Golf is an expensive sport, let's not beat around the bush. For a decent set of clubs, you're looking upwards of $5000. And that is just the set of clubs. Never mind the add-ons that go with it such as shoes, clothing, accessories, green fees, memberships, golf swing analyzers and one item which nowadays is a must have - a rangefinder.
For those who are not familiar with golf, a rangefinder is a handheld distance measuring device and the size of your hand. It can track a target up to 1000 yards away, and the best rangefinders will be accurate to within 0.5 yards. Impressive!
Thing is though that rangefinder come at a high price, most of them are around the $400 - $500 mark, so you want to make sure of the product before purchasing. That's where we come in, we've picked out the 5 best rangefinders that offer exceptional value for money and have been tried and tested by tour professionals, coaches, the works.
Let's move onto the five best rangefinders listed in alphabetical order.
Bushnell Tour Z6 Jolt Rangefinder
Bushnell is one of the pioneers of golf rangefinders and has been around for 65 years. They've won design and performance awards, and they aim to provide the highest quality optical devices for the best price possible - and they have.
The original Tour Z6 rangefinder checked just about every box, particularly regarding precision and high levels of magnification. It did, however, have one or two areas which could have been better, and that's where the new Tour Z6 Jolt has come to the party in a big way.
The Tour Z6 Jolt has incredible magnification, accuracy to within 0.5 yards and a vivid clear display. The Jolt function causes the rangefinder to briefly vibrate once the target is locked and other competitors don't come close to how good this function is.
If you are searching for the best and nothing else will do, then the Tour Z6 Jolt has your name on it.
Bushnell Tour V4 Slope Rangefinder
Bushnell has produced an effective and wonderfully versatile rangefinder in the Tour V4 Slope. The company describes the V4 as "the perfect combination of size, speed, accuracy, slope, and jolt."
Just to clarify, 'slope' means it automatically deciphers the difference in altitude between you and the target and calculates if the distance is effectively longer or shorter.
It is a massive help, and the function has been made illegal during tournament play however in normal club tournaments or social rounds it is perfectly fine.
The V4 is light in weight but still feels solid. Unlike the Bushnell Pro X7, the Tour V4 can be held in one hand fairly easily, and you're able to lock the target simply, it truly is a pocket-size device.
The accuracy and speed of the V4 are just out of this world. Target focus is speedy, and the jolt provides that additional confidence boost before setting up to the golf ball.
Our favorite feature on the V4 though is the slope functionality. This feature truly is a game-changer and separates it from the other players on the market.
If you are looking for a rangefinder that will provide longevity and superb value for money, the Tour V4 Slope is the way to go.
TecTecTec have made rangefinders far more accessible to the golfing public regarding price, and especially that of the VPro500.
At $150, it comes in at a whole lot less than the likes of Bushnell, Callaway, and Leupold. However, this doesn't mean it is any less effective regarding performance. Accuracy was to within 1 yard when we measured it, and yardages are captured instantly. We had one or two instances in struggling to lock flags, but nothing over the top.
It's very light, and that did bring about some concerns over durability. That said, it comes in a case that is both robust, and also has a pretty funky belt clip. The display is crystal clear, which is so important when selecting a quality rangefinder.
All in all, it's a decent product on offer for a great price, If you're new to the game then perhaps get started with this first and then move onto a more expensive piece.
The GolfBuddy LR5 Laser first came out in 2014, and it retailed at roughly $250. You can now pick one up for as little $150, so let's appreciate and note how good that price is. Normally things go up each year, not come down!
It represents good value for what is a functional and accurate rangefinder. Another manufacturer that is trying to make rangefinders more affordable to the golfing public. It has some handy little features too such as being to flick between the Scan and Pin modes in particular with ease and grace.
We used it on a very bright day, and the display wasn't that clear, unfortunately, but that is not the be all and end all. You can feel the difference in design and build quality when compared with some of the bigger players, but on the other hand, it doesn't cost you $400.
It is a solid gadget that very much does what it needs to do. We don't doubt that there will be plenty of takers on this one.
Is this the hidden gem of rangefinders that have crept up into the market in 2017?
Scoreband isn't a well-known name, but that seems to have worked to the consumer's advantage, given what it costs. And that consumer could be you!
"All the features you need. At the right price" their website states. The vibration and slope technology are not new innovative features, but you will not find another decent rangefinder with slope tech on the market for $200.
The Target acquisition is instantaneous. Not to mention accurate - to within a yard of the Bushnell Tour Z6 Jolt every single time. It loads up quickly, and the flat-lock vibration is right on cue.
It's possibly a smidgeon bulkier than some of its competitors, but we were very impressed. They are going to fly off the shelves. No question about it.