Bushnell Medalist Rangefinder Review

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

'Bushnell Medalist'

Bushnell Medalist
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Our Bushnell Medalist rangefinder review is the culmination of reading customer reviews and taking notes, studying its features and comparing prices to other laser rangefinders.

Our number one takeaway from our hours of research is that the Bushnell Medalist Rangefinder with Pinseeker is an excellent value for a name brand laser golf rangefinder.

Bushnell Medalist User Rating: 4.52 Stars 4.52 out of 5 (399 reviews)

Score compiled from multiple sources.

Most users loved the Medalist and found it very easy to use. For golfers looking for a laser rangefinder at with a lower price point, the Bushnell Medalist should definitely be a consideration. The one comment mentioned more than any other was that it was easy to use.

The main reason that the Bushnell Medalist would not make the cut for some users is that a lower magnification level probably makes it a little more difficult to lock on to targets, particularly distant targets. The majority of reviewers didn’t find this to be a problem. However, those who complained that it was difficult to be steady enough to get a reading and those who found they had to double-check a yardage two or three times to make sure they hit the right object, would probably benefit from the stronger magnification found on more expensive models.

One thing we noticed was that this was not the first rangefinder for many of the reviewers. Those moving from GPS golf rangefinders to laser noted how nice it was not to have to pay fees and deal with computer downloads. They also liked knowing that it could be used on any golf course, not just those available through the device manufacturer.

Overall the users had many more positive things than negative to say about the Bushnell Medalist, but read our list of pros and cons to see for yourself. Just FYI, the #1 “PRO” in our list was mentioned nearly five times more than the #1 “CON“.

Most Mentioned Pros (in order of of mentions high to low):
  • Easy to use
  • Accurate
  • Ability to get exact distance to any visible target
  • Pinseeker makes it easy (even at long distance) to lock onto the pin
  • Improves your game
  • Value (price)
  • Quality / Durability
  • Gets yardages quickly
  • Increases confidence
  • Compact size
  • No computer required
  • No fees
  • Works on all courses
  • Lightweight
  • 9-volt battery is easy to find and inexpensive
  • Great for getting exact distances to targets on a driving range
  • horizontal / not vertical
Most Mentioned Cons (in order of of mentions high to low):
  • Need to recheck to avoid getting distance to the wrong target
  • Difficult to hold steady
  • Battery cover falls off
  • Flimsy case
  • Product or display failure
  • Only has 4x magnification
  • Can’t hit targets that you can’t see (over a hill or through trees)
Bushnell Medalist Specifications
Bushnell Medalist
Slope No
Vibration N
Size (Width x Height x Depth) 1.7 in. x 4.5 in. x 3.8 in.
Weight 9 oz.
Battery 9V
Battery Life N/A
Display LCD
Rainproof Yes
Magnification 4x
Maximum Range 500+
Minimum Range 5
Notes -
USGA Compliant (local rule) Yes
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Replacement battery for Bushnell Medalist

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Izzo Swami 3000 Review

The Izzo Swami 3000 has been retired. Check out our current recommendations for today's best golf rangefinders..

'Izzo Swami 3000'

Izzo Swami 3000
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Our Izzo Swami 3000 Review is based on over fifty customer reviews from multiple retail websites. We took notes on everything users were saying and will show you the pros and cons that were mentioned by more than one of them.

Izzo Swami 3000 User Rating: 4.25 Stars 4.25 out of 5 (55 reviews)

Score compiled from multiple sources.

Overall, we feel the Izzo Swami 3000 is a unique offering in the golf GPS world. As of this writing, it has by far the lowest price point of any preloaded golf GPS device on the market. For a really low price, you can have an easy to use, easy to read, GPS that is quick to acquire yardages to the front, middle and back of the green… AND it’s preloaded with over 19,000 golf courses. Out of the box, you just plug it in to charge it and it’s ready for play. There are no required downloads and there are no fees. If you are just looking for the basics, this is hard to beat.

Make no mistake though, it is basic. There are no alternate targets (hazards and such). Distances are in a straight line from you to the front, middle and back of the green, so doglegs aren’t taken into account. There are no stats and no scorecards. If you’re looking for basic, but not quite this basic, we suggest reading our Bushnell neo+ Review as the next step up.

Most of the reviews we read were from users who got what they expected in terms of features, and were pleased by the performance of the Izzo Swami 3000. The few who were most unhappy were those with defective devices and felt the customer service from Izzo was lacking. The two things that stood out on the negative side were the lack of an auto forwarding to the next hole feature and a charging indicator. To be fair though, only a small percentage of users mentioned either of these shortcomings and besides, they are hardly deal breakers. There were also a couple of problems with the golf course being recognized on start-up, but most users reported that took two minutes or less.

