Customer Reviews

Callaway LR550 Rangefinder by Nikon

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I tried an inexpensive GPS rangefinder (iGolf Neo), but found its readings inconsistent. I was reluctant to try the more expensive GPS rangefinders, and the laser rangefinders were also quite expensive. I then ran across the LR550Y and was impressed by reviews, the reputation of Nikon quality, and a reasonable price ($260). It's a solid product that performs well.

The unit is light and easy to handle. It will fit in a reasonably big pocket. The colors make it easy to not forget it in the cart (though this also makes it conspicuous and easy for thieves to spot - be careful!). The eyepiece adjusts easily for a sharp view, and the unit is also handy as a 6x monocular on the course. With a little practice it is easy to use. I cannot hold it steady enough to get the crosshairs directly on the flag for a reading unless I'm within 100 yards. At larger distances you put the crosshairs on a reflective area on or near the green, depress the button, and then slowly sweep the crosshairs over the pin. (you have about 8 seconds of sweep readings). The numbers will change as you go over the flag and you have your reading. It doesn't hurt to double check with distance readings from other course markers.

This is a quality item that can increase your confidence that you have the right club, though it can't swing the club for you.

This range finder has been a joy and easy to use. The eight second active mode makes verifying the target a snap and the display is as easy to read as any range finder I've used. My friends recommendation of the yellow was spot on because it makes leaving it in the cart near impossible. Lastly the waterproof feature (only one in the price range I saw) allows you to not worry about those occasional showers. I recommend it to everyone I play with!

Although the technology seems much the same as the Bushnell rangefinders (I also have a Pinseeker 1500), these units are slimmed down - both in terms of the size/weight, as well as the interface. One button turns it on, then puts it in scan mode for 8 seconds. This does mean that you have to keep it somewhat steady on the target or you'll get other distances as well. There are no rain modes or anything like that - just scan mode with "pinseeker" always on. The Bushnell might give you a few more options, but I like this as it gives me what I want and basically nothing else.

EYEPIECE FELL OUT (Broken). I read this in other reviews now, didn't see it earlier. The eyepiece breaks. Used it a couple rounds and was VERY careful considering a drop ruined my last one. Shot one yardarge, and I was holding the eyepiece in my hand. It is not made well and I certainly didn't do anything to make it fall out after two rounds. It's within my return period so I am returning it to Amazon for a Bushnell. I could see how the battery cover could come off and get lost too.

Sorry Nikon.

I purchased this rangefinder about a week ago, and it works EXCEPTIONALLY well. However, (per Kim's review) I see that the battery cover could come off, and be lost if you are not aware of it. To open the battery cover you need to push it in with your thumb or finger & turn about 1/8 turn, it will pop right off. I don't think it will accidentally come off very easily, but that is something to be aware of. Now, on to the real review of this product.
I've had a Golflogix GPS for about 3 years now, and have never been satisfied with it or the yearly price for keeping the maps updated. The smart phone apps that I have tried have been totally worthless. After seeing my friends using their rangefinders, I decided to try one. I know some rangefinders you have to be very steady & align your target with the reticle then push a button. NOT SO with the LR550. You push the power button once to turn on the reticle, then push it once more to put it in scan mode, and it scans anything & everything in the cross section of the reticle as you move over it including the FLAG, trees, bunkers,etc. It is fantastic!! As far as the working of this rangefinder goes, I would give more than 5 stars if I could.
I almost didn't consider getting this because of the Callaway name on it. I thought it was probably an over priced rangefinder with the Callaway name on it. I am so glad I read the reviews & purchased this rangefinder. It is actually made by Nikon. WARNING:do not buy one of the other Nikon 550's & expect it to perform well on the golf course. I'm told the LR550 is made for golf, and performs better than the regular (& cheaper) 550 rangefinders.
The reason I gave this 4 stars instead of 5 is because the manual that comes with it is very poor, and (per Kim's review) it doesn't sound like there is very good support for this product. I know I went to the Nikon web site to see about getting a better manual, and Nikon doesn't even have a manual for the LR550. So, shame on Callaway for putting their name of a product & not supporting it. Shame on Nikon for making a product with very poor support for it.

Having used GPS on golf courses for 7 years, I was always a strong opponent of laser rangefinders. The biggest complaints being targets have to be visible, only one target distance at a time, and you needed a steady hand.

Nikon's first target scanning mode makes hitting the flagstick easier, but still requires focus to hit, like hitting a golf shot. If you have shaky hands, I would recommend GPS over laser for sheer ease-of-use and always available distances to multiple targets. Mind you don't get the to the pin accuracy of laser, but GPS gives continuous yardages from anywhere on the course.

Overall, GPS offers more features and is easiest to use. However, if you need accurate to the pin distances, then laser is your only option. Thanks to Nikon optics and technology, The Callaway laser rangefinder is one of the easiest and most accurate units available.

I've played 10 rounds with this and so far, it works great. I liked the white unit over the yellow, but didn't realize the chevron logo on the neoprene case is made from rhinestones. Bling! -[...]

Loved the LR550 when it was working. Didn't realize the eyepiece was so fragile, pulled it out of my golf bag yesterday and the eyepiece was broken off. Now I see in reviews where this is a problem. Bought it four months ago and now we will see what Nikon will/can do. They are suppose to call back and e-mail for directions.
Sent the LR550 to Nikon on 10/18/11, recieved email from Nikon on 10/25/11 stating they would fix for free. To my surprise I recieved a new LR550 on 11/8/11. I am well pleased at the way Nikon handled this, hopefully the new product is not as fragile.

I read all the reviews and was excited to recieve my LR550. The reviews I read were correct, it takes a bit of getting used to but once you get the hang of it, it worked well. What the reviews didn't tell me was how easily the unit broke. I had the unit in my golf bag and after only 2 months pulled it out one day and the eye piece and lense had fallen off. Nothing appears to be broken but there was no way to re-attach it that I could see. I contacted Amazon and they referred me to "The Golf Store Inc." After contacting The Golf Store, they said you need to contact Nikon. At this point I am feeling like no one wants to own this problem and they are just shuffling me from one supplier to the next. After no luck getting ahold of Nikon I went back to the Golf Store and they said "I should not have stored it in my golf bag and you can't expect it to still be under warranty after 60 days". What? Where and I supposed to store it? And I may be a bit old fashion but I am one of those guys that when I drop $300 on something expect it to last more than a couple months.

After some convincing they agreed to contact Nikon for me and told me Nikon would be contacting me by e-mail. Bottom line is, Would not buy this unit again and will let you know if Nikon stands behind it.

The first time out with the rangefinder it worked very well. The second time out of the bag, the view eyepiece/lens fell out. I have sent this back to Nikon but have yet to receive a replacement.

This rangefinder was a steal for the lighting deal price of $209. However, the excitement quickly faded as the range finder had difficulty picking up any points (flags, posts, markers). I decided to send it back to Nikon in the original packaging. 4 weeks later, they send me a repair estimate of $130 to repair it because of some "phantom" impact damage. Needless to say, the product is defective, their warranty stinks as they don't honor their warranties, stay away from this product and Nikon. Simply awful experience.