The quick answer
If you play in competitions, choose a rangefinder whose maker says plainly that slope can be switched off. Then check each event’s rules, because a rangefinder that meets the Rules of Golf is not automatically allowed in every event.
Of the ten laser rangefinders here, seven have makers who describe a slope switch or say slope can be switched off. Two name a “tournament mode” without saying that it turns slope off. One maker does not say whether slope can be turned off at all.
Who this is for
Golfers who play in club competitions, leagues or other events and want a rangefinder they can use in them, and golfers who like slope for casual rounds but need to be able to turn it off.
What the rules say
A slope mode adjusts the distance for an uphill or downhill shot. The Rules of Golf do not allow those elevation-adjusted distances in a round. A device that has slope can still be used, as long as the slope function is switched off.
Separately, the committee running a competition can ban distance-measuring devices entirely by Local Rule. If you are unsure whether your rangefinder is allowed in a particular event, ask the committee before you play.
What actually matters
How slope is turned off. Makers describe this in different ways: a physical switch, a setting, or a named “tournament mode”. A switch on the outside of the device generally makes it easy for you, and anyone you play with, to see which mode it is in.
Whether the maker says what tournament mode does. “Tournament mode” sounds as if it switches slope off, but a name is not a description. Garmin and Voice Caddie each name a tournament mode without saying that it turns the elevation adjustment off. Until a maker says so, check the manual or ask the maker.
Anything else the reading adjusts for. Some slope modes take more than elevation into account. Bushnell, for example, lists a Slope with Elements mode on the Pro X3+LINK that adds temperature and altitude. If a device adjusts its reading for anything other than straight-line distance, check that the setting you use in competition turns all of it off.
Everything you would want anyway. Range to the flag, display, water rating and battery matter just as much for a rangefinder you use in events. What the extra money buys in a rangefinder covers those.
What each maker says
A slope switch, or slope that can be switched off:
- Arccos Smart Laser. Arccos lists a slope switch, and says its Tournament Mode is “a conforming mode that disables slope and environmental adjustments.”
- Blue Tees Captain Air. Blue Tees lists an external slope switch.
- Blue Tees Captain Pro. Blue Tees lists a slope switch and says the Captain Pro is tournament compliant with slope turned off.
- Bushnell Pro X3+LINK. Bushnell lists a Locking Slope-Switch.
- Bushnell Tour V7 Shift. Bushnell lists a slope switch, and says the Tour V7 Shift has “Slope-Switch Technology.”
- Precision Pro NX10 Slope. Precision Pro lists a slope switch and says it turns slope off for tournament play.
- Shot Scope PRO L2. Shot Scope describes adaptive slope that can be switched off.
A tournament mode, without saying it turns slope off:
- Garmin Approach Z10. Garmin lists its PlaysLike Distance feature, which adjusts the yardage for elevation change. Garmin also lists a tournament mode, and says an external indicator light shows when you are in tournament mode and “tournament legal”. Garmin does not say that tournament mode turns that feature off.
- Voice Caddie Laser FIT. Voice Caddie lists “Slope Integration with Tournament Mode”. The page does not say that tournament mode turns slope off.
Not stated:
- Nikon COOLSHOT 20i GIII. Nikon describes integrated slope technology and a Golf Mode that compensates for uphill and downhill shots. Its page does not say whether slope can be switched off.
Ten laser rangefinders
Arccos
Smart Laser
Arccos says the Smart Laser “delivers precise line-of-sight distance and then factors in slope, wind speed, wind gusts, wind direction, temperature, and humidity.”
- Max range
- 999 yards
- Slope
- Yes
- Water rating
- IP44
$299.99
Blue Tees
Captain Air
Blue Tees calls the Captain Air its “newest, faster model with even more on-course utility.”
- Max range
- 1,000 yards
- Slope
- Yes
- Water rating
- IP65
$199.99
Blue Tees
Captain Pro
Blue Tees says the Captain Pro “goes beyond distance with powerful optics, True Distance™ yardages, and seamless GAME app integration.”
