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Rangefinder Recommendations


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#1 JRock822

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Posted 09 August 2012 - 04:39 PM

Im in the market for a new rangefinder and having done a ton of research I lean torwards either the Bushnell Z6 or the Callaway Razr rangefinder. There are not a ton of reviews for the Razr but all I have found are great. Anyways anyone own either of these? What do you think? And if you think there is a better one out there around $300, then please let me know.  Thanks for your help!

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#2 fonetic

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Posted 09 August 2012 - 05:06 PM

I have heard the Z6 is great (optics, form factor, design).

I currently use the Leupold GX-4 and enjoy it a lot.  The optics are really clean and the aluminum chassis inspires a bit of confidence in your gear.  It comes with two faceplates to turn on/off the slope feature of the unit.

The club selector was a good idea when I first bought the unit, but after using it for sometime, it's a little limiting b/c every shot that requires more loft than a pitching wedge just gets suggested as a pitching wedge.  When it comes to using my rangefinder, I find myself using it more within 150yds,  So, the "PW" suggestion doesn't always fit.  I would hope they release a firmware that allows you to dial in your wedges into the actual unit.

All in all, I really like my GX-4 and would buy it again if given the opportunity.

Good luck with your quest.

#3 avgjoe

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Posted 09 August 2012 - 06:20 PM

gx3i can be had for about 300 or less

#4 Stuart G.

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Posted 09 August 2012 - 07:05 PM

I have the callaway diablo (nikon LR550) probably the same as the razr, and it works great.  I haven't tried any of the other lasers so can't give you a comparison but I would still highly recommend it.

#5 spacecowboy

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Posted 09 August 2012 - 08:27 PM

I have the Bushnell Z6 and can't imagine anything better.  I have tried out a callaway 3 different times.  one worked great, one was nearly impossible to see through the viewfinder, and the third was taken out of the box for me to try in the store, and would not lock onto anything.

I think the best ones out there are the bushnells and the leupold, but I could not get used to the fact that on the leupold you release the button when you are on your target, instead of pushing down on target like the bushnell.  Pushing the button on target just seems more intuitive to me.

the red optics on the Z6 (it's also like that on the leupold gx3) are so much nicer than the black/grey kind.

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#6 JRock822

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Posted 09 August 2012 - 09:46 PM

Thanks for the excellent information. Keep it coming, I still have a lot to consider i guess.
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#7 SteveL1

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Posted 09 August 2012 - 10:19 PM

I'm also in the market for one and have been looking at the Z6 and Leupold GX3. Can't decide as I have only gotten to try either in a store which is very limited. Curious where everyone has found the best prices?
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#8 Guia

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Posted 09 August 2012 - 10:37 PM

The GX4 & 4i cannot be used in a tournament.  I just bought the Leupold GX3i and it is legal.  I paid $314, shipping included.

Edited by Guia, 09 August 2012 - 10:39 PM.


#9 Satang

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Posted 09 August 2012 - 11:36 PM

I've been using Leupold GX2 for the past two years, Great product and very compact.

#10 sompin2do

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Posted 12 August 2012 - 05:06 PM

View PostStuart G., on 09 August 2012 - 07:05 PM, said:

I have the callaway diablo (nikon LR550) probably the same as the razr, and it works great.  I haven't tried any of the other lasers so can't give you a comparison but I would still highly recommend it.

+1.  Highly recommend

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#11 agulfer

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Posted 12 August 2012 - 09:31 PM

Haven't used any of the others but I have the "Nikon RifleHunter 550" and it works great, doubt you'll find another brand/model with the same features/performance for a better price.

The "Nikon RifleHunter 550" has both "first target priority" mode and "distant target priority" mode that you can assign in the setup.  You would use "first target priority" mode for golf so it will lock onto the flag/pin and not the distant objects.  You say it has no "pinseeker mode"....just hold the button to "scan" and move the sight horizontally across the flag.  It locks in the yardage very quickly. I wish it had 8x magnification instead of the 6x but the Bushnell V2 Tour only has 5x.  I can't comment on the battery runtime yet but unlike the V2 Tour  I've read nothing negative in that regards.

I wish I've used other brands/models to give you a direct comparison but I'd purchase the "Nikon RifleHunter 550" again.  I'll post more feedback as I use the unit more.

http://www.nikonhunt...nter_550/_/8367

http://www.amazon.co...r/dp/B007FXYP5G

Edited by agulfer, 12 August 2012 - 09:32 PM.


#12 JRock822

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Posted 12 August 2012 - 11:20 PM

Interesting idea using a hunting rangefinder. Makes sense so Ill look into it a bit.
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#13 LarryN

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Posted 12 August 2012 - 11:31 PM

any of the Leupold GX series rangefinders are excellent.  I have the GX-1 and it's all I need.  I highly recommend it.  By the way, you can usually find one of these on line for $260-280 and a lot less if you want to trust a seller on EBay.

#14 Lesmond

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Posted 13 August 2012 - 02:53 AM

Any good ones for my price range? About $120-$170

#15 Stuart G.

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Posted 13 August 2012 - 03:37 AM

View PostJRock822, on 12 August 2012 - 11:20 PM, said:

Interesting idea using a hunting rangefinder. Makes sense so Ill look into it a bit.

Just pay attention to agulfer's description of the target priority mode.  Most hunting rangefinders (especially lower cost ones) use the "distant target priority" mode only and don't give you the option to change it, making them very difficult to use for golf.


