Laser Range Finder

[happyhacker]

GPS topics and users seem to be a constant theme on the site at moment, but rather than high-jack those threads thought I would create a new one for this.

Does anyone on the forum use a laser range finder as opposed to GPS system? How do you find it and what made you decide to go this route rather than GPS?

Equally if any of the GPS guys want to let me know why they preffered the GPS over the range finders please let me know.

Thanks for your help.

HH

 

[TonyN]

Not trying to kill ya thread but take a quick look at this
Clicky

I know J_F is a big fan of the range finder and in the thread he tells why.

 

[John_Findlay]

Yip, Happy. I have one and have pretty much said it all in the link Tony provided above.

The only one downside to them is keeping them steady to get a reading in a strong wind. Of course I have solved this problem by only ever playing in blistering sunshine and flat calm conditions!

Seriously, I usually just rest it on top of my bag to do so and problem solved.

Not cheap initially but no running costs apart from a new £1 battery every couple of years afterwards. Very sturdy and incredibly accurate.

 

[happyhacker]

Cheers J_F.

Given their accuracy I wonder why the GPS systems seem the most popular for amatuers? Is it purely a cost thing I wonder or people prefer the ease of use with GPS?

 

[johng]

Cheers J_F.

Given their accuracy I wonder why the GPS systems seem the most popular for amatuers? Is it purely a cost thing I wonder or people prefer the ease of use with GPS?

for me it was down to ease of use. I used a range finder in a local hunting - shooting shop. Easy enough to use but a steady hand required. Unfortunately I have a permanent tremor - and I don't even drink , which caused some accuracy issues.
Also my course is fairly open with no hidden hazards. An instant yardage is all i was after and the caddy lite does just that.

Without appearing to be a traitor to GM, there are some excellent articles on this subject on the American site 'the sand trap'

http://thesandtrap.com/columns/trap_five/gps_vs_laser_what_makes_sense_for_you

All very informative.

John.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I bought SC5 for several reasons. It had my course mapped (Caddyaid didn't). I tend to be wayward and can't always get a direct line of sight to the flag. I wanted something with the hazards and distances to carry already mapped for speed of use. I wanted readings from front, middle and back of greens. My pro did me a mega good deal

 

[ColinR]

I have a Bushnell Tour V2. Great piece of kit. In literally a couple of seconds I can scan all in front of me, bunkers, flag, trees. Hooked onto the side of my bag, job done.

Very rarely am I short to the pin anymore. I might be to the right of the left, but that's just my swing causing that !!

 

[Adjani]

I use the Bushnell X500, quick, easy, sorted.

 

[happyhacker]

Its the Bushnell Tour V2 Pinseeker I have my eye on. Would like one with slope but can't justify the extra £80-90 quid. Seen the v2 for £190 and am sorely tempted!

How good is the Pinseeker function?

 

[viscount17]

will the lasers actually range on the pin?
doesn't it get confused if there is a larger object behind it?

 

[ColinR]

Its the Bushnell Tour V2 Pinseeker I have my eye on. Would like one with slope but can't justify the extra £80-90 quid. Seen the v2 for £190 and am sorely tempted!

How good is the Pinseeker function?

my strong advise would be DONT go for the one with slope. As I understand it ( this is the case at my club ) if you use this device for distance and it has the capability for slope, even if you dont use that function, you will be disqualified from competitions that you use it in.

The pinseeker function is spot on, works extremely well. For distance over 130-140 yards, I need to hold it with two hands to keep it steady, buts thats no problem.

 

[ColinR]

will the lasers actually range on the pin?
doesn't it get confused if there is a larger object behind it?

The pinseeker function homes in on the flag. Works very well.

 

[Adjani]

There is a small square crosshair when looking through the rangefinder, whatever you hold that square on (steadily) will be the distance it reads (thats the X500) the cheaper version (about £139) does all i need it to do,
As mentioned before, works well on the range, giving me the true distances to the markers, flags or yardage boards.

