- Updated: February 1, 2023
Best Budget Golf Rangefinder 2023
It’s no secret that golf equipment and accessories can be expensive. When it comes to golf gear, you’ll pay more for products from the big brands, and golf rangefinders are no different.
We’ve been reviewing golf equipment for over 10 years, to this day we believe the Sureshot Pinloc 5000IP laser rangefinder is the best affordable golf rangefinder on the market.
While high quality can often accompany those higher price tags, we’ve found the best bargains out there for rangefinders that can handle all your lasering needs for a fraction of the price of leading competitors. The Sureshot Pinloc 5000IP laser rangefinder fits the bill as a budget golf rangefinder that gets the job done and then some.
1 |  OUR TOP PICK | Sureshot Pinloc 5000IP |
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2 |  ALTERNATIVE | Peak Pulse Golf 6S |
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3 |  ALTERNATIVE 2 | Blue Tees Golf Series 2 |
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8 Best Budget Golf Rangefinders in 2023
1. Sureshot Pinloc 5000IP
The Sureshot Pinloc 5000IP laser rangefinder isn’t the cheapest option on our list, but it is one of the highest-quality options we’ve found in this market space. The Sureshot Pinloc 5000IP lives up to its superb reputation. With 6x magnification, it locks onto the pin and gives you the distance quickly. But that speed doesn’t come at the cost of accuracy.
This budget golf rangefinder gives you accurate readings, and it’s a cheap golf rangefinder compared to most big brands on the market. The Sureshot Pinloc 5000IP holds up against its more expensive competitors in the battle for accuracy. And at the end of the day, accuracy is the best attribute a golf rangefinder can have.
Once the Sureshot locks onto the target, the “Intelligent Pulse Vibration Technology” means it vibrates once locked onto the target (this feature can be turned off if you want). Its Priority Loc feature ignores background images and prioritizes focal points. So, you won’t mistakenly get a reading of that tree behind the green and overshoot the pin by 20 yards with your approach shot. Not fun! You’ll get an accurate reading in a flash.
PinLoc ensures the screen displays the distance for 15 seconds when locked onto the target. That’s plenty of time for you to process the yardage to the flag. The scan mode is another nice feature. If you hold down the power button, you can quickly scan the entire terrain and distances. It’s great for getting an accurate number to reach hazards like creeks, bunkers, or wooded areas.
You’ll feel comfortable using this golf rangefinder with a compact and lightweight design. Also, the Sureshot Pinloc 5000IP is water-resistant and shock-resistant for golfing in all conditions. And it comes with a stylish case and clip, so you can easily clip it onto your golf bag.
The Sureshot Pinloc 5000IP is a golf rangefinder you’ll want to have on the golf course. It does everything the more expensive golf rangefinders do at a lower cost. Although I haven’t used it enough to test the battery life, I’ve seen reports of people using it for over 50 rounds without any sign of the CR2 3V lithium battery losing juice.
If you’d like to check out our hands-on full review of the Sureshot Pinloc 5000IP, click here.
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2. Peak Pulse Golf 6S
At $79, the Peak Pulse Golf 6S is one of the best non-expensive rangefinders we’ve found on the market. While the price alone is fantastic, an essential factor of rangefinders should be their reliability and pinpoint accuracy. This rangefinder passes those tests with flying colors, particularly since the 6S operates with +/- .5 yard precision rather than the standard +/- 1 yard estimations. We tested the Peak Pulse 6S side-by-side to a rangefinder over FIVE TIMES its price, and their readings were consistently interchangeable. This means golfers should have zero fear they’re sacrificing quality or precision just because they are paying a lower price for a rangefinder.
Besides being highly accurate for a lower price than premium competitors, the Peak Pulse 6S is offered in two different models for the same price, a virtually unheard-of possibility in the rangefinder world. One 6S Model is the “No Slope Model” that purely gives your yardage between the ranges of 6 and 650 yards, while the other 6S option is the “Slope Model” that features a toggleable “Slope Switch” making it fully legal for competitive play.
Shared features between the two models of the 6S from Peak Pulse include things like “Flag Acquisition Technology” combined with “Pulse Vibration Technology” that makes it easy to lock onto the flag from up to 650 yards away for an accurate distance reading (even for golfers with shaky hands). Users can easily adjust the focus and image quality of their viewfinder shot to shot by tweaking the eyepiece for up to 6X magnification.
Arguably best of all, the 6S has a few unique features that really surprised us during testing for a rangefinder so affordable. The 6S automatically turns off after 8 seconds to save battery power, is fully water-resistant, comes with a highly durable magnetic closure carrying case, and has textured grip pads for easy carrying and use for all golfers.
Lastly, the Peak Pulse Golf 6S rangefinder includes a “1-Year No Questions Asked” Warranty that entitles buyers to total reimbursement or a new 6S sent to them free of charge. These incredible features were more than enough to pique our interest, and we hope we found your budget rangefinder solution for your 2023 golfing season.
