Laser Range finders

[Mike_j_golf]

Hi,
Dose anyone own one of the above and what do they think, was thinking of getting a GPS but like the thought of the above as u could use it on any course and from any where on the course to get a reading to any object i know they are not much cheaper than a gps but seem far more versitile.
Regards Michael.

 

[ColinR]

I have the Bushnell Tour V2, great piece of kit. I have it hanging from my bag & it takes about 6 seconds for me to get it out and get a reading.

It has really improved my game, especially inside 120yards.

****** WARNING ******

You will now get a barrage of people

"bla bla bla gps is better bla bla bla "

 

[SammmeBee]

Don't get the one that does slope as they are not allowed in competitions....

 

[bazlambo]

Most pros use the rangefinders and swear by them and I was looking to buy one instead of GPS. In the end I did plump for the skycaddie and have not been disappointed, as I was told to get an accurate reading on the rangefinder required a steady hand, and as my course is generally windy and the cold weather we now tend to get this lead me to GPS.

The main benefit I have seen on GPS is that the information is immediate and the mapping has multiple targets on with 3 distances for front middle and back of green.

End of day each will have there own benefits and downsides and cost and personal preference will be final decision

 

[CliveW]

I had a shot of a laser rangefinder but found it difficult to use as my hand wasn't steady enough to hold it on to a flag at 150 yards. Also as it is line of sight it wasn't any use on doglegs. Since then I have got the Skycaddie 5 which I prefer as it gives lay-up distances etc., but it's "Horses for Courses".

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I am not the steadiest hand (anyone who has seen me over a 2 footer can vouch for that) and tend to be wayward so its a let down on keeping still long enough and being able to see the flag. Thats one of the reasons I got the SC5

 

[fastmover2]

I use a Bushnell, cannot remember which but it is very good. Although our course is windy no problem getting a laser shot at any time. I have had it picking up a flagstick at over 500 yds but does of course rely on having line of sight. The Bushnell deals very well with background clutter.

WRT to both lasers and GPS my job involves using both for high precision positioning doing offshore construction.

The GPS we use is accurate to generally about 0.3m most of the time but it does use up to 13 channels(satellites) and uses differential augmentation whereas your golf GPS would probably have a maximum of 8 sats. available (but generally 5 or 6) with no augmentation. It is likely to be accurate to ,I would think +/- 10m at best;more than adequate for most golfers I would think.

Our positioning lasers are very accurate in distance measurement but we generally struggle to obtain useable positioning data at beyond about 250m from specially designed prism targets. The Bushnell out performs these easily picking out a flag stick at 300m.

If you are looking for precision I think the laser is the way to go. Its main drawback is that it needs line of sight and will be poor in fog/very heavy rain etc.

 

[Gustavo]

I don't see the appeal of either of these gadgets, I just don't see any huge advantages. It's not like I intend to go orienteering and fear getting lost, so why need GPS ?

And why a laser guided surface to air missile range finder thingy ? I quite enjoy the challenge of working out what loft wedge to use, and the appropriate strength of strike to use when inside 100 yds.


Can someone persuade me otherwise ?

WARNING : to anyone who does convince me to spend more money on yet more golf equipment, my other half will go mental if I spend any more money this month. If I go down, I'm taking you with me !