Bushnell Neo Ion Review

The Bushnell Neo Ion has been retired. Check out our current recommendations for today's best golf rangefinders..

'Bushnell Neo Ion'

Bushnell Neo Ion
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Our Bushnell Neo Ion Review is based upon lots of user feedback. We look for common themes, whether they are praise or complaints and summarize our findings.

Bushnell Neo Ion User Rating: 4.24 Stars 4.24 out of 5 (443 reviews)

Score compiled from multiple sources.

Although there are golf watches that do much more than the Bushnell Neo Ion, this is the golf watch that we believe most golfers should buy! It is simple to use, provides distances to the front, middle, and back of the greens, as well as hazards. In our experience, that is the information that most golfers need and want on their golf watches.

Don’t get us wrong, we love the Garmin golf watches that have smartwatch features and fitness trackers built in, but for the basics, the Bushnell Neo Ion is our top pick!

It’s also available in white and usually it’s much less expensive than other colors. Check it out!

Let’s start with the Neo Ion’s key features:
  • Pre-loaded with 35,000+ courses from 30 countries
  • Outstanding Battery Life will last three full rounds
  • Auto course recognition and auto hole advance
  • Up to 4 Hazard/Layup distances per hole
  • Shot distance calculator
  • Comfortable dual injected silicone sports band
  • Round odometer
  • No membership or download fees

Let’s just say the ratings on this golf watch are excellent – among the best we’ve seen for a golf watch. Bushnell doesn’t get fancy with a touchscreen or graphics, but they continue to make significant improvements with each new golf watch they release. Full battery indicator for Bushnell Neo Ion

The best part of the Bushnell Neo Ion is the battery life. This was the most talked about feature and users loved they could play three full rounds before charging it.

Accuracy in golf GPS devices is often misunderstood and very difficult to compare. The reason is that there are multiple factors that determine the accuracy of the distances, which means that each user’s experience in any given situation may be different. Therefore, most of the time we’ll find both positive and negative comments regarding accuracy. Amazingly, we haven’t heard anything negative about the accuracy of the Bushnell Neo Ion’s accuracy. We’re not saying it will always be perfect, just that there were lots of positive comments and zero negative comments in the feedback we reviewed.

Besides battery life, we think “ease of use” should be the biggest factor in choosing a golf GPS. There was no shortage of positive comments on the subject and again, not even one negative. With that said, there were several users who complained that there were only two hazards or layups listed per hole. Most likely the reason for the complaint is that these users didn’t know how to scroll down to the second page. (FYI: the button on the bottom right of the watch will do it!)

Users really like the look of the Bushnell Neo Ion and felt it improved their games. They overall felt great about the value and also the number of courses.

There weren’t all that many complaints about the Bushnell Neo Ion, but several people did mention that the Auto Course Recognition was slow. After it found the course, there no complaints about the responsiveness.

A few users had defective units and a couple of those users were unhappy with the customer service. There were also a few complaints about the durability of the watchband. Several users also struggled with getting the charging clip connected. I don’t believe any of them considered that a deal breaker, but rather were wishing it was a little easier.

Keep in mind that 80% of the user feedback was positive. We think this is an excellent choice and as of this writing, are putting it at the top of recommended golf watches list.

Bushnell Neo Ion Golf Watch Specifications
Bushnell Neo Ion
Course Download Fees No
Pre-loaded with Courses 33,000
Full Hole Views Yes
Slope / Elevation No
Battery Life 16 hours GPS
Battery rechargeable
Size (Width x Height x Depth) .59 in. x 1.77 in. x N/A in.
Measure Shot Distance Yes
Screen Size .91x.91
Resolution N/A
Display Type monochrome LCD
Weight 1.8 oz.
Rainproof Yes
Touch Screen No
Touch Targeting No
Manual Pin Positioning No
Stat Tracker No
Digital Scorecard No
Computer Analysis Tools No
Ground Verified No
Alternate Targets Yes
Green Rotates to your shot angle N/A
USGA Compliant (local rule) Yes
Notes -
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Bushnell Tour X Review

The Bushnell Tour X has been retired. Check out our current recommendations for today's best golf rangefinders..

