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Are you wondering why rangefinders are expensive?
Let’s find out.
Why are Rangefinders Expensive?
Rangefinders are expensive because they are luxury goods. You can buy relatively cheap rangefinders and lenses, and they work fine.
What is a Rangefinder?
Golf rangefinders help you measure distances to different points on the course. They’re useful for measuring distances to the green, hazard lines, layup positions, and even the distance between players ahead of you.
Types Of Rangefinders
There are two main categories of rangefinder available, laser and GPS. They each serve different purposes and cater to different groups of golfers.
Laser Rangefinders
A laser rangefinder works by sending out a beam of infrared radiation (IR) and then measuring the time it takes for the IR to return to the device.
Rangefinders are no-strings-attached devices for measuring distances. They can be used to measure distances both with and without slopes.
Golf GPS Watches/Devices/Rangefinders
GPS Rangefinders
A GPS rangefinder usually comes in the form of a wristband or a handheld device and it can host a variety of features including distances to the front, middle, and back of the golf course as well as distances to any hazards along the route.
GPS Watches
GPS (Global Positioning System) devices can also be used for tracking your workouts, and measuring your shot accuracy, and are generally a whole lot more feature rich than their laser counterparts.
There are various types of GPS devices and wristwatches available at different prices and with varying features.
A golf GPS watches works by loading the courses onto the device before you go out for a round. Once you get there, you load the courses into the device. It then keeps track of where you are at all times and shows you the distance from where you were when you loaded the courses.
Why Are Rangefinders Expensive?
Cheap v Expensive Laser Rangefinder Test
A laser range finder can be one of the best investments you ever made in your golf equipment.
If you’re looking for a good laser rangefinder, then you may want to consider buying one that doesn’t necessarily have to cost hundreds of pounds.
You could buy decent laser rangefinders that won’t break the bank. And in this piece, we’ll look at some of the best ones available.
Inesis 900 Golf Laser
The Inesis 900 comes with a slope compensator, which should help you get accurate distances from any point on the green. But how well does the device actually perform in practice?
Features
Let’s take a look at some of the key features of the Inesis 900.
Slope Functionality
The first things to notice are that despite its modest price, it also has slope functionality, which can be hugely beneficial for players in actual play rounds because it takes into consideration whether you’re playing uphill or downhill.
On the Inesis camera, slope functionality is easily turned on by removing a small yellow ring where its eyepiece is. However, be sure to turn this feature off when competing.
Yardage
To measure yardage, just hold the laser pointer at the base of the pole and push the yellow button on the side of the laser.
If your view is not clear because there are trees behind the flags, hold down the yellow button and scan the horizon.
You will be given a series of distances between the tree and the flags. Then you will eventually hit the target which will change the distance into yards.
Vibration Functionality
It also has a vibrate function but this one didn’t seem as effective as the Bushnell because when you got any yardage, it would buzz.
Magnification
To achieve maximum clarity when using the viewÂfinder, it uses a 6x magnification.
Meters or Yards
You can also use it in meters or yards.
Warranty
It comes with a 2-year warranty.
Bushnell Tour V5 Shift Laser Rangefinder
Bushnell Tour V5 Laser Range Finder comes in at around twice the cost of the previous version, but it’s not even the most expensive laser range finder Bushnell has ever made. It’s actually the Pro XE laser ranger finder, which is right at the top end of the pricing scale.
Tests
Accuracy Test
Accuracy and ease of operation were two big factors when choosing our rangefinder. We found the Bushnell to be accurate and easy to operate.
We found the Inesis to be just as accurate as our previous rangefinder, but it takes less time to set up and uses batteries instead of solar power.
Slope Test
Each model had similar results for its yardage measurement.
The Inesis also performed excellently in a long-range test too as it was providing the right yardages time after time in a variety of scenarios.
Verdict
The Bushnell is an excellent golfing aid that you can rely on every time you play. It offers a number of features that the Inesis doesn’t, including a better viewfinder and longer-lasting lithium-ion batteries.
However, its screen isn’t quite as clear and sharp as the one found in Inesis.
We initially weren’t too sure about some of the yardages provided by the Inesis simply because of the cost of the rangefinder. However, when compared to the Bushnell, it consistently gave us accurate readings.
It feels nice in the hands, fits comfortably in the palm, and has the right weight for its size.
It’s too early to say whether it will be durable enough for golfers to expect, but overall, it offers a good bang for the buck for those people who just need a rangefinder that won’t cost them hundreds of pounds.
When comparing the two models, there was practically no difference in their performance. Speed, usability, functionality, and accuracy were the most important factors.
Conclusion
A rangefinder consists of two main components: the viewÂfinder (or eyepieces) and the prism. These allow you to see exactly what the lens sees. They do this by splitting the incoming rays of sunlight into different wavelengths through prisms.
Rangefinders are pricey because they require a lot of time and effort to create each lens.
If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments section below.
