Bushnell Yardage Pro Scout Laser Rangefinder Reviews



Amazon.com Customer Reviews

Works Great - Review written on January 15, 2008
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Rating: 5 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful.

Just purchased it and have used it five times. It works exactly as advertised. It has cut 8 strokes off my game overnight. It eliminates one unknown in hitting the pin: what's the exact yardage so I know which club to select? I also have used it to get the range to a bunker and have received reliable data. The range finder is compact, light weight, and very easy to use. It works in the lighting conditions at dusk and also has worked very well in the bright winter sun. In my experience, it deserves the five star rating.
My husband loves this Rangefinder! - Review written on January 12, 2008
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Rating: 5 out of 5
2 customers found this review helpful.

I gave my husband the Bushnell Pro Scout rangefinder after looking at many reviews on this type of product. Even though he is very picky about any golf product he uses, he absolutely raves about this rangefinder! He golfs 3-4 times a week and has used it every time he goes out and can't say enough good things about it: it's lightweight, accurate, and easy to use.
Bushnell Yardage Pro Scout - Review written on January 07, 2008
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Rating: 3 out of 5
4 customers found this review not to be helpful.
My first Range Finder, I bought it for golf but it was a disappointment. It's accurate if you can keep your hands steady enough to get the reading. I would rather spend a $150 more and get the Pin Seeker model.
Yardage Pro - Review written on December 28, 2007
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Rating: 5 out of 5

As always Bushnell quality is great. Compact and easy to use. The Yardage Pro Scout Rangefinder is a great buy.
Good inside 200 yds - Review written on December 17, 2007
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Rating: 4 out of 5
3 customers found this review helpful.

Bottom line: If you want the best product and don't mind paying a higher price and a larger sized rangefinder, buy the pinseeker.

I purchased this product for myself for use on the golf course. I was drawn by the smaller size and price of this rangefinder when compared to the Bushnell Pinseeker I was considering. However, the pro scout needs to really "see" the flag and not just the pin (stick) for it to give a measurement in most cases. The Pinseeker seems to give distance to the pin only better. This item does well inside of 200 yards, when someone is on the green, or when the wind is blowing (allows bouncing off the flag itself). It still sometimes takes several laser shots to get a distance. I still like this product however. It takes some getting used to in order to make it work well, but it is not perfect. I like to use it to determine distince to the water hazard, a specific tree, etc. It is still very useful, but if money and size of the product are not hindrances, buy the Pinseeker.
yardage pro - Review written on October 03, 2007
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Rating: 4 out of 5
2 customers found this review helpful.

The laser works well and I use it all of the time. Those of you that want to spend more money should buy the pinseeker 1500, which works easier than the yardage pro, but for most shots the yardage pro works fine
Could not ask for better performance - Review written on September 22, 2007
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Rating: 5 out of 5
2 customers found this review helpful.

I bought this from Amazon (best price anywhere) and was curious how precise it would be given that there are so many more models above this one.

I aim at the pin and push the button and get the yardage. Yes it does get the trees behind, but only when I aim poorly.

The real advantage is speed. Your round goes faster and better. One time I was in front of the 100 stake and measured the flag and it read 113. surprising. I would have hit a lob wedge in and been short (thinking I just miss hit the shot). This happened time and time again. It is also nice to get yardages to the pin from other fairways - which I occasionally play from :-)
Golf Range Finder - Review written on August 31, 2007
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Rating: 4 out of 5
3 customers found this review helpful.

There are basically three types of rangefinders for golf use. There is the laser pinseeker which gives the distance the flagstick only. In order for this to work the flagstick must have specific reflective material mounted on top of it. The second type of rangefinder works using GPS. This type gives distances to various locations on the course. The third type focuses on a specific object in the viewfinder and gives the distance to it. The Bushnell Yardage Pro fall into the third catagory.

I have tried all three systems and I like the Bushnell system the best.

The first type will give an accurate distance to the flagstick only. It is easy to use but it is the largest of all of the rangefinders and the course must have the reflective sensors mounted on the top of the flagstick in order for it to work.