'Bushnell Tour X'

Bushnell Tour X
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Our Bushnell Tour X Review is based on pros and cons reported by over 100 users. We look for recurring positive and negative themes within the reviews and summarize the results.

Bushnell Tour X User Rating: 4.66 Stars 4.66 out of 5 (222 reviews)

Score compiled from multiple sources.

First of all, this is the highest rated laser rangefinder that we’ve ever reviewed. What makes it stand out, even more, is that its price point is on the high side and usually that creates higher expectations which are seldom met.

In the case of the Bushnell Tour X, it seems that not only are expectations met but often exceeded! Phrases like “best rangefinder I’ve ever owned” and “worth the money” were more the rule than the exception in the user feedback that we reviewed.

Bushnell Tour X Features
  • Exchange Technology – Allows you to use the Slope feature when you’re playing for fun and legally turn it off when you’re in competition. With Slope turned on, you can see the degree of elevation and an estimate of how much shorter or longer a shot will play.
  • Dual Display Technology – this is a fairly unique feature that gives the option to view red display numbers or black display numbers depending on the lighting conditions.
  • Pinseeker Jolt Technology – This gives a visual indication on the screen, plus a vibration when the target to the flag is locked on.
  • Magnification: 6x
  • Accuracy: measures to within 1/2 yard.

Below are the pros and cons mentioned by users. When reading these, keep in mind that nearly 90% of the comments we saw were positive.

Bushnell Tour X – PROS
  • Accuracy – Accuracy was mentioned nearly twice as many times as anything else, however accuracy is always the top mention in laser rangefinder reviews. Unless you have a defective unit, laser distances will be accurate to within a yard or two. This model even gives distances to within 1/2 yard.
  • Ease of Use – This was the second most common theme and although many reviews didn’t specifically mention it, the overwhelming enthusiasm found in many other reviews makes us believe that it must be among the easiest of laser rangefinders to get locked onto the target.
  • Better than the competition – There were many comments from users who were switching from other rangefinders and all but a couple were thrilled with the performance.
  • Price for Features – It surprised us to see how many people felt this was well worth the money. As always when a rangefinder is “high-end”, there were a few who make comments about it, but overall our impression is that this one truly is worth the extra money.
  • Dual Display Technology – Users really loved being able to easily switch the display color back and forth between black and red.
  • Game Improvement – Many users gave credit to the Bushnell Tour X for lowering their scores!
  • Size/Weight – Although this isn’t the smallest of rangefinders, overall the feedback was excellent.
  • Faceplate Exchange – Many users commented on how nice it was to be able to use the same device for competition as for practice and fun rounds. Simply change the faceplate to red to make it legal for competition.
  • Pinseeker Jolt – Many users seemed surprised at how much the Jolt reassured them that they had locked onto the target.
  • Speed – The speed at which the target was acquired was mentioned fairly often.
Bushnell Tour X Review – CONS
  • Price – Not surprisingly, the price was the biggest complaint… HOWEVER, we were shocked to see how many people felt it was well worth the money.
  • Pinseeker Jolt – There were a few complaints that the Jolt didn’t always work.
  • Display – A few users mentioned that the display was difficult to see in certain low light conditions. It wasn’t clear whether or not they adjusted the dual display or not.
  • Compared to Other Rangefinders – A few users felt that they had been happier with other Bushnell rangefinders.
  • Defective – There were a couple of users who felt they had defective models. One returned for a working model and the other did not say whether it was returned.


Honestly, this model isn’t for everyone. However, if you play in competitive events where slope rangefinders are not allowed, the Bushnell Tour X with Jolt should be at the top of your wishlist!

Bushnell Tour X Jolt Features and Specifications
Bushnell Tour X
Slope both
Vibration y
Size (Width x Height x Depth) 3 in. x 1.5 in. x 4 in.
Weight 8 oz.
Battery 3 Volt CR2 Lithium
Battery Life N/A
Display multi-coated dual
Rainproof Yes
Magnification 6x
Maximum Range 1,300
Minimum Range 5
Notes
USGA Compliant (local rule) Yes, when the black faceplate is attached.
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TecTecTec VPRO500 Review

'TecTecTec VPRO500'

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Our TecTecTec VPRO500 review is based on a hands-on test and the feedback of over 100 users. We track the pros and cons mentioned to see if there are common threads to help determine the strengths and weaknesses of every product we review.

