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5 Highest Rated Golf Laser Rangefinders
Golf rangefinders are designed to improve your golf game by providing accurate distance readings to objects on the course. They use an eye safe laser to target an object and then measure the time it takes for the laser to bounce off the object and return to the rangefinder.
There are many different models with various features and quality levels on the market. In this article we’ll present mini-reviews for the top 5 laser rangefinders.
Click the name of each unit for a complete review and report by golfers using the devices.
Bushnell Pro 1600
This unit replaces the Bushnell PinSeeker 1500 Tournament which was our top rated rangefinder from last season.
A premium laser rangefinder from one of the world top optical device manufacturers. The 1600 Pro edition provides range readings from 5 to 1,600 yards at an accuracy of + or – one yard.
The Pinseeker 1600 has a 7x magnification monocular for viewing your target. This is one of the highest magnification levels available
This rangefinder comes with Bushnell’s patented PinSeeker technology allows easy targeting of the flag while avoiding the possibility of capturing background targets. When more that one object is targeted the closer will be read.
This is an important feature, since getting an accurate lock on the flagstick from longer yardages is one of the toughest functions for a laser rangefinder.
Leupold GX-I Rangefinder Pinhunter
A tournament and handicap legal golfing rangefinder from optical device company Leupold. Not extraordinary, it provides all the expected functionality at a reasonable price.
2 top features found in the GX-I are:
- Pinhunter – technology to make taking yardage readings off of the flag much easier.
- Scan Mode – gives yardages of any objects in the viewfinder as you scan across the course.
Given Leupold’s fine name and experience, expect the optical quality to be high. Pinhunter technology is a great feature for an entry level laser rangefinder.
Bushnell Pro 1600 Slope
The PinSeeker 1600 Slope edition is exactly the same as the 1600 tournament edition with the exception of the added slope functionality.
“Slope” allows you to calculate distances with special compensation for uphill or downhill targets. This can make a big difference in club selection and using a slope edition laser rangefinder can allow you to dial in much more accurately than a regular rangefinder.
However, make sure that you are aware that any scores shot with the Pro 1600 Slope edition rangefinder cannot be used for handicap purposes, and it will not be allowed in any tournament play, but it is the most widely used laser rangefinder by caddies and tour professionals when they are mapping a course and preparing their yardage books.
Bushnell Tour V2
Bushnell Tour V2 PinSeeker® is a brand new laser rangefinder designed to provided accurate yardage readings, yet be light and compact enough to make it easy to use on every shot.The world’s smallest, most advanced laser rangefinder at 6.6 oz.The PinSeeker is a lightweight easy to carry laser rangefinder with 5x magnification.
- PinSeeker – Allows easy targeting of the flag while avoiding the possibility of capturing background targets. When more that one object is targeted the closer will be read.
- Scan – continuously updated yardage readings while you scan the rangefinder.
Completely waterproof, with Rainguard coating, which prevents lens fogging in bad weather. The Bushnell Tour V2 now comes in 2 versions, the regular version which is legal for tournament and handicap play and a “slope” version which is not tournament or handicap legal.
Callaway Rangefinder LR1200
This top of the market rangefinder was designed by two big sporting companies. To ensure an accurate yardage device, Callaway has licensed the optical technology for this laser rangefinder from Nikon.
The LR1200 claims has been targeted to professional tournament caddies, and it the flagship of the Callaway rangefinder models. Rangefinders are not allowed for use in professional tournaments but caddies use them extensively to map courses before any tournaments.
Besides the ultra high quality optics supplied by Nikon, the most notable feature for the Callaway LR1200 is:
First Target Priority Mode – displays the range to the nearest target among multiple results obtained with a single measurement. This is designed to increase accuracy when aiming at a pin with a background of trees, something that can be a problem for unsophisticated rangefinders.
Callaway and Nikon’s LR1200 is designed to be the best rangefinder on the market, worthy of it’s billing as the “Official rangefinder of the PGA of America.”
These are the top laser rangefinders on the market. They are all very high quality devices and any would be a good aid for any golfer. When buying a laser rangefinder, not all are tournament legal or legal for use in handicap rounds, so make sure that you are buying one that fits your needs.
Revised Sept. 2011
This article was written by J. Symons, see my short bio. Or use the contact page to send a message.