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Golf Rangefinder Reviews
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.
Consumer & User Reviews & Ratings
| Laser Rangefinder | Rating | Price | Tourn. Legal | Typical User Comment |
| Bushnell Pro 1600 Slope Review | 9/10 | see best price |
No | “it gives me advantage over my buddies.” |
| Bushnell Pro 1600 Review | 9.2/10 | see best price | Yes | “If you’re serious about improving your GIR, I recommend this product.” |
| Bushnell PinSeeker® 1500 Slope Review | 8.5/10 | discontinued see our 1600 review |
No | “the Slope edition is a better choice if you don’t play tournaments.” |
| Bushnell PinSeeker® 1500 Tournament Edition Review | 9.5/10 | discontinued see our 1600 review |
Yes | “No more guess work for me.” |
| Bushnell PinSeeker® Medalist Rangefinder Review | 8.8/10 | click to see lowest price |
Yes | “4x magnification of the scope could make targeting pins and hazards more difficult” |
| Bushnell Tour V2 w. PinSeeker® Review | 9/10 | click to see |
Yes | “a lightweight rangefinder that won’t stay lost in your bag because it’s too bulky to use.” |
| Callaway Rangefinder LR1200 Review | 7/10 | discontinued see our 1600 review |
Yes | “…you’ll probably be better off with the Bushnell 1600.” |
| Callaway Rangefinder LR550 Review | 8.6/10 | click to see |
Yes | “Accurate & reliable.” |
| Callaway Rangefinder LR800 Review | 6/ 10 | not available | Yes | “The Callaway Nikon 800 had horrible results it failed at 140yds and greater.” |
| Leupold GX-I Rangefinder w. Pinhunter Review | 9/10 | click to see |
Yes | “…being small, light and accurate is great.” |
| Leupold GX-II Rangefinder w. Pinhunter Review | 8.5/10 | click to see |
No | “It will adjust for uphill/downhill, how hot or cold it is and what altitude you are playing at.” |
| Callaway idTECH | 3.5/10 | click to see | No | “Poor rangerfinder for the money” |
| Callaway iQ Rangefinder | new | see best price | Yes | new – no reviews available yet. |
| Laser Link Red Hot | 9.4/10 | see best price | Yes | “Fantastic addition to my golf game.” |
| Leupold GX-3 | 8.6/10 | see best price | Yes | “Nice, compact, efficient.” |
| Leupold GX-4 | 10/10 | see best price | Yes* | “Top notch – great rangefinder.” |
| PAR70 Rangefinder Review | 9.2/10 | discontinued see our Leupold GX-I Review |
Yes | “Excellent Rangefinder for Golf.” |
| Yardage Pro Sport 450 | 7/10 | see best price | Yes | “Neat Gadget But Not for Golf.” |
*only tournament legal when using a supplied “key” that disables slope readings.
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Therefore the object being targeted has some impact to the success of the rangefinder’s calculation, as highly “reflective” targets will work better and for longer distances than less reflective ones.
Locking on the Flag (Magnification & Reflectivity)
Another determining factor with rangefinders is the ability to lock onto your target. If the flag stick is 300 yards away and waving in a stiff breeze in front of a thick forest of trees, it can be difficult to target properly. Having greater magnification helps, as does advanced targeting technology such as Bushnell’s PinSeeker & Leupold’s Pinhunter. Both make is easier to distinguish the real target.
Many golf courses are now providing mirrors or reflectors on top of flag sticks to make golfing with laser rangefinders much easier.
Slope Model Rangefinders
Another limitation of rangefinders is that they give distance in a straight line, without compensation for the fact that to hit an uphill target requires more club. The models that include “slope” adjustments that automatically correct this, have solved this problem, but they are not legal for tournament or handicap rounds.
Above is the complete list of consumer fact sheets and ratings for the most popular laser rangefinder products on the market that we have evaluated. These devices are only true laser rangefinders; see our Golf GPS Reviews page for satellite based yardage devices.
If you can’t find the rangefinder you’re interested in then you will find more by following this link: Top Golf Rangefinders.
This article was written by J. Symons, see my short bio. Or use the contact page to send a message.