TecTecTec VPRO500 User Rating: 4.50 Stars 4.50 out of 5 (848 reviews)

Score compiled from multiple sources.

After our hands-on testing of this unit, we can confirm that it’s our pick for the best value in a laser golf rangefinder. Oftentimes, we have found less expensive rangefinders don’t lock onto distant targets very easily, but that is not the case with the TecTecTec VPRO500.

We found it easy to use even at very long distances. Changing from Scan to Pinsensor mode was simple, as was changing from yards to meters. It feels well built and it has larger numbers than most rangefinders. We give this model a big thumbs up! With a price point this low and hundreds of five-star reviews, you would be crazy not to consider buying the TecTecTec VPRO500 laser rangefinder.

bs up!

Below is our summary of the common themes we learned when considering user feedback.

TecTecTec VPRO500 Review Summary – PROS
  • Accuracy – This is by far the most frequently mentioned comment by users. That is typical in laser rangefinders because unless you have a defective model, they are all accurate to within two yards.
  • Price – It’s not a surprise that users love the price. It’s by far the least expensive, highly rated laser rangefinder on the market.
  • TecTecTec VPRO500 Golf Laser RangefinderEase of Use – Although this is the third most mentioned comment on the PROS list, it’s also worth mentioning that it’s the top complaint as well. There are twice as many who say it’s easy to use as there are those on the other side, but this is typically where we see negative comments in all laser rangefinders. Generally what users are describing is that it is difficult to hit the correct target and feel confident in the distance. It is our belief that if you have a reasonably steady hand and a little patience, you can probably learn to use any laser rangefinder. If you don’t, you probably want to step up to one of the rangefinders that we have rated at over 4.6. Those are the ones that have proven themselves easiest to use.
  • Another common thread was that the TecTecTec V500Pro measured up to the name brands very well.
  • The size, weight, and grip were also mentioned as a positive over and over again.
  • Here are a few other positive comments that we saw mentioned fairly frequently: improves your game; good customer service; well-built; scan mode; and clarity.
TecTecTec VPRO500 Review Summary – CONS
  • Ease of Use – As mentioned above, this is the observation that sets a top laser rangefinder apart from one that is really good. Although the TecTecTec VPRO500 gets many compliments on being easy to use, it also gets some negative comments. (We still think that it measures up to other big name rangefinders with similar specifications.)
  • Other occasionally mentioned negative themes were: it didn’t measure up to the competition; quality; and customer service. One thing we noticed in reading reviews is that every negative review received a response from TecTecTec with an email address encouraging the user to reach out to the company. We don’t know what follow-up was like after that point, but it seems worth mentioning that their customer service department is at least being proactive.

To be honest, the reviews impressed us enough that we’ve decided it’s worthy of a hands-on review comparison with Bushnell and Callaway. We’ll let you know the results!

Note: This device is also available with Slope.

TecTecTec VPRO500 Features and Specifications
TecTecTec VPRO500
Slope No
Vibration n
Size (Width x Height x Depth) 2.8 in. x 1.6 in. x 4.1 in.
Weight 6.6 oz.
Battery CR-2 Lithium 3V
Battery Life N/A
Display N/A
Rainproof Yes
Magnification 6x
Maximum Range 540
Minimum Range N/A
Notes Besides Pinseeker Mode, which gives the available distance between you and the closest object, this model also has Scan & Distant Target Priority Mode which displays the furthest object in the field.
USGA Compliant (local rule) Yes
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Best Golf GPS

Our picks for the Best Golf GPS devices are separated into six categories. There is some overlap between the categories, but hopefully, this will help you quickly find the best model for your needs.

Best Golf GPS by Category



Best Full Hole View Golf GPS
Garmin Approach S60 - Read Full Review

Garmin's newest golf watch looks to be a sophisticated golf watch, fitness watch, and smartwatch. It will be released in the summer of 2017 and we look forward to exploring all the features here very soon!

