Anyone who’s owned a Bushnell golf laser rangefinder, or one of its sports optics products for that matter, would probably agree that the brand can usually be relied upon to achieve best-in-class accuracy in a device that boasts a premium look and feel.
This was certainly the case with the Bushnell Pro X3 laser rangefinder. We now have the Pro X3+, and although I can’t see owners of the previous model rushing out to buy its replacement, avid golfers that play on exposed links courses and those who want as much information as possible prior to playing a shot, may have their interest piqued by the new wind speed and direction feature.
This is the big new story – a feature that adds another layer of information on top of what is already a very advanced product. To equip the laser with the wind information, you need to pair it with the Bushnell Golf app. Once you enter the rangefinder’s settings, you’ll need to enter a pairing code. The calibration procedure requires you to turn the device around a few times. Only then will the laser know which way it’s pointing – which is obviously crucial!
I’m no technophobe (I’ve set up my fair share of golf gadgets over the years) but I did find this process a bit of a faff. However, once I had those up and down arrows with a number, I was quite interested to see how it performed – and I even found myself hoping for a really windy day on the course.
In short, it’s a nice feature to have. You’ll need to play a good few rounds, however, to get a clearer idea of what number might equate to a one or two-club wind for you. And, of course, this kind of information (along with the Slope with Elements feature) isn’t allowed in competition, so you’ll need to turn it off, which you do via the Slope Switch located at the front of the device. The idea is to reduce the risk of accidentally turning on Slope mode during tournament play, which provides peace of mind during a competition that the unit won’t suddenly become non-conforming.
Although this particular feature, as clever as it is, doesn’t grab me personally, as a whole, the Bushnell Pro X3+ is right up there with the best golf rangefinders on the market, with Slope and Dual Display and JOLT Technology all combining to make this laser rangefinder one serious piece of kit.
Another button, although quite stiff, is used for Dual Display, which changes the graphics from black to red to make them more visible in duller conditions. A firm push does the trick, although there’s no obvious click or movement in the button itself to confirm activation. The flag is almost immediately picked out from a busy background from up to 600 yards away – a flashing red ring in the display and vibrating burst providing the confirmation.
In terms of accuracy, by factoring in distance, slope, temperature and barometric pressure (elevation), and now with wind speed and direction, you could certainly make a case for this being the most accurate rangefinder on the market and the best golf rangefinder with Slope.
Other features that elevate the user experience include the magnetic mount, which provides a more convenient home when used in a buggy, and practical and robust carry case with bungee cord and carabiner attachment.
I do like the fact that the device feels quite bulky, because you need it to feel stable in your hands, and it definitely shouts ‘premium’, as does the carrying case. I’ve used it a fair bit in the rain, too, and there’s no danger that heavy downpours will affect how it performs – it’s fully waterproof.
As with the previous model, the price might be a stumbling block for some golfers, with an RRP of $599.99 (£525). That’s quite a chunk of money to spend, so you’ll need to weigh up whether you’re likely to use all or most of the features on this all-singing, all-dancing laser. If you think you will, it’s a pretty flawless package.
