Rangefinder/GPS

Tones69

Xmas coming up , if you had a choice which would you go for and why, stuck between the two to be honest (2 being gps or range finder not the exact 2 models shown below)
Swaying towards to the rangefinder but not 100% sure, could be more precise?

http://www.onlinegolf.co.uk/product/Bushnell-Tour-V2-Laser-Rangefinder-with-Pinseeker/p14667.aspx

http://www.mcguirksgolf.com/golf-buddy-world-gps/gbh9904pd.html

veetwin

I have the Bushnell and have played with lads who have used various types of GPS systems. I would have the Bushnell any day of the week.

The GPS has questionable accuracy, has a battery that is liable to run down mid round if you forgot to charge it, you may need to download courses you intend to play and rely on yardages supplied by these clubs. Some GPS require an annual fee and/or charge for extra course downloads. GPS are great for giving front middle and back readings to the green but the rangefinder gives you the exact yardage to the pin which is far more useful in most cases. You could be 180 yards out and have a reading to the centre but not have a clue if the pin is right at the back another 30 yards on.

Rangefinders are reliable and only need a battery change once a year. They will work on any course without any setup. I have mine a month and find it invaluable even on my own course.

I posted this a month ago in a separate thread and the more I hear about gps systems and their weaknesses the more I'm glad I got the Bushnell V2.

If you know anybody going to the states you buy them for around $300 in the golf outlet stores. Works out at about €220.

chalkie 501

veetwin wrote: »

I have the Bushnell and have played with lads who have used various types of GPS systems. I would have the Bushnell any day of the week.

The GPS has questionable accuracy, has a battery that is liable to run down mid round if you forgot to charge it, you may need to download courses you intend to play and rely on yardages supplied by these clubs. Some GPS require an annual fee and/or charge for extra course downloads. GPS are great for giving front middle and back readings to the green but the rangefinder gives you the exact yardage to the pin which is far more useful in most cases. You could be 180 yards out and have a reading to the centre but not have a clue if the pin is right at the back another 30 yards on.

Rangefinders are reliable and only need a battery change once a year. They will work on any course without any setup. I have mine a month and find it invaluable even on my own course.

I posted this a month ago in a separate thread and the more I hear about gps systems and their weaknesses the more I'm glad I got the Bushnell V2.

If you know anybody going to the states you buy them for around $300 in the golf outlet stores. Works out at about €220.

i'll second that,well said
rangefinders rule:)

AldilaMan

veetwin wrote: »

I have the Bushnell and have played with lads who have used various types of GPS systems. I would have the Bushnell any day of the week.

The GPS has questionable accuracy, has a battery that is liable to run down mid round if you forgot to charge it, you may need to download courses you intend to play and rely on yardages supplied by these clubs. Some GPS require an annual fee and/or charge for extra course downloads. GPS are great for giving front middle and back readings to the green but the rangefinder gives you the exact yardage to the pin which is far more useful in most cases. You could be 180 yards out and have a reading to the centre but not have a clue if the pin is right at the back another 30 yards on.

Rangefinders are reliable and only need a battery change once a year. They will work on any course without any setup. I have mine a month and find it invaluable even on my own course.

I posted this a month ago in a separate thread and the more I hear about gps systems and their weaknesses the more I'm glad I got the Bushnell V2.

If you know anybody going to the states you buy them for around $300 in the golf outlet stores. Works out at about €220.

+1

I've had the golf buddy for over 2 years and while it's useful (particularly when you're out of position), the accuracy is questionable. They are supposed to be + or - 5 yards but I stood beside my playing partner a few months ago with a different brand GPS and his measured 8 yards longer to the front of the green than mine from around 120 yards out and that made up my mind to get the Rangefinder. Accuracy to + or - 1 yard from up to 1000 yards.

I was going to buy the Bushnell Tour V2 but lots of people recommended the later version Pro 1600 Tour Edition http://www.bushnellgolf.com/laser/pro1600_te.cfm

It's so simple to lock on the pin with 7 times magnification. I think the V2 is 5 times magnification. It costs €350, but Halpenny Golf had a 20% discount recently so it cost me €280.

