Earlier, I wrote how I went about deciding to purchase Precision Pro’s R1 Smart Rangefinder. I played six rounds with the R1. The laser shots are great–quick, accurate reads, with a vibrating buzz confirmation. The smart features–giving front-of-the-green and back-of-the-green numbers in the viewfinder–are just okay.
Ultimately, I sent the R1 back under Precision Pro’s 90-day return policy because the R1 runs the risk of not complying with the Rules of Golf even when the slope switch is off. This is detailed below.
My current rangefinder is from the Obama years. It is the Bushnell Tour V2 and has served me well until recently when it started not finding pins and giving me readings from around the green of hundreds of yards out. I would get numbers from the SkyCaddie app on my phone when this happened, but there are many times on the range and on the course where a rangefinder and an exact number are crucial. It is time for a new one.
Thoughts I had going in were these: my old rangefinder had a strange CR2 3V battery. It would be nice to have a AA or AAA situation or rechargeable finder.
I play in a handful of stroke-play events or qualifiers each year, plus I play by the Rules of Golf even when not in a tournament. I wanted to double-check the rules on rangefinders that measure slope so that I didn’t accidentally buy an illegal rangefinder.
I usually walk when I play. I want a rangefinder that has a good case that hangs on the bag and that is secure so that the rangefinder won’t fall out.
Finally, I want to spend around $300. I’ll spend more, but that’s the goal. Spending $300ish seems appropriate for some reason, but $600 and you’re thinking, I could have a new driver for this. And the new driver will be a lot more fun.