- Max range
- 1,200 yards
- Slope
- Yes
- Water rating
- IP67
$249.99
Bushnell Golf calls the Pro X3+LINK “the most powerful, precise laser rangefinder to date.”
- Max range
- 1,300 yards
- Slope
- Yes
- Water rating
- IPX7
$599.99
Bushnell Golf describes the Tour V7 Shift as having an “all-new Dual Color (red and green) OLED Display with Slope-Switch Technology.”
- Max range
- 1,300 yards
- Slope
- Yes
- Water rating
- IPX6
$399.99
Precision Pro says the NX10 Slope offers “20+ customizable looks” and “still locks the flag from 400 yards.”
- Max range
- 999 yards
- Slope
- Yes
- Water rating
- Not published
$199.99
See at Global Golf: Precision Pro NX10 SlopeAffiliate linkShot Scope describes the PRO L2 as “a compact and stylish rangefinder providing the golfer with fast and accurate distances.”
- Max range
- 700 yards
- Slope
- Yes
- Water rating
- Water resistant
$129.99
Garmin says the Approach Z10 “shows distance to the flag up to 350 yards with quick feedback in less than 1 second.”
- Max range
- 1,200 yards
- Slope
- Yes
- Water rating
- IPX4
$299.99
See at Global Golf: Garmin Approach Z10Affiliate linkVoice Caddie says the Laser FIT is “the most attractive rangefinder, boasting a stylish design and compact size.”
- Max range
- 800 yards
- Slope
- Yes
- Water rating
- Not published
$199.99
See at DICK'S Sporting Goods: Voice Caddie Laser FITAffiliate linkNikon says the COOLSHOT 20i GIII “gives golfers accuracy from any angle.”
- Max range
- 800 yards
- Slope
- Yes
- Water rating
- Rainproof
$239.95
See at DICK'S Sporting Goods: Nikon COOLSHOT 20i GIIIAffiliate link
Seven with a stated way to turn slope off
| Specification | Shot ScopePRO L2 | Blue TeesCaptain Air | ArccosSmart Laser | Blue TeesCaptain Pro | Precision ProNX10 Slope | Bushnell GolfTour V7 Shift | Bushnell GolfPro X3+LINK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price when checked | $129.99 (Shot Scope) | $199.99 (Blue Tees Golf) | $299.99 (2nd Swing Golf) | $249.99 (Blue Tees Golf) | $199.99 (Global Golf) | $399.99 (Bushnell Golf) | $599.99 (2nd Swing Golf) |
| Turning slope off | Can be switched off | External slope switch | Slope switch | Slope switch | Slope switch | Slope switch | Locking Slope-Switch |
| Max range | 700 yards | 1,000 yards | 999 yards | 1,200 yards | 999 yards | 1,300 yards | 1,300 yards |
| Display | Not published | LCD, red/black | OLED | OLED, multi-color | Not published | OLED, red/green | Enhanced Ultra-Bright Backlight Display |
| Water rating | Water resistant | IP65 | IP44 | IP67 | Not published | IPX6 | IPX7 |
| Battery | Replaceable CR2 3V | USB-C rechargeable | 3-Volt Lithium (CR-2) | USB-C rechargeable | CR2 3V Replaceable | 3-Volt Lithium (CR-2) | 3-Volt Lithium (CR-2) |
At our last price checks, the 7 rangefinders with a stated way to turn slope off ranged from about $130 to about $600.
The maximum range is each maker’s own figure. Some makers also give a shorter range to a flag: Precision Pro lists 400 yards to a flag for the NX10 Slope.
