Callaway Hybrid Rangefinder Review

The Callaway Hybrid Laser has been retired. Check out our current recommendations for today's best golf rangefinders..

'Callaway Hybrid Laser'

Callaway Hybrid Laser
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We are still waiting for more feedback before we do the new Callaway Hybrid Rangefinder Review. However, we are really excited to finally see a hybrid at this price point.

Callaway Hybrid Laser User Rating: 4.50 Stars 4.50 out of 5 (8 reviews)

Score compiled from multiple sources.

We have always loved the idea of having the accuracy of laser combined with GPS information that a laser alone cannot provide.

Callaway Hybrid Rangefinder Features
  • Laser accuracy to +/- 1 yard
  • 6x magnification; range: 5-1,000 yards
  • Scan mode to acquire multiple targets
  • GPS distances to front, center, and back of the green
  • GPS distances to layup or carry hazards and doglegs
  • Auto-hole advancement
  • Up to 10 hours of battery life
  • Water and fog resistant
  • Preloaded with 38,000+ golf courses worldwide
  • No download or subscription fees
  • Comes equipped with Premium Hard Case
Callaway Hybrid Rangefinder Specifications
Callaway Hybrid Laser
Slope No
Vibration n
Size (Width x Height x Depth) 3 in. x 1.5 in. x 4.5 in.
Weight 7.6 oz.
Battery recharge and CR-2 Lithium 3V
Battery Life GPS 2 rnds - N/A
Display LCD
Rainproof Yes
Magnification 6x
Maximum Range 1,000
Minimum Range 5
Notes -
USGA Compliant (local rule) Yes
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We work very hard to obtain the correct information about product features, but cannot make any guarantees about the accuracy. Please double check with the merchant or manufacturer before making a purchase.
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Callaway 300 Laser Rangefinder Review

The Callaway 300 Rangefinder has been retired. Check out our current recommendations for today's best golf rangefinders..

'Callaway 300 Rangefinder'

Callaway 300 Rangefinder
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Callaway was missing from the laser and GPS golf rangefinder marketplace for awhile, but it’s nice to see them back with several new offerings.

First up, the Callaway 300 laser rangefinder. Our review will be available after we see some feedback from users, but we expect this one to be a contender in the mid-price golf rangefinder category.

Callaway 300 Rangefinder User Rating: 4.20 Stars 4.20 out of 5 (54 reviews)

Score compiled from multiple sources.

Features:
  • can pick up targets from 5-1000 yards
  • 6X magnification (+/- 1 yard accuracy)
  • Pin Acquisition Technology (P.A.T) locks onto flag quickly from up to 300 yards
  • Scan mode allows moving from target to target to acquire distances to multiple targets at once
  • Lightweight (7.5 oz.) and compact
  • Waterproof and Fog proof
  • Legal for tournament play
  • Measures in yards or meters
  • Sleek, ergonomic, soft casing design
  • Includes CR2 3V battery and carry case
Callaway 300 Specifications
Callaway 300 Rangefinder
Slope No
Vibration n
Size (Width x Height x Depth) 3 in. x 1.75 in. x 4.25 in.
Weight 7.58 oz.
Battery CR-2 3-Volt Lithium
Battery Life N/A
Display LCD
Rainproof Yes IPX4
Magnification 6x
Maximum Range 1000
Minimum Range 5
Notes -
USGA Compliant (local rule) Yes
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Callaway Diablo Rangefinder Battery

“Diablo Octane Battery”

Bushnell Tour V4 Replacement battery
Order the Bushnell V3

You won’t need to replace your Callaway Diablo rangefinder battery too often, but you definitely don’t want to be caught on the course without a spare. This rangefinder uses a 3-volt lithium CR2 battery. We put the instructions below for how to read the battery indicator and replace the battery.

If you get familiar with the battery indicator, you can replace the battery before it dies in the middle of your round.

Replacing the Callaway Diablo Octane Battery

  1. Open the battery chamber cover – Use the ball of your thumb or a coin inserted into the recessed part of the battery cover, to rotate the cover in the direction indicated by the Open/Close arrow. It may not open easily due to its rubber packing for water resistance.
  2. Replace the old battery with a new one – Install new battery with the [+] and [-] correctly positioned following the “Battery installation” indication seal in the battery chamber. (The [+] pole goes towards the insider of the chamber.)
  3. Close the battery chamber cover – Align the Open/Close indicator with the white dot and insert the battery chamber cover. Using the ball of your thumb or a coin, turn the cover in the opposite direction to the arrow indicator. It may not close easily due to the rubber packing for water resistance, but continue to turn it all the way until it stops. Confirm that the cover is securely closed.

Callaway Diablo Octane Rangefinder battery indicator

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No More Rangefinders From Callaway?

UPDATE: In 2015, Callaway got back into the laser rangefinder market. The one that gets our attention is the Callaway Hybrid Laser/GPS rangefinder. Although Bushnell sold a lot of their hybrid rangefinder when it came out, there just hasn’t been much competition. We love the idea of a hybrid and are glad to see decent ratings on this new Callaway. Check our list of current rangefinders to see other Callaway offerings.

