Golf Gadgets - Rangefinder/Techie recommendations?

[Hulatime]

Hi Golf Addicts! Am new to the sport and am smitten... so much so, I find myself shopping for golf-related items instead of watch stuff (for now)!

1. Am pretty certain I want to buy a Leupold GX-4i2 Rangefinder (mostly due to xlnt customer service reviews & the features) but is there another I should seriously consider?

2. Anyone use Ernest ES14 Golf Launch Monitor? Looks like it has could be fun/informative to use while I'm hitting balls. Anyone have experience with this or other similar device?

Thanks very much. If there's anything else I should look into, please advise. I did order a product from Arccos Golf. A set of sensors that go on each club & transmit info via bluetooth to an iPhone. It tracks a round of golf & gives immediate feedback for each club. Pretty cool but I'd like to use the rangefinder to see how accurate it is.

Anyway, great sport... lots of fun and super addicting. Thanks all.

[SUBversive]

I want to just tie my ball to a string for easier retrieval out of the woods ...

[RHIII]

Originally Posted by SUBversive

I want to just tie my ball to a string for easier retrieval out of the woods ...

I like it...

[RHIII]

No experience with launch monitors here - unless doing a fitting...I tend to gravitate to Bushnell rangefinders for golf (I think mine is a Pro 1600 or 1700)...for hunting - Swarovski optics hands down. Leupold makes great ones as well and I have used several of my friends Leupold rangefinders. I personally don't see much difference between theirs and mine other than the size and shape...it does everything I need it to. I think (and have been told by the golf pros at my club) just buy the one you like the feel and look of - and when I have compared the optical specs they are all similar. And they will all really only last you probably 3-4 years maybe if you use it 2-3 times a week like I do. This probably doesn't help at all...but maybe some perspective! Lol good luck! I concentrate more on my Cameron collection!!!

[selpo]

IMHO, I would recommend a GPS rangefinder, I have a sky caddie and can download info on almost any cousre I play, whether in Texas or Wisconsin, can download info on most courses and also can find info on intermediate targets. There is a yearly subscription fee but I prefer it to a rangefinder

[swils8610]

I have a sky caddie gps. Works great. Not a fan of a range finder. The gps is easier for me. Just glance down and see the yardage.

[jmiicustomz]

I deal with range finders all the time ( I do 500-1200yd shooting) I can say that the Leopold is a touch more accurate than Simmons/Bushnell and that warranty and customer service are 10+ times better at Leopold.

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[T. Ferguson]

I too prefer a rangefinder over GPS. I have a Leupold and it's a great unit. Very accurate, easy to acquire the target and hold steady to get a reading. Always seems to give a reading even on flat ground where I found Bushnells sometimes failing. The carrying case on mine also has a nice little pocket for spare batteries in case the primary batteries go dead during a round.

[Callummcs]

My advice would be don't bother buying a rangefinder. I use an app called SkyDroid (costs a about £2 in the App Store) and it is sensational. You just download the course and it gives you the yardage to the front and middle of the green and to the pin.

Works perfectly well and I have used it on alot of different courses.

Worth trying before sinking hundreds of pounds/dollars into a rangefinder.

[Fox red lab]

I got a garmin gps watch last year for Xmas and it's great. Don't know how I golfed without one. Highly recommended.

[mjclark32]

Garmin watch gps for walking and bushnell range finder for more accurate distances

[lhanddds]

Originally Posted by Fox red lab

I got a garmin gps watch last year for Xmas and it's great. Don't know how I golfed without one. Highly recommended.

X2 on this, too many times the group in front has the pin on the ground and you cannot get an accurate reading. The courses are already in the watch, simple.

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by lhanddds

X2 on this, too many times the group in front has the pin on the ground and you cannot get an accurate reading. The courses are already in the watch, simple.

But you can't hit until they put the flag back in and clear the green anyway and you can always just get a reading off one of the guys standing around the hole. With the Leupolds you don't even need the flag, simply aim it at flat ground and it will give you the yardage.

