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Bushnell v2 tour rangefinder or Sureshot 8850

  • 25-02-2011 6:16pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 309 ✭✭


    Hi folks,
    I want to get one of the above but i am in 2 minds, Has anyone used them regulary and what would they recommend ?

    I have my doubts about the accuracy of the GPS but maybe i am wrong.

    I am playing off 15 but I am aiming for single figures and I am hoping this might help. Any input welcomed.

    Thanks

    gps or laser 12 votes

    Bushnell rangefinder
    0% 0 votes
    A GPS system
    100% 12 votes


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,798 ✭✭✭Mister Sifter


    Bushnell all the way for me, particularly if you're in any way serious about your golf, which it sounds as though you are. With a laser you're getting the exact yardage every time. If you're happy with a rough distance then gps will do the job. I've always found them to be pretty inaccurate overall. Also, there's no faffing around with loading or buying courses.

    Only tangible pros for a gps I can think of are if you play a lot of new courses. I've personally found that the laser gets me through just fine though. Not an issue.

    The other would be if you're home course has a lot of blind pins. Again though, you can generally always get around this by walking to a point where you can see it and take your readings from there.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 622 ✭✭✭Corkblowin


    Mister........I've been considering geting something too, am I correct in thinking that the bushnell can only be used to measure distance to the pin? When playing new or irregularly played courses i like to know carry distances over bunkers, water etc.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 687 ✭✭✭sector


    no theres a scan function too on most of em mine included that will for example scan for that bump before the water or whatever so it just doesn't have to be the pin or a tree.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 309 ✭✭THEFRIDGE


    I have a friend thats a pro and he himself said to go with the bushnell. There seems to be pro's and con's for both. The bushnell can be sighted to a bunker etc so you can still get distance to it.

    Think my mind is made up but I'm sure there will be a few more comments on this to throw me out again. Lol


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,798 ✭✭✭Mister Sifter


    Corkblowin wrote: »
    Mister........I've been considering geting something too, am I correct in thinking that the bushnell can only be used to measure distance to the pin? When playing new or irregularly played courses i like to know carry distances over bunkers, water etc.

    You laser anything and it will give you a distance. I use it a lot to see how far it is to clear a bunker or to reach trees/bushes etc.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 622 ✭✭✭Corkblowin


    Thanks guys.....it's always interesting to know how far away the splash is :p


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 579 ✭✭✭chalkie 501


    You laser anything and it will give you a distance. I use it a lot to see how far it is to clear a bunker or to reach trees/bushes etc.

    agree with this..you can basically do anything with the bushnell that a GPS can do without any of the messing about(downloading courses,subscriptions,charging battery)it gives the exact yardage to the pin as opposed to the yardage to the front,middle and back...i have the V2 but tried out a GPS before i bought it and theres no comparison....go for the bushnell ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 622 ✭✭✭Corkblowin


    I hear you chalkie, but when you're between clubs it can be useful to know how where the front or the back is - eg hit the bigger club because you know you won't go over the back etc.

    Just to confuse matters more..... :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,798 ✭✭✭Mister Sifter


    Corkblowin wrote: »
    I hear you chalkie, but when you're between clubs it can be useful to know how where the front or the back is - eg hit the bigger club because you know you won't go over the back etc.

    Just to confuse matters more..... :)

    That's a fair point. Particularly when you're playing an unfamiliar course. If it's a course you play often though i think i'd generally know where i can and can't miss and pick the club accordingly.

    The one (perhaps only) downside to the laser that i found initially was that it tended to make me too aggressive at times. Took me a while to remind myself that I can't always just stick the laser on the flag, get the distance and then pick the club that will get me that distance.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 495 ✭✭brian076


    Just to give a bit of an opposing view here, I've used both the Bushnell and a GPS, and I'd go with the GPS everytime. I have to say I always found it difficult to keep the Bushnell steady enough to get an exact reading to the pin especially from 170yds out, and of course when line of site is obscured, the rangefinder isn't great. Yes you can walk to a point to get a reading, but this can slow down play.

