Top 5 Roundup: Best Laser Rangefinder for Golf
In this roundup I’m looking at isolating the best golf laser rangefinder. Now, there are at least 10 models at the top of the pile that will all do a fine job for the average golfer. In this roundup I try to separate the top models from the rest.
The fact is, you don’t need to spend upwards of $400 to get the type of golf rangefinder that will make you go “awesome, what more could I possibly need?”. Here are the five most important factors I used for judging these:
– Decent range (550 yards is all you really need)
– Pin-finding speed and accuracy
– Reputation among golfers
– Optics quality
– Build quality and reliability
So, let’s round up the 5 top rated rangefinders for golfing. Please note that I’ve only included USGA approved rangefinders here.
Contents
Top Golfing Rangefinders for 2016
I’ve arranged this list to start with the budget models and move up to the more expensive and advanced models.
Nikon Coolshot 20
Nikon still makes some of the best rangefinders around, and their Coolshot range is not doing any harm to their reputation. Available in three models (20, 40, 40i), I’m going to focus on the Coolshot 20 as it provides everything most casual golfers will need in a rangefinder for well under $200.
Quick Features:
– 6-550 yard range
– First Target Priority for easier flag detection
– 6x20mm
– 8 second continuous scan
– extremely compact
– weatherproof
At just 4.4 ounces, this is a light, compact unit that is easy to carry around. The optics are clear, with black readouts. On the bottom left of the display you have a battery indicator, with the crosshair in the middle and distances being displayed just above the crosshair.
Due to how compact and light the rangefinder is it feels a little cheap in the hand, but performs very well. Battery life is exceptional too.
On pins without reflectors you’ll start having trouble getting a lock beyond about 220 yards, so keep that in mind.
A little further up the price scale you get the Coolshot 40 model, which features Hyper Read technology that guarantees readouts in half a second.
Pros:
- compact
- light
- scan & first target modes
- solid performance
- good optics
Cons:
- struggles with non-reflective flags past 220 yards
Get Coolshot 20 pricing and reviews on Amazon*paid link
Bushnell Tour V3
Yes, the V3 is many years old by now and has been superseded by the new V4 model. However, it is still an excellent rangefinder at an aggressive price point. It was brilliant back when it launched 4 or 5 years ago, and it will find those pins just as well today as it did back then.
Quick Features:
– 5x24mm
– flag detection up to 300 yards
– 5-1,000 yards ranging
– tournament legal
– Pin Seeker Tech
– Jolt Vibration when pin is found
– scan mode
This is still one of the most popular rangefinders on the golf course. It features Bushnell’s Pinseeker technology, some of the best in the business, which finds the pin just fine up to 300 yards. This model also pioneered the JOLT technology, which gives you a vibration when the unit locks onto the pin so you know for sure that you’ve got the flag ranged.
The unit uses a standard CR-2 3-volt lithium battery. You won’t get the best battery life on the market from this rangefinder, but it’s not too shabby at all and you can expect to do about 10-12 rounds of golf on a charge.
The Bushnell Tour V3 still ranks as one of the most capable golfing rangefinders on the market. It is larger than most newer rangefinders though, and you’ll probably be best advised to look towards the new Tour V4, which packs a bigger punch in a more compact shell.
Pros:
- great features
- solid performance
- Pinseeker with Jolt tech
- good range
Cons:
- quite large
- the Tour V4 is available for only $30-$40 more
View Bushnell Tour V3 pricing and reviews on Amazon*paid link
Bushnell Tour V4
With the Tour V4, Bushnell has improved on the V3 in many crucial aspects.
Quick Features:
– Pin Seeker with Jolt technology
– 5-1,000 yard ranging
– 5x magnification
– 400+ yards to flag within one yard
– tournament legal
– focus ring
The first thing you’ll notice about the V4 is just how good it feels in your hand. The buttons are perfectly positioned, the Stablegrip design gives you a solid, natural grip and the unit is more compact than the V3.
Perhaps my favorite new feature is the focus ring, conveniently positioned just in front of the eyepiece. This allows you to focus the rangefinder by just using your index finger.
Apart from that, the V4 brings all the goodness and great technology you’ve already come to know and love from Bushnell and just packages it into a more compact and ergonomic design, while increasing the pin range to 400 yards.
Bushnell already dominates the PGA Tour as the rangefinder brand of choice, and my guess is the Tour V4 will be one of the most popular models out there. Bushnell has taken an already great rangefinder and made it even better. A little boost in the magnification would have been nice though.
