Best Golf Laser Rangefinders Under 200$ in 2023

Every golf course is as vast as the eyes can see. Moreover, it is a game of patience and precise calculations to know the exact distance between you and the intended target. The rangefinder is the most practical golf accessory that helps you with measuring distances. Once you know the exact yardage, you can then plan your shot and select your golf club.

As the name suggests, a laser rangefinder utilizes laser beam technology to measure the accurate yardages in the golf course. You can use it to gain sufficient knowledge about the golf field to plan your next move. Furthermore, you can also use a rangefinder to know the distances to hazards before even starting your gameplay. However, some people think that rangefinders are such useful tools that they must be very expensive.

This is not the case at all! If you know what you are buying and your golfing requirements, you can easily get a suitable rangefinder well within your budget. Therefore, I have shortlisted the top 5 best golf laser rangefinders under 200$ for the year 2021.

How to use a golf laser rangefinder?

As useful piece of equipment as the golf rangefinder may be, it still requires physical practice to measure accurate yardages. You may scour through every instruction manual or a YouTube video, but the real mastery of rangefinder can only be achieved through practice and dedication. Here are a few basic steps to get you started with effectively using a rangefinder:

Select the right tool:

The rangefinders are available in several forms and shapes. Each of them is suitable for a specific line of work. For instance, hunting rangefinders have long yardage but no special features for golf. The engineering rangefinders are suitable for distance measurements on the horizontal and vertical axis along with angle measurements. Lastly, the golf rangefinders have suitable yardage for a golf field. They come with several useful features like pin-seeking, flag-lock, Jolt, and slope compensation functions. All these features make golfing easier and more effective.

Adjust your grip and stance:

When aiming with a rangefinder, keeping your body and hands stable at all costs is of utmost importance. Most of the time, people can’t get accurate yardage due to shaky hands. In this regard, you should only use a rangefinder that easily fits in your hand. Moreover, the ergonomic design of the rangefinder means that the buttons are placed in such a way that you can press them without even looking.

The perfect stance for aiming with a rangefinder depends on your height and body type. However, some people find it comfortable to open their feet with an easy distance between them. Stay upright and avoid bending your back or knees in any direction.

Move your shoulders at an angle that the weight of the rangefinder is ultimately transferred to your spine. Finally, hold the rangefinder in such a way that your four fingers grip the device from the top and the rest of the body remains in your palm. If you fail to hold the rangefinder in this grip, it is probably too small or too large for your hands.

Aim at the Target:

You can use a rangefinder to aim at the hole flags and the hazards in the field. Therefore, first, you need to locate your target with a naked eye. Once you know which distance you want to measure. Turn on your rangefinder and click the scan button (consult the user manual).

Most modern rangefinders come with accessibility features like pin-seeking and flag-lock. If you own such a rangefinder, your device will automatically capture the nearest flag if it lies at an acceptable distance (100-250 yards). Similarly, the flag-lock feature won’t capture the flag automatically, but the Jolt function will inform you whenever you are aiming accurately at the flag.

When measuring the accurate distance from a distant target, always aim at the bottom. The best technique is to try to locate the pole of the flag in the rangefinder. Slowly move upwards towards the flag and click the capture button as soon as the crosshair aims at the flag.

Keep Steady:

Every human body starts shaking after a few seconds of aiming down the sight. According to studies, an average human being can keep aiming down the sight for 8 seconds without shakiness in the hands or the whole body. Therefore, there is no way to stop your shakiness completely. However, there are a few remedies that you can try to improve your aim.

• Comfortable posture: A comfortable posture ensures that your body doesn’t start shaking due to strain. The best posture depends on your body type, height, and weight. Therefore, you can practice with a variety of postures to find the perfect standing position for yourself.
• Breath control: When you inhale and exhale oxygen, the lungs expand and contract. The chest and ribs also move along with the lungs in every breath you take. Therefore, you can try the military tactic to hold your breath for a few seconds when aiming through the rangefinder. This helps keep your body steady and improves your accuracy.
• Image stabilization: Some modern rangefinders come with image stabilization technology. This tool helps you improve the accuracy by keeping the device focused on a single target even if you move one inch in any direction. You can improve your aim by using one such laser rangefinder.

Know your targets:

Rangefinders are very useful tools, especially if you are playing on a new golf course. You can create a virtual image of the whole course in your mind just by measuring the distance to several points in the field. Therefore, it is very important to know what you aim at when using a rangefinder.

The most straightforward distance measurement that you need is the exact distance to the flag. Secondly, you should aim from a par four or par five to measure the distance to hazards. This distance helps you understand how much power you need to clear those hazards and land the ball as close to the hole as possible.

Recommended Best Golf Laser Rangefinders Under 200$ in 2022

1. Nikon Coolshot 20i GII Golf Laser Slope Rangefinder

Starting with the high price ranged devices, the Nikon Coolshot 20i is the best rangefinder that you can get in this category. It comes with several beneficial features that you can only get in the premium rangefinders.