Both systems have positive and negatives. Obviously a rangefinder will give you a more accurate yardage to the hole than GPS. Also, you can get the yardage to virtually any and everything whereas the GPS unit only gives you readings to obvious targets or hazards. This advantage comes in handy quite a bit. The other benefit to the rangefinder is that it is also useful during practice sessions on the range. A GPS unit on the other hand, especially the watch when you're walking and carrying you own clubs, is more convenient as all you have to do is read it.

Get both and you're covered.

[lhanddds]

Originally Posted by T. Ferguson

But you can't hit until they put the flag back in and clear the green anyway and you can always just get a reading off one of the guys standing around the hole. With the Leupolds you don't even need the flag, simply aim it at flat ground and it will give you the yardage.

Both systems have positive and negatives. Obviously a rangefinder will give you a more accurate yardage to the hole than GPS. Also, you can get the yardage to virtually any and everything whereas the GPS unit only gives you readings to obvious targets or hazards. This advantage comes in handy quite a bit. The other benefit to the rangefinder is that it is also useful during practice sessions on the range. A GPS unit on the other hand, especially the watch when you're walking and carrying you own clubs, is more convenient as all you have to do is read it.

Get both and you're covered.

So you're the guy that's slowing the round down measuring everything and looking through binoculars. I don't have to get anything out of the cart. Golfers have their clubs ready to hit before the pin goes back in and it does not require a steady hand. Don't forget leaving it in the cart and driving off from a foreign course when you are out of town and not in your regular routine. I'm a 12 handicap at present and I can't imagine needing anything any more accurate. To each his own but I like the simplicity of GPS. And no batteries!

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by lhanddds

So you're the guy that's slowing the round down measuring everything and looking through binoculars. I don't have to get anything out of the cart. Golfers have their clubs ready to hit before the pin goes back in and it does not require a steady hand. Don't forget leaving it in the cart and driving off from a foreign course when you are out of town and not in your regular routine. I'm a 12 handicap at present and I can't imagine needing anything any more accurate. To each his own but I like the simplicity of GPS. And no batteries!

Nope, not a slow player. Not sure what gave you that impression. Are you the guy that is always hitting into the group ahead before they've cleared the green?

Slow play isn't about either system, as I'm sure you know it's about the ignorance of the player. A rangefinder can be a useful tool for speeding up play. For example, by telling you how far out the group in front of you is so you don't continue to wait to hit when they are actually out of range. Both systems can give you a yardage before the green clears. Getting the distance to OB or not just to reach a hazard or but clear it can also keep the pace up by keeping you out of trouble in the first place.

Like I said, there are advantages and disadvantages to both systems. You obviously prefer GPS for the reasons you mentioned. It's all good. Never said my choice was the universally correct one. Just the correct one for me.

[lhanddds]

All in fun, of course. These devices are supposed to speed up play but for many, it's just the opposite. I just love it when some folks have to confirm with others in the group and then proceed to hit it 20 yards off target. Good luck with your game.


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[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by lhanddds

All in fun, of course. These devices are supposed to speed up play but for many, it's just the opposite. I just love it when some folks have to confirm with others in the group and then proceed to hit it 20 yards off target. Good luck with your game.

The topic of slow play would be a whole 'nother thread. Heck, it could even warrant a subforum.

My biggest peeve is the guy that drives to his playing partner's ball, waits there until he picks a club, hits/puts his clubs away/hops back in the cart rather than dropping the first guy off and immediately proceeding to his own ball to get ready to play when it's his turn.

[Hulatime]

Thanks for your thoughts. I ended up ordering the Leupold today. Almost went with a less expensive LaserLink that my club carries, but I liked the bright, larger display of the Leupold.

The Arccos sensors are pretty cool & the app is GPS based (front, center, back) so now I can see how accurate that is. I intend to use the Leupold at the range to figure out how far I'm hitting my clubs.

Such a fun sport & thanks again for your advice. (I like the idea of a GPS watch, but my wrists are smaller & wearing a watch bothers me when I hit.)