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.
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br /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.
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br /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.
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br /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.

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.

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).
br /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.
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br /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.
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br /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.
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br /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.
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br /**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'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.
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br /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.
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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!

I've been really impressed with this rangefinder. I was initially cautious about spending a good amount of change on a laser rangefinder, mostly because of some people saying that it can be difficult to lase the pin.
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br /I've got to say, getting a good reading is not difficult at all. You might have to press the button a few times, but you will get a good range in about five seconds of targeting the pin. If for whatever reason you can get the pin, the flag is a great target.
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br /The one reason I'm really enthusiastic about having a rangefinder -- especially this one, which works well and was quite a bargain -- is that having an accurate distance for shots less than 100 yards. I'm one of those guys who bought Dave Pelz's Short Game Bible and have measured out how far I hit my lob wedge, sand wedge, and pitching wedge using 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 swings. So I know exactly how far I hit each of those clubs with those swings, but how was I to know whether I should use a 1/2 pitching wedge or a 3/4 sand wedge if I could not be sure whether I was 65 or 75 yards from the pin?
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br /With a rangefinder like this, you'll know. In just two rounds I've been able to stick at least three longer pitches within 3 feet of the pin, just because I knew exactly how far I'd have to hit one of my wedges. I have no doubt that this thing is helping me score better, and who doesn't want that?

I did a side-by-side comparison of the Nikon 500G and the Bushnell PinSeeker 1500 and found the Nikon superior for my liking. Its smaller size and price were reason enough to buy it. I found the Bushnell heavy and difficult to scope and its various modes were not useful for a golfer. With the push of one button the Nikon finds the range. Holding the same button allows you to scan, which is handy for measuring different targets in one view.
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br /All hand held rangefinders are hard to hold steady. If you cannot target with the Nikon you probably won't be happy with any scope range finder so be sure this is how you want to measure distances on the golf course instead of a GPS system. I like a range finder because you don't have to pay a monthly subscription as you do for a SkyCaddy.
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br /The Nikon has a nice 6X monocular scope. You push the button once and the cross hairs appear. Push it again when you have lined up your target and you get a readout in either yards or meters. The measurement appears above the cross-hairs, which is disconcerting at first because you have to take your eye off the target to see the number and it sometimes disappears before you see the reading. This is most likely due to the slight delay in getting a readout or change in target due to your pulse or other involuntary body movements. Like anything, it takes a little practice. I always take two or three readings just to be sure.
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br /The literature touts that the Nikon 500G can actually range the flag stick as opposed to just the flag, and so you don't need a windy day to shoot off the flag. What I found is that the Rangefinder likes light colored objects, so if the flags and pins are white or yellow, they are good targets. Dark flags and pins are very difficult to spot, so you better hope the guy in the group ahead putting the flag back in the hole has a bright shirt or a large rear-end.
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br /I have found that you can also range to bunkers, grass knolls, fences, tree trucks, etc. Just be sure the object you are targeting stands out in contrast to the background.
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br /I have had particular success using the 500G for shots under 100 yards. Recently, on the range before a round I zeroed in my loft wedge comfortably to a practice flag I measured at 75 yards. Later, during the round, I hooked my tee shot into trees where there was no easy way to measure what I had to the pin and the narrow opening between trees made the green look closer than it was. Fortunately, I had a clear shot and the 500G told me I had 76 yards to the pin. So I pulled out the 60 degree and hit it like I did on the range and stuck it 4 feet below the hole! I was so excited that I three putted.
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Price, service and product were all excellent. I have used this rangefinder several times with excellent results. Even in strong winds, the Nikon came through. I would recommend Amazon and Nikon without hesitation!

This is really a great buy. I purchased this over the Bushnell pin seeker because it is smaller and has similar performance, and also doesn't have some of the battery issues that the pin seeker does. I have been using this for over a year on the same battery and it does not need to be removed between uses. I carry it on my belt in its case and it has worked flawlessly. Pins over 250 yards require a steady hand but it is not difficult and only takes a matter of seconds. I purchased this through Amazon and could not be happier with it. I would buy it again in the same manner.

I very much enjoyed the ease of use of this product. The size of it fit perfectly in my boyfriend's pockets. Found the readings to be quite accurate. My only reservation, that has already been addressed by others, is its inability to read due to hand movement. Wish it had a image stabilizer component to make targeting and reading quicker and easier. Otherwise, this gadget came in very handy and made a terrific gift. The overall quality of the components were excellent.

