-Grip technology
  • Posi-Thread battery door
  • Water resistant with 2-year warranty
  • 3-V CR2 battery and premium carry case included

The Tour V4 with JOLT technology eliminate any doubt you’ve locked on to the flag by removing the background. A focus ring sitting right on the top helps you adjust the focus to get the crystal-clear image.

The ergonomic design of the Bushnell Tour V4 fits perfectly in hand and just feels great to have such a natural fit. The rangefinder offer 5x magnification, so you know exactly what you’re going to focus and don’t have any doubts.

The device actually comes in two different editions. The slope edition gives you compensated distances around the course during practice rounds so you can work on complicated elevations and improve your swing. On the other hand, there’s also a tournament edition that’s tournament friendly and doesn’t have the slope edition.

You will simply love this compact rangefinder packed with the latest technologies and unrivaled accuracy. Surely one of the very best golf rangefinder units available on the market.

How Bushnell Tour V4​ Rangefinder Works

Things we liked

  • Pinseeker technology combined with JOLT technology makes sure you know when you lock the flag
  • Accurately ranges from 5 to 1,000 yards and 400+ yards to a flag within one-yard accuracy
  • 5x magnification and a fast focus system to keep the game going
  • Available in two different editions: slope edition and tournament edition
  • Premium carry case, good battery life, and 2-year limited warranty

Things we didn’t like

  • It takes a while to focus after you push the focus ring
  • Doesn’t offer a lot of improvements over the earlier models, other than a smaller body
  • A little hard to stabilize

Bushnell Tour Z6 JOLT Rangefinder -Best Golf Rangefinder

Bushnell Tour Z6 JOLT Rangefinder

After a fierce competition, the Bushnell Tour Z6 JOLT is nominated the best golf rangefinder. It’s a compact lightning-fast device that combines Bushnell’s award-winning pinseeker technology with JOLT technology.

These two features help you lock on the flag, eliminating any background clutter and any doubt. Another amazing feature that the Tour Z6 comes with is the VDT (Vivid Display Technology) just like its predecessor the Tour V6. The bright red display allows users to see the readout in any lighting condition, unlike the black readout that can get mixed with the background.

Key features

  • Pinseeker with JOLT Technology ensures accuracy to 1/2 yard
  • 5-1,300 yards range, (450 yards to a flag)
  • Vivid Display Technology (VDT) makes it readable for all lighting conditions
  • E.S.P. 2 (Extreme. Speed. Precision.)
  • 6x Magnification (objects appear 6x closer)
  • Adjustable diopter setting
  • Rubber armored metal housing
  • Posi-Thread™ battery door
  • Waterproof and 2- year warranty

Another feature that really makes it a standout choice is the E.S.P. (Extreme. Speed. Precision.). This speed technology is faster than any other laser on the market, and as soon as you press the button, you’ll get the reading back instantaneously that’s half yard accurate and ranges up to 450 yards.

Thanks to the 6x magnification, the targets appear six times closer allowing you to latch onto the flagstick from great distances and get the reading. The Bushnell Tour Z6 is fully waterproof so rain or shine, the rangefinder is not going to fail you with its lightning fast speed and unrivaled precision.This is one of the most technologically advanced rangefinders under the sun – and it’s amazing how Bushnell managed to fit all these features in such a compact body.

How Bushnell Tour Z6 Rangefinder Works​

Things we liked

  • The combination of Extreme SPEED and Precision (ESP), pinseeker and JOLT offer the best results
  • Finds yardage to the pin really fast
  • Vivid Display Technology exponentially improves contrast and clarity
  • Legal for tournament play plus a cool carry/storage case included
  • Very easy to use with a long-lasting battery

Things we didn’t like

  • For shorter distances, the readings are presented in tenths of a yard. For example, it might say 145.7 yards, which may be accurate but can be confusing when you want to choose a club.

Verdict

Our quest for finding the best golf rangefinder ends on the Bushnell Tour Z6. Although all the top ten rangefinders included in the list are very useful units, the Z6 stands out from the rest because it comes with all the latest features, is very easy to use, and has a very compact body. And not to mention, it’s not too expensive as well.

Top Brands that Make the Best Golf Rangefinders

Many brands offer golf rangefinders, however, there are some that stand out from the crowd because of their peerless products and great customer service.

The first one is Nikon; the company has been making high-quality cameras since 1948, and their experience helped them make good rangefinders. Initially, they started making rangefinders for the American Golf company Callaway for a few years. Then they switched to their current line of laser rangefinders known as COOLSHOT with 20,40, 40i, 80 and 80i models.

