How Do Golf Rangefinders Work?

Golf rangefinders work by emitting a laser and then measuring the time it takes for the laser to reflect back to the device. This time is then used to calculate the distance between the device and the target. Some models incorporate slope into the calculation and can give you a slope adjusted yardage. For example adding yards on an uphill shot and subtracting on a downhill shot to improve your accuracy.

What is the Difference Between Laser Rangefinders and GPS Rangefinders?

The two main types of rangefinders are laser and GPS. Laser rangefinders work by emitting a laser beam and measuring the time it takes for the beam to return to the device. This calculation is used to determine the distance between the device and the object. GPS rangefinders work by using satellites to calculate the distance between the device and the object. Both types of rangefinders have their pros and cons, but ultimately it comes down to personal preference.

Get the Best Golf Rangefinder for Your Game

If you're looking for the best golf rangefinder, you're in luck. There are some very affordable state-of-the-art golf rangefinders available on the market today. If you're a golfer, you know that a high-quality golf rangefinder can make an enormous difference in picking the right club. It's just as important as the clubs you choose, the ball you hit, or the golf course you play.

You can make the right choice with a little research - we're here to help you with a rundown of the best-rated golf range finders. The list below includes a wide array of rangefinders, from top-of-the-line to a wide array of budget rangefinders.

Top 10 Golf Rangefinders

1. Bushnell Pro XE **Best Overall**
2. Bushnell V5
3. Nikon Coolshot Pro
4. Precision Pro NX10
5. Cobalt Q6 Slope
6. Tectectec Klyr
7. Blue Tees Series 3 Max
8. Precision Pro Nx7 **Best Budget Golf Rangefinder**
9. Garmin Approach Z82
10. Precision Pro R1

1. Best Overall Golf Rangefinder – Bushnell Pro XE

The Bushnell Pro XE is my top pick for the best overall golf rangefinder. My tests have shown it is incredibly accurate and has a number of features that make it perfect for high and low handicappers alike. It has the best combination of capabilities that you can find on the market today, and it is from one of the top manufacturers of optics and launch monitors on the market.

My Opinion After Using Bushnell Pro XE

Bushnell's Slope-Switch toggle lets me easily switch the Pro XE in and out of Slope mode. That means the Pro XE is legal during tournament play when Slope is disabled. While testing the products, I’ve discovered finding pins is even easier as a pulsing red ring now compliments JOLT vibration to reinforce I have locked onto the flag.

The Bushnell Golf App provides additional value as I can find useful information like hole layouts with distance, 3D flyovers with distance, and wireless course updates. It comes with a two-year warranty. It has the ability to read slope, temperature, wind, and barometric pressure. It has a range of up to 1,300 yards.

Common Problems

I was a bit disappointed about the fact that although some of the newer rangefinders use a USB charging port, the Pro XE requires a three-volt lithium (CR-2) battery.

Pros

Cons

Best rangefinder of 2023
Fully waterproof, rugged housing
Magnetic golf cart attachment
7x magnification
Exceptional optics and visual clarity
Quickly acquires and locks onto target with Jolt technology
Adjusts for climate and temperature
Slope toggles on and off easily
Two-year warranty

Not rechargeable if that is important to you
A bit on the pricey side

Final Verdict

No more magnetic case add-ons are required as it has an integrated magnetic mount that makes attaching the Pro XE right on a cart bar easy. High-quality optics deliver superior clarity and resolution, complemented with 7x magnification to allow quick and easy focus on your target.

The Pro XE comes with rubber-armored metal housing and is IPX7 fully waterproof. That means it can be submerged up to 1 meter in water for 30 minutes - taking the Pro XE way beyond being merely water resistant, which I really appreciate!

My rating: 5/5

2. Bushnell Tour V5

While using this product, I noticed the Bushnell Tour V5 laser rangefinder construction was compact and easy to fit into the palm of my hand. In addition to a number of improved capabilities over prior models, the Tour V5 is even lighter and smaller than the V4, which was 30% smaller than the V3. This makes it easier to grip, aim, and point my device to get your reading.

