Rangefinder’s Longevity

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By Jonathan Smith

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  • 28 Replies
  1. Jonathan Smith

    Jonathan Smith
    Charlotte, NC

    Good day all,

    I have had my Bushnell Z6 for several years now, and it still works perfectly. I have looked at upgrading to a newer/fancier model, but I really cannot justify with how well this model is performing. It got me wondering if it is well taken care of (not dropping it) will it ever need to be replaced. Maybe they are all like that, I do not know.

    Does anyone else have a rangefinder that works as well as the day it was purchased years later. Is there any reason to upgrade, or any new advancements (slope/gps etc.) worthwhile?

    Thanks,

  2. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military
    Bushnell is, in my opinion, the best on the market. As long as it continues to work keep it and consider yourself lucky. I have had three since I started playing in 1985 and only upgraded. Am currently playing the Pro XE which I love. Has the magnet, because I ride a cart due to health issues, and great optics. Will keep this one until it wears out, if that happens. Gave my previous model to someone who needed one. Had had it for about six years. Did I need the upgrade, no. But loved the magnet and tired of putting my older model in the beverage holders. Am retired and deserve it. ha..ha..ha..
  3. Rob_Roth1

    Rob_Roth1
    San Diego, CA

    I still have my precision pro rangefinder now for 3 years and its no stopping it. Also love that they send me a battery anytime I need one!
  4. I have the Bushnell v4 that I bought like 6-7 years ago and it still works great. I don't really see any need in upgrading til it dies.
  5. Rob C

    Rob C
    Lombard, IL

    I have a Nikon/cally range finder from 2011. It works great. Only changed the battery once.
  6. Jim S

    Jim S
    Fort Myers Florida

    One battery in over 10 years??? Holy smokes.
  7. Abdon M

    Abdon M
    Northern California (because it's a big state)

    I believe the need to replace a rangefinder usually happens because of physical damage. There aren't many moving parts to a rangefinder, so wear and tear is not an issue. I have a Bushnell Pro X2 and a Garmin Z82; both have their pluses and minuses. I have both covered in a fitted silicone case. Unless you want the latest greatest laser rangefinder features, your current rangefinder should last a long time.
  8. Military
    At some point you may want to replace it just to get newer tech I.e. if a company comes out with one that can read wind somehow, or one the has more detail, but the tech assuming it will work forever won't get worse if you take care of it. As it ages id double check that its accurate every once in a while but aside from that I wouldn't worry about it.
  9. Craig D

    Craig D
    Canton, OH

    I have a Bushnell V2 that works the same as when I first purchased it. I carry a two pack of batteries in my bag and replace when the one installed runs out. I get the same yardages (non-slope adjusted) as my partners who either have the latest Bushnell models or Leuopold rangefinders. No plans to change it for a few extras.
  10. tony k

    tony k
    bradenton, FL

    Have used my Leopold for years and very, very happy with it.
  11. Todd T

    Todd T
    San Diego, CA

    Military
    My Leupold is 5 years old and still going strong, other than battery changes!
  12. Frank P

    Frank P
    Port St. Lucie, FL

    Military
    I've had my Bushnell for 10 years. It works as good as ever.
  13. DELETE ME

    DELETE ME
    DELETE ME

    I’ve had my bushnell v2 for 10 years until I lost it lol. They last a long time!
  14. Eric H

    Eric H
    Ridgway, PA

    I got a bushnell V2 that I've had since 2012 i believe. That thing is amazing, it just keeps going!
  15. Doug E

    Doug E
    Urbana, MD

    Just my observation of RFs in general. The integrated magnet on the newer ones (of whatever brand) are convenient for sticking on the cart roof support uprights, however as the, manager of a Pro Shop at a high end course, I see far too many being forgotten right where they're stuck. It's far and away the #1 reason people loose them. At one point early last year, we had 14 sitting in our lost and found behind the desk....all magnetized.

    1/2 the time, owners don't even realize they lost it until the next round they play. And by then, it is often too late to track down. I try my best to to get rangefinder and customer back together if I have any contact information to do so, but if no one calls or stops in looking for it within a reasonably timely manner (two-three weeks) some of the cart boys will make claims if they found it in the first place. One thing I will require is, if a cart kid takes one, I write down the brand and model and which cart kid has it, just in case the owner shows up later on. So far, after a few weeks, no one has called looking for one being used by a cart kid.

    So, REMEMBER YOUR RANGEFINDER IS STUCK TO THE CART AFTER PLAYING 18.
  16. Keith M

    Keith M
    Acworth, GA

    I have a Leupold GX3 which I've had a little over 3 years, no issues, replaced the battery once. I may get a new one soon not because I really need it, but my son is about to start his first season of golf in high school and he'll need one without slope, so I'll give him mine and get myself a new one.
  17. 19hole

    19hole
    Reading, MA

    I've had a Nikon for a few years now and see no need to replace it. It offers absolutely the best optics and has image stabilization.
  18. Tyler_S

    Tyler_S
    Cypress, TX

    I gave my son my Bushnell V4 slope edition a couple years ago. It's been in the family for 7 plus years now. I have the Nikkon Coolshot 50 stabilized. No plans on replacing it soon. As Abdon, said, not many moving parts to rangefinder so as long as you treat them well, they should last a really long time.
  19. Abdon M

    Abdon M
    Northern California (because it's a big state)

    Isn't it great to have the kiddos around, so you can give them the old tech and you get the new tech
  20. John M

    John M
    Asheville, North Carolina

    Military

    Abdon M said:

    Isn't it great to have the kiddos around, so you can give them the old tech and you get the new tech

    Gave my non-slope Bushnell rangefinder to my wife. She's happy with it.
  21. SWilliams

    SWilliams
    Arkansas

    Ive had my bushnell V2 for a long time. At least 10 years. I think the way you treat them has alot to do with them. Dropping them on the ground and of course just straight up losing them is the biggest issues.
  22. tony k

    tony k
    bradenton, FL

    To add to Doug's observations we also find range finders in large numbers left on carts and if people would simply mark their name and phone number somewhere on the device we could call from the shop and they'd know that night or next morning we have it. Very very few have any identification.
  23. Marc M

    Marc M
    Binbrook, ON

    Have had a Bushnell V4 since it came out. Only have ever had to change the battery once a year. Play approx 60 times a year.
  24. I primarily use 18 Birdies on my Apple Watch, but I have a no-name one I bought on Amazon for around $50, I have compared it with my cousin’s Bushnell and it fared really well. It stays in the bag for the most part though.
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