My new Nikon 500G is awesome! The first time I used it I could sight the flag stick at 308 yards!! I had just returned my Bushnell(Costco Christmas special) because it was eating up batteries (3 in 25 rounds).
br /My friend had a Nikon 500 and I noticed that it was better and cheaper than mine. My new one is even better than his(fresher batteries?).
br /I can constantly pick up the flag at 230 yards or so.
br /I believe that my Bushnell was faulty from the start as the batteries would fail at 2.94 volts (3 volt battery) but still show full charge on rangefinder.
br /The Nikon 500 is the rangefinder for golf.
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br /Perry

I have tried the Nikon 500G, Bushnell Medalist, and the Bushnell 1500 Tournament rangefinders. After trying all of these I purchased the Nikon 500G. My biggest reason for selecting the 500G is that it is by far the smallest of the 3, with the 1500 being the largest. My biggest concern with picking the 500G (until I tried it) was that it may not be able to measure the flags from far enough out. Nikon states that it can measure a pin up to 160 yards away. Keep in mind that is just the pin, not the flag. We have reflectors on the pins on our course and I have been able to get the yardage on both the flag and the reflectors on the pins at well over 300 yards. I have also been able to read trees as far out as I need. I am an 8 handicap and I hit my drives 260-270 yards, and I have had no problems determining any distances that would come into play with my game. Both Bushnells also handled all of the yardages that I needed.
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br /About the only drawback to the 500G over the Bushnells is that I found it harder to get a yardage reading on the Nikon when trying to keep the crosshairs on a very distant object. I am not sure why, but I think that the yardage numbers are displayed higher above the crosshairs with the Nikon than with the Bushnells. This requires you to take your eye off the crosshairs that are on the target in order to read the distance, and at long distances it is not always easy to keep the crosshairs on your target (due to slight movement in your hands).
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br /Another concern with the Bushnell was how long the battery would last, as it is not a common battery that you can get at any store, but I did see them at Walgreens. I have used my Nikon G for 5-6 rounds, and several practice sessions on the range, and it still shows a full battery charge. By the way, the Bushnells do not have a battery gage on them, they just tell you when the battery is low. That happened to me in a tournament and I didn't have a replacement battery with me.
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br /The last comment on the 500G (and the Bushnell Medalist) is that they are near target priority only rangefinders. That means if you have 2 objects in your line of sight, it will only give you the yardage to the closer object. This is what you typically want for golf, i.e. you want the distance to the flag and not to the tree behind the green. The Bushnell 1500 can switch between near and far target priority.
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I'm an avid golfer who post's upwards of 30-35 rounds per season. Purchased the Nikon 500G Laser Caddy after reviewing many models including Bushnell. Selected the Nikon based on price, reputation for quality optics and most importantly size, the 500G easily fits in a back pant pocket. After using it during several rounds I'm very pleased with the performance of the unit. Accuracy is spot on and provides the advantage of knowing the exact pin placement on the green, not the center of green distance provided by fairway markers. It's a tremendous asset for second shots on par 5's where lay up yardage is not easily determined. The only negative I can relay is the need for a steady hand to get a distance read on a pin from any distance greater than 150 yards. This may take several reads to confirm the yardage but it's still easier than roaming the fairway to find a marker and walking it off from there.
br /Overall I'm very satisfied with my decision and the price I paid at Amazon, $229 plus $5.58 shipping. The unit showed up in 3 days vis USPS.

This rangefinder has worked quite well for me so far, but it helps to brace your hand on a cart or golf bag on distances over 150 yards. It would be nice if they could add some kind of stabilization software. When pins have reflectors, finding a pin distance is quite easy but I will check 3-4 times and go with the most consistent number, sometimes it will pick up something behind or in front of green but by checking several times I get a confident measurement withing plus or minus 1 yard. It's great for those of us who do not always play from the center of the fairway or at courses that have very large greens where there is a difference of 1-2 clubs from front to back pin settings.

The accuracy was the major draw for this product. I use it for verifying shooting distances on the archery range. It is invaluable for setting up sight markings as well as validating distances during field shoots. The ability to switch between meters and yards is also a plus. Some ranges are set up for FITA (international) distances which are in meters.