    On the other hand the Golfbuddy GPS is great. You don't have to download courses or pay subscription fees, and you can move the pin on the green to get an exact yardage, not just front, middle and back and I've always found the accuracy to be spot on. As a single figure golfer I wouldn't use a device which was going to have an adverse affect on my score.

    Perhaps the Bushnell may be a yard or two more accurate, but unless you're a scratch golfer I don't think this is going to have much impact on your score.

    I think it's down to the individual, and while a lot of golfers swear by the Bushnell I wouldn't rule out considering a good GPS.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,835 ✭✭✭Golfgraffix


    Of course it all comes down to preference but I thought that I would share some observations.

    We are working with Killeen Castle at the moment, while we were doing their yardage book we took the opportunity to test a number of measuring devices against each other.

    So our control was the digital survey of the course, this we know will give us 25cm accuracy. We then used a Bushnell Pro 1600, Skycaddie SG5 and a Golf Buddy Tour. For the gps units we used the measure your own course option

    Over the 18 holes the Bushnell was on average 1.6 yards either side of the distances we knew to be correct, the Golf Buddy came in second with and average of 4.2 yards and the Skycaddie came in at an average of 5.3 yards. The one issue with the gps devices was the element of variance, the numbers below are taken as an average of 3 readings per hole over 18 holes but on some readings the units were up to 12 yards out and others were almost spot on. There was no real pattern to this, it was not down to tree cover or anything like that, so I can only assume it was down to the units and how they acquire satellite connections.

    Not sure if that helps you in your decision, for me as a 13 handicapper my preference is for my Skycaddie, I can live with the accuracy, and I find it a fair trade off for its ease of use. The two other guys out measuring with me on the day were a pro and a 4 handicap and their preference was for the range finder.

    It was my 1st time to use the Golf Buddy (it was borrowed) and it was a much nicer unit and I believe it doesn’t have the subscription issues that seem to be the bane of Skycaddie users. I have not used the SGX so that could be a match for the Golf Buddy.

    On a side note we also tested for our iPhone app and we gave up after 4 holes, at one point it was 40 yards out !!!! but that was down to a problem with our algorithm which we have now fixed.

    John


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 121 ✭✭snowy666


    To add another small twist, you may want to consider a laser from this lot. I used Bushnell for ages but found these (I currently use the GX-1 which is the cheapest and works perfectly) are easier to get a reading from.

    I really like lasers for inside 130 yds as it's very important to know which wedge to choose and 5 yds can make a difference.

    That said, I really like the look of the new Golfbuddy Platinum and one feature it has over the laser is that on the tee box, you can pick a point on the hole layout and it will tell you the distance to it, and from it to the green. Makes it very handy to plan the hole. They've (Golfbuddy) have fully mapped a lot course in Ireland now so you get the full features throughout (you need to be careful when buying GPS' that the courses have been fully mapped, ie. not just distance to green). Plus, they have no subscription (Skycaddie pisses me off with that.

    Also, I like not having to charge the laser, just carry a spare battery (of which I've only used 2 in two years).

    Laser's tend to be cheaper also.

    And lastly, I never have to worry about whether a new course has been mapped - for instance when playing abroad.

    Basically, laser for me - the Leopold version - although it's a very close call. If someone has a Golfbuddy Platinum and fancies swapping with my laser for a week or two for kicks, PM me.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 220 ✭✭Garda S Horgan


    Bushnell have now got a hybrid new for 2011 though.
    GPS on the side but still with Laser for those shots where the pin is visable.
    Best of both.

    Yours etc,
    GSH.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,798 ✭✭✭Mister Sifter


    Bushnell have now got a hybrid new for 2011 though.
    GPS on the side but still with Laser for those shots where the pin is visable.
    Best of both.

    Yours etc,
    GSH.

