5 Best Nikon Golf Rangefinders For Amateurs & Professionals
Golf is more than just a hobby for some players. If you are one such golf enthusiast, you surely need to buy several golf accessories to improve your game. One such tool is the golf laser rangefinder. It is a distance-measuring device that helps you to get a flawless overview of the field and help you understand how far you stand from the holes.
In this regard, the best golf rangefinders are produced by Nikon. In this article, I will explain why you should choose the best Nikon golf rangefinders over any other.
About The Manufacturer
Nikon is one of the leading manufacturers of optical instruments in the world. They have conquered the camera industry in such a way that no camera kit is complete without at least one Nikon product in it.
The best Nikon rangefinders became successful as soon as they were released. People from all over the world trust the quality and innovative features that Nikon provides in their products.
In short, it won’t be wrong to say that the top-notch rangefinders belong only to the Nikon family of rangefinders. Their products are of the highest quality standards and never fail to fulfill your demands.
Moreover, Nikon completely changed the rangefinders industry by introducing their unique image stabilization feature along with many others. This forced other manufacturers to compete in terms of innovation, and thus the rangefinders became much more effective than ever before.
Features Of The Nikon Rangefinders
Nikon rangefinders are known for their innovatively unique features that are hard to find in any other brand. Their products are heavy-duty, and you shouldn’t be worried about using them even in harsh weather conditions. Some of their signature features are:
Long-Range
A longer range is the most basic feature that you expect from any rangefinder. However, typical rangefinders only provide less than 400 yards of effective range in their products. Such a range may be useful for short-distance shots, but these products are worthless in long shots.
Therefore, Nikon decided to take matters into their own hands. They doubled the total range of their lenses even in the entry-level rangefinders. For instance, the range of an average Nikon rangefinder starts from 800 yards and goes all the way up to 1200 yards depending on the product you buy.
The more range that the device provides, the better you can spot the flag. Moreover, such long-ranged rangefinders can be easily doubled as a hunting rangefinders without any alterations. As a whole, the Nikon rangefinders are the most effective devices that you can get at a reasonable price.
Image Stabilization
Let’s be honest; we all face shaky hands at one point or another. No matter how experienced you are, there is always a point when your aim starts shaking uncontrollably. Shaky hands are the most common reason for inaccurate measurements, especially on long-distance targets.
Nikon came up with a solution that can improve your aim without any extra practice. The image stabilization technology is known to decrease the shakiness of the aim by up to 80%.
Image stabilization technology is usually used in digital cameras. It provides room for the lens to move around the housing without losing focus of the object. The problem with rangefinders is that you need to view long-distance targets through sight. In this case, even a slight movement on your end may result in a larger destabilization at the aim. It is because the angle of error increases with the increase in distance.
For instance, if you move an inch while aiming 600 yards away, the error in aim will be multiplied by 60. Therefore, Nikon’s image stabilization technology can greatly improve your accuracy by minimizing the effect of movement on the aim.
ID Technology
On the golf course, there are times when you are standing at an elevated position, either inclined or declined. You may be able to spot the target, but the rangefinder doesn’t show accurate yardage. According to trigonometry, the slope is a crucial element of distance. Therefore, the distance is divided into two parts, the linear measurement, and the angular slope, or the percentage of the slope of the ground.
For example, if you view the flag at a slope and the linear distance shows 170 yards. However, there is a 20% slope between you and the target. The actual distance reading is supposed to be around 189 yards. This error in the calculation can prove critical during serious matches.
Nikon understands the effect of slope on the range. Therefore, the smart ID technology is capable of measuring the slope percentage along with the linear distance. The algorithm of the rangefinder then automatically calculates the total distance with the accuracy of 1 yard or even less. As a result, you will always get accurate distances with any Nikon rangefinder.
Tru-Technology
Do you love the auto-focus feature of your camera? If yes, then you need to get your hands on a Nikon rangefinder. Nikon provides the same focusing feature in their rangefinders as their cameras. It is a technology that allows the rangefinder to detect flags, and holes automatically, and plumbs up to 250 yards away. Moreover, the secondary scanning continuously scans for the distance between you and the intended target.
For instance, if you want to measure the distance between you and the final hole, the Nikon rangefinder is there for you. You only need to aim at the flag and press the lock button to know the accurate distance. Moreover, you don’t even need to worry about accuracy; the rangefinder will provide a vibration pulse whenever you aim at the flag and not the tree behind it. This feature is similar to the Jolt technology but has improved speed and accuracy.
Best Nikon Golf Rangefinders 2021
As discussed before, no other rangefinder can match the accuracy, ergonomics, and additional features of the Nikon rangefinder. Therefore, if you are looking for the perfect rangefinder with a wide range of applications, you should check out one of these products below:
| Products | Features |
| Nikon Coolshot Pro Stabilized Golf Rangefinder | Image stabilizationSlope switched display range: 1200 yards |
| Nikon Coolshot 20i GII Golf Laser Slope Rangefinder | Range: 800 yards accuracy: 1 yardID technologyRainproof |
| Nikon Prostaff Laser Rangefinder | Range: 1000 yards6x magnificationTru-target technology waterproof |
| Nikon COOLSHOT 50i Golf Rangefinder | Anti-glare OLED display magnetic mount6x monocular Dual locked-on quake |
| Nikon Coolshot Golf Laser Rangefinder | Range: 800 yards pocket rangefinderIPX4 rainproofContinuous scan mode |
1. Nikon Coolshot Pro Stabilized Golf Rangefinder
Nikon’s image stabilization technology is well-known throughout the world. It is mainly beneficial for shaky hands due to alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine. The stabilization steadies not only the focus lens but also the laser beam that hits the target.
