Updated on June 28th, 2023 at 11:36 am
A golf rangefinder can be an excellent investment into your golf game. Knowing exactly how far you are from the hole at any given time is a very important if you want to learn to be consistent. Golfers that struggle with golf club distances will find it very hard to make birdies.
After all, you need to be close to making a birdie.
Golf rangefinders will range in price from less than $100 to more than $500. Finding something that is a good match for your budget and for your golf game can be a challenge. We have pulled together some of the best golf rangefinders for the money.
Finding a great deal is all about choosing the features that mean the most to you.
Top golf rangefinders for the money
Blue Tees Golf Series 1 Sport Slope Laser Rangefinder
The best overall rangefinder for the money is the Blue Tees Golf Series 1 Sport Slope Laser Rangefinder. With this model, you will get everything that you see in a Nikon or a Bushnell for a much lower price.
The Blue Tees comes with a durable outer cover that is built for use outdoors. The cover is water resistant and sturdy and will work in a variety of weather conditions. We love the fact that you also get flag lock technology and accuracy to about a yard with the Blue Tees.
Even with all these great features, it may be the HD display that makes the Blue Tees Golf Series 1 stand out as the best overall range finder. If you are a player that has a hard time focusing outside or can’t see all that well without glasses, the Blue Tees still allows you to clearly see your number.
Pros
- Very precise
- Flag lock technology
- 6X magnification
- Built for outdoor use
- Pulse vibration
Cons
- There is a newer Blue Tees model on the market that is a bit easier to use, but it is also more expensive
Bozily Golf Rangefinder with Slope
The Bozily name is likely one that you are not all that familiar with. This company makes some very high end golf rangefinders offered at a fair price. There are two scan modes with the Bozily one continues to scan and a slope and flag lock scan. It is nice to have this kind of versatility if you are not all that good at finding the pin on your own.
One of the things that we find to be most impressive about this rangefinder is that it includes slope technology. Most rangefinders for under $100 would never have a slope functionality.
In addition, you can get yardage from almost 1200 yards away, making it a good choice for other activities like bird watching or sightseeing. The Bozily rangefinder comes with the carrying case and cable to help you charge it up after your round of golf. For the money, it’s hard to find a better option than this.
Pros
- High quality for the money
- Rechargeable battery
- Two scan modes
- Water resistant
Cons
- Not as accurate as something like a Bushnell
Gogogo Sport Vpro Laser Rangefinder
The Gogogo Sport Laser Rangefinder is a non-slope model that has an accuracy of up to 650 yards. This model is an excellent choice for reliable and accurate yardage; in addition, the price of this rangefinder is hard to beat.
The Gogogo Sport has flagpole locking vibration technology. This ensures that when your rangefinder is directly over the flagpole, you can ensure that the number you are getting is accurate. Having the pin seeking and flag lock technology certainly helps for golfers that have a shaky hand.
The lenses of this model are multi coated optics lenses that help to reduce light and give you a very clear image. This is a great model to choose if you are switching from a golf GPS to a laser rangefinder.
Pros
- Cost effective
- Flagpole locking vibration
- Pin seeking technology
Cons
- The outer cover is not as durable
TecTecTec VPRO500 Golf Rangefinder
This is a more affordable version of the VPRO500S golf rangefinder. It has the same maximum range of 540 yards, and it’s also accurate to one yard. The one difference is that it doesn’t have slope. This means you’ll only get laser-accurate distance, without adjusting for elevation.
Among its notable performance features, it has advanced pin-finder technology, and it measures accurate distance quickly. The continuous scan mode gives you ranges to different targets, which is displayed in multiple layers on the lens.
It’s dust and water-resistant and comes with a carrying case complete with maintenance accessories. Having a CR2 battery means that it’s not rechargeable. However, you shouldn’t sacrifice quality for a little bit of convenience. Its quick scanning, accuracy, and pin-finding capabilities will save you a lot more stress than it takes to replace a disposable battery.
Pros
- Lower priced (affordable).