My Opinion After Using Bushnell Tour V5

It comes with Jolt technology which lets me know when the rangefinder has locked onto the pin and has read the distance. Jolt technology makes it easier to know when I have an accurate distance. The V5 has 6x magnification, making it easier to pick out the pin from a distance and to see other features I might miss. I also like the fact it comes with magnetic bite technology that lets me easily attach it to the cart.

While this model does not come with compensation for temperature, wind, and barometric pressure, it can adjust for slope.

Common Problems

The Tour V5 requires a three-volt lithium (CR-2) battery. I would also love to see this rangefinder upgraded to a waterproof model.

Pros

Cons

A lot of features for the price
Magnetic golf cart attachment
Quickly acquires and locks onto target with Jolt technology
Range of 1300 yards
Slope toggles on and off easily
Compact design
Two-year warranty

Does not adjust for climate and temperature
Not waterproof
Not rechargeable (you must replace the CR-2 battery)

Final Verdict

The rangefinder comes with the Bushnell Golf App that provides additional functionality as I can find useful information like hole layouts with distance, 3D flyovers with distance, and wireless course updates. It comes with a two-year warranty.

It has a range of up to 1,300 yards (almost twice that of the blue tees rangefinder). This model is on my list of the best golf rangefinders as it is a great option with many features at a reasonable price.

My rating: 5/5

3. Nikon COOLSHOT PROII Stabilized

The COOLSHOT PROII is Nikon's flagship golf rangefinder, and it is packed with advanced technologies. It is waterproof, fog-proof, and competition compliant.

My Opinion After Using Nikon COOLSHOT PROII Stabilize

It’s easier to find your target, and it’s easier to lock onto it. The Nikon golf rangefinder has a slope adjustment they call ID (incline/decline) that you can toggle on and off during tournament play. It also boasts near-instant measurements and a bright OLED display. The Nikon has 6x magnification and dual indicators that you've locked onto the pin with an echo vibration and a visual queue.

Common Problems

As with previous rangefinders, this one is not rechargeable and doesn’t adjust for climate and temperature.

Pros

Cons

Continuous measurement mode
Five-year warranty
Water-proof and fog-proof
Slope toggles on and off easily
Compact design
6x magnification
Stabilization (vibration reduction)
1,200 yard-range

Does not adjust for climate and temperature
Not rechargeable (you must replace the golf rangefinder battery)
Does not have a magnetic cart attachment

Final Verdict

The most innovative feature of the Nikon Coolshot that I use a lot is continuous measurement. Press and hold the power button for continuous measurement mode to see distances in real time as you survey your surroundings for up to 8 seconds.

This can let me know the exact distance of trees, water features, sand traps, front and back of the green as well as other hazards. It also comes with a 5-year warranty on new products.

My rating: 5/5

4. Precision Pro NX10

After testing this device, I can say the NX10 is an affordable rangefinder that includes the ability to customize the look with different graphics. It has skins that can be applied to the rangefinder in a wide variety of designs

My Opinion After Using Precision Pro NX10

I like the fact that the NX10 comes with an extra-strong magnetic cart grip that allows you to store it on the golf cart bar. Moreover, the NX10 includes several important features that include: Adaptive Slope Technology, Tournament Legal Slope on/off Switch, Magnetic Cart Grip, Accurate Distances, HD Optics, 999 Yard Range, Pulse Vibration Technology, 6X Magnification, and a 2-Year Warranty.

The customization kits cost $20 for the limited edition sets and $10 for some of the plain colors. It is a durable rangefinder that feels solid in my hands.

Common Problems

Similar to its competitors, Precision Pro NX10 doesn’t recharge or adjust to the climate.