Pros:
- improves on the Tour V3
- great performance
- good flag range
- Pinseeker with Jolt tech
- focus ring is great
Cons:
- still only 5x magnification
View Bushnell Tour V4 ratings and reviews on Amazon*paid link
Leupold GX-3I2
Leupold has long been one of my favorite rangefinder brands. Their latest incarnation of their popular golfing rangefinder, the GX-3I2 (3i-squared), delivers more of the stellar optics and accuracy you’ve come to expect.
Quick Features:
– vivid display
– aluminum body
– USGA 14-3 compliant
– DNA Technology
– Pinhunter & Prism Lock
– Quick Set Menu
– 3 selectable aiming reticules
– scan mode
– 6-700 yard range
– 6x magnification
– fog mode
– 450 yards to pin
As you can see, that’s a long list of key features. This unit packs a punch. Whether you need all that as a casual golfer is debatable, but serious golfers will want to give this a good look.
It has two technologies for locking onto pins. Pinhunter helps you isolate the pin against busy backgrounds by providing the distance to the closest target, while Prism Lock helps you lock onto pin prisms. Unlike the Bushnells, you don’t get a vibration when you find the prism, but only a beep. The effect is the same though.
This is a fast rangefinder and readings are returned almost instantly. Leupold uses a red OLED display, making the readings very easy to see. Readings are within 1/2 yard accuracy.
The scan mode makes it easy to dynamically take readings as you scan the course. Leupold has added a fog mode for better performance in difficult weather.
The aluminum housing makes this one of the most durable designs around, and the GX-3i2 is completely weatherproof and impact resistant. It is not the prettiest rangefinder you’ll ever see though.
How much value you get from it will depend on how you play the game, but there’s no question that this is one brilliant rangefinder with superb technology simmering under that aluminum exterior.
Pros:
- ton of useful features
- fast and accurate
- pin technologies
- red OLED
- selectable reticules
- great range
- durable
Cons:
- not the prettiest piece of kit ever
View Leupold GX-3i2 pricing and reviews on Amazon*paid link
Bushnell Tour Z6 Jolt Rangefinder
The Tour Z6 is one of Bushnell’s flagship golfing rangefinders. Offering extreme distance and all the technologies you’ll need, this one is always worth a look for the serious golfer.
Quick Features:
– Pin Seeker with Jolt technology
– 5 to 1,300 yard range
– 450+ yards to flag range
– 1/2 yard accuracy
– 6x magnification
– waterproof
– Vivid Display Tech
– tournament legal
The Z6 is a rugged unit, completely waterproof. The main advantage it offers over the lower priced models is in clarity (red OLED readouts with Bushnell’s Vivid Display Technology), effective range to flags and speed.
Bushnell’s E.S.P. technology (Extreme Speed Precision) makes this one of the fastest rangefinders you’ll ever use. The range is returned instantly when you press the button.
The 450 yard to flag (with half yard accuracy) range is excellent. The 6x magnification helps you find the flag over this distance, and the simple one touch operation makes it easier to get a steady reading.
The unit uses a standard 3-volt CR2 battery and battery life is fantastic.
There’s very little to fault on the Tour Z6. It is compact, easy to use and provides impressive performance. However, how much value it really offers over the Tour V4 apart from the red OLED and 6x magnification for what you pay extra (+- $60) is debatable.
Pros:
- rugged
- great technology
- Pinseeker with Jolt
- red OLED
- fast
Cons:
- not all that big a leap over the Tour V4
View Bushnell Tour Z6 Jolt pricing and reviews on Amazon*paid link
Best Golf Laser Rangefinder: Final Words
There are more expensive models on the market, and there are cheaper models on the market. However, the 5 laser rangefinders in this roundup offers the best price/performance value in my opinion.
On the low end of the budget scale (sub-$200), few models can match the Nikon Coolshot 20. Light, compact with great performance, this is a winner from a company who knows how to produce them.
In the medium price ranges ($200 – $300), Bushnell is king with the new Tour V4, which improves on the Tour V3 in almost every aspect, most notably in the more comfortable and slightly more compact shape, as well as the great focus ring and improved pin range.
At the higher end ($300 – $400), the Leupold GX-3i2 is unbeatable, but it is quite a bit more expensive than the Tour Z6. Neither model will disappoint, but the Leupold is a beast.
If you can’t test drive all of these, hopefully this summary will help you make a good purchase decision. You can’t go wrong with tried and tested technology like the Bushnell Pinseeker, nor with the awesome optics of the GX-3i2. Stop losing sleep over a decision, pick up one of these proven performers and go hit some balls!