The GPS system is a hand held unit that gives distances to various landmarks on the golf hole such as bunkers, water hazards and the green. It gives the distances to the front, middle and back of the green but not the exact yardage to the hole. The course specefications must be available to downloaded into the GPS system for this to work and there is an annual subscription fee.

The Bushnell Yardage Pro gives the distance to whatever object is centered in the viewfinder. It must be held steady on the object to give an accurate reading and it is important to know the approximate distance before using the rangefinder. Otherwise, instead of getting the distance to the flagstick, it may be recording the distance to objects behind the green. It also does not work very well in low light conditions. These two disadvantages are the reasons that I have given it four stars instead of five.

Of the three types, I like the Bushnell style the best. It fits nicely into the palm of the hand and has a handy case that clips onto the golf bag.
Miles better than GPS - Review written on August 12, 2007
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Rating: 4 out of 5
4 customers found this review helpful.

I've used a few different GPS systems, handheld and cart mounted, and they do not compare to rangefinder measurements. None of them can consistently provide yardages within a yard or so, in fact occasionally they are 10 yards out, they aren't normaly programmed accurately with the flag position, and overcast skies can disrupt them.
If you want pretty graphics and a good fun holiday golf toy, GPS is ok, but the better golfer should insist on tools like this rangefinder.
In some respects this device is a bit underwhelming, there is nothing jazzy or wow about it, but it is small in size, reliable, and accurate. Long term durability remains to be seen for me, I'm a bit concerned about the delicate looking optics glass, but the case is nicely rubberised and it feels robust. The normal and scan modes are fine, though picking up the flag isn't that easy from over 150 yards or so, but in practice aiming at people putting out on the green in front, or simply pointing at trees to find fairway yardages is the way to go.
I don't personally see that the pinseeker model is worth the extra money, this does all I want and it has given me a useful boost to my confidence and saved me shots every round, even on my home course, due to being totally sure about where the pin is.
My only reservation is not Bushnells fault - there seems to be little competition in the market and hence prices are steep for what is at the end of the day only a more sophisticated version of the DIY laser house measurement device
You can find a Chinese OEM version on Ebay - made by Weikang - but even that isn't much cheaper. It maybe in a couple of years some other manufacturers have woken up to this market, in the meantime Bushnell seem to be the only serious option.
Bushnell Yardage Pro Scout Rangefinder - Review written on August 10, 2007
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Rating: 5 out of 5
2 customers found this review helpful.

I liked it. It is compact and light, and it works like it is supposed to. I use it for golf, and I can read range to a flag to about 70 yards, with the distance limitation being the steadiness of my hand.

When buying this, I was influenced by previous reviewers. They did a good job.
Great Rangefinder - Review written on August 08, 2007
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Rating: 5 out of 5
1 customer found this review helpful.

After reading a pile of reviews on rangefinders I settled on the Bushnell Yardage Pro Scout Laser Rangefinder. It has a great feel in my hand when using it (ergonomics), appears to be accurate to within it's published specifications, and is very handy to carry in a jacket pocket.
I would buy another one.
Accurate and good range finder but requires steady hands - Review written on July 27, 2007
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Rating: 4 out of 5

I bought this rangefinder after reading many reviews on a few models. They were running a $50 rebate so that weighs in to my decision as well. This rangefinder is easy to use and accurate, but you need steady hands otherwise, it will misread the landscape. I would rate it at 3.75 stars and a buy.
Prety good for golf - Review written on July 15, 2007
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Rating: 4 out of 5

The rangefinder is 85-90% as good as I hoped. It can be difficult to find the distance to the pin over 150 yards or in uneven terrain. Overall however, this is a good poduct.
Golf Laser Rangefinder - Review written on June 27, 2007
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Rating: 5 out of 5
2 customers found this review helpful.

I purchased the yardage pro rangfinder to use on the golf course. The golf rangefinder works very well and is very easy to use and accurate to +- one yard. I have been using the rangefinder for over two weeks and have had no problems with it. I have recommended the yardage pro to many golfing friends. By the way, you have to ask for the discount coupon to get the $50 discount from Bushnell.
Laser Rangefinder - Review written on June 26, 2007
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Rating: 5 out of 5
2 customers found this review helpful.