    Sounds great in theory, but the GPS part of it looks pretty mediocre. You're still getting a great laser, but no way does it replicate a GPS. A laser with limited/basic GPS features sounds about right.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 393 ✭✭BillyBoy


    snowy666 wrote: »
    To add another small twist, you may want to consider a laser from this lot. I used Bushnell for ages but found these (I currently use the GX-1 which is the cheapest and works perfectly) are easier to get a reading from.

    I really like lasers for inside 130 yds as it's very important to know which wedge to choose and 5 yds can make a difference.

    That said, I really like the look of the new Golfbuddy Platinum and one feature it has over the laser is that on the tee box, you can pick a point on the hole layout and it will tell you the distance to it, and from it to the green. Makes it very handy to plan the hole. They've (Golfbuddy) have fully mapped a lot course in Ireland now so you get the full features throughout (you need to be careful when buying GPS' that the courses have been fully mapped, ie. not just distance to green). Plus, they have no subscription (Skycaddie pisses me off with that.

    Also, I like not having to charge the laser, just carry a spare battery (of which I've only used 2 in two years).

    Laser's tend to be cheaper also.

    And lastly, I never have to worry about whether a new course has been mapped - for instance when playing abroad.

    Basically, laser for me - the Leopold version - although it's a very close call. If someone has a Golfbuddy Platinum and fancies swapping with my laser for a week or two for kicks, PM me.

    I was just wondering where you got your Leupold GX1 snowy? The reviews for it seem very good. Had a quick look around and can seem them on Amazon and Ebay coming from the US but can't see any in Europe?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 220 ✭✭Garda S Horgan


    Sounds great in theory, but the GPS part of it looks pretty mediocre. You're still getting a great laser, but no way does it replicate a GPS. A laser with limited/basic GPS features sounds about right.

    Yep. thats what it is. the only time you would not use the laser is if you were on a course such as Lahinch on the Klondyke where the second shot is blind and you just need basic front/middle/back.
    I was trying to think of the shots I played over the weekend and over the 14 holes there were only 2 shots that I didn't have a full line of sight to the green. If that was the case, then I would imagine that the laser is the way to go. However, it would be nice to know that if I go to a strange course that there would be some sort of distance markers.

    I'm still awaiting the closing of my Sureshot case, so we'll see how that goes. I think I may still invest regardless in the Laser technology.

    What one are you using and what kind of screen/features etc does it offer.
    can you just point to a bank over water at 230ish and get that info back? Is pinseeker as good as they say, so that if you're in trees and can see a pin among it all, that it will lock onto it?

    Yours etc,
    GSH.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 220 ✭✭Garda S Horgan


    THEFRIDGE wrote: »
    Hi folks,
    I want to get one of the above but i am in 2 minds, Has anyone used them regulary and what would they recommend ?

    I have my doubts about the accuracy of the GPS but maybe i am wrong.

    I am playing off 15 but I am aiming for single figures and I am hoping this might help. Any input welcomed.

    Thanks


    By the way, for support I am still holding my tongue and awaiting a final decision on sureshot. They are aussies and they simply don't really care once you buy their stuff. They are a nightmare to deal with. I'm dealing with the retailers in ireland now as my sureshot is out of warranty but it shouuld not just have stopped picking up GPS after 20 months.
    Whatever you buy, I would get it from somewhere that will give you decent support when you need it. If it only lasts one year and they tell you "tough luck" then I would walk away.
    I'll let you know how I get on with the Irish retailers on the sureshot.

    Yours etc,
    GSH.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 496 ✭✭Jasonw


    Is pinseeker as good as they say, so that if you're in trees and can see a pin among it all, that it will lock onto it?

    Yours etc,
    GSH.


    Pinseeker is a bit of a misnomer. what it means is it will pick up on the nearest thing and display the pinseeker symbol. Great if there are trees behind the flag but not so good if there are trees between you and the flag. It can't actually recognise a flagstick.

    That said, I own a bushnell pro 1600 and am very happy with it.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 220 ✭✭Garda S Horgan


    BillyBoy wrote: »
    I was just wondering where you got your Leupold GX1 snowy? The reviews for it seem very good. Had a quick look around and can seem them on Amazon and Ebay coming from the US but can't see any in Europe?

