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Every golfer knows them and loves them: Rangefinders. There are days when it feels like a hole feels impossible to conquer, but then a rangefinder can put it into perspective, allowing you to make educated decisions.
Rangefinders measure the distance between the device and a target on the golf course. In doing so, they help golfers accurately determine the distance to objects such as the flagstick, hazards, or other landmarks on the course. This information is crucial for golfers to make more informed decisions about club selection and shot strategy.
Finding the best rangefinder on the market requires looking at minuscule details that can set it apart from other devices. Key factors include price point, technology features, accuracy, ease of use, and aesthetics. Whether you’re a novice or a pro golfer, there are plenty of rangefinders on the market to choose from — but which one will fit your needs? I compared the best rangefinders on the market — Pinned Golf, Bushnell Golf, BlueTees, and Precision Pro — but only one checked all the boxes.
Price Point?
There is no denying that golfing is an expensive sport from the set of clubs to the daily course fees, so when looking for a product to improve your game, you want to look for the most cost-effective option.
The Bushnell Golf Tour V6 Shift rangefinder comes in at a whopping $399.99. To purchase accident protection, it can be up to $109 more for three years. This is incredibly overpriced considering other rangefinders on the market offer the same features and benefits at a much better price point.
The second most expensive rangefinder is the Precision Pro NX10 at $299.99. This price point comes with free battery replacements and a three-year warranty. Though it has a longer warranty and additional benefits than the Bushnell Golf Tour V6 Shift, it is still overpriced when compared to the BlueTees Series 3 Max. BlueTees Series 3 Max is listed at $269.98, coming with only a two-year warranty.
However, the most cost-effective option is the Pinned Golf Prism+.The Prism+ also comes with a two-year warranty and a rechargeable battery. While the others require CR2 batteries, the rechargeable aspect of Prism+ allows you to save money in the long run.
Technology?
What sets rangefinders apart from others are innovative features. When comparing each, I was looking for how their technology stacks up with traditional rangefinders and price points. I was also looking for slope technology, the ability to accurately determine how much the terrain adds or takes away from the distance in front of you, and technology that enhances accuracy. As well as if the technology is necessary for the rangefinder’s performance.
Firstly, I found the Precision Pro to be non-innovative. It includes the typical slope technology, but that is the extent of its technical features. For its price point, it should offer technology beyond the typical slope technology to enhance your game.
The Bushnell Golf rangefinder incorporates slope technology and also adds a red ring feature when the rangefinder has locked in on the flag. Though the Bushnell Golf rangefinder offers innovative technology, it is still not enough to justify the expensive price point.
Though innovative technology is a key asset in finding a rangefinder, the performance might be hindered if there is too much technology to grapple with. The BlueTees rangefinder is highly tech-focused, which might detract from the objective at hand: accurately hitting a shot. It offers slope technology, pulse vibration, active tracking, and flag lock. Yes, all of these features are helpful, but they can become distracting when you are simply trying to measure the distances to help you choose which club to select. You have to weigh out what you value in a product: simplicity/ease of use or tech-driven?
The Pinned Golf Rangefinder offers innovative slope technology along with vibration technology, granting the golfer keen insight into which club to use. Additionally, it features a rechargeable battery that just requires a C-port USB (fast-charging) and can last up to 70 rounds. The technology of Pinned Golf makes it an efficient, resourceful, and long-lasting rangefinder.
Accuracy/Quality?
Rangefinders are beneficial to a golfer’s game because they can measure the distance between the device and a target on the golf course. However, this falls flat if the measurements aren’t accurate.
The Bushnell rangefinder gets you within 1 yard of the pin and ranges 500+ yards to a flag, using 6x magnification. However, there are no features in place to enhance the quality of the visuals — it is an old-fashioned device. The Precision Pro offers the same accuracy and magnification, but with a clearer display.
The BlueeTees rangefinder ranges up to 900 yards, with a 7x magnification. It offers an auto ambient display so the visuals adjust to the lighting conditions. However, the site suggests there is a margin of error of +/- 0.1% accuracy. I found the BlueTees and Precision Pro to be lower quality. Though they offer similar yardage and clarity features, they don’t feel durable and you want your rangefinders to last you awhile since they are an investment piece to your golf game.
The Pinned Golf rangefinder, however, takes the cake. It too can get up to 1-yard accuracy, but it also can give distances to the decimal. In golf, every decimal matters. It has a clear visual display with a high-quality build that proves to be long-lasting. Pinned Golf utilizes a 7x magnification to ensure you’re measuring your intended target.
Ease of use
Rangefinders are an efficient device for golfers because they are accessible and only require one hand to operate. However, this can become complicated if a rangefinder is not simplistic.
All of the rangefinders I compared feature a slope switch to turn off slope technology for tournament-regulated play. They also allow you to change between yards and meters measurements. However, I found the Pinned Golf to be the easiest to do because all you have to do is click the “Y/M” button, whereas the others require you to take extra steps, adding time to your golf round.
Pinned Golf was also the easiest to operate when it came to capturing the target. The other devices featured separate buttons for powering on and capturing the target, but Pinned Golf has both in one. To use, all you have to do is press the “target” button to power on and then press it again once you have your intended target in frame. It will then capture the distance and measurements. The reality is you don’t want to be fumbling around with buttons when it comes time to measure golf distances quickly.
Aesthetic
OK, aesthetics might not be a dealbreaker when buying a rangefinder, but the saying is true: you do good when you feel good. An aesthetically pleasing rangefinder might do the trick.
Bushnell Golf only features one design that features gray, white, and orange colors. It’s not exactly an easy-on-the-eye rangefinder. BlueTees takes on a more retro, simplistic design that comes in four colors: Navy, black, white, and rose. Precision Pro offers an interchangeable design where you can exchange the slide plate. The patterns have variety, but for their solid colors, they only have five options: gray, green, yellow, purple, and red.
Pinned Golf offers the largest selection of nine colors to fit your aesthetic: Navy, red, black, white, Carolina blue, green, neon, sand, and pink. As well as two patterned options. It’s a sleek, simplistic design with something for everyone.
Final Verdict?
Though rangefinders can be very similar, it all comes down to the needs of the golfer when purchasing one. There was only one rangefinder that I felt hit all the key elements: Pinned Golf. Bushnell Golf offers the accuracy I am looking for, but I feel it decreases in quality due to the lack of features for adjusting clarity and its nonaesthetic appearance. Additionally, it is way overpriced. Precision Pro offers an interchangeable design but fails to offer innovative features that set it apart. Both Precision Pro and BlueTees felt low quality. BlueTees has a wide range of technological features to address golfing concerns. However, I felt overwhelmed by these features and they didn’t allow for easy accessibility when needed.
Pinned Golf is on the lower end of prices and still has the most appealing features. The most important of these features is the fact that it provides distances to the decimal. This is a game-changer when it comes to golfing because every decimal matters. The Pinned Golf Prism+ is long-lasting, durable, and efficient.
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