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3. Blue Tees Golf Series 2
The Blue Tees Golf Series 2 is a fantastic golf rangefinder that costs under $200. The founders of Blue Tees Golf wanted to make golf rangefinders that operate tremendously but didn’t break the bank, and they’ve accomplished that with the Blue Tees Golf Series 2. This golf rangefinder gets the job done with no bells and whistles. It’s an excellent product from a quality brand and comes at a great price.
This rangefinder is presented very well for a product under $200. It looks great for a golf rangefinder in this range. You’ll get a canvas case, a lanyard, and a clip that easily secures to your bag. Also, it comes with a Blue Tees Golf sticker, 2 CR2-3V lithium batteries, and an easy-to-follow instruction manual. Unfortunately, you have to pay $40 extra if you want a magnetic strap, which is somewhat expensive. Its compact size means it’ll easily sit in the cup holder of the golf cart for safe travel.
The Blue Tees Series 2 has all the features you need on the golf course. It offers 6x magnification with an 800-yard range and an accuracy of +/- 1 yard. Under testing, the accuracy was consistent and wasn’t off by more than 1 yard.
The flag lock technology correctly identifies and locks onto the pin, even with trees and other objects in the background. It works quickly with a fast focus system, and the optics are fantastic for a golf rangefinder in this price range. And a pulse vibration will alert you when it’s locked onto the target. The Blue Tees Series 2 doesn’t have slope mode, but that exclusion makes it legal for use in a golf tournament. This is an excellent option if you play tournament golf and want one of the best cheap golf rangefinders.
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4. TecTecTec VPRO500
The TecTecTec VPRO500 has to make any list for the best budget golf rangefinder. Clear optics is something TecTecTec prides itself on. Its 6x magnification offers a clear picture of any golf courses you might play. And the rotating eyepiece on this golf rangefinder can be adjusted to enhance focus for the nearsighted or farsighted player so anyone can focus on the flag and accurately measure distances. This Model doesn’t have slope technology, which may be a downside for some golfers.
This golf rangefinder is extremely fast and offers accurate distance measuring. With a maximum distance of 540 yards, its range is shorter than the previous golf laser rangefinders on the list, but that’s only an issue in very particular situations.
When you’re aiming for the target, the pin lock feature makes it easier to lock onto the flag. It’s a good feature in a golf rangefinder for players with shaky hands. Also, the TecTecTec VPRO500 has a continuous scan mode that gives you distances for anything influencing play. Knowing if there’s a bunker or creek in your path with a 150-yard carry distance is always handy. All these features come in a golf laser rangefinder that’s easy to use.
This golf rangefinder is lightweight and compact. You’ll barely notice it in your bag, and it won’t take up much space. The black design with metal around the eyepiece gives this laser rangefinder a classy look. It costs more than $150, and it performs well for this price, too. The price, great features, and elegant design make the TecTecTec VPRO500 one of the best budget golf rangefinders.
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5. PrecisionPro NX7
The PrecisionPro NX7 golf rangefinder is the base model in the PrecisionPro NX7 golf laser rangefinder line. It offers an enhanced LCD display with 6x magnification. That gives you a clear picture of the course ahead. And you’ll be able to find any flag up to 400 yards and measure the distance to it. This golf rangefinder is accurate, so you’ll get the correct distances to help with your club choice. It lives up to the claim of accuracy within +/-1 yard of the reading. Or, you can switch the distance to meters if you prefer.
The pin acquisition technology makes it easy to lock onto the flag, even if you have shaky hands. Also, pulse vibration technology lets you know you’ve locked onto the flag and not a tree behind the green. But you can easily measure the distance to a tree if you like, or any object in your line of sight like a bunker. This golf rangefinder doesn’t have a slope mode. If you want a slope measurement, you’ll have to go for a more expensive golf rangefinder in the PrecisionPro NX7 line.
The PrecisionPro NX7 is a durable golf laser rangefinder. That’s down to its quality, shock-proof design. It’s also water-resistant, which only adds to its overall durability. The Precision Care Package is another one of its unique features. Although the battery life is good, Precision Pro Golf offers free batteries for life when you buy laser rangefinders in this line. That’s incredible customer service.
If you want an affordable and accurate golf laser rangefinder, the PrecisionPro NX7 is worth consideration.
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6. Bozily Golf Rangefinder
The Bozily Golf Rangefinder is a nice budget rangefinder. It offers 6x magnification and a range of 1000 yards, with an advertised accuracy of +/-1 yard. This product is quite accurate and has a fast focus system. You’ll get distance readings on the LCD screen quickly. And it’s equipped with a continuous scan mode so you can see what’s ahead. Also, it has “flag lock technology” and “jolt technology” to alert you when a distance is locked in.
This model is a golf rangefinder with slope technology. So, it’ll consider any slope and give you the slope-adjusted distance. And it has slope switch technology, which allows you to turn off the slope function for tournament play.
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7. Nikon Coolshot 20
The Nikon Coolshot 20 golf rangefinder is compact and lightweight. It comes in at under $150, a very reasonable price. Features include 6x magnification, a multilayered monocular that gives bright, clear images, and a range of up to 550 yards. It’s equipped with target priority mode, so trees behind the pin don’t interfere with the distance reading. This feature worked well during testing, as it was easy to lock onto the flag. The distances were accurate, too.