Excellent product - very quick to give range. Scan feature allows you search for flag which is handy when you're a ways out. Like being able to get range to a bunker or a tree/bush.
Excellet Tool for Golf but research other options - Review written on June 17, 2007
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Rating: 5 out of 5
2 customers found this review helpful.

The Bushnell Rangefinder works as advertised. It is a convenient size that fits in my pocket or can be slipped into an open pocket of your golf bag. It is extremely light in weight.

Some observations:
1. It is difficult to hold the laser on a flag over 100 yards away. I try to aim it at someone standing on the green (if available), or a sand trap that is close to the green. The scan mode is also useful, it provides continuous readouts so you can confirm your distance.
2. Serveral of my friends have invested in Sky Caddies that are similarly priced but work off of the satellites. They are much easier to use and the satellite is free. You can map out the course yourself or pay a few bucks and download the info.
Works for golf - Review written on May 16, 2007
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Rating: 5 out of 5
3 customers found this review helpful.

After quite a bit of research I decided to buy this range finder to use on the golf course. The range finder works well and I have used to help spot targets up to 270 yds. It has proven difficult to get an accurate read on long distances by focusing on the flagstick. When this happens I try to use another player on the green or a nearby sand trap to get a rough estimate of the yardage. As a result, you may find id difficult to extract the exact yardage every time, but I have found that I have been able to get a reading that is close enough.

Another interesting fact. When I purchased this most of my friends questioned the purchase and felt it is unnecessary. However, that belief does not stop them from asking me the yardage on nearly every hole.
Good Product - Review written on April 10, 2007
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Rating: 4 out of 5
6 customers found this review helpful.

I really hedged between a sky caddie and a rangefinder. I've used both now and the convenience of a sky caddie is hard to beat with a constant readout of yardage. However, given the fact that I often find myself in "unique" locations on any given course, there is much to be said for being able to shoot a specific target to get a distance, which the sky caddie doesn't allow you to do. Sometimes you need odd distances for lay ups, getting the ball back in play, etc. In short, I would recommend this product. It's easy to use, and appears to be very accurate. A definite time saver on the course.
You need this for your golf game! - Review written on April 05, 2007
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Rating: 5 out of 5
8 customers found this review helpful.

You need to know how far your target is, plain and simple.

The Bushnell Yardage Pro Scout Laser does just that in a compact, water resistant, lightweight package. This has a matte dark green rubberized finish which is weather resistant.

The Yardage Pro Scout comes with a compact nylon case that can clip to the belt or clip from the bag. There is a lanyard to hang it off of your neck (I wouldn't advise it for golf but useful for hunting). A cleaning cloth for the lens is included.

Operation is simple. Push the top button quickly for measuring distances or hold it down to 'scan' the field. The front button toggles between yards and meters - and it toggles between standard and >150 yard measurements to avoid closer objects. The unit stays on for 6 seconds and acquisition of distances is relatively quick. Obviously, use is limited by the steadiness of your hand with farther, smaller objects.

With 6X magnification, you get more than enough range for common targets. If you're looking for an economical way to improve your game or speed up play by spending less time in the hazards, then this is for you.

Its advantage over a GPS is that you can use it off of the course and you can even measure distances at the driving range instantly. If you want to browse the some of the GPS systems, here they are:

GolfLogix The Best GPS for Golf, Simple & Accurate

Sonocaddie Golf GPS Range Finder with Belt Clip and Free Course Downloads

SureShot GPS

iGolf GPS Caddie

Sky Golf - Sky Caddie SG3 GPS

GPS Golf Pro - GPS Golf Pocket PC Range Finder System
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However, with rangefinders there are no monthly fees to pay (such as in a Golf GPS) and accurate to 1 yard. You can look to other models but this one really does the job!

Bushnell Yardage Pro Golf Pinseeker 1500 Laser Rangefinder

Nikon Laser Caddy Rangefinder 500G

Nikon 440 ProStaff Laser Range Finder

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This unit has the best combination of features, price, ease of use and reputation of a leader in laser rangefinder technology. Highly recommend.
Great for Golf or Hunting! - Review written on February 03, 2007
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Rating: 5 out of 5
2 customers found this review helpful.