Nikon only makes laser rangefinders, and they have the honor of introducing the world’s first optical vibration reduction rangefinder, the Coolshot 80 VR. The rangefinder features amazing vibration reduction technology to allow you to quickly and more accurately find the target.

Another name that is becoming quickly popular in the rangefinder industry is the US-based TecTecTec. Although a newcomer and with little information about the company, their products are making a serious impression. Their VPRO500 Golf rangefinder, in particular, is one of our favorite units available on the market.

While we don’t have much info about the company, their products, and great customer service do the talking. Their VPRO500, in particular, is our favorite entry-level unit available on the market.

Bushnell, however, is unarguably the most popular and trusted name in the world of golf rangefinders. Headquartered in Overland Park, Kansas, it is also known as Bushnell and Bushnell Outdoor Products that specializes in optics and imaging. The company was founded back in 1948 and was acquired by Alliant Techsystems in 2013.

They also make military grade rangefinders, however, their golf rangefinders are so popular that they occupy around 99% of the market. They offer a wide range of both laser and GPS rangefinders for amateur as well as professional players.

The company takes pride in their products and also offers an amazing customer service.

Buying Guide

You have to be extremely experienced and skilled to hit your target without knowing exactly how far it is from you. This is where a rangefinder can be a godsend. It is a distance measurement device (DMD) specially designed for golfers.

But the million-dollar question is, do you really need one?

The simple answer is yes. Not matter you’re a beginner or an experienced player a rangefinder can be helpful for two reasons:

  • It tells the distance of all your targets usually with a +/-one yard precision
  • It tells you the actual distance of your shots

If you are giving yourself the lame excuses that you don’t need one yet until you start hitting your clubs distance consistently or using a rangefinder will slow down the pace of the game, it’s time to brush these thoughts aside. Without the best golf rangefinder, you will never know how far you are from your target and where your shots are ending up.

Types of rangefinders

With that out of the way, there are two main types of rangefinders, laser rangefinders, and GPS based rangefinders or Golf GPS Watches. Although the rangefinder smartphone apps are also available, however they are extremely limited in scope and functionality.

Laser rangefinders

Just as the name suggests, this type of rangefinders uses a short laser pulse to determine the distance between the user and the target (usually the flagstick). The speed of the pulse is fixed, so the device uses the speed, and the time it takes for the post to rebound from the object and calculates the distance.

Its performance can be impacted by the weather and other hazards such as rain and fog. But they’re as easy as using a point and shoot camera and are the most popular type of rangefinders.

GPS rangefinders

Somewhat like Google Maps, these are the new line of the rangefinders that use the satellite data to calculate the distance between your position and the target. The satellite data is in the form of longitude and latitude and is pretty accurate. Some advanced GPS units also offer data about any hazards (for example water or sand) nearby.

5 Things to consider before buying the best golf rangefinder

Here are a few things that can help you choose the right rangefinder for your needs.

Budget

The first thing that you need to keep in mind is the budget. This will narrow down the wide variety of rangefinders to a few potential candidates.

A quality golf rangefinder can cost anywhere between $99 USD and $700 USD. However, at the time of writing this guide, most laser rangefinders cost between $200 and $500, and most GPS rangefinders cost between $150 and $400. Remember, some of the GPS devices can cost extra in terms of monthly subscription fees and update fees for downloading additional courses.

Features

More and more features are added to the new devices every single day. Therefore, it is extremely hard to keep track of all the features. However, here are some of the features that the best golf rangefinder units come with: waterproof body, durable build, ideally 7x (or at least 6x) magnification, high-resolution display, pinseeking/hunting technology, a decent battery life, and more.

Some rangefinders come with a slope feature which compensates for uphill or downhill shots. However, this is banned by USGA in the tournaments. Although a great help when practicing, it can disqualify you from a tournament – even if you have turned this feature off on your unit. Some new rangefinders come with the slope feature built in a removable faceplate that makes them tournament friendly.

The type of your rangefinder will dictate the set of features it will have. In other words, you can have a totally different set of features for a laser rangefinder than for a GPS based rangefinder.

New laser rangefinders work well with the players in the group ahead. This gives you the freedom to precisely measure the distance to the hole when another player is putting, or you can also find out if the next group is out of range.

On the other hand, GPS units are modern devices and can come with a wide array of features. For example, they can display distances to a set of multiple selected points and some can even offer an aerial view of the hole – which is totally an amazing experience. Some of the more expensive models even have a virtual flyover of the whole field which can be extremely handy when you are playing on an unfamiliar course. On top of that, GPS rangefinders can also show notifications, activity tracking, and tips on improving your swing.