 

[Cernunnos]

I'm certainly interested in lazer range finders of the none slope variety, is there anywhere in the Midlands that stock decently priced examples I can try.

 

[USER1999]

I thought about a lazer range finder, but the instantaneous read out from the gps swung it. I have it clipped to my bag, so I stop the trolley, a casual glance at the gps, grab a club, and whack it. So fast, no messing about. Dead impressed. I am only really ever trying to get to the middle of the green, but knowing front and back distances means you can bias club selection to get the 'right' side of middle.

 

[Adjani]

Cernunnos, theres a direct golf in Doncaster, Huddersfield and Lincoln, dont know if they close to you.

If they are, pop in and ask to try one.

 

[Leftie]

I am only really ever trying to get to the middle of the green, but knowing front and back distances means you can bias club selection to get the 'right' side of middle.

100% right Murph. Knowing the exact distance to the pin position down to the last yard is fine if you can hit the ball accordingly. If you are that good then the tour awaits your presence and your caddy will be the one with the Bushnell or GPS device.

What I've seen with my recently purchased 2.5 is that it is as accurate as a range finder (checked against fairway markers which were checked against Google Earth) for measurements to centre of green which would imply that front and back of green are also accurate.

OK so you might have to make a judgement about where the pin is on the green but many courses now indicate by means of flag colour or sliders on the pin which third of the green the hole is situated. If you have that info then, <u>on average</u> , you shouldn't be more than say 5 yds out either way based on a (generous) 30yd green.

If I could hit shots to that accuracy, I would be well chuffed

 

[ColinR]

I would just like to add to this discussion about hitting the middle of the green everytime. I agree it is a good way to think if you want to play safe and was certainly how I planned my approach shots earlier this year. However on some of the greens where I play there is 30 yards between front and back, which makes a huge difference.

For approach shots between 90 to 140 yards, I only ever play a 2/3 swing. This allows me to have control and a very precise measure on what my lengths are, in fact down to 10 yard resolution. For this reason I do use the laser range finder to get the exact distance as I know I can get on top of the pin with the right club in my hand.

Also, by not using the full swing, the ball can be controlled a lot more effectively, along with pretty damp greens, it stops dead.

Of course I don't always get it right as the swing is the variable and if I could repeat it that effectively I'd be a lot better golfer than I am.

I do believe that over the last couple of months, taking this approach to greens has taken 2-3 shots off my handicap, which I am consistently shooting. I just need to do it in the medals next year !!

Cheers, Colin.

 

[USER1999]

Bear in mind, that with a skycaddie, you know where the back / front of the green is. If the pin is at the back (ish), it is more important to be on the green, than nearer the pin, but not on the green. Knowing exact yardage to the pin seems irrelevant to me. What I want to know is, if I fire to the back of the green, because that is where the pin is, which club will get me near the back, without flying it out the back. If you took only the yardage to the pin, do you club short to ensure you don't go through the back, or club up not knowing how long you can be before running out of room?
Knowing where the green ends is more important to me, and it is definately quicker than measuring with a lazer (used these in florida, where they have reflective crystals in the pin to make aiming easier).


I suppose it all depends on your mind set as to how you would use these devices. I find the gps system more useful.

 

[vig]

Bear in mind, that with a skycaddie, you know where the back / front of the green is. If the pin is at the back (ish), it is more important to be on the green, than nearer the pin, but not on the green. Knowing exact yardage to the pin seems irrelevant to me. What I want to know is, if I fire to the back of the green, because that is where the pin is, which club will get me near the back, without flying it out the back. If you took only the yardage to the pin, do you club short to ensure you don't go through the back, or club up not knowing how long you can be before running out of room?
Knowing where the green ends is more important to me, and it is definately quicker than measuring with a lazer (used these in florida, where they have reflective crystals in the pin to make aiming easier).

I suppose it all depends on your mind set as to how you would use these devices. I find the gps system more useful.

Got to agree with this. This is what I would be looking for in one.

Incidently what is the difference between the SC2.5 and SC5?.
Is it just the colour screen?.
Does the SC5 have more functions to justify the extra expense?