Golf Rangefinder

Gunner83

Hi guys,

I'm looking to buy a rangefinder to help improve my golf.
I am torn between the bushnell tour V3 and the Nikon coolshot.
Just wondering has anybody experience using both and which one would people recommend.
Cheers.

Tones69

Gunner83 wrote: »

Hi guys,

I'm looking to buy a rangefinder to help improve my golf.
I am torn between the bushnell tour V3 and the Nikon coolshot.
Just wondering has anybody experience using both and which one would people recommend.
Cheers.

Never used the nikon but ive had the Bushnell v2 for 2 years and love it. V3 be a great investment

Arsenium

Tones69 wrote: »

Never used the nikon but ive had the Bushnell v2 for 2 years and love it. V3 be a great investment

+1 to that. Never used the Nikon. Bought the v3 Bushnell recently and cant imagine playing without it now. Brilliant piece of equipment.

It's amazing how many times people come back to their ball after stepping back from the nearest distance marker, thinking they have a yardage only to realise they are miles out.

FixdePitchmark

Lads - I think I've been turned.

Anyone got this ? Any views

http://www.golfalot.com/equipment-reviews/golfbuddy-lr4-laser-review-3096.aspx

charlieIRL

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Lads - I think I've been turned.

Anyone got this ? Any views

http://www.golfalot.com/equipment-reviews/golfbuddy-lr4-laser-review-3096.aspx

I've tried using one of these while waiting to take my shot a few times and could never master it. Have the garmin s1 watch, walk up to ball, look a meters, pick club and hit! Zero time used compared to taking out rangefinder, zapping hole, put back in , pick club and hit!!!

neckedit

FixdePitchmark wrote:

Lads - I think I've been turned.

FixdePitchmark wrote:

Anyone got this ? Any views

Been lucky enough to have been given a loam of one by GB for the last few weeks, and my order is in. Compact easy to use in both Pin Mode and Scan Mode new chunkier design fits well in my hand and the display is very clear, as the review mentions the new eyepiece and adjustable focus is quality. Vs a wrist device, it really take no longer to use, walk up to ball, pull out lazer, zap lazer, replace lazer, pull club.......Miss hit club..... question your chosen God move on..... A GPS needs a couple of seconds to settle to give the correct yardage so it's all the same really.

Norfolk Enchants_

charlieIRL wrote: »

I've tried using one of these while waiting to take my shot a few times and could never master it. Have the garmin s1 watch, walk up to ball, look a meters, pick club and hit! Zero time used compared to taking out rangefinder, zapping hole, put back in , pick club and hit!!!

Your Garmin is a rangefinder, it's driven by GPS as opposed to laser, but both are rangefinders.
Fix buy a GPS device, it has vastly more functionality than a laser and despite what some people claim about a laser device been as quick as a GPS, in theory maybe, in reality it defintely is not.

neckedit

Norfolk Enchants_ wrote:

Your Garmin is a rangefinder, it's driven by GPS as opposed to laser, but both are rangefinders. Fix buy a GPS device, it has vastly more functionality than a laser and despite what some people claim about a laser device been as quick as a GPS, in theory maybe, in reality it defintely is not.

I have used both and see time issue using both in the basic funtionality, when I need to get a yardage to a bunker or the like, laser is quicker than say the WT3 by golf buddy or a layup on a garmin or move the pin placement on the higher spec garmins where the player needs to click on different options. But its all marginal really..... One Device doesn't take 10 secs and the other 3 minutes. And as with slow play debate, That I feel this is being led towards, its all about the user/player. Buy whatever one suits your taste, needs and pocket.

Dr_Colossus

I don't have any experience of the GolfBuddy laser so can't comment on it's functionality but bought the Bushnell Z6 jolt a month ago as my first distance measuring device and very happy with it. Fully waterproof which was a concern given our climate and the text in red makes for easy reading in all conditions. The 6 times magnification is plenty from such a compact device. Regarding size I don't understand why the newer GolfBuddy is chunkier, some of the Bushnells are significantly more cumbersome with no real added benefits so having a compact laser is a plus in my book.