#16 agulfer

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Posted 13 August 2012 - 11:43 PM

View PostStuart G., on 13 August 2012 - 03:37 AM, said:

View PostJRock822, on 12 August 2012 - 11:20 PM, said:

Interesting idea using a hunting rangefinder. Makes sense so Ill look into it a bit.

Just pay attention to agulfer's description of the target priority mode.  Most hunting rangefinders (especially lower cost ones) use the "distant target priority" mode only and don't give you the option to change it, making them very difficult to use for golf.

+1

You definitely do not want a rangefinder if it only has "distant target priority mode" which alot of the hunting models only offer.

Edited by agulfer, 13 August 2012 - 11:46 PM.


#17 ohioguy

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Posted 14 August 2012 - 10:24 AM

I just bought a bushnell scout 1000 from DSG an it is the exact same as the V2. The only difference is instead of pin seeker they call it bullseye mode. I only paid $179 before the $30 mail in rebate.

I highly reccommend checking them out.
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#18 lost&found

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Posted 14 August 2012 - 07:02 PM

View PostJRock822, on 09 August 2012 - 04:39 PM, said:

Im in the market for a new rangefinder and having done a ton of research I lean torwards either the Bushnell Z6 or the Callaway Razr rangefinder. There are not a ton of reviews for the Razr but all I have found are great. Anyways anyone own either of these? What do you think? And if you think there is a better one out there around $300, then please let me know.  Thanks for your help!

I have owned the Z6 since it hit the stores in April.  Couldn't be happier with my purchase.  Took me a few rounds to master the art of aiming a small, handheld rangefinder.  I can now sight and shoot pins in 2-3 seconds.  Very accurate and, so far, very reliable.  You won't be disappointed.

#19 esketores

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Posted 14 August 2012 - 07:05 PM

I've got the Callaway/Nikon unit. Does what it is supposed to do. Love it.
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#20 Lesmond

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Posted 15 August 2012 - 12:04 AM

Is there a particular one that works best for driving ranges?


#21 lost&found

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Posted 15 August 2012 - 03:47 PM

View PostLesmond, on 15 August 2012 - 12:04 AM, said:

Is there a particular one that works best for driving ranges?

Practice?  We talking practice, man.  I mean, practice?

A. Iverson

#22 Dugan408

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Posted 15 August 2012 - 04:46 PM

I just got a leupold gx-1 and I'm very satisfied with it. The GX-1 is going for 249$ at tgw.com
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#23 Lesmond

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Posted 16 August 2012 - 03:14 AM

View Postlost&found, on 15 August 2012 - 03:47 PM, said:

View PostLesmond, on 15 August 2012 - 12:04 AM, said:

Is there a particular one that works best for driving ranges?

Practice?  We talking practice, man.  I mean, practice?

A. Iverson

yes, practice. Need to pinpoint the flags out there and mounds :slow_en:

#24 tyorke1

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Posted 16 August 2012 - 03:34 PM

I have a pro1m and a demo z6, pesonallly I don't like the z6, but the pro 1 m is awesome, worth the extra money,



View PostLesmond, on 16 August 2012 - 03:14 AM, said:

View Postlost&found, on 15 August 2012 - 03:47 PM, said:

View PostLesmond, on 15 August 2012 - 12:04 AM, said:

Is there a particular one that works best for driving ranges?

Practice?  We talking practice, man.  I mean, practice?

A. Iverson

yes, practice. Need to pinpoint the flags out there and mounds :slow_en:

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#25 Lucho8

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Posted 16 August 2012 - 10:25 PM

Bushnell 1600 Slope! On sale brand new (not refurb) for $199 shipped on the bay, great deal!

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#26 JRock822

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Posted 17 August 2012 - 12:28 AM

That is a screaming deal!!! Definitely considering that. Only issue with 1600 is i hear its quite big and bulky. Anyone have one? Does
size/weight bother you?
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#27 Lesmond

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Posted 17 August 2012 - 02:38 AM

View PostLucho8, on 16 August 2012 - 10:25 PM, said:

Bushnell 1600 Slope! On sale brand new (not refurb) for $199 shipped on the bay, great deal!

thanks, i saw it. Might have to scoop it up.

Also, can you can lock on other objects, say like a tree or a bunker. Not just the pin.

Never had a range finder of some sort before :scare2:

Edited by Lesmond, 17 August 2012 - 02:43 AM.


#28 dporto

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Posted 17 August 2012 - 07:10 AM

I have/use a Bushnell V2 (patriot pak) - got it for Christmas. I like it a lot - very accurate and easy to use. My only gripe is that it does eat batteries! I think I've used 2 already this season and am probably half way through my third (at $8 a piece).

#29 Lucho8

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Posted 18 August 2012 - 12:00 AM

View PostJRock822, on 17 August 2012 - 12:28 AM, said:

That is a screaming deal!!! Definitely considering that. Only issue with 1600 is i hear its quite big and bulky. Anyone have one? Does
size/weight bother you?

I actually prefer the 1600 because of the bigger size, for me it is easier to pick up flags. It is not heavy at all and I have mine with the neoprene case. Go compare them, so many great choices out there but the deal on the bay for the 1600 slope is hard to beat.
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#30 Body_Visions

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Posted 19 August 2012 - 04:05 PM

View PostLucho8, on 16 August 2012 - 10:25 PM, said:

Bushnell 1600 Slope! On sale brand new (not refurb) for $199 shipped on the bay, great deal!

Any idea what seller this was?  I saw them for $299, but not $199.





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