I found the optics on this range finder to be excellent but the rangefinder aspect was very poor for me. I never got an accurate reading on the golf course and sometimes it was off almost 100 yards. It may be that it was picking up other targets but that was not satisfactory for me. As a result I returned it.

I was looking for a range finder for golf and after looking at many different ones, this Nikon seemed to be the most feature packed at the best value. Even though I wasn't able to try it in a store, I was right.
br /Locks in on laser pins and the scan mode works great. It's funny, now all my golf partners wait for me to come over and give them the exact yardage! First day I used it, I was hitting all my approach shots pin high - Can't live without it now.
br /Beach Camera delivered fast and as promised.
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br /GET ONE!

I bought this item after reading other reviews and seeing how impressed everyone was by this rangefinder. I recently played golf with someone who had a bushnell pinseeker and saw how easy it was to get a yardage from anywhere. I then searched for prices and saw how much more expensive those were than this Nikon. Went with the Nikon because of size, price and the continuous scan feature which is what I used most of the time to get a reading to the flag from longer distances. Since this feature allows you to pick up the closest object instead of the longer object it is great for getting a reading when there are lots of trees behind the flag stick. No more searching for yardage marking on the fairway and then trying to figure out how far you are from that marking and where the flag is on the green. Just point and click and you know how far from the flag you are. I also used this for readings to the green on par 4 as the course we play was relatively short and I hit the ball over 300yds regularly, allowed me to know better spots to aim so I would not over hit the fairway or greens on holes that played between 310 and 350yds. Rangefinder easily read the flag from 300 to 350 yds.

I found this range finder extremely difficult to hold steady and thus was unable to sight in on the target effectively. In addition, there are trees and bushes behind almost all of the greens on the courses that I play on, and as a result I rarely got an accurate distance.

I have used it for 3 weeks and find it a good device for getting accurate ranges to the flag out as far as needed for club selection and matching swing. Works good at close ranges like 40 yards. It is a little hard to hold steady for a reading at greater than 200 yards but I don't need it for long ranges. Other rangers in this price range that I have used are very difficult to get flag readings. Highly recommended by me.

I love the small size of the range finder. The optics are great. Within 100 yards I can easily find the pin. Outside of 100 I have to have some sense of my distance to the pin (based on a 150 or 100 yard marker for example) so that as I aim at the pin and hold the button down to do continuous measurements, I can reject the obvious errors based on it "seeing" a tree behind the green and select the correct distance when it finds the pin. It isn't a killer problem (that is why I gave it 4 stars) but it is an irritation.

I've been using the Nikon 500G for several months. As far as I can tell it is perfectly accurate. Several of my friends have Sky Caddies. The pluses and minuses were obvious from the beginning. The GPS device is more convenient since it hangs on the bag and always displays the distance number while the laser device must be aimed and triggered. The laser device is more accurate since you measure to a target rather than what a surveyor decided to label the front, back or middle of the green. The useful range of the GPS device is greater since it is very difficult to aim the laser at a small target if it is farther than 220 yards away. My preference is the laser device since I don't really need precise distances over 200 yards and, since I play in the off season, I do occasionally encounter temporary greens. The Nikon delivered all that it promised. I'm satisfied with it.

I've used it several times now and it works very well. It takes some practice to be able to hold it steady and scan the pin while reading the numbers. One problem that is inherant to all laser rangefinders is when you are trying to read distance to a pin that has bushes or trees or any other object fairly close to the back of the green. I found it was easier to hold steady while leaning my elbows on the steering wheel of the golf cart. I do wish there was some sort of eye cup that you could attach to the viewer so that you could put it right up to your eye. One of the problems with holding it steady is that you have to hold it just a little bit away from your eye in order to see anything.
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br /It works just as well as the Bushnell and is less than half the size. I replaced the long lanyard that comes with it for a much shorter wrist strap. That makes it very easy to pull out of the snug case that comes with it.

This was the item my boyfriend wanted for Christmas. He loved it. It was exactly what he wanted and I now know how far all of my neighbors live from my home. :)

Excellent product, very well designed for golf, only one laser shot required to assess the distance to the object, I trust the feedback without question.

Great product! Easy to use! Easy to pin point on a target, fast readout!
br /Would recommend this product to everyone! My friends have tried it and love it! Well worth the money! Great Buy!!!!!!!!!