One big advantage with laser over GPS for me is not having to remember to keep the GPS charged, once purchased the laser is maintenance and upgrade free which in turn is hassle free. Also another big advantage is being able to zap to different flags/tyres on the practice range to try and dial in the wedges with 60 vs 80 and 100 etc yard shots. I play a number of away competitions so being able to laser to water hazards, trees and other obstacles in the distance in an effort to make them out of play is great although I realise these features are available on the higher end GPS devices.

The biggest consideration of course is price but since I expect to be in possession of my laser for 10+ years since the technology and features don't really change over time I saw it as an investment. I paid €375 for my Bushnell Z6 new from McGuirks for which I had some vouchers against the outlaw.

FixdePitchmark

I actually see it more of a practice tool.

My distance control is good/ok.

But feel this would make it more accurate -

I tend to think in say ten yard blocks - with wind consideration. Maybe 10 yards is too much for what I'm now trying to do. I'm maybe too feely.

I feel this would reduce these blocks and help wedges. I'd be using it most on wedge work in practice area.

dar_cool

Ah yeah, slagging us off a few months ago

First Up

It takes me about 5 seconds to use my Laser and maybe another ten giving the actual distance to the guys with me who are getting innacurate reads from their GPS.

Plus the Laser measures anything you want, not just what the programme thinks you need. Handy at the range too where yardage signs are often miles out.

The pro caddies use Lasers. Must be a reason.

FixdePitchmark

dar_cool wrote: »

Ah yeah, slagging us off a few months ago

No - dar , it was just jealousy as not as good as ye;)

So LR4 in bag - once I go for something I go.

Celtic Tiger back on - no, at 260 Euro - wasn't that bad.

daithi7

Freecaddie gps app for your smart phone, top class!!

I even splashed out the the €1.99 to get the pro version, which is even better.

BillyBoy

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

No - dar , it was just jealousy as not as good as ye;)

So LR4 in bag - once I go for something I go.

Celtic Tiger back on - no, at 260 Euro - wasn't that bad.

How do you find it Fix? I found before when using a mates rangefinder (a model from a few years ago), my shaky hands made it difficult to get yardages. The Jolt tech from Bushnell really helped with this when I tried those models. Is the Golfbuddy good in this respect?

FixdePitchmark

BillyBoy wrote: »

How do you find it Fix? I found before when using a mates rangefinder (a model from a few years ago), my shaky hands made it difficult to get yardages. The Jolt tech from Bushnell really helped with this when I tried those models. Is the Golfbuddy good in this respect?

It has 6 times zoom.

Not sure if I have a steady hand or the flag technology has improved - but very very easy to use. I play in conditions that flag is always blowing well and it may make it easier. Takes about 5 seconds max to get a distance.

Anyway - so far very very good.

It is a slightly different psychology on distance to flag versus middle of green - (so I'm adjusting to this).

Brought it to Irish Amateur today - and another benefit is it is excellent for watching golf and working out distance if you go to a pro tournament.

Have found it useful for practice area - 40 yard - 60 yard - 80 yard , practice.

BillyBoy

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

It has 6 times zoom.

Not sure if I have a steady hand or the flag technology has improved - but very very easy to use. I play in conditions that flag is always blowing well and it may make it easier. Takes about 5 seconds max to get a distance.

Anyway - so far very very good.

It is a slightly different psychology on distance to flag versus middle of green - (so I'm adjusting to this).

Brought it to Irish Amateur today - and another benefit is it is excellent for watching golf and working out distance if you go to a pro tournament.

Have found it useful for practice area - 40 yard - 60 yard - 80 yard , practice.

Thanks Fix, I think I'll definitely give it a look when I buy a rangfinder later this year.