Shot Scope PRO L1 Laser Rangefinder - Red and Black Optics - Adaptive Slope Technology - Target-Lock Vibration - Accurate to 0.1 Yard

Product Information

Accuracy can be very dependent on the stability of the rangefinder that you have in your hand. The Nikon Coolshot 20i GII is not the most stable rangefinder in the Nikon lineup. This budget-friendly model offers a clear view and rapid-fire measurements when trying to collect a lot of information at once.

M3 is Speed Mode and basically turns your PRO L1 into a speed gun. You hold the button down and target a moving object to tell how fast it’s going. Useful for golf? Not really, but you can have some fun with it. There are two main modes available, as well as a third that doesn't really seem to have much purpose but can nevertheless be quite fun. The first (M1) is a scanning mode that displays distances almost instantly and will change as you scan the fairway, green, hazards etc. This is useful for when you need to know how far you need to carry the ball over a lake, or to lay up short of a bunker etc. Many golfers have rangefinders in place from eight or nine years ago. Technology has changed slightly, and the newer units from budget rangefinder manufacturers should last just as long and have slightly improved accuracy. The bottom line is that laser technology, scopes, and visual accuracy have gotten less expensive to manufacture and more advanced, especially in the last few years. Summary In addition to the rangefinder, you also get an excellent carrying case that you can attach to the outside of your golf bag for easier access. In addition, there is a scan mode on the Nikon that works a bit differently than other models. With the 8-second continuous measurement scan, you will be able to move your rangefinder around and see the measurements change as you scroll over different areas.When it comes to usability in these budget golf rangefinders, there is good news and bad news. The good news is that because of the limited features that you will find; the rangefinders become quite easy to use. The bad news is that they can sometimes be a little harder to work with when getting yardages over the 150-yard mark. To be able to clearly see the target you are looking to find, the optics of a rangefinder are vital. Sometimes with a budget golf rangefinder, it is hard to find a model that will help you narrow in on the target. However, the optics on the TecTecTec Vpro500 are really clear, with great adjustability on the zoom and focus. The first thing you will notice about the GolfBuddy Aim L10V is how small it is. For some golfers, this is positive, and for others, this is a negative. We like these more compact rangefinders as they are lighter in weight and easier to manage as we make our way around the golf course. If you want something chunkier, take a look at some of the large Bushnell models on the market. What do you do when you’ve become the leader in your chosen category? If you’re Shot Scope, you seek out a new category to lead.

GolfBuddy suggests the Aim L10V is accurate within a yard and has an 880-yard range. In testing, we found this model lives up to that claim within 200-yards and gives near identical yardages compared to the top of the range products on the market (±1 yard). Sam is a member of North Hants Golf Club in Fleet, Hampshire, where he won the club championship 3 times in succession from 2015-2017. His golfing highlight to date is shooting a round of 10-under 60 at his home club, narrowly missing a wedge shot for a magical 59. The Nikon claims to be accurate within a 2-yard range with this Coolshot model. Although it may not sound like too much of a difference, you have to consider whether you would rather have a 3-foot putt or a 9-foot putt for birdie… Features From within 200 yards, you will not find more accurate than the GolfBuddy Laser Lite, possibly as accurate, but this really holds its ground against all rangefinders out there. In our testing we found it to be 99.5% accurate, which for the price is something that is hard to beat.

Value

This is a small consideration but something that certain golfers will want to ensure they have thought of prior to purchasing. Usability Prior to taking the Pro L1 out for a spin I’d been using the Garmin Approach Z82, which is one of the best laser range finders on the market. The Z82 is a pretty amazing device so this immediately put the Pro L1 at something of an unfair disadvantage.

For comparison, when testing a wide range of budget golf rangefinders, we found that most models are accurate to within one yard as long as we were less than 150 yards from the target and have a steady hand. Once you get into that 150-250 range, the accuracy seems to be better with the higher-priced models. Overall the features of this rangefinder will mimic any of the top models on the market and surpass some. Usability The Adaptive Slope Technology readout is a little different. You turn Slope on or off using a toggle switch on the left side of the unit. When it’s on, the PRO L1 main readout will be standard horizontal distance. You’ll see the adjusted slope distance in the lower part of the screen in a much smaller font. In addition, you’ll also see a readout giving you the incline or decline angle percentage. Remember that accuracy is sometimes tied to the magnification of the rangefinder. The GolfBuddy Laser Lite has the 6X magnification and a very clear overall look through the viewfinder. FeaturesAlthough some cheaper models will have slope, this slope cannot be turned on and off and accuracy levels tend to drop. What is the cheapest rangefinder that will work well? Finally, it’s worth noting that the PRO L1 is about 20% lighter than other rangefinders, but is comparable in size. In my hand, it actually feels a little larger, though it has the same silhouette as my previous rangefinder. I prefer this profile to the super compact lasers because my fingers aren’t cramped trying to access the buttons. One of the cheapest rangefinders that will also work well is the TecTecTec Vpro500. This won’t be the fanciest looking model with the most bells and whistles; however, when you look at overall functionality, the rangefinder has everything you need for a fair price. What am I losing out on when buying a cheaper rangefinder?