What the extra money buys in a rangefinder

The quick answer

Paying more buys a longer stated range, a published water rating and a different display. It does not buy a yardage you can show is more accurate: none of the three makers publishes an accuracy figure you can compare. All three list the same magnification and a slope mode you can switch off for competition.

If you mainly want a reliable number to the flag, the cheapest of the three is not shown to be worse at that. If you play in wet weather or want the top display, the specs give you real reasons to spend more.

Who this is for

Golfers buying a first laser rangefinder, or replacing an old one, who want to know whether a higher price buys anything they will use.

What actually matters

Slope. A slope reading adjusts the distance for an uphill or downhill shot. The Rules of Golf do not allow slope readings in a round, but a device that has slope can still be used with that function switched off, so a clear way to turn it off matters if you play in events.

Maximum range. This is the longest distance the maker says the device can measure. None of these three pages says whether its figure is to a flag or to a reflective target, so treat it as an upper limit, not the distance it will lock onto a flagstick.

Water rating. IP ratings are a standard scale. An X in place of the first digit means dust was not rated. IPX4 means protection against splashing water, IPX6 against powerful jets of water, and IP65 means dust-tight and protected against water jets. “Water resistant” without a rating tells you less.

Battery. A replaceable battery means carrying a spare. A rechargeable one means remembering to charge it.

Display. Judge it by looking through the device, in bright sun and in low light if you can.

Lock-on speed and feel in the hand. These are what most golfers notice first, and no spec sheet covers them. Try the unit before you buy if you can.

Stabilization. Some rangefinders steady the image to make it easier to hold on a distant flag. None of these three makers mentions it.

The three

• 

  Shot Scope

  PRO L2

  Shot 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

  Evidence: Research-based · . Shot Scope

  See at Shot Scope: Shot Scope PRO L2⁠

• 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

  Evidence: Research-based · . Blue Tees Golf

  See at Blue Tees Golf: Blue Tees Captain Air⁠
• 

  Bushnell Golf

  Tour V7 Shift

  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

  Evidence: Research-based · . Bushnell Golf

  See at Bushnell Golf: Bushnell Golf Tour V7 Shift⁠

Side by side

What each step up adds

The first step buys more stated range, a published water rating and a rechargeable battery. The Shot Scope page does not say what kind of display it uses.

The second step is the bigger one in price. It buys more stated range, a color OLED display and a different water rating. It also goes back from a rechargeable battery to a replaceable one, which some golfers will count as a step down.

New or used

We have no used prices for these models yet. Rangefinders hold their basic function for a long time, but check that the battery compartment and the lens are in good condition, and that the slope switch works if you play in competitions.

Where to go next

• All rangefinders we have researched, with their latest price checks.
• How we research, including what our evidence labels mean.