    I did some searching also and found nothing.
    I'll have a mate going to the US in April so I might get a present back. We'll see.
    I always go GPS over laser but I'm off single figures and more often than not I'm having a shot to the green so the laser sounds good.
    On the times that I don't have a shot and I'm in trees then I would be just wondering how to get it back in play so a view to a point somewhere aside from the green would be great.

    So am I right in saying I can point this as a bump 150 yards away (or not even a bump) and it will return a yardage?

    If the GX1/3 was for sale in Europe I would be interested for sure.

    Yours etc,
    GSH.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 309 ✭✭THEFRIDGE


    Right folks I have added a poll to this to see what the overall thoughts are. Please vote to help decide

    Thanks


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,550 ✭✭✭Myksyk


    Tbh the biggest put off for me with regard to range finders is taking them out, looking for the pin, putting them back etc. The whole point for me is speed of information, a quick glance at the bag as I arrive at the ball and I'm done. The accuracy of gps is good enough for me. Every time I play with it I check at most holes with reference to a marker and it is always within 1 or 2 metres of that Mark. There's always a judgement involved at any rate. it's just faster and less intrusive. Having said all that I'd be happy to change my mind and have no problem trying out a laser.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,476 ✭✭✭ShriekingSheet


    I think I want a Bushnell Laser range finder, but there's three different models on the Bushnell site, and it's not really possible to differentiate between them from reading the text.

    Can someone give me a steer on difference between models, or are they all pretty much the same deal?

    There's the V2, Pro 1600 and Medalist.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 121 ✭✭snowy666


    BillyBoy wrote: »
    I was just wondering where you got your Leupold GX1 snowy? The reviews for it seem very good. Had a quick look around and can seem them on Amazon and Ebay coming from the US but can't see any in Europe?

    That's right, I ordered mine from the States. I get things delivered to my work address, fortunately it's a big enough place that I escape import duty weirdly enough :D

    Off the top of my head I can't remember the site I used - I'll look at my CC statement to see when I get home - but don't remember having any issues. Think it worked out to about €230, but that was some time ago.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 121 ✭✭snowy666


    So am I right in saying I can point this as a bump 150 yards away (or not even a bump) and it will return a yardage?

    Pretty much, if by bump we're talking mound? :) something a couple of inches across isn't gonna work. Basically, there's always something in the vicinity of where I'm interested in to aim at, even if it's just an area of fairway. You can easily lock on to front and back of a bunker 200 yds away and get an accurate measurement.

    On the very rare occasion that I've managed a long, straight drive, I often ping back to the tee box marker out of interest, some 350 yds away ;)

    Regarding the hassle of getting it out all the time, to get a reading (mentioned in another post, sry don't know how to quote from separate posts!), it works well for me. I use a carry bag and the laser slips into a handy pocket. Just bang it out as I'm approaching the ball, 5 secs later the bag's down and the right club is in my hand. I do agree that the ease of use is with the GPS and I love a new gadget so again, it's pretty much a 50/50 for me.

    Basically, if you think you have the ability to dial in to a pin, a laser would just edge it. If you're happy to get on or near the green, go for the GPS.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,567 ✭✭✭✭fullstop



    So am I right in saying I can point this as a bump 150 yards away (or not even a bump) and it will return a yardage?



    Yours etc,
    GSH.

    Yes, with a laser rangefinder you point it at anything you want to measure and it will give you a yardage to exactly where you have pointed it.

    Yours etc,
    fs


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 496 ✭✭Jasonw


    I think I want a Bushnell Laser range finder, but there's three different models on the Bushnell site, and it's not really possible to differentiate between them from reading the text.

    Can someone give me a steer on difference between models, or are they all pretty much the same deal?

    There's the V2, Pro 1600 and Medalist.