With GPS you're trying to calculate the additional distance the pin is on from the front and us amateurs seem to underestimate this a lot. The confidence you get from knowing exactly how far to the flag is incredable. Amazingly I've found great improvement in my short game from 40 - 90 yards. I used to just try to feel shots that I thought were 40 or 50 yards away. Now I measure and if its 70 its my full lob wedge and if it's 50 I know it's my 3/4 lob wedge shot. There isn't a pro on tour that would attempt a 50 yard shot without confirming the exact yardage with his caddy and that's why they are so accurate with those shots.

redhill

As above the bushnell pro 1600 is the one to go for not the V2
I pasted this from an earlier thread I put it in...


if ur going for a Bushnell go for the 1600 model rather than the V2.
it has 7x magnification (the V2 only has 5) and this makes a big difference if you actually use them.it is also held horizontally like binoculars rather than vertically (V2). this gives more stability in getting readings.
Three of my fourball have a V2,one has a 1600, all the V2 guys would switch if given the choice.
if u search Ebay etc you can pick one up for around 200 sterling or so

It is invaluable for wedge shots, if u have an accurate yardage and also know how far u hit each wedge it can be invaluable

golfnut1

I was in the same boat as yourself not so long ago.
Apart from the obvious arguments for and against GPS/Laser that I'm sure your aware of like, accuracy, battery, downloads, fees etc.One of the things I didn't like about rangefinders was "line of sight" i.e. no good for blind shots. In the real world this is not true. All you do is walk to where you can see your target laser it and then turn around and laser your bag which you leave beside your ball. Another not too obvious plus with the rangefinder, when your on the course laser the pin from the on course markers i.e the 200, 150 and 100 mark to get accurate info as to where pin is on the green front, middle, back. Nothing worse than hitting a good shot into a back pin 3 or 4 yards too long into hay.
If you do go for a laser. I bought the Bushnell 1600 pro tournament edition. It's there top of the line laser. The only reasons i went for this were only for practical reasons. 100% waterproof (very handy for our Irish weather) rubber armour (don't want this thing breaking if it falls) also the x7 magnification really dose make it easier to use. A friend of mine has a V2 which is a great laser but no way would i change the optics aren't as good. V2 is more compact but again in the real world this dose not matter as you would not play golf with this (v2) in your pocket so then what dose it matter if it's smaller or not.

Hope this helps

redhill

Meant to say, with the 1600 don't go for the one with the Slope, it's illegal in comps, there is a regular 1600 as well

Tones69

Cheers for the info guys, looks like it could be the 1600 pro non slopey jobbie

AldilaMan

Tones69 wrote: »

Cheers for the info guys, looks like it could be the 1600 pro non slopey jobbie

Another handicap on the way down so

AldilaMan

redhill wrote: »

As above the bushnell pro 1600 is the one to go for not the V2
I pasted this from an earlier thread I put it in...


if ur going for a Bushnell go for the 1600 model rather than the V2.
it has 7x magnification (the V2 only has 5) and this makes a big difference if you actually use them.it is also held horizontally like binoculars rather than vertically (V2). this gives more stability in getting readings.
Three of my fourball have a V2,one has a 1600, all the V2 guys would switch if given the choice.
if u search Ebay etc you can pick one up for around 200 sterling or so

It is invaluable for wedge shots, if u have an accurate yardage and also know how far u hit each wedge it can be invaluable

It was this advice that made me go for the 1600 pro tour edition. Thanks - It's a class piece of kit.

J6P

Anyone improved their scoring/handicap since getting a Rangefinder?

Considering shelling out myself over the winter.

Jasonw

Tones69 wrote: »

Cheers for the info guys, looks like it could be the 1600 pro non slopey jobbie

You won't regret it. To paraphrase Guy Richie, GPS for show, Rangefinder for a pro.

saintastic

I think this decision also depends on your handicap. If you are hitting into a pin that is 160 yards away and the difference between 157 and 163 makes a difference then the Laser is the way to go.

