Gear: Bushnell Pro X3 laser rangefinder Price: $599.99
Specifications: Waterproof construction with 7X magnification, 1300 yard range, and “plays like a” slope distance.
Who it’s for: Golfers looking for a combination ease-of use and advanced technologies in a distance-measuring instrument.
The Skinny The Pro X3, Bushnell’s most advanced laser rangefinder, combines outstanding optics with functionality to allow golfers to quickly find accurate yardages.
Bushnell’s Deep Dive laser rangefinders are preferred by professional golfers and their caddies more than any other brand. They are well-constructed and provide yardages quickly and easily. Bushnell’s most popular features have been incorporated into the Pro X3, which can now be tethered directly to your smartphone for even more accuracy.
The Pro X3 feels solid and substantial when held in the hand. A small notch has been added to the lower part of the unit to allow golfers to hold it securely and comfortably in one hand. The Pro X3 is held in place by a strong magnet on one side. This keeps the Pro X3 within reach even on bumpy fairways and cart paths. A silver button on the opposite side switches between red and black the information and numbers in the viewfinder.
Holding the Pro X3 in front of your eyes and pressing the power button, you’ll see the battery life as well as the distance to your target in yards. You will also see the “plays like distance” and percentage of the unit compensating for the target’s slope when the Slope feature activates.
The Pro X3 can adjust the slope distance based upon elevation changes. It can also connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth and a free application. Elements Compensation will factor in temperature and barometric pressure for increased accuracy. To increase accuracy, you can also input the elevation of your home course into the unit.
The Pro X3 features a magnet on the one side. You can disable the Slope function by sliding a cap above the lens. (Bushnell)
When the slope features are working, golfers will see a thin orange stripe that has the word SLOPE on it, but in tournament play where laser rangefinders that use slope features and distance-compensation features are not allowed, pulling a small tab near the lenses down and then pushing a small lens cover piece forward disables them and makes the Pro X3 legal for use.
The Pro X3 vibrates in the hand to ensure that you get a measurement of the flag. A circle in the viewfinder flashes if the flag is detected. Bushnell claims that the Pro X3 can measure to within 3 feet of 600 yards.
Bushnell Pro X3 Rangefinder – $599
