Do you want to lower your golf score? Reduce your handicap and beat your mates?
Then you need to manage your shots and judge your distances better, a Golf rangefinder will help you do that. There are three types of golf rangefinders used on a golf course, one is the laser rangefinder, the second a golf GPS unit and the third is a GPS watch. Golf laser rangefinders are made readily available on the market and can be purchased online cheaply.
At A Glance: Our Top Budget Rangefinders
- Bushnell Tour V4 JoltBest Overall
- Nikon Coolshot 20i Golf Laser RangefinderSecond Best
- TecTecTec VPRO500 Golf RangefinderPopular Choice
- Raythor Golf RangefinderGreat For The Price
Gone are the days where only golf Pros could use and afford a golf rangefinder. Now there are budget golf rangefinders that are available to the average guy like you and me. Below are the best budget golf rangefinders we think are ideal for the average or weekend golfer.
Top Product Overview
Best Overall
| See On Amazon → | |
Second Best
| See On Amazon → | |
| See On Amazon → | |
Popular Choice
| See On Amazon → | |
Great For The Price
| See On Amazon → | |
| See On Amazon → | |
| See On Amazon → |
Our Top Budget Rangefinders
Bushnell Tour V4 Jolt
Bushnell offers a certified tournament legal golf rangefinder that is of good quality with a 5x magnification power that gives a clear display ranging of up to 1000 yards. It also features low vibration, while the scanner hits a flag making the range clear for the shot. The dimensions measure 2.6 x 2 x 1.3 inches making it easily handled and lightweight.
This company is known worldwide for its quality products and this latest laser rangefinder is no different. We found it easy to use and great if you don’t have a steady hand or had a few beers. The Jolt technology helps you hit the flag with ease and get the correct yardage on any of the golf courses you play on.
Pros
- Small & lightweight
- Good magnification
- Tournament certified
- Clear view of the course (5 to 1000 yards)
Cons
- Price, they’re not cheap but they are the best
- Not waterproof.
Nikon Coolshot 20i Golf Laser Rangefinder
Nikon knows there way around top-notch optics, so it’s no surprise they produce a quality laser rangefinder like the Nikon Coolshot 20i Slope.
It is reasonably priced, light and compact, and very fast and accurate according to the reviewers on Amazon. The only major downside is that although it has slope technology, it does not have the slope and non-adjusted measurements on display like more expensive models.
The battery included lasts quite a while too, so that is something less you have to worry about. And it comes with a case, albeit a very simple one, with absolutely no frills.
However, this golf laser rangefinder is definitely worth a look.
Pros
- Light and compact
- Fast, accurate distance measurement
- Long battery life
Cons
- Measurements may be inaccurate or fail in fog, snow, rain
Precision Pro Golf NX7
This was a pleasant surprise for us, this model has over 230 reviews on Amazon and scores 4.5 out of 5. We can see why now after using it. Lightweight, easy to use and accurate, it definitely deserves to be in our list.
The Precision Pro Golf NX7 Pro Laser Rangefinder comes up with a handy vibration feature too. It gives a pulse when you hit the target confirming that you have measured the right distance. It is durable, with water-resistant technology. And, it is has a shockproof outer body, making it last longer should you happen to drop it.
It comes with 6x magnification, which helps you acquire targets at a distance more easily. And, it can measure up to 400 yards with a clear view of the target. It can even do this on flat ground or on a slope. Although it does not have slope measurement, this feature would have to be turned off to be tournament legal.
It is also lightweight and relatively small for a golf rangefinder: measuring 6 x 8 x 4 inches. Which is great news when you have to carry it around all day!
Pros
- Water-resistant technology
- Body is shockproof
- Lightweight and small (easy to carry)
- Vibrating feedback when hitting the target
Cons
- Colors might not be everyone's taste
- Focus can be delayed
TecTecTec VPRO500 Golf Rangefinder
TeCTeCTeC is one of the brands that has taken the market by storm by offering one of the best rangefinders out there. It is a laser rangefinder with a pin sensor that measures up to 540 yards with continuous scanning. Moreover, many reviewers have compared it with more expensive rangefinders, like the Bushell, and found the target acquisition and range accuracy to be very comparable.
The outer body is also water-resistant, which is great if you get caught in the occasional storm of fog or light rain while out on the course.
Another positive about this golf rangefinder is that it is very lightweight and compact, weighing in at only 6.5oz (185g). This means you will barely notice you are carrying it.
Some reviewers however say that it can fail to obtain or give repeatable measurements over around 200 yards. This is something you may want to think about before buying this laser rangefinder.
Pros
- Light and compact
- Magnification 6x to help acquisition
- Simple to use
Cons
- Not as solid as more expensive model.s
Raythor Golf Rangefinder
This laser rangefinder from Raythor is a bit of a sleeper – everyone loves it, it’s easy to use, it’s reliable, and it’s about 1/3 of the price of the more popular models. What’s not to like?
It has a constant scanning laser that is very accurate if you use the rangefinder correctly. Aim for an obvious object, often the flag, and then you are good to go. It even has slope adjustment!
This rangefinder comes with its own carry pouch, has rechargeable batteries that will last many rounds, and is quite lightweight.
Sure, you may never have heard of Raythor golf rangefinders, but just go check the reviews on Amazon and you will see that it’s a budget rangefinder winner!
Pros
- Accurate and repeatable
- Lightweight
- Rechargeable batteries that last
- Own case
- Up to 1000 yards
Cons
- Not a known brand
Saybien Golf Rangefinder
With up to 6x magnification, this laser rangefinder from Saybien is also very light and portable at only 0.4 lbs. They also provide a handy carry case, so you can keep it clean and secure between long shots.
The use of a long-lasting lithium-ion battery means you don’t have to worry about replacing batteries. Just charge it via USB between rounds and you are good to go.
This golf rangefinder can make measurements from 1 to 1,200 yards, so should be fine for any drives or long-distance shots you need to make. Some reviewers report difficulty getting accurate distances at longer distances, so if you make a lot of longer shots, other models of laser rangefinder might be a better option.
Pros
- Light and portable
- Can be charged with USB
- 6x magnification
- 1 - 1200 yards measurement
Cons
- Not always easy to get a lock at long distance
- Not great in fog
Precision Golf Nexus
Probably nowhere near the top option in terms of golf rangefinders, the Precision Nexus is still a worthwhile choice.
It is reasonably priced and still gets the job done, being able to hit targets quite accurately up to 400 yards. The viewfinder is somewhat small and might annoy some people, but with the added multiple target finding ability, as you scan, it more than makes up for it.
It is also quite compact and can easily fit into your pocket as you head around the golf course.
Pros
- 400 yard range
- Lightweight and compact
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Not many frills
There are a lot of factors to take into consideration when purchasing a rangefinder, so it is often hard to hit them all when you are on a budget.
Of all the budget golf rangefinders in this review, it is perhaps no surprise that the best-known brands come out on top. The Bushnell Jolt is probably the best rangefinder, and most expensive on offer. But hey, you get what you pay for most often in life!
The Nikon Coolshot is also a worthy contender. Perhaps not quite up to the Bushnell, which as you know is most people’s preferred golf rangefinder brand. But it you want to save a little money, it’s a great choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions we get about golf rangefinders.
Are Golf Rangefinders Legal To Use in Tournaments?
The general answer is yes, however, there are some features that you are not allowed to use in tournaments. In short, anything that is beyond simply giving you the range like slope, swing analysis, contact a coach and so forth. These features are not tournament legal.