However, if you are more just looking to hit it on to the right part of the green, this is where the GPS is very helpful. For example, if the pin is 160 on the back half of the green, it is very useful to know that the middle of the green is 150 and the back of the green is 175. You can then say to yourself, if you hit your iron between those distances, you'll have a putt.

golfnut1

saintastic wrote: »

I think this decision also depends on your handicap. If you are hitting into a pin that is 160 yards away and the difference between 157 and 163 makes a difference then the Laser is the way to go.

However, if you are more just looking to hit it on to the right part of the green, this is where the GPS is very helpful. For example, if the pin is 160 on the back half of the green, it is very useful to know that the middle of the green is 150 and the back of the green is 175. You can then say to yourself, if you hit your iron between those distances, you'll have a putt.

I agree Gps can be good but from say a 100 in when your taking dead aim at the pin. Laser is all you need. It's great to have the exact number in your head and you can trust it.

dnjoyce

J6P wrote: »

Anyone improved their scoring/handicap since getting a Rangefinder?

Considering shelling out myself over the winter.

I don't see it as something that will necessarily improve your handicap. Before I got my V2 I was already pacing out the distance from the on-course markers and adding or taking away the pin placement yardages (when available) so a rangefinder just gives you that info much quicker and somewhat more reliably. It won't hurt your game but this is not some magic pill that will cut you 2 shots after you buy it imo. That being said, I'm delighted with mine.

Johnny_Fontane

I'm a golfbuddy platinum user and very happy with it. It shows you the green and you can place the flag anywhere on it. It also shows you a map of the course (fairways etc) so if you are looking for a layup on a par 5 or need to know how far a particular bunker is off the tee, you can see that.

Also in heavy rain when you can hardly see the flag with your eyes, it still works.

golfnut1

dnjoyce wrote: »

J6P wrote: »

Anyone improved their scoring/handicap since getting a Rangefinder?

Considering shelling out myself over the winter.

I don't see it as something that will necessarily improve your handicap. Before I got my V2 I was already pacing out the distance from the on-course markers and adding or taking away the pin placement yardages (when available) so a rangefinder just gives you that info much quicker and somewhat more reliably. It won't hurt your game but this is not some magic pill that will cut you 2 shots after you buy it imo. That being said, I'm delighted with mine.

"adding or taking away the pin placement yardages" do you mean with a pin sheet like the pros get? Or do you just mean your guessing?
I know if I was to pace every green for my approach shots I'd be asked to leave the course

bustercherry

As a few people say, it won't improve you handicap one bit. It doesn't hit the shots for you. What it will do is speed everything up, club selection, shot choice etc... It will also show you how deluded people can be with their distances at times, like the guy telling me I hit a 320 yard drive on sunday because I was 20 yards past his which went 300 :rolleyes:

I have the V2, thought the 1600 was too big TBH, and have had no issues with it. I think the extra accuracy over 200 is really irrelevant to me as getting on the green is the priority and not going for the pin. I find I really only take it out from 150 yards in and get the most use from under 100.

alxmorgan

Do you guys find it quick to use - does it not slow you down at all ?

Davd

I got a V2 about 2 months back and found it has made a difference to my game. It is particularly useful if you know your club distances exactly. Where it has the clear advantage for me over GPS is when I'm approaching an elevated green and can't be sure if the flag is at the front/middle/back. Before, I would just try to get the ball into the middle of the green and go form there but that could leave a 30 foot putt. A laser gives the confidence to really aim for the pin, especially if using a 7i - SW.
I would only use it from 170 meters and under anyway as after that, my club distances vary too much. Having to have a line of sight is the main disadvantage but I don't have too many holes on my club that are blind from 150 meters or less.
Picked mine up as a refurb on ebay for about 180 euro from this seller:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BUSHNELL-TOUR-V2-GOLF-RANGEFINDER-PINSEEKER-/190594902689?pt=UK_Sporting_Goods_Golf_Accessories&hash=item2c60576aa1#ht_1475wt_890

AldilaMan

alxmorgan wrote: »

Do you guys find it quick to use - does it not slow you down at all ?

