There are a wide variety of laser rangefinders on the market, from simple units to high-end models with many features. Golfers have many options and prices ranging from $100 to $500. The Nikon Coolshot Pro II Stabilized may not be the cheapest model, but it offers a number of features that cheaper models do not.
The Nikon Coolshot Pro II is delivered in a black carrying bag made of woven nylon. The case is basic and has less padding than one might expect for this price. The latch is a magnet that looks like a plastic clip, but it’s actually a magnet to open and close quickly. It would have been nice to have a more durable, molded case, but the $400 laser rangefinder works well and clips on your bag easily.
The Nikon Coolshot Pro II is smaller and has a better grip. Rubberized touch points allow you to easily hold the camera even when your hands are sweaty or cold. The buttons are not very visible, but they’re easy to locate without looking. Once you start using the unit, pressing them becomes second nature.
The Coolshot is so lightweight that you won’t even notice it hanging in your bag when you are walking. The 6X magnifier is clear, but has a slight tint that makes it work well in sunny conditions. In overcast conditions, the pins can still be seen clearly. Once I got it dialed in, I didn’t have to make any adjustments on the course. I was able to see shots from 200 yards as well as those at 50 yards. It is accurate and you can shoot the flag several times to get the same distance each time. The Coolshot Pro II was very accurate and easy to use to measure distances to trees, bunkers, or grass hills. I have never shot a target where the reading was off or wrong.
The Coolshot Pro II does not have a side that can be attached to the cart. It’s not very pleasant but I talked to Nikon about it. Any magnet on the side would interfere with the stabilizing gyroscope. A small light is displayed near the unit’s front lenses to indicate whether the slope measurement is active or not. The slope was also pretty accurate. I only had some issues on extreme downhill greens, but that can be attributed to the golfer.
Nikon’s image stabilizer is what really makes this laser rangefinder stand out from other units. Initially I thought that it would be great for targets beyond 200 yards. But the more I used it, the easier it became to shoot targets at shorter distances. With one hand, it is easy to target targets between 120 and 150 yards. My right hand no longer needs to be supported by my left arm to reduce my arms’ shaking. The stable crosshairs allow me to shoot longer par 5s in half the time of other rangefinders. You will feel a vibration once you have shot the flag. This indicates that the laser has found the flag. The bright red LCD markings on the scope are also a favorite of mine, as they make it easier to see in dark conditions or when there is a lot of foliage in the background.
The Nikon Coolshot Pro II Stabilized is a rangefinder that I carry in my bag. It is easy to use at any distance with the stabilization and clear optics. It may not be one of the cheapest rangefinders, but I think it’s the best.