Closed for BusinessHmm… I was looking on Callaway’s website to see if there were any new rangefinders or GPS devices released at the PGA Show. Even though I’m pretty good at finding things on the web, I couldn’t find them anywhere, so I emailed them. A short email came in reply and included this relevant piece of information…

In response to your inquiry, Callaway Rangefinders, and GPS devices are not currently featured on our website.

What does that mean? Have they discontinued their laser and GPS rangefinders? I’ll let you know when I get to the bottom of this, but for now, my mind is wondering and wandering…

Okay, maybe discontinuing golf GPS wouldn’t come as a huge surprise, but the fact that Callaway would no longer be selling laser golf rangefinders, that would surprise me…

Although Callaway’s uPro MX+ finally turned out to be a decent golf GPS, the product’s launch destroyed the ratings and the sales very quickly. It picked up momentum after the unit’s price dropped about 75%, making it the best deal in golf GPS. Still, it’s easy to understand why Callaway might have decided to get out of the golf GPS business. They do so many other things so well and the competition in GPS is getting so tough.

Their rangefinders, on the other hand, seem to have some popularity. Especially the entry-level models (the LR550, Diablo Octane and the X-Hot). In thinking back now, it does seem like Callaway hasn’t really gone “all in” with their rangefinder development, or maybe they have left it completely to Nikon? The three aforementioned models were nearly identical – the colors were updated and the name changed, but not any significant features. Perhaps the problem had something to do with the Callaway and Nikon partnership on these products. It’s really hard to say, but surprisingly, Callaway hasn’t seemed to gain any ground on the well established Bushnell, in the rangefinder market.

So is it over? No more rangefinders from Callaway? Maybe it’s time to hurry up and buy one before they are all sold out! As of this writing, the Callaway X-Hot rangefinder is still one of the best values in golf rangefinders.

If Callaway disappears from the laser rangefinder market, that would leave only Leupold as a real competitor in the golf laser rangefinder arena with Bushnell. Thank goodness Bushnell has continued to add innovation and improvements in 2014.

Hmm… Maybe Bushnell knows something I don’t… Is Callaway only pulling back in preparation for a renewed commitment to distance measuring?

Guess we’ll have to wait a little longer to find out. I’ll keep you posted!

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Callaway XHot Rangefinder Review

The Callaway XHot has been retired. Check out our current recommendations for today's best golf rangefinders..

'Callaway XHot'

Callaway XHot
Not Available


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One of the most striking things about our Callaway XHot Rangefinder Review was how many users thought it was a great value. All laser rangefinders get loads of comments about the accuracy and that was also true with the X-Hot, but add to that, comments about ease of use and excellent price and you know you’ve got a winner.

Callaway XHot User Rating: 4.46 Stars 4.46 out of 5 (28 reviews)

Score compiled from multiple sources.

Below we list all of the pros and cons mentioned by users in our review, but first here’s a look at some of the noteworthy features:

  • Long Eye Relief and folding rubber eyecup for eyeglass-wearers
  • 6X magnification with focusing eyepiece
  • Scan mode for up to 8 seconds
  • Waterproof -filled with nitrogen gas, sealed with O-rings
Most Mentioned Pros
90.5% of comments were positive.
  • accurate (19.05%)
  • value (12.70%)
  • easy to use (12.70%)
  • improves game (7.94%)
  • exact distance to any visible target (6.35%)
  • quality (3.17%)
  • lightweight (3.17%)
  • LCD clarity (3.17%)
  • small size (3.17%)
  • acquires distance quickly (3.17%)
  • 1/2 yard increments (3.17%)
  • works in all weather conditions (1.59%)
  • First Priority Targeting (1.59%)
  • simplicity (1.59%)
  • convenient (1.59%)
  • durability (1.59%)
  • legal (1.59%)
  • 6x magnification (1.59%)
  • speeds up play (1.59%)
Most Mentioned Cons
9.5% of comments were negative.
  • defective (3.17%)
  • target uncertainty (1.59%)
  • difficult to keep steady (1.59%)
  • difficult to use with sunglasses (1.59%)
  • difficult to lock on long distances (1.59%)
Callaway XHot Rangefinder Features and Specifications
Callaway XHot
Slope No
Vibration N
Size (Width x Height x Depth) 2.7 in. x 1.5 in. x 5.1 in.
Weight 6.3 oz.
Battery 3 volt CR2 lithium
Battery Life N/A
Display LCD
Rainproof Yes
Magnification 6x
Maximum Range 550
Minimum Range N/A
Notes Long Eye Relief and folding rubber eyecup for eyeglass-wearer. Focusing diopter by simple twisting action. Waterproof - filled with nitrogen gas, sealed with O-rings.
USGA Compliant (local rule) Yes
Order Golf Rangefinders from Amazon
We work very hard to obtain the correct information about product features, but cannot make any guarantees about the accuracy. Please double check with the merchant or manufacturer before making a purchase.
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