Rating: 3.86  
Weight: 1.8* oz.   Legal: Yes		Garmin Approach S60
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Garmin Approach G30 - Read Full Review

We are excited about the Garmin Approach G30, Garmin's newest handheld golf GPS! This full-featured unit provides full hole views, touch targeting to any point on a hole (including the pin position), a scorecard for up to four people, and stat tracking. You can also set it up to get notifications from your smartphone during your round. Using the Garmin Connect app, you can have detailed game analysis on your phone or your computer. This model is a little smaller than previous Garmin handhelds, making easy to carry in your pocket or clip to your belt or golf bag. It also has a 'Big Numbers' mode for distances to the front, middle, and back of the green.

Rating: 4.38  
Weight: 2.5 oz.   Legal: Yes		Garmin Approach G30
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Best Basic Handheld Golf GPS
Bushnell Phantom 2 - Read Full Review

This is the perfect golf GPS for 95% of the golfers we serve. The large font and transreflective display make it easy to see in all conditions. The BITE magnet holds firmly to your cart or if you're walking, the included belt clip or carabiner make it easy to find distances when you need them. The new GreenView feature allows for more precise distance by selecting a pin position. This unit charges in under 3 hours and gets up to 18 hours of play. It's super simple to use right out of the box. And, we love that it's fully waterproof so you can leave it up on those rainy days!

Rating: 4.55  
Weight: 2.75 oz.   Legal: Yes		Bushnell Phantom 2
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GolfBuddy Voice 2 SE - Read Full Review

GolfBuddy has a winning formula with its GB Voice line. It's small, easy to use, lightweight, with an LCD screen, as well as voice distances. Plus, it's budget-friendly. The GolfBuddy GB Voice 2 SE increases the battery life over previous models to up to 20 hours. That's the most important feature of this solid performing compact golf GPS. We love it! We also love that you can see distances to the front, middle, and back of each green and also switch over to see the shape of the green when you want. It comes preloaded with 40,000 golf courses and can be updated using GolfBuddy GB Manager.

Rating: 4.41  
Weight: 1.1 oz.   Legal: Yes		GolfBuddy Voice 2 SE
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GolfBuddy Voice 2 - Read Full Review

GolfBuddy just keeps building on a winning theme. The GolfBuddy Voice 2 claims 14 hours of battery life. That's four hours more than the GolfBuddy VS4! It's water resistant, has the choice of male or female voice, and of course provides distances to the front, middle, and back of the green. It's available in three different colors as well. The wristband can be ordered separately on Amazon.

Rating: 4.40  
Weight: 1.02 oz.   Legal: Yes		GolfBuddy Voice 2
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GolfBuddy Voice X - Read Full Review

The GolfBuddy Voice line has been a huge success from the beginning. The VoiceX is the latest in this line and has a few nice upgrades from its predecessor the GolfBuddy Voice 2. The most notable improvement is that it adds Bluetooth connectivity to your smartphone for automatic updates to the golf course you're playing when you enter golf mode. The screen is a little larger and it has a Big Numbers mode and manual pin placement capability. It also adds a fairly detailed GPS activity tracker for runners and walkers. It may sacrifice some battery life for the extra features, but should still easily get 2 full rounds. A watchband is available separately.

Rating: 99.00  
Weight: N/A oz.   Legal: Yes		GolfBuddy Voice X
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Best Clip-on Golf GPS
Bushnell Phantom 2 - Read Full Review

This is the perfect golf GPS for 95% of the golfers we serve. The large font and transreflective display make it easy to see in all conditions. The BITE magnet holds firmly to your cart or if you're walking, the included belt clip or carabiner make it easy to find distances when you need them. The new GreenView feature allows for more precise distance by selecting a pin position. This unit charges in under 3 hours and gets up to 18 hours of play. It's super simple to use right out of the box. And, we love that it's fully waterproof so you can leave it up on those rainy days!

Rating: 4.55  
Weight: 2.75 oz.   Legal: Yes		Bushnell Phantom 2
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Garmin Approach G12 - Read Full Review

As expected, Garmin impressed us with this feature-pack golf GPS device. The most exciting thing about the Garmin G12 is the 30-hour battery life! That doubles the battery life of the Garmin G10 and it's 10 hours more than the Bushnell Phantom 2. At this price point, this will be the deciding factor for many golfers. Others will choose this model to use with the Garmin Approach CT10 Club Tracking System. The Garmin Approach G12 matches or exceeds the features of other golf GPS units in the same category. The price is a little bit higher, but if it's in your budget, the battery life, stat tracking, and analysis tools, make this worthy of your shortlist!