The pro 1600 edition with pinseeker picks out the pin very easily and quickly. You can be checking out the distance while others are getting ready to play their shots provided your ball isn't directly in front of them. For par 3's, I tend to run up to the box before anyone else so I dont slow play down.

bustercherry

AldilaMan wrote: »

The pro 1600 edition with pinseeker picks out the pin very easily and quickly. You can be checking out the distance while others are getting ready to play their shots provided your ball isn't directly in front of them. For par 3's, I tend to run up to the box before anyone else so I dont slow play down.

I take it out aim at the pin and have a distance all within 10 seconds. I know my distances, forget about taking weather conditions into consideration, take out a club and pull the trigger. It's quicker than trying to work out a distance from a stroke saver, scorecard, markers etc.

I honestly can't see how it would slow play down and certainly wouldn't be running up to par 3's, even if I have the honor.

golfnut1

bustercherry wrote: »

As a few people say, it won't improve you handicap one bit. It doesn't hit the shots for you. What it will do is speed everything up, club selection, shot choice etc... It will also show you how deluded people can be with their distances at times, like the guy telling me I hit a 320 yard drive on sunday because I was 20 yards past his which went 300 :rolleyes:

I have the V2, thought the 1600 was too big TBH, and have had no issues with it. I think the extra accuracy over 200 is really irrelevant to me as getting on the green is the priority and not going for the pin. I find I really only take it out from 150 yards in and get the most use from under 100.

The reason I like the x7 mag on the pro 1600 is for layups. If you want to lay up to your perfect distance. Laser the pin at 240 then you know if you want to lay up to 100 then you have 140.
I think rangefinders make golf easier thus they will bring your handicap down.
It's not always about making birdies most of the time it's about keeping doubles and triples off your card.
So yeah they are great when your close but they are even better when your not.

saintastic

To be honest, the way forward is a GPS/Laser Rangefinder hybrid. Bushnell have already come out with one - http://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Hybrid-Pinseeker-Laser-Rangefinder/dp/B004LY3UV2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1320236935&sr=8-1.

In a couple of years, these will be much more affordable and we'll have the best of both worlds. You'll know the exact pin distance but also how far the various parts of the greens.

Tones69

golfnut1 wrote: »

I agree Gps can be good but from say a 100 in when your taking dead aim at the pin. Laser is all you need. It's great to have the exact number in your head and you can trust it.

Never a truer statement said, I think the rangefinder is as good to a personal caddy as ul get, cant wait to get it

bustercherry

golfnut1 wrote: »

The reason I like the x7 mag on the pro 1600 is for layups. If you want to lay up to your perfect distance. Laser the pin at 240 then you know if you want to lay up to 100 then you have 140.
I think rangefinders make golf easier thus they will bring your handicap down.
It's not always about making birdies most of the time it's about keeping doubles and triples off your card.
So yeah they are great when your close but they are even better when your not.

In fairness the V2 has no issues with this range either. Both equally good products, I just like the smaller package of the v2. I would be too overly bothered about laying up to the exact distance, more than likely when I fuss that much I find I'm over thinking and mess up the shot.

I disagree though with them making golf easier, you can get exactly the same info from stroke savers, markers, pin position sheets.... and still have to hit the shot. I've never felt it gave me any more confidence on my shot/club choice, it just makes everything quicker IMO.

Tones69

Was just thinking, where could I go for a few hours to find out my exact yardages? Id know them in my head within 5/10 yards or so but id like to know exactly. Heres a breakdown and im being conservative too, I could hit each further or shorter but this would be my comfortable/confident club for each distance, let me know what you think

Driver - 270++ yds
3 wood - 230-250
hybrid - 210-225

4i- 200-210
5i - 185-195
6i - 175-180
7i - 160-170
8i - 145-155
9i - 130-140
PW - 100-120

52- - inside 100

golfnut1

bustercherry wrote: »

golfnut1 wrote: »

The reason I like the x7 mag on the pro 1600 is for layups. If you want to lay up to your perfect distance. Laser the pin at 240 then you know if you want to lay up to 100 then you have 140.
I think rangefinders make golf easier thus they will bring your handicap down.
It's not always about making birdies most of the time it's about keeping doubles and triples off your card.
So yeah they are great when your close but they are even better when your not.

