Rangefinders 101: An Easy Buyers Guide

In the world of golf gear, rangefinders occupy an interesting space because, by design, they all basically do the same thing, but there are a ton of brands and options to choose from across all kinds of price points. So, with the goal of helping you find the right rangefinder for you at the right price, here is a simple guide to picking the right one for your needs.

Basic Budget

It’s impossible to ignore the elephant in the room that are all of the laser range finders that litter Amazon.

There are a ton of well reviewed options under $100 and if you’re looking to try a rangefinder for the first time just make sure to compare magnifications and features like locking in on a flag stick.

Budget and Brand

I like to think of this as the bread and butter of the rangefinder market for most golfers. Recognized brands and optics, easy to use, lots of features, great value. My top choices in the under $200 category are the Callaway Golf CSi Pro, along with the Nikon CoolShot 20 GII. Both options utilize clear optic systems while the Nikon is rated waterproof (IPx4).

Now, if you're looking for something a little more custom when it comes to personalization, the Pinned Prism + comes in a ton of color options and is priced at $260.

Branded and Added Features

This is where rangefinders start to come in with additional features for added function or ease of use. One of my favorite features is stability control. This makes it easier to look through the lens with all the shakiness that can be found when using higher magnifications.

My top choice for a stabilized rangefinder is the Nikon CoolShot Pro II Stabilized.

Another great addition to this category is the recently released Bushnell A1-Slope. Even with it's extremely compact size it offers 6x magnification, a waterproof rating of IPX6, a locked-on target jolt vibration, and USB-C charging, so you never have to worry about batteries. Plus, it also comes with a protective skin that doubles as a cart magnet.

Fully Loaded

On the higher end spectrum, this category of rangefinders comes equipped with all kinds of features depending on your needs and with that comes a variety of price ranges too.

There are options from FlightScope (The FlightScope i4 Rangefinder) and Bushnell that come with launch monitor and app integrations that help recommend clubs.

Ai slope and distance measuring from Mileseey and their GenePro S1, or Bushnell and their Pro X3+ Link, and even built in GPS and green slope from Voice Caddie SL3 Hybrid GPS Pocket Laser Rangefinder. Another feature-packed option is the Vortex Anarch. It comes with image stabilization, a cart magnet, x6 magnification, and a lifetime warranty.