Good Device and simple to use.
br /Will use it everytime I go golfing.
br /Great product!
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Easy to use, great compact design. With no difficulty I can zero in on any pin I can reach with any club in my bag. Very easy to use. Goes in the cargo pockets of my shorts and stays with me the entire round, not just when I am near my bag.
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br /Great product!

This is a great little product. It can find objects from greater than 300 yards out!! I am glad I did not spend more money on the Bushnell products because this one does the job!! It is nice a small and accurate enough for me from any distance. I researched all of the rangefinders out there and am glad I purchase this one!

This compact square device works really well.Yes, you need to steady your hands, and you may need multiple readings, but you do get a reading easily most of the time.It is easy to carry, and the price is resonable compared with the competing products.I use Nikon equipment for my Photography, and this is another great gadget from the company!

This is great. I have absolutely no problems at all using the rangefinder. Last week my playing partner thought it was 250 yards to the flag. The rangefinder corrected us down to 215 yards. He hit his 3 iron to within 1 foot of the flag and putted for an eagle on a par 5.
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br /I procrastinated for months before committing to purchase as a "Fathers Day" present to myself. It is brilliant. The carry pouch must have been updated since earlier reviews because this is top quality.
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br /Everyone is envious, but when I tell them the price (a little over $200) then faces light up.
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br /I am thinking about getting one for my Father as a present.
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br /Thanks Nikon.

I tried a few others and really like this the best. No downloads or annual fees and it work everywhere. Works best if there are reflectors on the flags but does work without. I sometimes focus on a person in the group in front instead of the flag. I love this rangefinder.

Beats the much heavier (and more expensive) Bushnell unit. I use a GPS system on my home course, and any course that has been measured for it, but this unit can be used anywhere. Easy to use, very accurate, one less excuse for my golf score....

Have enjoyed using the Rangefinder 500G. I find it very easy to use. Will use it everytime I go golfing.

I bought this rangefinder in Nov. 2007. I paid only $214 with free shipping. Now it is $320 plus shipping handling. For me it was a best buy, but may not for new buyers. However I am very pleased with the quality of the product.

This rangefinder does all I ask of it. It is lightweight. It fits on my belt so it's with me all the time and doesn't interfere with my shots. It sometimes will not give a distance if there is no wind so you can't see the flag but that is quite rare. It is also very useful for getting distances to hazards e.g. focus on a nearby tree, get the distance and choose your club. Well worth the money!

This device replaced a Bushnell Yardage Pro. The Nikon seems to be slightly smaller, and is much easier to get a stable reading of the pin. I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to hold the Nikon steady enough (the problem I had with the Bushnell), but that has not been much of a problem.

I purchased this golf rangefinder for my husband. He tried it by focusing on various objects in the back yard (a little too much snow here for golfing just now) and was pleased at how easy it was to use. Nikon has always had very nice, bright optics and this product is no exception. We're both very pleased.
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br /Update August 2008: We've now used this a season on the golf course and find that it's accurate and handy. It can be tricky to hold still enough to line up on a flagstick, but practice helps.

I thought about getting a rangefinder for a year, and finally made the jump. After using this one for 4 rounds of golf, I don't know how I got along without one! My friend has a Bushnell, but I really like this Nikon because of the smaller size, which makes it easier to store in my golf bag.
br /Accuracy and ease of use are excellent. Price was reasonable.

SMALL. ESPECIALLY HANDY FOR THOSE WHO LIKE TO WALK. EASY TO USE. CARRY CASE ON BELT. ACCURATE ( 1 T0 2 YARDS DIFFERENCE AT MOST WHEN COMPARING WITH CART GPS. THINK RANGEFINDER IS MORE ACCURATE BECAUSE CAN STAND NEXT TO OR OVER BALL). EASILY RANGES DISTANCE FROM 20O YDS OR MORE. USE ON SCAN MODE TO DEAL WITH SHAKY HANDS. USED AT LEAST HALF DOZEN TIMES. NO SIGN OF BATTERY DRAIN. VERY PLEASED SO FAR. WAS ABLE TO GET EXTRA BATTERIES AT AMAZON FOR GOOD PRICE AS WELL.

Should have bought Sky Caddie. The Nikon is not dependable to give accurate readings Usually takes several attempts to get a distance that is even in the ball park, and by then all confidence in the readout is gone.

I bought one of these after reading the good reviews. Mine would only work from 15-25 yards when pointed at the ground and sporatically at that. I was thankful for Adorama's great customer service in refunding my money for this defective product.