The Laser Link Switch

(Written by GolfSpy_Tim) As a boy growing up, the idea of walking around with a laser in my hands fascinated me, shooting bad guys and taking out objects with the flick of a switch. So when Laser Link asked me to review the Switch, I was all over it like a boy in a candy shop.

Following up our previous Laser Rangefinder Reviews is no small job for the Laser Link Switch, so I have thrown everything I can at the Switch.

Cosmetics & Feel

Laser Link’s Switch might not be the fat girl at the party, but she does feel a bit like you’re picking up the girl who got runner up in the beauty pageant. Think a “normal” rangefinder shrunk down and a pistol grip added to the bottom. If you are a fan of military style rifles, this might be for you.

Not big, not small, just awkward. Though once in your hands, she feels right, but definitely begs for two hands to hold her steady. The Switch does feel sturdy enough, and doesn’t want to slip in your hands. The other plus to the feel of the Switch is that the controls are in the right spot and firing the laser or switching modes is as easy as pushing with your pointer finger or sliding with your thumb on the back of the unit – right where you fingers naturally sit.

Cosmetics & Feel Score: 14/20 Points

Performance

Here are the Laser Link Switch Specs:

• Quick Shot Mode 25-600 yards (lock in on ONLY the reflector on the Flag)
• RH Mode with reflector 4-900 yards
• RH Mode without reflector 4-600 yards
• Accuracy to +/- 1 yard
• ZAS (Zero-in Alignment System)
• 3 yardage confirmation settings (Audio, Silent, Vibrate)
• Measure yards or meters
• 1 year warranty
• LCD Display

Ease of Use

Out of the box the Laser Link Switch is easy to use, just pull the trigger and let go when you’re on target and you’ve got your reading. Want to zone in on only a flag with a reflector – flig the switch from RH (Red Hot) to QS (Quick Shot) and the Switch will only pick up a target with the appropriate reflectors installed.

On the Course

The Laser Link Switch takes it’s time picking up targets – in some situations in Quick Shot mode you immediately get a reading, but if the reflector on a flag is the least bit dirty (most of them are) it can give no reading, or take a couple of tries to pick the reflector up, and this take approximately 8 seconds to come back with no reading (8 seconds seems like an eternity on the course) When shooting in Red Hot mode I found the Switch to be equally frustrating, sometimes picking up targets behind the flag, or when aiming at a bunker picking up the grass WELL in front of the bunker.

Each time I use the Switch I have to mentally note a distance that I’m likely from the target, because if I think I’m 200 yards out, and it comes back with 240, I need to be able to realize this is a false reading from something behind the green – but if I’m in a rush, and I don’t think this through, it’s easy to walk back to your bag looking for the wrong club. I find myself using my GolfShot app on my iphone to get an approximate distance and then sometimes having to fire the Switch up to 3 or 4 times until I actually pick up the target.

With no zoom, it’s tough to know if it’s your own aim that is off, or if the laser is just zeroing in on the wrong target. It seems that golf carts parked off the back of the green are the arch nemesis of the Switch.

When the Switch does pick up a target, it quickly delivers the distance reading, and when it picks up the correct target, the accuracy has been spot on every time. I’ve used the switch for several months now and never had to replace the batteries after more golf than the average golfer will see in a year.

Performance Score: 35/60

Value

The Laser Link Switch sells for $399 on their website, or for about $20-$50 less at retailers. The idea of the Switch is simple and makes sense – but the follow through just doesn’t add up to $399. There are numerous other finders I would guide you to for this price that would be more reliable and take up less space.

Value Score: 8/20

Summary

While the Laser Link Switch works with some patience and practice, it’s not the best performing laser and it doesn’t perform on it’s biggest selling points 1) switch to Quick Shot for reflectors – only works if the reflectors are clean, 2) ZAS (Zero-in Alignment System) doesn’t really Zero in on the correct targets.

Head back to our Laser Rangefinder Shootout and you’ll find options better suited to pulling out your hard earned (or possibly easily earned) cash.

Overall Score: 57/100