This laser rangefinder is sturdy and very easy to use. The compact and lightweight design means you can slip it into a pocket in your bag. It won’t take up much space at all or weigh you down. But golfers with bigger hands could find it awkward due to its petite size.
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8. Callaway 300 Pro
The Calaway 300 Pro golf rangefinder comes in at the high end of the budget price range. But it’s one of the best golf rangefinders on the market, so for under $300, it had to make this list of the best budget golf rangefinders. It’s equipped with 6x magnification and offers a range of 1000 yards with a +/-1 yard accuracy. This golf rangefinder is accurate, but it can be challenging to read the screen on overcast days.
The Callaway 300 Pro is a golf rangefinder with slope technology. It also has slope switch technology, meaning you can toggle off the slope measurement. This golf rangefinder comes with a flag-locking mode that allows you to lock onto a pin up to 300 yards away. And pulse vibration technology confirms that you’ve got the correct distance. Also, the scan mode works well for managing multiple targets.
Callaway is a golf brand known for its quality products, and the Callaway 300 Pro fits the bill. It’s compact and lightweight but durable, with a rain/fog-resistant casing. The Magnahold is a nice feature. It’s a powerful integrated magnet that allows you to securely attach the rangefinder to the cart frame for easy access during your game. And it comes with a hard carry case to keep it safe when not in use.
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Buyers Guide: What to Consider When Buying a Golf Rangefinder
When buying a golf rangefinder, you’ll want to consider accuracy, magnification, optics, durability, battery life, price, range, and slope technology. Let’s take a closer look at these areas.
Accuracy
Accuracy is the most crucial consideration when buying a golf rangefinder. A product must be accurate to be a great golf rangefinder. Simple as that. It doesn’t matter how good everything else is. If it gives inaccurate readings, it’s essentially useless as a rangefinder. The main job of the device is to give players distances out on the golf course, so when it comes to laser rangefinders, accuracy is king.
Magnification
Magnification is another central aspect to consider in golf laser rangefinders. All eight models on the list have 6x magnification. That’ll give you a clear view of the course ahead. With that magnification, you can easily pick out the pin or any hazards you might want a distance for.
Optics
Good optics are essential for a bright and clear view. You don’t want a blurry picture of your surroundings because it’ll make it harder to focus on your target. Locking onto the wrong object will mess up your accuracy.
Durability
It’s also essential for rangefinders to be durable. You’re investing your hard-earned money and want your purchase to last. Water resistance falls under this “durability” category. A water-resistant laser rangefinder shouldn’t stop working if exposed to a bit of rain. Cases are a standard accessory, which helps in the durability department.
Battery life
Battery life is another important consideration when buying golf rangefinders, but this ultimately comes down to individual usage.
Every rangefinder on this list has shown extensive battery lifespans, most lasting for over 50 rounds before needing a battery replacement.
Price
Everyone should consider price when buying a rangefinder, no matter their financial situation. Who wants to pay more than they need to? For instance, maybe you only need the basics. You’re better off buying a rangefinder with no bells and whistles in that case instead of a premium option that could cost over $500.
Range
When buying a rangefinder, the range is another aspect to consider. Some units will go as far as 1000 yards, while others will go around 500 yards. For many golfers, a 1000-yard range isn’t all that necessary. A player could use it to plan on a long par 5, but 1000 yards is still far beyond any golfers’ needs, even if they’re playing the longest hole in the US, the 773-yard Par 5 13th at TPC Colorado.
Slope Technology
Some golfers should consider slope technology when buying a golf rangefinder. Such rangefinders will give you a slope compensation distance. That means they’ll consider any slope and adjust the distance reading accordingly. A golf rangefinder with slope compensation technology could be a good investment if you play on a hilly course.
Summary
That concludes our list of the best and most affordable rangefinder options for the 2023 golfing season. The 8 models we’ve selected show that you can spend a manageable amount of money to get accurate readings out on the golf course.
Every rangefinder model on our list will do its intended job well, but each choice has unique features that could make one option better for your game than another. The right choice for you depends on your specific needs. After checking out our favorite features to consider when buying a rangefinder above, you should now have a good idea of what features are most important to you before making your buying decision.
The Sureshot Pinloc 5000IP rangefinder performed far better than initially expected. It’s highly affordable and accurate, and the “pulse” felt when locked onto the flag increases internal confidence in golfers that they have the proper distance to reach in mind. On top of all else, if you’re unhappy with your product or if something happens to be wrong with your device, Sureshot will fully reimburse you for your purchase or send another model entirely free of charge.
You honestly can’t go wrong with the Sureshot Pinloc 5000IP. It’s a great golf rangefinder with an easy-to-read LCD screen and well worth the price of less than $150.
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About The Author
Writers of Independent Golf Reviews
Independent Golf Reviews has tested and reviewed 1000+ golf products over the past 10 years. We use our experience and expertise to give golfers an unbiased insight on the market.
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