Most Mentioned Pros (in order of mentions high to low):
  • Accuracy
  • Price
  • Preloaded with over 19,000 golf courses
  • Easy to use
  • No fees
  • Auto course recognition
  • Improves your game
  • Can be used as regular watch
  • Easy to read
  • Starts up quickly
  • Good battery life
  • Good customer service
  • Acquires yardages quickly
  • Displays course name
Most Mentioned Cons (in order of mentions high to low):
  • No indicator when charge is full
  • No auto forward to the next hole (1 key press is all that is required)
  • Slow customer service
  • Occasional questionable accuracy
  • No doglegs or alternate targets
  • Problems with auto course recognition
Izzo Swami 3000 Features and Specifications
Izzo Swami 3000
Slope No
Vibration N
Size (Width x Height x Depth) 2 in. x 3.75 in. x 1 in.
Weight N/A oz.
Battery rechargeable
Battery Life 12 hrs
Display N/A
Rainproof No
Magnification N/A
Maximum Range N/A
Minimum Range N/A
Notes -
USGA Compliant (local rule) Yes
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White Garmin Approach S1

The Garmin Approach S1 Watch has been retired. Check out our current recommendations for today's best golf rangefinders..

'Garmin Approach S1 Watch'

Garmin Approach S1 Watch
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Now available in WHITE! Garmin S1 Approach golf watch is one of the highest rated GPS golf rangefinders on the market, which makes it an excellent candidate for additional colors. Besides that, we’ve noticed that the White Garmin Approach S1 is often on sale for quite a bit less than the original black golf watch.

Garmin Approach S1 Watch User Rating: 4.48 Stars 4.48 out of 5 (1285 reviews)

Score compiled from multiple sources.

You may want to read our complete Garmin S1 Review, but this GPS golf watch is the highest rated GPS device we’ve found, with the exception of the Bushnell Hybrid laser rangefinder. It doesn’t offer a huge amount of features, but does offer the ultimate in convenience. The Garmin Approach S1 gives yardage to the front, middle and back of every green. It automatically goes from hole to hole, so there is very little user input required. It’s designed for golfers who want information quickly and no unnecessary distractions.

Most Mentioned Pros (in order of mentions high to low):
  • Convenience
  • Easy to use
  • Accurate
  • Preloaded with over 14,000 golf courses
  • Comfortable
  • lightweight
  • No fees
  • Ability to measure your shot distance easily
  • Can be used as regular watch
  • auto course recognition
  • GPS odometer tells you how far you’ve walked
  • Easy to read
  • Good battery life
  • Lots of courses
  • Attractive looks
  • Automatically forwards to the next hole
  • Adjustable band
  • Speeds up play
  • Nice size
Most Mentioned Cons (in order of mentions high to low):
  • Takes some care to hook up to charger
  • No digital scorecard
Garmin Approach S1 Features and Specifications
Garmin Approach S1 Watch
Course Download Fees No
Pre-loaded with Courses Yes
Full Hole Views Yes
Slope / Elevation No
Battery Life 3 wks / 8 hrs GPS
Battery Li-ion
Size (Width x Height x Depth) 2.7 in. x 1.8 in. x .6 in.
Measure Shot Distance Yes
Screen Size 1x1
Resolution 64x32 px
Display Type monochrome LCD
Weight 1.8 oz.
Rainproof Yes IPX7
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 No
Green Rotates to your shot angle N/A
USGA Compliant (local rule) Yes
Notes Available in Black & White, Time, Date, Waterproof IPX7 (30 min. immersed at a depth of 1 meter)
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GolfRangefinderShop.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you buy anything after clicking through, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps us keep the site up and running, so thank you! 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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Leupold GX-1 Review

The Leupold GX-1 has been retired. Check out our current recommendations for today's best golf rangefinders..

'Leupold GX-1'

Leupold GX-1
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This model is no longer available. Check out the latest version!

When we did our Leupold GX-1 Review, we definitely considered it one of the best values in a laser rangefinder, but we’re retiring that opinion as newer models perform better for about the same amount of money.

Take a look our Laser Reviews and Scores page or use our Personalized Laser Selection Quiz for a customized recommendation.

Leupold GX-1 User Rating: 4.61 Stars 4.61 out of 5 (104 reviews)

Score compiled from multiple sources.

