Similar to the other models on our list, the Shot Scope Pro L1 is rather compact in size and allows you to operate with just one hand. One of the cheapest rangefinders that will also work well is the TecTecTec Vpro500. This won’t be the fanciest looking model with the most bells and whistles; however, when you look at overall functionality, the rangefinder has everything you need for a fair price. What am I losing out on when buying a cheaper rangefinder? Slope functionality can be turned on and off, making the GolfBuddy Laser Lite acceptable for tournament play. The GolfBuddy Laser Lite is a compact rangefinder that fits easily in the palm of your hand. You will have no trouble feeling as though you have control of the unit as you hunt down your pin. Perhaps the most crucial feature of the GolfBuddy Laser Lite is the slope functionality.

One of the most fun things about testing golf rangefinders is when you find a budget model that can hold its own against a premium model. The GolfBuddy Laser Lite does the best job of disguising itself as a premium rangefinder in the budget golf rangefinder category. Accuracy Of course the most resourceful thing to do would have been to just google the solution as soon as the problem occurred, but hindsight is a wonderful thing! The GolfBuddy Aim L10V has a water-resistant body, three targeting modes, and then 6X magnification. The view is clear through the scope, and it can be adjusted with the diopter if you have some vision issues. It also comes with slope mode that can be toggled on/off. Nikon has an impressive history and reputation when it comes to lenses and visual technology. The Nikon Coolshot capitalizes on that to get golfers some extra precision and accuracy on the golf course. If optics are your concern, this is a great rangefinder to consider. Accuracy You therefore need to decide which suits you best. Ordinarily I would have always chosen the watch option but there is a lot to be said for the extra accuracy that range finders bring to the table. Having both is definitely an advantage when it comes to lowering your score.The total range for the TecTecTec VPro500 is 540 yards. This is plenty long enough for the average golfer, and it claims to have one yard of accuracy. We found that from 200 yards and in the continuous scan mode did an excellent.

Maybe the best way to look at the Shot Scope PRO L1 rangefinder is that it’s an example of a known company launching a product while the others are examples of products launching a company. Many golfers have rangefinders in place from eight or nine years ago. Technology has changed slightly, and the newer units from budget rangefinder manufacturers should last just as long and have slightly improved accuracy. The bottom line is that laser technology, scopes, and visual accuracy have gotten less expensive to manufacture and more advanced, especially in the last few years. Summary

You may wonder if the PRO L1 sacrifices accuracy. It does not. I tested it against rangefinders that are twice the price, and it was consistently within half of a yard. The only negative is that it’s a bit slower than some more expensive models, but we’re talking about the difference between one full second and a half second. Shot Scope claims the Pro L1 accuracy within one yard and displays all yardages to 0.1 yards! This gives the impression of some serious precision. In our testing the ShotScope L1, we found that the ShotScope Pro L1 was accurate within a yard up to 150-yards away, but that figure rose to ±2-yards outside that range, not bad but a smidge behind the GolfBuddy options in terms of performance. The first thing you will notice about the GolfBuddy Aim L10V is how small it is. For some golfers, this is positive, and for others, this is a negative. We like these more compact rangefinders as they are lighter in weight and easier to manage as we make our way around the golf course. If you want something chunkier, take a look at some of the large Bushnell models on the market.

The magnetic case is a nice feature. Many premium rangefinders have a magnetic body; this Laser Lite model has a magnetic case. Let’s start with slope. With the flip of a switch, the PRO L1 can change from a tournament-legal rangefinder to one that adjust your yardage for the change in elevation. The display is well organized and shows both the adjusted and raw yardages. The Adaptive Slope Technology readout is a little different. You turn Slope on or off using a toggle switch on the left side of the unit. When it’s on, the PRO L1 main readout will be standard horizontal distance. You’ll see the adjusted slope distance in the lower part of the screen in a much smaller font. In addition, you’ll also see a readout giving you the incline or decline angle percentage.The TecTecTec VPro500 is also considered an eye-safe laser rangefinder that will not strain your vision from continuous use.Good news if you are really golf obsessed! Like most modern rangefinders, the Shot Scope PRO L1 starts working the moment you install the (included) battery. One press of the power button brings up the aiming crosshairs, another press gives you the distance.

Voice technology is something that we have seen in GPS rangefinders for quite some time. If you think this could benefit you on a laser rangefinder, then the GolfBuddy Aim L10V is the place to look.This scrapes in the top end of our ‘budget round up’, but offers great function for the price. Accuracy The Shot Scope Pro L1 is a slope rangefinder and has a slope mode that can be easily turned on and off. This helps ensure that your rangefinder is ready for any type of round that you may have going. For comparison, when testing a wide range of budget golf rangefinders, we found that most models are accurate to within one yard as long as we were less than 150 yards from the target and have a steady hand. Once you get into that 150-250 range, the accuracy seems to be better with the higher-priced models. To be able to clearly see the target you are looking to find, the optics of a rangefinder are vital. Sometimes with a budget golf rangefinder, it is hard to find a model that will help you narrow in on the target. However, the optics on the TecTecTec Vpro500 are really clear, with great adjustability on the zoom and focus. In addition, there is a scan mode on the Nikon that works a bit differently than other models. With the 8-second continuous measurement scan, you will be able to move your rangefinder around and see the measurements change as you scroll over different areas.

For many golfers, all they need from a range finder is an accurate measurement to the pin. You get that and a bit more on top with this offering from Shot Scope. Nikon makes it easy to trust their product; with strong customer support and a tremendous reputation, this is a rangefinder that you can feel confident will get you through several years of golf.