For instance, no other rangefinder in this price range comes with the first target priority mode. It means that you don’t have to worry about measuring the yardage of an object overlapping the target. Moreover, this mode is suitable for continuous scanning.

Secondly, the 20i GII is IPX4 waterproof with a 5-years success. The casing of Nikon Coolshot is filled with nitrogen gas to prevent the condensation of water vapors inside the device. This means that you can take out your rangefinder regardless of the weather conditions.

Features:

• Rainproof IPX4.
• Slope compensation
• First target preference mode
• Continuous scan mode
• Accurate up to 1 yard.
• USGA approved tournament legal.
• ID-technology

2. Callaway Golf Laser Rangefinders

Name a single rangefinder that provides as much range as the Callaway 300 Pro. It is a premium rangefinder with the Callaway promise of quality and durability. If you play on a large golf course with holes far away, then you definitely need the 300 Pro rangefinder.

It comes with every additional feature that you expect from a high-end rangefinder in any price range. As a matter of fact, other brands with 1000 yards range start from over $300. Therefore, Callaway 300 Pro is the best deal you can get at such an affordable price.

The pin-seeking feature auto-locks at the nearest flag with perfect accuracy without requiring any stability on your end. Moreover, if you are viewing in the long-shot mode, the vibration pulse will provide secondary feedback whenever it detects the flag in the crosshair. It comes in a premium molded carry case to protect your rangefinder from the harsh environment.

Features:

• 6x magnification
• Long-range.
• Durable carry case
• Waterproof rangefinder
• Jolt technology
• Pin-seeking feature

3. The Blue Tees Golf series 1

The modern rangefinders have set such standards that every brand out there is trying to provide the same features at an affordable price. Blue tees are one such competitive manufacturer of rangefinders.

The Blue Tees Golf series 1 is one of the most accurate rangefinders in this price range. You get useful features like pin-seeking and vibration feedback with the promise of slope compensation in every measurement you take.

You can aim directly at the intended target without tangling around with the buttons thanks to the ergonomic design. However, the only problem that I find in the Blue Tees 1 is that it is not suitable for professional golf players.

Firstly, it only provides a maximum 650 yards range and an effective accuracy of only 300 yards. As a result, you can’t use this rangefinder on professional golf courses. Secondly, it comes with no slope switch to turn the slope compensation function on or off. Therefore, it is not suitable for use in any professional tournaments.

Features:

• Mid-range rangefinder
• Pin-seeking
• Vibration pulse
• Flag-lock
• Slope compensation function
• Waterproof
• 2-years warranty

4. Golf Buddy Laser lite rangefinder

Suppose you want a rangefinder with all the premium features, but you are low on budget. What do you do? You buy the Golf Buddy Laser lite rangefinder. It is the best rangefinder that you can get for under $200.

The first thing that catches your attention is the fast measurement time of the laser lite. You can aim at any target within 880 yards, and the rangefinder will provide the exact distance within 0.5 seconds. You don’t have to wait for any calculation or the vibration to press the key.

Secondly, the Golf Buddy is the best rangefinder for handicapped golf players. Its ease of use makes it possible for even the special players to measure with equal accuracy without any problem.

Features:

• USGA approved for R&A and handicap.
• Three modes (standard, pin, and scan)
• Bright display
• 0.5 seconds scanning time
• Slope switch

5. Precision Pro NX7

If you didn’t like any of the above products, the Precision Pro NX7 would surely impress you. It is an evolving rangefinder with improved design in every new model. The NX7 is the latest Precision Pro rangefinder with absolutely no faults in it.

When other brands say 800 yards range, their device can only accurately measure up to 300 yards. However, when Precision Pro NX7 says 600 yards, the rangefinder is accurate for the maximum yardage.  

It has a crystal clear display to provide accurate data even under direct sunlight. Moreover, the slope function is suitable for both uphill and downhill shots. It is a waterproof rangefinder and comes with a 2-year warranty.

Features:

• Professional rangefinder
• Free lifetime battery replacement
• Accurate yardages
• Suitable for shaky hands
• Adaptive Slope Technology

FAQs:

Do Professional Golfers Use a Rangefinder?

The rangefinder is a must-have accessory for every golf player, including professionals. However, the professional golf rangefinder has a slope switch that turns the function on or off.

What is the Best Golf Rangefinder Under $200?

According to the side-by-side comparison, the Callaway 300 Pro and the Precision Pro NX7 are the best rangefinders that you can get for under $200.

Do Rangefinders Under $200 Come With Slope Compensation?

Yes, slope compensation is a common feature in most rangefinders. However, some rangefinders allow you to turn the slope function on/off to make it tournament legal.

Conclusion:

Most mid-range rangefinders are available for under $200. You just have to find the perfect device that includes all the features that you need. I hope this article was helpful enough for you to make an intelligent purchase.