(by Dave Wolfe)
The laser rangefinder is an essential tool for the golfer wanting exact yardages. But which laser rangefinder is the best of the bunch? Which laser should you choose to be your go to measuring device. As always, MyGolfSpy is here to help.
We put eight laser rangefinders from the top manufacturers head to head to determine which one deserves the title of Golf’s Most Wanted Laser Rangefinder.
The Contestants
Invitations were sent to the major, and minor players in the laser rangefinder industry. These eight rangefinders represent the 2014 contestant field. Here they are in alphabetical order by company:
Features (Click To Enlarge)
How We Tested
As always, Golf’s Most Wanted! testing at MyGolfSpy is #Datacratic. We don’t base our rankings on brand names and desirability, we base our scores on data. Each of the lasers tested had an equal chance to earn the title of Most Wanted, and the laser that does, has the numbers to back up its title.
To determine Golf’s Most Wanted! Laser Rangefinder, we scored the following four categories: Accuracy, Speed, Optics and Display
General Test Parameters
Prior to measurement, our group of ten testers was given as much time as they required to become familiar with the operation of each laser. Once comfortable, testers measured distances to three targets (flags). One was close (100 yards), one was moderately distant (150 yards) , and one was distant (200 yards). Targets were measured from the closest to the farthest for each unit; measuring all three with the same laser before moving on to the next unit.
New batteries were installed into all rangefinders prior to the first round of testing.
Measuring accurate yardages is a critical feature of any rangefinder, laser or other. As such, accuracy accounted for 30% of a given laser’s total score. Testers were told to give the number that they would enable them to confidently select a club to cover that distance. As mentioned above, the testers targeted flags without reflectors at 100/150/200 yards. Prior to the first tester and after the last tester, distances to the test flags was measured with a control laser. Accuracy values were then calculated as per deviation from the control.
The use of a laser rangefinder, or any range-finding device, has the potential to slow down the pace of play. As such, the Most Wanted! Laser Rangefinder must be able to acquire the accurate yardage rapidly. This is very important to course usage and as such, speed to confident reading also equated to 30% of the overall score.
The unit with the fastest average measurement time for the ten testers at the three distances was awarded the maximum score of 30, with the other units scoring proportionately less relative to the degree that they were slower.
The speed to a confident number also takes into account many other aspects of laser design. Button position, eyepiece shape, case ergonomics, and other factors all influence the speed of operation. A well-weighted and balanced laser rangefinder will allow the user to acquire a confident yardage quicker than one that is hard to hold steady in your hand due to a poorly balanced design. Speed is definitely affected by design.
Testers scored the Optics of each unit as well as the Display quality for each unit using a ten point scale, with ten being the best. Testers based their Optics score on factors like lens magnification and clarity of image. Display scoring was based upon the readouts shown during operation. Size of numerical readout, display contrast, and quality of targeting reticule all factored into the display score.
The Optics and Display combined represented the remaining 40% of the overall score, though display was weighted slightly higher at 25% vs. 15% for optics. We skewed the data this way knowing that a quality display is more important to a good measurement than perfect optics. In other words, and yardage you can’t read is more of a problem than a flag that’s not quite in focus.
Golf’s Most Wanted Laser Rangefinder: Scores
Winner: Bushnell Tour Z6 Jolt
As you can see in the above table, the margin of victory for the Tour Z6 over its Tour V3 sibling was very slight. Both were equally as accurate, and the Tour V3 was even a little faster than the Z6. What pushed the Z6 to the top though was the slight edge that it had in both Optics and Display over the V3. The magnification is 1x stronger, and the fit to the eye more comfortable compared to the V3.
Testers commented that the Z6 eyepiece lens was a little easier to see through when compared to the V3, and that improved visual path also made the display even easier to read. It was a close race, but the Bushnell Tour Z6 Jolt deserved the title of Golf’s Most Wanted! Laser Rangefinder.
Runner-Up: Bushnell Tour V3 Jolt
As mentioned above, the Bushnell Tour V3 actually acquired targets faster than the Tour Z6. In fact, it was the fastest range reading unit that we tested. When we combine the data from all distances measured, and for all of the testers, the Bushnell Tour V3 Jolt was able to give the tester a confident distance number in an average time of 2.07 seconds, with many scores coming in under two seconds. Remember, time was recorded until the tester had a yardage that they would be confident playing to. For the Tour V3, that averaged 2.07 seconds.
Had we included a value/price score in the scoring matrix, the Bushnell Tour V3 Jolt would have possibly slipped past the Tour Z6 Jolt into first place as the V3 has a MSRP $100 below the Z6. The optics and magnification are better in the Z6, but many golfers will be very happy buying the Tour V3 and having that extra cash.
The Rest of the Field
Testing Notes
As the data shows, the entire test field was very accurate, and relatively fast. While the Bushnell Tour V3 was the fastest with an average time of 2.07 seconds, the slowest laser was only a few seconds behind that at 4.08 seconds.
All of the lasers tested are extremely accurate. On average each was accurate to within less than one yard of our control measurement. Many lasers hit the number exactly, with the worse reading, from all of the shots, being 2.1 yards from the control at 200 yards. Some of the lasers will take you longer to measure that number, but ultimately, all of the rangefinders have the ability to give you accurate yardage readings.
The greatest difference between the units really came down to the quality of optics. Price of the unit tested corresponds with higher scores for optics and display. The lower priced units will give you an accurate reading, but the lens clarity, magnification, and display will not be as good as the high end units.
Mbwa Kali Sana
9 years ago
All this fuss about rangefinders is not appropriate .Unless You’re a scratch golfer ,you can’t adjust YOUR shots to +|- 5 yards .Hand held rangefinders slow considérably the game .A GARMIN or TOM TOM wrist Watch do the job quicker and with enough précision .You CAN also use your eyes ,especially for the short game ,where the Range Finder is OF nô REAL use !
Dan
8 years ago
So how well does your watch help you on the driving range?