Next Up In The Rangefinder Round Up: The Callaway RAZR Laser
(Written by: Golfspy_Dave) This is “Part 2” of the “Laser Rangefinder Round-Up”. Our first contestant, the 2012 Bushnell Pro 1M, led off the competition with a strong score of 98/100. Our second entrant is the Callaway RAZR Rangefinder. Not only does this rangefinder have to compete with the Bushnell Pro 1M, but it also must live up to the high standards of the Callaway laser rangefinders that I reviewed last year (iQ and Diablo Octane). Will this RAZR cut through the competition?
Cosmetics and Feel
One of my issues with last year’s Callaway Diablo Octane laser rangefinder was the case. OK so I may have poked a bit of fun at the name as well. Perhaps on both counts I was being a bit petty, but truth be told that case was a weak addition to a good-looking laser. Callaway obviously listened to my criticism, because the case on the RAZR rangefinder is a huge improvement. First of all, the case now completely covers and protects the unit. This lack of protection was my main gripe with the Diablo Octane. Fear not, with the RAZR case, your unit will be well protected. But what if you don’t want to mess with taking it in and out of the case every hole? Well just detach the clip from the case and attach it to the unit. Drop the case in a pocket and clip the RAZR laser to the outside. It’s pretty rugged and as long as you are not a bag tosser, it should survive just fine.
OK so the new case makes me happy, but what about the look and feel of the laser itself? There is a new upgrade here as well. The Callaway RAZR laser is trimmer and sleeker than its Diablo Octane predecessor. Callaway says that the RAZR is 10% smaller. That doesn’t seem like a lot, but they have taken the 10% from just the right areas. The front of the unit is narrower, fitting the fingers perfectly. The unit is definitely more compact. The rubbery case material is very hand-friendly, providing great tactility even under “moist” conditions. The colors are attractive, without being over-the-top. With the new case and compact body redesign, this unit is an eye pleaser.
Cosmetics and Feel Score: 20/20 Points
Performance
Here are the Callaway RAZR Specs:
- Shock resistant and fogproof
- Waterproof – filled with nitrogen gas, sealed with O-rings (except battery chamber)
- Multi-coated optics with improved light transmittance
- Focusing diopter by simple twisting action on eyepiece
- Reticle allows users to know ranging in progress
- Capable of distancing different targets in succession for up to 8 seconds
- Compact, lightweight design (10% reduction in size)
- Carabiner built-in for ease of access with all walking bags and tour bags
- Includes travel pouch for shipping protection and lens care.
- Includes 3 volt CR2 lithium battery
Ease of Use
Push the button to turn it on, push the same button to measure distance to target, and then watch it turn off automatically. Not too tough there. If you need meters rather than yards, you are just a “MODE” button away. Very easy to aim one-handed; working well both with and without sunglasses. Battery life has been excellent and I have not noticed any targeting struggles as the battery depletes.
On the Course
The Callaway RAZR laser rangefinder powers up and acquires targets very rapidly. I did not ever feel like I was waiting on the unit. Target acquisition is excellent. This unit uses “Nikon’s First Target Priority Mode” to pick up the “closest, smallest object like the pin”. The laser does take a bit more aiming if there are trees directly behind the pin, but it is definitely able to pick up the pin vs. the background objects. If you set it to scan mode, you can pick up multiple targets in a single pass. I was able to target trees, bunkers, and other golfers as needed.
The Callaway iQ laser was my favorite laser from last season. One of the features that I loved was that it would switch to an orange reticule under low light conditions. This feature is so amazing when I am trying to finish the last holes of a late tee time round. While the RAZR does not switch to low-light orange automatically, it is only a press of the MODE button away. For dawn patrol golfers, this may not be a huge feature, but those of you who head out to play after work will definitely appreciate it. If you can’t see your target, even with the low-light optics, it may be time for you to break out the glow ball or head for home.
The Callaway RAZR is accurate up to 600 yards and displays distance to the tenth of a yard. I don’t know that I have ever worried about that 0.1 yard before, but I know some of you reading that have that kind of game. The 6X optics are extremely clear, providing sufficient magnification and resolution to shoot the laser at just about anything on the course. Or even birds above the course, as I seem to be prone to lasering…
Performance Score: 60/60
Value
The Callaway RAZR laser rangefinder lists for $349 in the Callaway online store, but you can find it for cheaper here. This puts the RAZR a bit above the Diablo Octane in price, but I think that the improvements in the unit are well worth the cost. Even at $349 though, the Callaway RAZR is the least expensive of the lasers tested this summer.
Value Score: (20/20)
Summary
As the score says, this is a perfect little laser. The compact size and price point put the Callaway RAZR out in front in the “Rangefinder Round-Up”. The Bushnell Pro 1M is a great unit, but the Callaway RAZR is just a bit better. Tune in soon to see how the Callaway RAZR holds up against the final contender, the Bushnell Tour Z6.
Jon
9 years ago
I replaced the battery and it doesn’t read yardage…WHY????????