- Fast, accurate, and versatile.
Cons
- No slope measurement.
- Disposable battery.
- 540-yard range.
TASCO Z400 Slope
This slope rangefinder boasts slope measurement and a 1,000-yard range. It’s higher priced, but it’s accurate, reliable, and comes with a carrying case featuring a magnetic closure. Its disposable CR2 battery has a great battery life, but there’s no guaranteed support for replacements in the future.
It’s capable of magnifying up to six times, and the flag recognition works up to 300 yards. However, many users have found it challenging to focus on a target further away due to its finicky activation button. On the other hand, the grip is comfortable, and it’s just as reliable as any other affordable option.
Pros
- Slope measurement.
- 1,000-yard range.
- Accurate 300-yard flag recognition.
- Carrying case.
Cons
- High priced.
- Disposable battery with no support.
- Difficult activation button.
The most affordable rangefinder …
The Blue Tees Golf Series 1
The Blue Tees Golf Series 1 stands out as the best overall golf rangefinder on the market. With this model in your hands, you are going to get an extremely accurate number to the pin and plenty of help when looking for the pin.
This laser rangefinder helps you lock in, and then it gives you a yardage that is accurate within one yard. The pulse vibration lets you know that you have indeed found the pin, and you can move on with hitting your shot.
The outer cover of this model is durable, and it is a small unit that easily fits in your golf rangefinder pocket or the golf cart. The Blue Tees company is young, but they know how to produce a high quality and long lasting rangefinder.
Additional Rangefinder reviews:
Is slope necessary for a rangefinder ?
Imagine knowing the exact distance to your next ideal shot. Now let’s say you know the elevation values that will guarantee that your target is accurate to one yard. You’ll get specific details with visual magnification, allowing you to select the exact club required to make that shot.
It’s a feature that reveals so much about each shot that it’s actually not legal for tournament use. While golf rangefinders with slope have an on/off feature, there’s no denying the advantages that information has for practice.
As you get more familiar with the game and sophisticated with your shot selection, you’ll come to rely on this feature much less frequently if you’re a player with higher than average skill, then accuracy, durability, and unique advanced features.
The real value of a laser golf rangefinder is the ability to accurately measure distance, where GPS is ineffective. Slope measurement is technically more accurate in terms of distance adjustment, but it isn’t an essential feature.
How to use
A rangefinder is like a monocular that reads out distance information on the lens. For example, hold it up to your eye and select a target in the distance. Point it directly at that target using the necessary magnification setting, and then activate the appropriate scanning mode. It’ll give you the distance to that target in yards or meters.
Some golf rangefinders are also capable of scanning multiple targets at once. If you’re playing a hole with two Sand bunkers, a green and a flagpole, you can get the distance to each one. This is an excellent way to plan your shot using real numbers.
The ability to detect the flag or other objects varies from product to product. The Precision Pro Golf NX7, for example, has its own Target Acquisition Technology (TAG) that can discern between the actual flag and some trees in the background.
Some options also give you a vibration to indicator when you’re on target, with varying levels of reliability. The Callaway 300 Pro also makes a chirping sound, although there isn’t real practical value to this.
Which features of a rangefinder are most valuable ?
Generally speaking, accuracy, ease of use, and durability are a top priority. The TecTecTec VPRO500, for example, only has a 540-yard range, but it comes with a lower price tag. It’s just as accurate and fast as other options, but it doesn’t have any advanced features either.
A simple carrying case and battery support can make a huge difference. It’s nice to have a 1,000-yard range, but if you can’t find a reasonable replacement battery, then what’s the use? Water and fog proof features add a considerable amount to durability, as well. However, you’re not likely to submerge it in water, so it’s more important that it won’t be damaged when damp.
In terms of performance and ease of use, you shouldn’t have to struggle just to lock onto a single target. Also, if you want a vibration to indicate when you’re on target, then reliability will definitely determine its value. Extra features like that are nice but are more of a waste when they don’t work correctly.
