Customer Reviews

Nikon Laser Caddy Rangefinder 500G

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I bought my Nikon LaserCaddy after trying a friend's Bushnell Pinseeker on a Florida golf trip. The Bushnell impressed me, but it seemed expensive, and I figured Nikon probably knows a thing or two about optics, so how big a risk could it be? I didn't want the "illegal" slope correction feature anyway, and that made the LaserCaddy a decent bet.

Both products suffer from the same jitter syndrome. I'm over 50 and I must confess that while the form factor on either one fits nicely in your hand, it's virtually impossible for me to keep them steady. I've tried various techniques and the one that works best involves holding it with both hands and bracing my elbows against my chest, but even then it's a crapshoot. If the flag is pointing straight out I can sometimes get a clean read on the first try, but that's the exception rather than the rule. Usually I have to "quick click" a few times to get the right distance. Sometimes while I'm hunting, it picks up trees or other objects behind the flag and gives me a nonsensical reading. But as long as you have a relative idea of where you are, it's never been difficult to discard the wrong number and keep trying until the Laser Caddy gets it right.

And get it right it does. I've compared my LC to results from a cart-mounted GPS system, and the LC is every bit as good. In fact, it's better because it isn't subject to "cart path only rules" or the occasional par-3 tee box that is elevated or otherwise inaccessible to the cart or top-secret government restrictions that prevent 100% accurate readings from satellites. Nothing beats knowing exactly where the flag is on a par-3 or any shot under 150 yards for that matter.

Right after I got it, I took my LC to the range and started trying to calibrate my wedges and short-irons. I was quickly able to get a fix on actual carry and become a lot more confident in knowing where a well-struck shot was likely to land. Your results may vary, but I'm conservatively going to guess that the LC is now saving me a couple shots per round because I know where the ball is going to land if I hit it right. Since I bought it, I've won a closest to the pin competition for the first time in my life and recently holed a 113-yard shot on a par 5 for eagle. I admit the LC isn't hitting the shots for me, but golf is a game where confidence is rewarded, and at least it takes one more variable out of the equation and makes it a certainty. And that's definitely worth something!

I've had Bushnell range finders for the last 5 or 6 years. They worked ok, but are bulky, and both of them finally petered out, and Bushnell refused to fix, just wanted to sell me the new 1500...I used the 1500 for a week, and it was ok, then I ran into the Nikon Laser Caddy, that a friend was using. The Nikon was much smaller, and with the scan feature, much easier to use. I sent the 1500 back, bought the Nikon, saved about $100, and I love it. Maybe its because I'm used to range finders, so I had no difficulty locking on to targets. All the range finders have gotten better, and this is the best of the bunch....wish it had a nicer case, the one it came with is cheap.

Tried the Bushnell Pinseeker 1500w/ slope which is a terrific (albeit expensive) rangefinder. The problem is that it is too large to easily maneuver during a round if you walk as I do. I sold mine & ordered the Nikon instead. It doesn't have the slope feature which makes this a legal rangefinder. It is small - about half the size of the Bushnell - and very easy to stow in a front, top pocket of your golf bag (as I did) or even carry on your hip using the enclosed case (which I do not recommend).
There are 2 buttons on top, one for Power and the other for mode to change from Yards to Meters. This button probably could've been moved elsewhere on the device because once set to yards you don't need it again and only have to focus on the Power button. Push the power button, line up the crosshairs, push it again and get the reading. Hold the button down to scan readings from different objects. The scan feature, plus the design of this Nikon to report out the closest object when many are detected are critical for getting an accurate read on the pin when the green contains many trees close to it. You may initially get a read on the surrounding trees but by scanning a little may then produce a brief change 20 yards or so closer..that would be the pin.

It is fast to use and get a reading..I found that one relatively unsteady hand was all that was necessary. By the end of my first round I found I could retrieve the rangefinder, line it up, get my reading, and return it to the pocket in the golf bag in about 15-20 seconds. I found the readings extremely accurate and, on at least a few holes, it resulted in a yardage read different then I would have made manually...all resulting in successful iron shots pin-high.

