January 2012 – unbiased reviews, ratings and rankings of golf laser rangefinders that provide slope-adjusted distances. Our editors test and compare the latest golf laser rangefinders (with slope) for 2012 head-to-head to help you determine which golf laser rangefinder is best. Rangefinders tested include offerings from Bushnell, Leupold, Callaway and Opti-Logic.
The Bushnell 1600 Slope Edition provides 7x magnification and was at the head of the class in our tests in picking out targets at long distance. Sure it’s bulky and the second most expensive device tested, but it performs so well that it still tops our rankings.
Retail price: $499.00
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Score
93
Grade
A
6x magnification, panning mode to continuously update target distances, and an exceptional ability to pick out flagsticks not enough for you? The Leupold GX-2 provides not only the slope compensated distance to a target, but will even provide club selection based on temperature and altitude. The GX-2 features improved performance in fog and rain, and the ability to lock onto prisms on flagsticks. You can’t go wrong with this device.
Read our detailed Leupold GX-2 review
Retail price: $400.00
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Score
91
Grade
A-
Carved from a single block of aluminum, the GX-4 is Leupold’s top-of the-line model, featuring a red OLED display that can easily be read against any background. In an interesting twist, the GX-4 comes with two swappable faceplates – one that provides slope-adjusted distance information and club recommendations, and a second that only provides line-of-sight distances (though ruled by the USGA as not legal for tournament play). The unit carries a steep price, but the traditional excellent Leupold performance on the course, portability and red OLED display make it one of the best options in its class.
Read our detailed Leupold GX-4 review
Retail price: $500
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Score
90
Grade
A-
Callaway’s top-of-the-line rangefinder features rapid line-of-sight and slope-adjusted distance readings, 6x magnification, and exceptional performance in picking out flagsticks at a distance. It’s in the middle of the pack of our cost comparison, but worthy of your consideration.
Retail price: $429.95
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Score
90
Grade
A-
Features speedy distance readings in 1/2 yard increments along with 6x magnification. While it can provide the line-of-sight distance along with the slope, elevation change to target and horizontal distance to the target, you will have to do some math in your head to determine the “play as” distance, unlike other devices that will do the work for you.
Retail price: $429.95
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Score
88
Grade
B+
A low price point may not be enough to save the Opti-Logic. The lack of viewfinder magnification, inability to scan across objects, and bare bones feature set makes it tough for the Opti-Logic to keep up with the competition.
Retail Price: $359.95
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Score
82
Grade
B-
While we have not obtained a Bushnell Tour V2 Slope Edition laser rangefinder for testing, we believe that it will provide the same level of performance as the Bushnell Tour V2, reviewed on our site. These two rangefinders have the same specifications, with the exception of the slope-adjusted distances available on the Slope Edition version.
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The Leupold GX-4i has an aluminum body and technology to separate background from target readings, the ability to lock onto flagsticks with prisms and freeze distance readings, and a red OLED readout that is significantly easier to read against dark course backgrounds than competing devices that have standard LCD displays with black text. By switching to its included yellow faceplate, the GX-4i can provide slope and adjusted distances (based on temperature and altitude no less) along with club recommendations. As the GX-4i has the ability to provide this level of information, it is not approved for tournament use by the USGA (with or without the yellow faceplate attached). Don’t forget 6x magnification and flagstick range to 400 yards at +/- 1 foot.
Check back for our Leupold GX-4i review, or follow Critical Golf on twitter, where we tweet all of our latest reviews as they are released.
Retail: $499.99
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