Equipment
Nikon’s new Coolshot rangefinders compensate for shaky hands
Keeping a steady hand is often easier said than done when using a laser rangefinder to figure out the distance to the flagstick. To make matters worse, a shaky hand can cause golfers to get the yardage to the trees behind the green instead of the pin.
Getting the wrong yardage kind of defeats the purpose, doesn’t it?
Nikon’s new Coolshot 80 VR and 80i VR rangefinders may just have the answer with its new Vibration Reduction (VR) technology that’s made “to compensate for the human body’s physical inability to be completely still,” according to the company.
The vibration reduction built into the Nikon Coolshots works by keeping the target on the rangefinder view steady, even if the body of the rangefinder is moving or vibrating inadvertently. That means the user will have an easier time keeping the image steady, and obtaining the correct yardage.
The VR function is not a setting, but rather built into the laser system. After holding down the “ranging button,” users can continuously scan for up to 8 seconds, and Nikon’s “Hyper Read” system provides measurements within a half of a second, measuring between 8-1000 yards in increments of 0.1 yards.
The Nikon Coolshot rangefinders, which use 6X monocular, also have a “Locked On” setting that can help users determine when they’ve captured the distance to the flagstick, and not to trees behind the green. When the laser is “locked on” the flagstick, a circle will appear in the image, as pictured on the right above.
Nikon’s Coolshot 80/80i VR rangefinders both come with a lightweight body and rubber armor for a better grip and waterproofing. The Coolshot 80i VR, which comes with Incline/Decline technology* that factors elevation changes into shot distance, is now available for $449.95, while the Coolshot 80 VR is available for $399.95.
*Incline/Decline can be disabled for USGA compliance.
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Equipment
Spotted: Tony Finau’s driver shaft change at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
Tony Finau has always been known as one of the longest players on the PGA Tour, but he has recently been working on adding a little more distance. Last year, Finau averaged 118.3 mph club head speed and 178.08 mph ball speed, all while playing a Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX driver shaft. This year, he has increased his club head speed to 123.93 mph and his ball speed to 183.32 mph.
However, Finau’s overall distance has decreased by two yards in that time. From a fitting perspective, something was amiss. We asked Tony about the shaft change at the Texas Children’s Hospital Open.
“[I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin. My driver’s been a little high spin for me over the last month or so, and so I just figured it was time to probably check out the equipment,” Finau said. “And it definitely showed me that I was using a shaft that’s maybe a little too tip-stiff for me, the way I load the club now. [I’m seeing] better numbers with the spin.”
Finau switched from the Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX into the Diamana GT 70 TX. The newer Diamana GT has a slightly different profile than the D+ Limited with the stiffest handle section in the Diamana lineup. The mid sections between the two are similar stiffness but the tip is just slightly stiffer in the Diamana GT. Both shafts are within one gram of each other in the 70 TX. The torque rating on the GT is 0.1 higher than the D+Limited’s 2.7 measurement.
Mitsubishi lists the Diamana GT as a shaft between the mid-launching Diamana TB and the new low-launch Diamana WB shafts. For most players, it would be considered a mid/low launch and low-spin shaft option. Mitsubishi’s Xlink Tech Resin System makes sure the maximum carbon fiber content is there for smooth feel without reducing the strength of the shaft. MR70 carbon fiber is used for reinforcing the shaft and boron is used in the tip for its high strength and compression properties.
Finau is still using his trusty Ping G430 LST driver in 9 degrees and has the adjustable hosel set to -1 degree of loft (standard lie angle). Finau’s long-time favorite Lamkin UTX Green grip is installed. He definitely has a few extra wraps of tape under that grip as you can see the bulge down where the grip meets the shaft.
One final note: Per Ping’s PGA Tour rep Kenton Oates, Finau’s driver is also adjusted to play with an additional degree of loft to help dial in his desired launch.
We’ll see how he fares with the new setup this week in Houston!
- Check out the rest of our pictures from the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open
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Whats in the Bag
Zac Blair WITB 2024 (March)
- Zac Blair what’s in the bag accurate as of the Texas Children’s Houston Open. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist TSR2 (10 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Red 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade M5 Rocket 3 (14 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Speeder 757 Evolution V1 X
Utility: Titleist U510 (3)
Shaft: Aldila Tour Blue 85 X
Irons: Ping i210 (4-6), Miura MB-001 (7-9)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (46-10F, 58-08M @57, 60 @61), Vokey Design WedgeWorks (52-M)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 105 X
Putter: Scotty Cameron prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
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Whats in the Bag
Martin Trainer WITB 2024 (March)
- Martin Trainer what’s in the bag accurate as of the Texas Children’s Houston Open. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Wilson Staff Staff Model (6.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Kai’li Blue 70 TX
3-wood: Wilson Staff WLabs Prototype (13 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Orange 80 TX
Irons: Wilson Staff Staff Model (2, 4-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Wilson Staff Staff Model (52, 56, 60)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Putter: Bobby Grace Greg Chalmers Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
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Mike
Oct 14, 2016 at 2:27 am
These should be banned. Its cheating and everyone who uses one slows the pace of play.
Mat
Oct 16, 2016 at 6:57 am
Wrong. They speed play. If you have a jerk taking too much time, they would be the guy that steps off 35 paces from a sprinkler and waste time without it.
john
Oct 13, 2016 at 12:50 pm
When you’re too stupid to know that 182 is to the trees in the back. Geez.
wkndHacker
Oct 12, 2016 at 4:35 pm
Go get the Precision Pro Model… It has the scanning and is super cheap!
cgasucks
Oct 12, 2016 at 1:49 pm
Bushnell already has that technology for shaky hands years and years ago called Pinseeker Technology…I know, I’ve had my first one with that technology a decade ago…
Mr. Wedge
Oct 12, 2016 at 11:40 am
The new rangefinders with slope readings and all this other crap is too much. Get an older model Bushnell, (2 or 3). They are accurate to within 1 yard, have the quality you’d expect out of a name like Bushnell, and you can get them now for around $200. What more do you really need?
Jonah Mytro
Oct 12, 2016 at 11:18 am
$399 and $449 for a Nikon Rangefinder.. They now have 4 models – 20,40,60,80….Too expensive….flop
D
Oct 13, 2016 at 3:18 am
And yet you’re happy to pay the same price for a new driver every year or two, or for a new Scotty. Duh
Scooter McGavin
Oct 12, 2016 at 9:42 am
Two questions. 1. How does this affect battery life? 2. Does it actually work?
Matt
Oct 12, 2016 at 9:40 am
I have used several of Nikon’s VR lenses and the technology works great for photography. Makes sense that I would work well here too.