I bought this rangefinder for golf, but thought it might also work for hunting. It is small enough that I can keep it in my pocket and pull it out when needed.
I have tried it in heavy brush, but find mixed results at close range. You can get good results on objects beyond 50 yards by utilizing the "Ignore close objects" function.
I pulled it out at the rifle range today during a snow shower and was pleasantly surprised to get a reading of 101 yards to my target from the bench about 1 yard back of the firing line. The snow did not affect the results of the rangefinder at all...probably had more effect on the bullet path.
great product - Review written on January 18, 2007
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Rating: 5 out of 5
5 customers found this review helpful.

I love this rangefinder- much better than the type that shoots the prism on the flag sticks.
You can use this one to find yardage to bunkers, creeks, etc. Very accurate and very useful. Well worth the money.
Great Rangefinder for golf - Review written on November 05, 2006
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Rating: 4 out of 5
12 customers found this review helpful.

I bought this rangefinder for golf. It is small enough that I could keep it in my pocket. It really helps me with the approach shots to the greens. It takes a bit of experience to be able to focus on the flag. I usually use a person on the green as my target. After I got an approximate read, I use the scan mode to find the exact distance to the flag. Be careful with the tiny battery cover. It came loose and I lost it on the golf course. Fortunately, I recovered it amongst the green grass. The cover is also green. I now put a tape over it to secure the cover.

Additional comment: I have used it for about nine months. It has become my 15th club. However, battery life is rather short. Make sure you carry a spare.
Excellent rangefinder - Review written on July 05, 2006
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Rating: 5 out of 5
7 customers found this review helpful, 2 did not.

I use this for golf yardage when I'm in a location where the yardage is hard to determine. Very accurate. Does require a steady hand. Would not recommend more magnification than this one has as it would be very difficult to hold steady enough for a target as small as a flag.
The top aid for the golfer - Review written on March 24, 2006
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Rating: 5 out of 5
9 customers found this review helpful, 1 did not.

It is light; has 6X magnification; and easy to use. This little tool is great for any golfer. You must know the yardage before you can select the correct club. How far is it to either the top of that bunker next to the green or the flagstick? Next,you just then need to pull the club that will get you there. Fits on your belt through a loop in the safe carrying case or use the supplied clip to attached the case to your golf bag. These NEW laser rangefinders are better than ever and at a lower price than previous models. LOVE IT!
Good Deal! - Review written on February 25, 2006
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Rating: 5 out of 5
12 customers found this review helpful, 1 did not.

I got a Nikon laser rangefinder for Chrisymas and it had an 8x magnification. I found this to be to powerful for golf.I could not hold it steady on the flag.The 6x magnification on the Bushnell Yardage Pro Scout was much better. Also it is very compact and stores easily in my golf cart. The price from Amazon was well below I could find anywhere else.
Don't leave home without it! - Review written on September 25, 2002
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Rating: 5 out of 5
59 customers found this review helpful, 4 did not.

I purchased the Bushnell Yardage Pro Scout for my son for his birthday and he absolutely loves it. I have a Nikon compact 800 laser rangefinder that I thought was best small package laser rangefinder available, that is until I saw the Pro Scout.

I still like the Nikon, but the Pro Scout works equally well, with just slightly less range capability. The big plus for the Pro Scout is it's size. It is about half or less the size and weight of the Nikon (or Bushnell) 800 compact and comes with a pouch that when it's on your belt you almost don't notice it's there.

If I didn't already have the Nikon, I would buy a Pro Scout for myself in a minute.

Little Giant Killer - Review written on November 05, 2001
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Rating: 5 out of 5
53 customers found this review helpful, 5 did not.

This rangefinder is great! Much lighter than the big bulky other units. Has all the great features that is needed. This is one that you will take with you and not leave in the truck because it's too big. I tested this against some of my buddies' bigger units at known distances and this one out did the bigger units in speed and accuracy. Great scan mode. Best buy. Should be sold for about ($) more than asked for.