    They'll all do the same thing. I can't speak for the medalist as I've never examined one.
    The difference is in size and build quality. The Pro 1600 is the top of the line, it's heavier than the V2 and most importantly for golf in this country, it's waterproof.

    There's one small thing about rangefinders is if there is fog about the rangefinder doesn't work as the laser bounces off the fog. I'm talking fog heavy enough that you can just make out the pin from 150 yards. Also, if the sun is low and directly behind the flag the rangefinder has trouble.

    If price isn't an issue I'd go pro 1600. Better to buy it right than buy it twice.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,098 ✭✭✭Johnny_Fontane


    Looking at getting a golf buddy myself at the moment.

    The platinum version is €425 in mcguirks, yet only €225 in the us (from amazon). They wont send it here though, you'll need to get it sent to a contact in the us first.
    http://www.mcguirksgolf.com/gbh9903pd.html
    http://www.amazon.com/Golf-Buddy-World-Platinum-Finder/dp/B003OF0UR6


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,798 ✭✭✭Mister Sifter


    Looking at getting a golf buddy myself at the moment.

    The platinum version is €425 in mcguirks, yet only €225 in the us (from amazon). They wont send it here though, you'll need to get it sent to a contact in the us first.
    http://www.mcguirksgolf.com/gbh9903pd.html
    http://www.amazon.com/Golf-Buddy-World-Platinum-Finder/dp/B003OF0UR6

    Amazon UK showing one left at around £320.

    This came up in a Google search though... free delivery to anywhere in Europe it seems:

    http://www.golfgps.org.uk/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_new.tpl&product_id=12&category_id=3&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=2


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 149 ✭✭strokes1


    http://www.golf-plus.co.uk/product_caddylite.php


    Has anyone any experience of this one? €146!


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 447 ✭✭NoelAPM


    Just to add to the pros and cons.. I hear people saying laser struggle in fog and extreme lighting conditions! Well I read recently that due to excessive solar activity, gps signals will be interrupted! I think it's only forecast for the coming year!

    Probilly going to extremes to consider that before buying tho.. Just thought I'd throw it in there!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 393 ✭✭BillyBoy


    Amazon UK showing one left at around £320.

    This came up in a Google search though... free delivery to anywhere in Europe it seems:

    http://www.golfgps.org.uk/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_new.tpl&product_id=12&category_id=3&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=2

    I see that site has the Leupold's as well, nice find. Will definitely look into getting one now that I know you can get them over here. If anybody hears or knows anything good or bad about the above site please post so we know before buying! Thanks


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 220 ✭✭Garda S Horgan


    NoelAPM wrote: »
    Just to add to the pros and cons.. I hear people saying laser struggle in fog and extreme lighting conditions! Well I read recently that due to excessive solar activity, gps signals will be interrupted! I think it's only forecast for the coming year!

    Probilly going to extremes to consider that before buying tho.. Just thought I'd throw it in there!

    To be fair though, most courses won't open if the fog is bad enough that you can't see the distance you need to drive. If you can see 280 yards then chances are that you'll be able to see the important distances to the pin.
    Also, I can't remember the last time I had to play in bad fog. I don't think it would be such a concern to sway me one way or another.
    Yours etc,
    GSH.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 220 ✭✭Garda S Horgan


    BillyBoy wrote: »
    I see that site has the Leupold's as well, nice find. Will definitely look into getting one now that I know you can get them over here. If anybody hears or knows anything good or bad about the above site please post so we know before buying! Thanks


    That site has very good prices for sure. I would be interested to know also if poeple got proper equipment from them in the past.

    **edit** I just checked the bushnell V2 on that site and it works out around 250. The are 299 in mcguirks but I reckon you would get that for not far off 250 and at least then you have someone to go back to if it's faulty.
    I'll be purchasing one I think.

    Update on the sureshot support issue tomorrow. The Irish retailer seems to be sympathetic to the fact that the device was faulty and we hopefully have struck a deal. If nothing else, it goes to show that it's worth it to buy local if the price is near enough the same.

    Yours etc,
    GSH.


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