Ease of use

For experienced and professional golfers, using any range finder is pretty much a walk in the park. But for a new player, it can be a real pain in the neck to figure out all the features of a new device and can be frustrating in the end. Therefore, we recommend for new players to go for the simple and basic devices, so you can improve your game and don’t have to waste time on learning how to use it.

Laser rangefinders are usually very simple to use and are similar to a point and shoot camera. However, when the target is too far away, it can be a little hard to get an accurate reading with shaky human hands. To cope with this issue, most new laser rangefinders come with a feature called Pinseeking Technology that locks on to the target.

Different manufacturers use different names for this technology such as PinHunter, First Target Priority, Pinseeker, and so on. This technology can also come in handy when the target has clutter/noise in the background. For example, if there are trees in the background, the technology makes identifying the flagstick very easy.

In the case of GPS systems, however, you might have to download and install a database of courses you want to play. This means that the initial setup can be a little confusing and time taking. But once you have set up the device and have downloaded the courses, using the GPS device is even easier than a laser based range finder.

Range

Different rangefinders have different minimum and maximum ranges. Although the minimum range is almost always irrelevant because, let’s say if you are within ten or twenty yards from the flag, you can just walk up and get your distance without having to use the device.

On the flip, maximum range can be a deciding factor depending on the course and your style of playing. Although there are some rangefinders that can have a range of up to 1 mile, most usually offer a range of up to 1000 yards which in most cases is more than enough. With the laser rangefinders, the range is usually smaller and can be somewhere around 500 yards at most. For most rangefinders, the accuracy to flagstick is more or less 400 yards.

Size and weight

The rule of thumb is that the smaller the device, the better it is. Normally the GPS rangefinders are smaller than their laser counterparts because the later require more hardware to perform their function. A rangefinder that is heavy and big can be hard to carry around all day.

Most new rangefinders including laser ones can easily fit in a golf bag pocket. But you don’t want a unit that’s too small either as it can be hard to hold with two hands.

7 Tips to get the most out of your rangefinder

Even the best golf rangefinder will be nothing but a paperweight if you don’t know how to use it properly. Consider these seven tips if you’re using a rangefinder for the first time.

Get help from a pro

Using rangefinder can be hard, even intimidating for first timers. Try getting help from a friend or someone who knows their stuff and might be able to help you get started on the right foot. But if you cannot find somebody to help you, try watching YouTube videos tutorials.

It is a no-brainer that you should only watch the videos about your particular model. Trying to figure it on your own will waste a lot of time.

Know your device

Knowing your weapon before you enter the battlefield is the key to achieving your goals. Make sure you read the user manual. If your unit didn’t come with one, go to the manufacturer’s website and read everything about your rangefinder.

Knowing all the features of your device in advance can be greatly helpful when you are on the field.

Do your homework

Practice or tournament, know where you’re going to play and do your research about the location. This will allow you to make accurate calculations and can help you win big games. Being familiar with your course can also help you understand whether your rangefinder’s readings are accurate or not.

Prepare your rangefinder

You don’t want your rangefinder’s battery to die when you are in the middle of the game. So, always make sure that the battery is fully charged before you leave your home. Another thing you can do to ensure optimal functioning of the range finder is to clean it, especially the lens and eyepiece.

Hold with both hands

No matter you have a laser rangefinder or a GPS rangefinder, if you have a hard time keeping your rangefinder still, hold it with two hands. This will offer better stability unless it’s a tiny unit that’s built for holding with one hand.

Start small

Using a rangefinder accurately might seem easier than it is. Watch videos on how to use a rangefinder for the first time and try to use it in a practice game. This will let you get to know your device without any pressure or any game to lose.

Another thing that you can do to start on the right foot is to try focusing on large pins and at close range, then gradually increase the distance between you and the target. You can even take any home or a local store to start using the device. It should not take you long to figure out the device and get used to it before you can start focusing on flagsticks that are afar.

Practice

Well, as they say, practice makes a man perfect. The more you practice, the better you will get to know your device and your accuracy off the tee will eventually skyrocket.

Conclusion

Using a rangefinder can be very helpful, but using a good rangefinder can take your game to a whole new level and lower your scores. This guide features the top rangefinders, using any of these will give you worth your money, but if you want the best bang for your buck, we recommend the Bushnell Tour Z6 JOLT Rangefinder. It’s fast, accurate, and doesn’t make you break the bank.

Remember, it might take you a little while to get used to using your rangefinder and adjusting your swing accordingly. But practice with a little patience will go a long way. Also, keep in mind all the tips when you’re looking to buy the best golf rangefinders and how you can get the most out of it. And while you might not even use a rangefinder during your rounds, they can be a huge help honing on your estimation skills during your practice sessions.

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