If you are looking for a professional golf rangefinder for long-range targets, the Coolshot Pro is the right gadget for you. It can measure up to 1200 yards away with continuous focus. Moreover, the auto-focus feature works for up to 250 yards without any input on your end.
Other additional features include slope compensation technology or ID technology. It provides adjusted distances for the slope factor to display accurate distances all the time. Furthermore, it is a waterproof device that doesn’t require a special casing due to the durable material of the rangefinder.
Features:
- Stabilization of focus and laser beam.
- Custom ID technology for selective targets.
- Bright OLED display
- Auto-lock with green ring circling.
- Waterproof and dustproof
- Fog proof
- USGA approved tournament legal.
2. Nikon Coolshot 20i GII Golf Laser Slope Rangefinder
The problem with most of the premium rangefinders is that the extra features come at the price of weight and size. For instance, the better features in the device, the heftier you’d find it. However, this isn’t the case with the Nikon Coolshot 20i.
It is the flagship model by Nikon that contains only the best features from all their products in one place. For instance, if you want long-range, auto-lock, slope compensation, and image stabilization in one device, you got it. Do you want all that to fit in your pocket? Well, yes, you got that one too.
The 20i is the perfect display of what you can achieve with technology. It comes with a bright OLED display with automatic brightness that allows you to view the display even under direct sunlight easily. Similarly, the unit is waterproof, rainproof, and dustproof so that you can enjoy golf whenever you want.
Features:
- Target priority mode
- Continuous scan at maximum range
- Image and laser stabilization
- Water, rain, and dustproof
- Nitrogen filled casing
- Multi-target mapping for 8 seconds.
3. Nikon Prostaff Laser Rangefinder
Nikon understands that not every customer can afford high-end products. Therefore, they came up with the Prostaff series that comes with all the signature features, long-range but at an affordable price. If you are looking for the best budget Nikon golf rangefinder, check out this one.
This beast of a budget device can measure up to 1000 yards with Nikon accuracy. Moreover, the multilayer lens can magnify the target six times without losing focus or blurring the image. Moreover, the true target can detect the flag even at maximum range and provide vibration feedback whenever the laser hits the flag.
However, the only drawback of the Nikon Prostaff 1000 is that it lacks image stabilization. However, if you know how to keep your hands steady, this is the best device for you.
Features:
- 6-1000 yards range
- Tru-target technology
- Waterproof
- ID technology
- Slope compensation
4. Nikon COOLSHOT 50i Golf Rangefinder
The Coolshot 50i is a medium price range rangefinder for everyday users. It comes with the promise of accuracy and sturdy build quality at an affordable price.
You can view as far as 1200 yards away with the 50i rangefinder. Moreover, the dual locked-on quake technology works in the same way as the Jolt technology of Bushnell tour devices. For instance, once you lock on to the target flag, the rangefinder will provide a gentle buzz along with a visual cue that you are accurately aiming at the intended target.
Features:
- Waterproof
- Long ranged 1200 yards
- Compact size and lightweight
- Anti-glare OLED display
- 6x monocular with diopter adjustment
5. Nikon Coolshot Golf Laser Rangefinder
You don’t always need a heavy-duty rangefinder all the time. Sometimes you just need a device that you can carry around in your pocket or bag and take it out whenever you need it. If you are looking for one such rangefinder, this product won’t fail to surprise you.
It provides exact yardages up to 800 yards with +/-1 yards accuracy. So, you can feel free to measure the distance to hazards or just know the yardage to the hole in no time. Moreover, the Coolshot Golf is one of the few devices to provide slope compensation function at such an affordable price.
It is a rainproof device so that you can feel free to play golf even during the wet season.
Features:
- Portable rangefinder
- 800 yards range with 1-yard accuracy
- Rainproof
- Slope indicator feature
- Target lock and continuous scan mode.
FAQs
Do all Nikon rangefinders have angle compensation?
No, only the high-end Nikon rangefinders come with slope compensation or ID technology.
Can I use the Nikon rangefinder during the rain?
Yes, all Nikon rangefinders are all filled with nitrogen. Moreover, the casing is tightly sealed with no room for water to enter. This way, the device remains waterproof, and the moisture can’t condense inside the casing.
Are the Nikon rangefinders suitable for hunting?
Yes, all the Nikon rangefinders are long-range with accurate yardage readings. Therefore, you can double your Nikon golf rangefinder as a hunting device without any problems.
Conclusion
Nikon rangefinders are the best devices that you can find on the market. All of their products are high-quality and come with several innovative features. If you are looking for a long-lasting rangefinder, you should check out the Nikon products.