Pros

Cons

Customizable look
Adaptive Slope distance adjustments
Visual Slope on/off Switch
Magnetic Cart Grip
Pulse Vibrations – vibrates when the laser hits the target
999 Yard Range
6X Magnification
Water Resistant
2-Year Warranty

Does not adjust for climate and temperature
Not rechargeable (you must replace the CR-2 battery)

Final Verdict

The optical quality is good, and the distances are precise. In my opinion, the NX10 is a great choice for anyone looking for a quality and affordable rangefinder.

My rating: 5/5

5. Cobalt Q6 Slope

The Q6 comes with a lifetime warranty, premium optics, and fully waterproof (IPX7) aluminum housing on a magnesium chassis. It is built for those looking for the ultimate golf rangefinder.

My Opinion After Using Cobalt Q6 Slope

PinSense and Surge technologies effectively distinguish the pin from background information, automatically filtering out obstructions, eliminating false readings, and providing you with a visual target lock-on. Once the lock and distance have been acquired, Surge gives a haptic response in the form of a vibration. Together, these features provide visible, physical, and audible feedback so I can be confident in my range.

The Q6 comes with a lifetime warranty and premium optics and has fully waterproof (IPX7) aluminum housing on a magnesium chassis.

Featuring the SmartSwitch, the Q-6 Slope easily toggles Slope Mode on and off. SmartSwitch lets me use the precise slope-compensation calculations during normal play and allows me to easily disengage the Slope Mode to conform to USGA regulations during tournament play.

Common Problems

I haven’t discovered any significant disadvantages, apart from the device not being rechargeable but having a more or less short range.

Pros

Cons

Lifetime Warranty
Slope compensation and easy on/off toggle
Pulse Vibrations – vibrates when the laser hits the target
7X Magnification
Fully waterproof, rugged housing

Does not adjust for climate and temperature
Not rechargeable (CR-2 battery)
No magnetic cart attachment
600 Yard Range (more than enough for a shot, but lower than most on the list)

Final Verdict

If you’re looking for a Slope feature that is easy to use - I’d say consider Cobalt Q6. With 7x magnification and pulse vibrations, it’s a competitive device on the market.

My rating: 4.5/5

6. Tectectec Klyr Rangefinder

The Tectectec Klyrion Golf Rangefinder is a high-quality, feature-rich rangefinder that is perfect for golfers of all levels of experience.

My Opinion After Using Tectectec Klyr

This rangefinder is extremely easy to use, and it provides accurate measurements to help me improve my golf game. It also features a scan mode that allows you to quickly measure the distance to multiple targets.

Common Problems

One of the biggest issues I had with this rangefinder is the shorter-than-usual range.

Pros

Cons

30% smaller than the average rangefinder
Belt clip and magnetic cart attachment
A slope that toggles on and off to be tournament-legal
Target lock vibration
Two-year warranty

Does not adjust for climate and temperature
Not rechargeable (you must replace the CR-2 battery)
Shorter range than most competitors
Not waterproof

Final Verdict

I like the fact that Tectectec KLYR is pocket-sized and has a belt clip for convenience. It has slope capability, a ball marker, a case, and a two-year warranty. The KLYR is accurate up to 250 yards.

My rating: 4.5/5

7. Blue Tees Series 3 Max

Probably one of the most stylish rangefinders out there, the Blue Tees Series 3 Max golf rangefinder is one of the best on the market if you ask me. It is able to provide accurate readings up to 1,000 yards, making it perfect for use on a variety of courses.

My Opinion After Using Blue Tees Series 3 Max

The Series 3 Max also features a 6x magnification, making it easy to get an accurate reading no matter where you are on the course. Additionally, I’ve noticed the device is able to provide fast readings, so I can get back to my game as quickly as possible.

Its main features include an auto-ambient display, magnetic card attachment, and target-lock vibration, among others.

All this for an affordable price makes the Blue Tees a rangefinder worth consideration in my opinion.