Rating: 4.48
Weight: .9 oz.   Legal: Yes
Izzo Swami 6000 - Read Full Review

The Izzo Swami 6000 has a colorful screen with LARGE easy-to-read distances to the front, middle, and back of every green. That alone makes this the ideal pick for anyone who might struggle to see the numbers on other golf GPS devices. Honestly, it's just nicer to look at than others in this price range. We're also impressed by the rave reviews on battery life. Izzo claims 16 hours and users seem to agree. Although the Swami 6000 has a built-in scorecard, users struggled to use it. If you don't record your score before heading to the next tee, it forwards to the next hole and you can't go back until you're 60 yards down the next fairway. That's not exactly the perfect time to enter your score, so we don't recommend this model if scorekeeping is on your desired feature list. The price point on this model is perfect for what it offers. It's easy to see and easy to use. It also provides distances to hazards and doglegs and a strong magnet for mounting to your cart or the included belt clip.

Rating: 4.42  
Weight: 3.4 oz.   Legal: Yes		Izzo Swami 6000
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GolfBuddy Voice 2 SE - Read Full Review

GolfBuddy has a winning formula with its GB Voice line. It's small, easy to use, lightweight, with an LCD screen, as well as voice distances. Plus, it's budget-friendly. The GolfBuddy GB Voice 2 SE increases the battery life over previous models to up to 20 hours. That's the most important feature of this solid performing compact golf GPS. We love it! We also love that you can see distances to the front, middle, and back of each green and also switch over to see the shape of the green when you want. It comes preloaded with 40,000 golf courses and can be updated using GolfBuddy GB Manager.

Rating: 4.41  
Weight: 1.1 oz.   Legal: Yes		GolfBuddy Voice 2 SE
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Nikon COOLSHOT 20 Review

The Nikon Coolshot 20 has been retired. Check out our current recommendations for today's best golf rangefinders..

'Nikon Coolshot 20'

Nikon Coolshot 20
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Updated Nikon Coolshot 20 Review… We were initially attracted to the price, the small size, and light weight of the Nikon Coolshot 20. User reviews are good, but we did notice that some people complained that acquiring distances to longer targets was difficult.

Nikon Coolshot 20 User Rating: 4.42 Stars 4.42 out of 5 (219 reviews)

Score compiled from multiple sources.

When we gave it a hands-on test, we found that at distances over 150 yards when there were trees or a hill behind the green, it was sometimes a little more difficult. The price point on the Coolshot 20 and the overall high ratings make it worthy of consideration for those with experience using a laser rangefinder. However, if you have the budget for something a little easier to use, we recommend taking a look at our current list of Best Laser Rangefinders.

The Nikon Coolshot 20 Review below is based on user feedback only.

The reviews on the Coolshot 20 are very good and the price is lower than the competition. Learning to use it should be quick, but for those of us used to holding down or pumping the button, it takes a mental adjustment to realize that you just push and release the button and let the rangefinder scan for the pin. There were mixed reviews on whether or not it was easy to acquire distances, however probably twice as many users felt it was easy, compared with those who did not. So if you are buying your first laser golf rangefinder, you may want to spend the extra and get something like the Bushnell Pro X7 that works best with two hands.

Most Mentioned Pros
% indicates frequency mentioned

  • Accuracy (26.7%)
  • Easy to acquire distance (18.3%)
  • Price/Features (15.4%)
  • Size/Weight (14.1%)
  • Better than competion (2.8%)

Most Mentioned Cons
% indicates frequency mentioned

  • Difficult to acquire distance (8.4%)
Nikon COOLSHOT Specifications
Nikon Coolshot 20
Slope No
Vibration n
Size (Width x Height x Depth) 2.9 in. x 1.5 in. x 3.6 in.
Weight 4.4 oz.
Battery CR2 Lithium
Battery Life N/A
Display N/A
Rainproof Yes
Magnification 6x
Maximum Range 550
Minimum Range 6
Notes -
USGA Compliant (local rule) Yes
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