Three to check before an event
| Specification | GarminApproach Z10 | Voice CaddieLaser FIT | NikonCOOLSHOT 20i GIII |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price when checked | $299.99 (Global Golf) | $199.99 (DICK'S Sporting Goods) | $239.95 (DICK'S Sporting Goods) |
| Slope | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Turning slope off | Tournament mode | Slope Integration with Tournament Mode | Not published |
| Max range | 1,200 yards | 800 yards | 800 yards |
| Display | PDLC, black | Dual Display | Not published |
| Water rating | IPX4 | Not published | Rainproof |
| Battery | Replaceable CR2 | Rechargeable Li-Polymer 500mAh | 1 CR2 Lithium Battery (DC 3V) |
All three list a slope or elevation function. A tournament mode in the turning-slope-off row means the maker has not said what that mode switches off; “Not published” means the maker does not say at all. Neither means slope cannot be turned off. If you already own one of these, check the manual. Garmin lists 350 yards to a flag for the Approach Z10, a shorter figure than its maximum range, and says it gives “quick feedback in less than 1 second.”
Switch or locking switch, from one maker
Step upBushnell Golf Tour V7 Shift to Bushnell Golf Pro X3+LINK$200 more when last checked
| Published spec | Tour V7 Shift | Pro X3+LINK |
|---|---|---|
| Turning slope off | Slope switch | Locking Slope-Switch |
| Magnification | 6× | 7× |
| Display | OLED, red/green | Enhanced Ultra-Bright Backlight Display |
| Water rating | IPX6 | IPX7 |
The same on both: max range (1,300 yards).
Bushnell describes the Tour V7 Shift’s control as a slope switch and the Pro X3+LINK’s as a Locking Slope-Switch. The step also buys more magnification, a different display and a different water rating.
New or used
If you buy a used rangefinder to use in competitions:
- Check the exact model name, and that it is a model whose maker describes a way to turn slope off.
- Check that the slope switch, or the tournament mode, works and stays where you set it, and that any indicator light works.
- Ask for the manual, or download it from the maker, so you can confirm what the competition setting turns off.
- Look at the lens and the battery compartment, and check that a rechargeable battery still holds a charge.
Where to go next
- Rangefinder Finder: tell it whether you play in competitions, and it shows what each maker says about turning slope off.
- All rangefinders we have researched, with their latest price checks.
- What the extra money buys in a rangefinder, for range, display, water rating and battery.
- Bushnell Pro X3+LINK vs Tour V7 Shift, compared on what Bushnell publishes.
- How we research, including what our evidence labels mean.
Sources
- Evidence: Verified
Arccos publishes the Smart Laser range, magnification, slope switch and Tournament Mode, OLED display, IP44 rating, CR-2 battery, subscription terms and price.
- Evidence: Verified
Blue Tees publishes the Captain Air range, magnification, display type, slope switch, IP65 rating, battery and GPS/app features.
- Evidence: Verified
Blue Tees publishes the Captain Pro range, magnification, OLED display, slope switch, IP67 rating, battery and regular price.
- Evidence: Verified
Bushnell Golf publishes the Pro X3+LINK range, magnification, display, locking slope switch, IPX7 rating, power source and price.
- Evidence: Verified
Bushnell Golf publishes the Tour V7 Shift range, magnification, display, slope switch, IPX6 rating, power source and price.
- Evidence: Verified
Precision Pro publishes the NX10 Slope measurement and flag range, magnification, slope switch, battery and selling price.
- Evidence: Verified
Shot Scope publishes the PRO L2 range, magnification, slope, water resistance, battery type and price.
- Evidence: Verified
Garmin publishes the Approach Z10 range to flag and to reflective targets, magnification, display type, Garmin’s PlaysLike Distance feature, IPX4 rating, battery type and price.
The page also carries data for the Approach Z30 and Z82; only the Approach Z10 section was used.
- Evidence: Verified
Voice Caddie publishes the Laser FIT measuring range, magnification, display, slope integration, battery type and price.
- Evidence: Verified
Nikon publishes the COOLSHOT 20i GIII range, magnification, incline/decline mode, rainproof construction, power source and price.