In fairness the V2 has no issues with this range either. Both equally good products, I just like the smaller package of the v2. I would be too overly bothered about laying up to the exact distance, more than likely when I fuss that much I find I'm over thinking and mess up the shot.

I disagree though with them making golf easier, you can get exactly the same info from stroke savers, markers, pin position sheets.... and still have to hit the shot. I've never felt it gave me any more confidence on my shot/club choice, it just makes everything quicker IMO.

Pin sheets??? Yeah that's grand if you play on the European or pga tour. I might be wrong but I presume the op doesn't play on either.

Tones69

golfnut1 wrote: »

Pin sheets??? Yeah that's grand if you play on the European or pga tour. I might be wrong but I presume the op doesn't play on either.

Haha correct, i see what buster is saying but id have to say id feel much more certain with a range finder than a stroke saver,pin position sheets etc. used stroke saver in druids glen the other day and to be honest it helped immensely! Still though i didnt say to myself "right im 167 yds from the pin", i found myself guessing within 10-15 yds each time, range finder i think will give that extra bit of confidence

bustercherry

golfnut1 wrote: »

Pin sheets??? Yeah that's grand if you play on the European or pga tour. I might be wrong but I presume the op doesn't play on either.

Errr no quite a number of course have them. Luttrellstown (actually really accurate), Portmarnock links, south county all supply them.

bustercherry

Tones69 wrote: »

Never a truer statement said, I think the rangefinder is as good to a personal caddy as ul get, cant wait to get it

No it isn't. Have ever played with a caddy, let alone a good one?

As I say the rangefinder only give you the information a bit quicker (and potentially more accurate, depending on the info available to you) but you still have to make the shot choice, course management, club choice etc yourself.

A good caddy will take all the same information (and more) and advise you. Sometime you will both come up with the same conclusion, more than likely you won't .

BobbyGolfPro

The Bushnell V2 really is gr8. Small compact and picks up the flag really easy, better then the bigger 1 which is odd. I used a sky caddie for a number of years and it was gd but just was too lasy to be constantly downloading courses etc.

kyleman

Johnny_Fontane wrote: »

I'm a golfbuddy platinum user and very happy with it. It shows you the green and you can place the flag anywhere on it. It also shows you a map of the course (fairways etc) so if you are looking for a layup on a par 5 or need to know how far a particular bunker is off the tee, you can see that.

Also in heavy rain when you can hardly see the flag with your eyes, it still works.

Almost all here seem to think the rangefinder would be the best buy but my course is hilly with some blind shots so still wondering if GPS might be more suitable?

golfnut1

kyleman wrote: »

Johnny_Fontane wrote: »

I'm a golfbuddy platinum user and very happy with it. It shows you the green and you can place the flag anywhere on it. It also shows you a map of the course (fairways etc) so if you are looking for a layup on a par 5 or need to know how far a particular bunker is off the tee, you can see that.

Also in heavy rain when you can hardly see the flag with your eyes, it still works.

Almost all here seem to think the rangefinder would be the best buy but my course is hilly with some blind shots so still wondering if GPS might be more suitable?

Gps or laser as long as the user is happy with them is all that matters. Personally I couldn't trust a Gps unit. I've played with guys that have had them and I some cases they were good but in some cases they were up to 9 yards out. I can trust a laser rangefinder but not a Gps.
It's like the Gps sat nav look at the speed on your speedometer and look what your sat nav says. The sat nav will always say your going a little slower. Seemingly it's to do with the curvature of the earth and incline/declines of the terain. The technology is not perfect yet.

redhill

Tones69 wrote: »

Was just thinking, where could I go for a few hours to find out my exact yardages? Id know them in my head within 5/10 yards or so but id like to know exactly. Heres a breakdown and im being conservative too, I could hit each further or shorter but this would be my comfortable/confident club for each distance, let me know what you think