The only negative is the enclosed case is barely larger than the rangefinder - making it an effort to coax the rangefinder out of the case. That takes too much time and forces you to pull it by the lens to remove it. Instead buy a camera case thats more roomy and has a quick easy open Velcro top and this way you can keep it in an unzipped top pocket, or goody pocket, of your golf bag and have quick, easy access during the round. The instructions are minimal (the simplicity doesn't require much instruction however) and are printed on thin paper folded a number of times and displayed in a half-dozen different languages.

This is very good rangefinder with the right size and simplicity of use to make it a tool I intend to use every time out.

**1-Year Update - I have been using this product for exactly 1-year now. I golf 2x week and this little baby is still the bomb! Batteries have held up - I leave the rangefinder in my golf bag which sits in my trunk year-end - no signs of any weakening. My avg. golf score dropped 5 points, from 99 to 94, in 2007 - a significant 1-yr improvement and the only change in equipment was the addition of the Nikon rangefinder. Prior to 2007 I had shot in the 80's a total of 4x. I shot in the 80's 15x alone in 2007 - including a PB of 83. I may not always be on the green with my approach shots but, because of the Nikon rangefinder, I am almost always pin-high!

I have found that you need a very steady hand (much better than mine)as any movement from the flagstick will get variable readings. Clutter behind the flagstick will also cause variations in the proper yardage. I have only used it a few times as it takes more time to use than its' value.

I've been using this for a month now and it's like a microwave oven or TiVo - don't know how I got along without it. It's great for practice, where you need accurate feedback on how far your shots go. It's great on the course, especially if the course is not well marked or is unfamiliar to you. It's small enough to carry in your pants pocket on the course, so you're never without it. It has a neck strap, but I find that impractical to use while swinging a golf club. My only complaint is the cheap pouch that came with it. The snap on mine broke within two weeks, and that's the only reason I didn't give 5 stars. In spite of that, this is a very useful tool for any golfer.

I've had this rangefinder for almost a year now and have been very happy with it. It does a much better job of picking up the pin then my old Nikon 400 that was designed for hunting. It is very compact and, so far, seems to be very durable. I looked at a lot of rangefinders for golf and in my opinion this one had the best combination of optics, size, design and durability. I'm really happy now that I can use it legally on the course.

Although I gave it five stars, it is not perfect. You must have a steady hand and, if the wind is not blowing the flag, it may take more than a few tries to get a reading to the pin and not the background. Still the best all-around though.

After I bought this product, I was considering returning it because it was only capable of shooting pins from 160 yards. After trying it, I have found that it can hit the pins from 220 yards. If there is enough wind to move the flag a little, you can shoot the flag from 300+ yards. It is also impressive how it can pick out the pin when there are trees in the backround. This product exceeded my expectations. Better than any GPS that only gives yardages to fixed targets. My only complaint would be that it requires a lithium battery which I am sure it is expensive. Some models use a 9 volt, which is much cheaper.

With free delivery I received the 500G within 48 hours from Amazon.com. I have tried other range finders and have found the 500G to be great. The flags at my course have Laser link reflectors on them and using the scan mode I can easly measure flags 300-400 yards. Using the regular point and shot mode is also very easy. It is not necessary to be exactly right on the flag to pick up the yardage. The 500G is small and very nice.

This little thing is sweet. Very clear optics, easy to read, super accurate, and nice and small for my golf bag. Well worth the money.

Can't beat Nikon glass! Great optics. I've compared it to several Bushnell models and the Nikon is clearer. It give fast readings easily up to 300+ yds. There is slight magnification which is a nice feature. Easy to hold steady and best of all it's SMALL enough to fit in your pocket during play. It's a hassle trying carry around (with case/in/out of cart) the Bushnell 1500 during play. HIGHLY recommend!