We summarized the Leupold GX-1’s most mentioned pros and cons from dozens of user reviews and here is what we found…

Most Mentioned Pros (in order of mentions high to low):
  • Accuracy
  • Easy to use
  • Compact size
  • Quick to acquire target
  • Quality/durability
  • Lightweight
  • Improves game
  • Ability to get yardage to any visible target
  • Scan Mode
  • 6x magnification
  • Battery life
  • Included case with bag clip
  • Useful on driving range
  • Price
  • Easy to Read
  • Water Resistant
  • Ability to select reticle configuration
  • Ability to get yardages with one hand
  • Works in fog
  • Customer Service
  • No downloads or fees
Most Mentioned Cons (in order of mentions high to low):
  • Three mentions of a defective product. Of course this would be covered by warranty.
  • Difficulty getting a reading
  • Difficulty hitting the right target
  • One mention of difficulty reading the display
Leupold GX1 Features and Specifications
Leupold GX-1
Slope No
Vibration N
Size (Width x Height x Depth) 4 in. x 2.75 in. x 1.5 in.
Weight 6.8 oz.
Battery CR2 Lithium
Battery Life 10,000 Actuations
Display LCD
Rainproof Yes
Magnification 6x
Maximum Range 350+
Minimum Range N/A
Notes -
USGA Compliant (local rule) Yes
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Callaway uPro MX Review

Update 08-06-2011…
Callaway has issued a voluntary recall of the recently released uPro MX. Our Callaway uPro MX Review advice is as follows: If you own it and love it, keep on using it. if you own it and are unhappy with it, go to the uPro MX website and click the UPRO MX REFUND OFFER button.

If you don’t own it, consider taking a look at the Garmin Approach G6 for a full-featured GPS with great reviews. If you just want to read the saga of expectation, disappointment and more letdown, keep reading…

Update 07-11-2011…
Honestly, you can see by what we have written previously, that we had high hopes that our Callaway uPro MX Review would reveal a game changer in the GPS golf industry. But as of today, we are not ready to recommend this product. The problems with the Callaway launch of the product are explained below and in another post on this website, but there continue to be customer complaints about numerous issues. We’re hoping Callaway will soon turn this device into the unit we all expected, but for now, you may want to look at our Golf Buddy World Review for a full-featured golf GPS that scores well with users.

Update 6/30/2011…
Finally…. we should be able to put together our Callaway uPro MX Review in the very near future. We’ve been waiting, along with all of the early purchasers of the uPro MX, for six weeks for the Callaway uPro MX website to be operational. At last, it is. If you don’t know what’s been happening, keep reading.

The Callaway uPro MX is very likely the best value in GPS golf rangefinders… or at least it will be very soon. Our complete Callaway uPro MX Review Summary will be available after this product launch debacle is over and customers are able to give reviews about the product itself, instead of the launch. If you haven’t heard, Callaway first delayed shipping the uPro MX for about 10 days and as it turns out, they should have delayed even longer. The device works fine out of the box in Basic Mode and Go Mode and realistically, if that’s all it had to offer, it would still be at a competitive price point. But what makes the Callaway uPro MX so attractive is that for a one-time fee of about $60, you get Pro Mode on an unlimited number of courses. With Pro Mode, this is one of, if not the most, full featured golf GPS device on the market and there are no recurring subscriptions. You can also purchase one Pro Mode course at a time or smaller bundles. It’s pretty exciting for those who’ve been paying annual fees to use their rangefinders. The only problem… the Callaway website for downloading Pro Mode courses isn’t working yet. They are working like crazy to get it up and running, but some users have been waiting for two weeks and many are understandably frustrated. Callaway is trying to make it up to customers by offering five free Pro Mode courses to all new upro mx users who register within two weeks after the site goes live. For golfers who don’t need the unlimited plan, this is a great time to order. If, on the other hand, you’re ready to order a full-featured GPS golf rangefinder that’s user tested and ready to go, we suggest you take a look at our Golf Buddy World Review. It’s definitely more expensive, but there are no fees and the reviews are good.

When you compare price and features, there is nothing close to the Callaway uPro MX. It is a full-featured compact, sleek-looking GPS golf rangefinder with a price point low enough to entice even the budget-conscious golfer. For less than $200, it comes with 25,000 golf courses pre-loaded and NO ANNUAL FEES! It offers hole views, alternate targets, a multi-gesture touch screen and more. There are three modes for using this device: Basic Mode and Go Mode are included in the price and ready to go out of the box. There is a fee for downloading courses in Pro Mode, which offers just about every feature you can think of putting on a golf GPS. The good news is that the fees are not annual – you can buy an individual course, a bundle of 25 courses or an unlimited package for a one-time fee. We’ll be anxious to see how this approach goes over with users.

Callaway uPro MX Top Features:

  • 25,000 pre-loaded golf courses – ready to go out of the box
  • No annual fees
  • Full-color multi-gesture touch screen – 2.2″ LCD
  • Optical Finger Navigation system – easily navigate with the swipe of a finger
  • Only weighs 3 ounces
  • Virtual Green View can be downloaded to show the green and the surrounding area in vivid detail, including exact putting distances
  • SmartView can also be downloaded offering displays the ideal view for the upcoming shot based on the golfer’s position on the course. It also provides two other views which are available at the press of a button
  • ProMode is available for an extra fee and grants access to some of the device’s more advanced technology features, including hi-resolution aerial photography

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