Driver - 270++ yds
3 wood - 230-250
hybrid - 210-225

4i- 200-210
5i - 185-195
6i - 175-180
7i - 160-170
8i - 145-155
9i - 130-140
PW - 100-120

52- - inside 100

i think for a lot of those you have it spot on, however personally i think you will get most (or the best) usg from ur rangefinder from 120 yARDS in.
i think u would be better carrying 3-4 wedges. my wedge distances are

48" 100 yards
52" 80 yards
56" 55 yards

This is with a unforced fullswing, i also have alternative yardages for a 3/4 (Pelz-like) swing with each club as well.
i find the major benefit of the rangefinder to be this, if i have a 100yrd shot i now KNOW i will in all likelihood hit it to at least 10 ft or closer. As someone mentioned earlier in the thread its the confidence it gives you knowing the exact yardage and knowing u can asily execute the shot.

After you have the rangefinder a couple of weeks you will have worked out all ur essential yardages pretty easily, basically by hitting shots from varying places. goto a quiet hole and just measure up to the flag and hit to it from a few places with ur wedges etc to see where they finish....

Tones69

Ive got 4 wedges i just didnt list my 56 and 60 there

dnjoyce

redhill wrote: »

i think for a lot of those you have it spot on, however personally i think you will get most (or the best) usg from ur rangefinder from 120 yARDS in.
i think u would be better carrying 3-4 wedges. my wedge distances are

48" 100 yards
52" 80 yards
56" 55 yards

This is with a unforced fullswing, i also have alternative yardages for a 3/4 (Pelz-like) swing with each club as well.
i find the major benefit of the rangefinder to be this, if i have a 100yrd shot i now KNOW i will in all likelihood hit it to at least 10 ft or closer. As someone mentioned earlier in the thread its the confidence it gives you knowing the exact yardage and knowing u can asily execute the shot.

After you have the rangefinder a couple of weeks you will have worked out all ur essential yardages pretty easily, basically by hitting shots from varying places. goto a quiet hole and just measure up to the flag and hit to it from a few places with ur wedges etc to see where they finish....

Fair play, I think this would put you well up on the PGA tour players, who's best this season so far is a paltry 12 feet 3 inches...
http://www.pgatour.com/r/stats/info/?075

• Off the Tee
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Statistics » Approach to the green






2011 PGA TOUR Approaches from 75-100 yards
Select Year: ---- 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002
Y-T-D statistics through: CIMB Asia Pacific Classic Malaysia Oct 30, 2011 Rank
This
Week Rank
Last
Week PlayerRoundsAvgTotal Distance (feet)# of AttemptsRelative to par11Nick Watney 8012' 3"709.41758-1822Steve Stricker 7013' 1"785.16760-1433Jonathan Byrd 8313' 9"799.16758-8T4T4Stephen Ames6914' 1"762.41754-14T4T4Anthony Kim7214' 1"719.41751-1166Luke Donald 7314' 4"689.58348-1177Paul Goydos 8114' 5"1,456.667101-12T8T8Stewart Cink7214' 6"843.25058-14T8T8Scott Piercy 7814' 6"521.75036-10T10T10David Duval 6714' 8"735.08350-5T10T10Kevin Na 8414' 8"807.50055ET10T10Adam Scott 6014' 8"644.08344-8T10T10Jimmy Walker 7914' 8"762.41752-5

bustercherry

Don't forget though your 10ft could be another man's 300yds

veetwin

golfnut1 wrote: »

It's like the Gps sat nav look at the speed on your speedometer and look what your sat nav says. The sat nav will always say your going a little slower. Seemingly it's to do with the curvature of the earth and incline/declines of the terain. The technology is not perfect yet.

In fairness that is because almost all speedometers over read your speed. i.e. 100kph indicated means you are usually doing about 95kph.

You point is valid though. GPS is only accurate to a degree and there is a big difference if your talking about a 120yd carry that your GPS is showing 110 yards.