Hello and welcome to another episode of Optics Trade Debates. Today, we’re here to talk more about laser rangefinder categories found on our webpage. To be more specific, we will discuss the subcategory of rangefinders for golf.
Let’s start with the basics. It’s super easy to tell golf rangefinders from all the other subcategories, thanks to the casing that comes in white and other vibrant colours. Other rangefinders use standard, safer options such as black, brown and army green that make the devices less noticeable in a natural environment.
The second thing is that all rangefinders specialized for golf have the first target priority feature. They are always used to measure the distance to the white flags on the golf course as those flags act as markers. Behind any white flag in the foreground, there may be other elements like trees, hedges or the hillside. They are not relevant to our interest and the first target priority ensures that the first object the laser beam hits on its trajectory will be the one used to measure the distance.
After the two most common features, there is a third one. Some advanced laser golf rangefinders also offer special software for distance adjustment. It’s entirely different than the ballistic software found in hunting and shooting rangefinders.
We receive many customer emails enquiring whether golf rangefinders can be used for long-range shooting due to the software that includes the compensation of distance. The simple answer is no. A hunting laser rangefinder device always takes the angle (at which the user is aiming the device) into consideration. It takes in only the equivalent of the horizontal range.
Golf laser rangefinders, on the other hand, have a software feature called slope adjustment (note that the term used may differ from one brand to another). Let’s say that the hole in question is on the golf course at an elevated position, for example on a hillside that is also at a considerable distance from the golfer. Laser rangefinders specialized for golf use will take into account the slope factor. The corrected distance reading given will be actually much longer than the line of sight suggests.
Compare that to the hunting laser rangefinders where the equivalent horizontal range is always shorter than the line of sight. There is also the factor of the bullet drop compensation, meaning that the corrected distance reading will be actually shorter instead of longer. Indeed, this opposite effect is the main reason as to why golfing and hunting laser rangefinders cannot be used in place of each other.
There are also other factors, of course. For example, advanced hunting laser rangefinders will also consider air pressure, temperature, and humidity while those intended for golf use will not.
Many rangefinders for golf are waterproof, compact and light. Unlike archery and hunting scopes, they rarely have a rubberized casing. They are usually also less robust since their use on golf courses does not make for a harsh work environment, typical of forests and mountains.
This brings us to the end of our debate. Thank you for watching. If you have any questions left, please leave them in the comment section below. Please subscribe to our Youtube channel for more Optics Trade Debates. Like and share this video. We’ll see you next time!