Which Laser Rangefinder?

[Tiger]

Right I've thought about it a lot and have decided to save for a laser rangefinder. I'm torn between the Nikon 350G and Bushnell V2 (without slope) but happy to have the waters muddied further. Want a laser to use for course management and practice.

Before all the distance walkers chirp up I don't have any DMD so can't measure every shot with my stride length!

Particularly Interested to hear from people who own laser rangefinders who can offer their personal views on:

accuracy
portability
durability
ease of use
value

Ta muchly

Tiger

 

[Peter_Ro]

I would just go straight for a GPS device its the only way!!

 

[leewestrudd1]

i have the v2 bushnell and its a quality piece of kit

 

[rickg]

I have a Bushnell V2 Tour. See below for comments against your points

Particularly Interested to hear from people who own laser rangefinders who can offer their personal views on:

accuracy; Very accurate (+/- 1 yd)
portability: Comes in a robust carry pouch to either hang from the bag or attch to a belt. Mine stays on the bag
durability: No problems with it yet since owning it from June 09. A bit hungry on batteries.
ease of use: Very easy, very quick. One handed use. Very stable, even in strong winds.
valuericey initially (£210), but no further layout except batteries.

Ta muchly

Tiger

 

[Imurg]

Hey Tiger - just interested to know why you chose the laser over the GPS?

 

[Tiger]

Hi Imurg,

A couple of reasons really main one was cost -I'm on a tight budget so one off cost was important. I also wanted more flexibility for use on my practice sessions where striding with a GPS would be time consuming or impossible - e.g the range. Ease of use - that's where I want my ball to go how far away is it.

It's horses for courses really and in terms of what I'm like with my sport a laser suited. I'm unlikely to take on blind shots on unfamiliar courses, and do review new courses using satellite imagery before I play to think about how I'd play the hole.

Many on here may disagree with my logic and I'm happy to be challenged but from what I've read about both systems laser wins it for me.

T

 

[Yerman]

I have a Bushnell V2 -excellent piece of kit which I use mainly for practice. On the course my skycaddie is more practical.

 

[rickg]

Just found a downside to my Bushnell.......Played this morning in thick fog...you could just make out the flag and see when people had cleared the green, so it was safe(ish), but the laser was having none of it....first time it's let me down.....

 

[SharkAttack]

Tiger

I have GPS, but don't think I am being biased here.

I was playing today (Winter greens) and didn't take my GPS, my playing partner had a Nikon rangefinder and I was interested to find out how good they were. I ask for a distance to a flag from the 3rd tee (Par 4) 169yds was the reply how far to the tree's on the right 202 yds. The tree's are 30-40 yds short of the green (Not a good start).

My partner pulled his tee shot, when we got to his ball he asked me how far did I think he had to go. I guessed at 55yds so out comes the rangefinder again and it was 35 yds (Q. How bad are my eyes?) I then paced it out at 51 yds (A. Maybe not so bad after all). On another couple of occasions I would have said it was spot on, but we have some ditches about 100yds from the green and you can't see any of them, one of them you can see the bridge so no problems there but the lay up tee shot at the other two is a guess with the rangefinder. I can also see a problem when cutting the corner at a dogleg.

All in all I won't be changing away from my Skycaddie in a hurry. I can see uses for rangefinders but not at my course and not for me. How would you measure to a lay up point on a feature less long flat par 5?

Shark

 

[Tiger]

Hi Shark, interesting points. I think the thing for me is that I think I will be using my DMD of choice more for short game practice and short shots. I'm keen to adopt the Pelz 3x4 approach you see and need to know accurate distances. What you've said has probably more angled me toward the Bushnell.

The other problem I've got is budget. Bushnell is £220 all in. I've still got club membership to buy and my bag is 3 clubs light. Add that to lessons, range balls, and playing balls I've got to box clever with the finances.

Appreciate your comments thanks for taking the time to post.

Tiger

 

[Faldo_Fan]

V2 Tour for me. It has never let me down. I know all my yardages with each club pretty well and it's always right on the money!
I sometimes get to play with a senior tour pro and he knows his yardages to the yard, a couple of times he's done a quick calc using hs yardage book and pin sheet and we've had a 15 yd difference of opinion, i've begged him to trust the Bushnell and it's come up trumps!

 

[Faldo_Fan]

Er the fog thing is correct......they don't work if you can't see the pin or whatever your trying to find the distance to!!!

 

[Tiger]

Bushnell V2 it is and no playing in the fog then. Thanks everyone

 

[beck9965]

i have the v2 bushnell and its a quality piece of kit

Same here it's very accurate, quick and easy to use, It's small so fits in the hand nicely and there's no subscription but you do need to know your club distances to get the full benefit.