Which Laser Rangefinder

AmandaJR said:
With a laser can you tell the distance to say carry a hazard such as a ditch? We have them running through some holes on the course and the lay-up or carry distance is very useful information and not sure if that can be identified with a laser? Don't want to be too burdened with gadgetry but could see myself using the laser on 2-3 greens each round at our place. As I aim to improve and reduce my handicap those distances become more important to know as I get more proficient at consistently hitting them...

Thoughts?
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I think if you could borrow a laser you would probably go and buy one, they are great and v quick.

As long as what you are sacanning has a bit of an edge on it you can get a yardage, so I often scan bunkers on the front of the greens with tight pins and the pin as well so you might have say 140 to the far edge of the bunker then 155 to the pin, so it looks tight but you probably have a club margin for error so club selection canbe much more accurate ie carry the bunker plus 5-10 yards.

i know ChrisD has both so he can probably give you a more unbiased view....

I luckily am getting mine(Bushnell Tour V2) replaced via insurance, should get it next week :whoo:
 
picked up a bushnell medalist about a year ago on ebay for £80, just immense, i actually prefer this to the v2, find i can use 2 hands on windy days. whatever u get im sure will become invaluable.
 
Cheers guys - gotta love this place :thup:

Have to say the Hillman is tempting at the price for sure. We can trial a laser at the course (pricey one I think!) so will try it on Sunday I think and see if these shaky hands can use it !
 
murphthemog said:
That and the hidden lakes, like at camberley.
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At least someone in your group did tell you about it :D

Interestingly, someone I know who plays off 4 only ever uses a GPS and then only to get the distance to the back of the green. Their logic is "How often do you hit the ball perfectly?" If you take the club that when hit perfectly gives you that distance, then 80-90% of your shots will end up in the middle of the green. I guess this only works when you do not have football pitch sized greens.
 
My brother has a Hillman, I tried it and it wasn't working, also didn't like the look of the build quality. It is a couple of years old mind. I've got the Nikon 350g and swear by it, best investment ever. I have GPS on my phone too but have stopped using it since I got the rangefinder. The only time I now use the gps is if I'm playing a course I don't know, or as a scorecard if I forget a paper one.
 
need_my_wedge said:
My brother has a Hillman, I tried it and it wasn't working, also didn't like the look of the build quality. It is a couple of years old mind.QUOTE]

I havent seen or used the Hillman but I kind of expected that build quality to be the main difference between it and the Bushnell/Nokia options.

What appeals to me with lasers as well is, assuming you dont lose it, it should theoretically last a long time so whilst £200-£220 is a big investment if it lasts 8-10 years before maybe the laser starts to lose accuracy and needs replacing, that is a pretty good deal.

My concern (knowing me) with the skycaddie/GPS type systems is that i would always be chasing the next upgrade, us techies will want the latest version, i reckon they will have a 3D one out soo!! It would be an upgrade for me every 2 years !
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Bushnell v2 for me i bought mine brand new from my club pro £200 6 months ago think they come in 4 colours blue grey pink and white i own the white.Very Easy to use
 
So, took the trial laser on the course today - it's a Nikon something or other and I think £250.

There is no doubt on 2 holes I hit a great approach aided by knowing exactly where the pin was. Downside was though that I'm rubbish at using it. I really struggle to hold it steady and then some weird thing happens and it's as if I've put my thumb or part of it in front of the lens as it goes grey/blurred image. I think I'm holding it wonky but seemed to do that most times!

Is it just me or would it improve with regular use? My right eye was always watering by the time I got a confirmed reading and that's not conducive to a good shot :confused:
 
AmandaJR said:
So, took the trial laser on the course today - it's a Nikon something or other and I think £250.

There is no doubt on 2 holes I hit a great approach aided by knowing exactly where the pin was. Downside was though that I'm rubbish at using it. I really struggle to hold it steady and then some weird thing happens and it's as if I've put my thumb or part of it in front of the lens as it goes grey/blurred image. I think I'm holding it wonky but seemed to do that most times!

Is it just me or would it improve with regular use? My right eye was always watering by the time I got a confirmed reading and that's not conducive to a good shot :confused:
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Ive not used the Nokia but the Bushnell has 'pinseeker'. So you hold down a button and scan over the flag and when it picks it up a small logo of a flag appears so you know you have locked in.

I find that quite easy and I by no means have an ultra steady hand but as its supposed to be moving slightly it helps not trying to hold it dead still.

how far out were you?
 
Scottjd1 said:
Ive not used the Nokia but the Bushnell has 'pinseeker'. So you hold down a button and scan over the flag and when it picks it up a small logo of a flag appears so you know you have locked in.

I find that quite easy and I by no means have an ultra steady hand but as its supposed to be moving slightly it helps not trying to hold it dead still.

how far out were you?
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Ahh now I wondered if there was a scan mode but no instructions so a bit suck it and see! Even at 100yds it seemed a struggle to properly lock on to a distance so I often went when it was still flashing but only fluctuating a yard or two.

I have read the reviews of the Hillman which is more in my price range and think that had a scan mode. I'm not bothered about locating a pin at more than 150yds as centre of the green will do if I'm more than that away.
 
AmandaJR said:
Ahh now I wondered if there was a scan mode but no instructions so a bit suck it and see! Even at 100yds it seemed a struggle to properly lock on to a distance so I often went when it was still flashing but only fluctuating a yard or two.

I have read the reviews of the Hillman which is more in my price range and think that had a scan mode. I'm not bothered about locating a pin at more than 150yds as centre of the green will do if I'm more than that away.
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Yeah to be honest you will use it more as you can work out layups and hazards quite quick, I often find myself zapping front and back of bunkers and then the pin then say take off 100 to choose a lay up club, in scan mode it would take maybe 10 secs. I'm pretty sure the Nokia would do the same.

Also its good to use to measure club distances, I often laser the tee when i get to my drives, its really tough to get a fix when you are 375 yards out 99.9% of the time (and in the middle of the fairway)......:whistle::whistle::whistle:
 
Scottjd1 said:
Also its good to use to measure club distances, I often laser the tee when i get to my drives, its really tough to get a fix when you are 375 yards out 99.9% of the time (and in the middle of the fairway)......:whistle::whistle::whistle:
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It's not hard Scott - just add up the 3 measurements that you have taken for the 3 shots and ..... voila!
 
Scottjd1 said:
Also its good to use to measure club distances, I often laser the tee when i get to my drives, its really tough to get a fix when you are 375 yards out 99.9% of the time (and in the middle of the fairway)......:whistle::whistle::whistle:
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You plonker, I've just spat tea all over the misses ipad:rofl::rofl::rofl:
 
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