In the world of golf rangefinders, Bushnell sits atop the proverbial hill. They’ve been the number one option for most avid golfers with a mixture of great features and advanced technology in their products. But, as with everything else in life, there’s always something new and better on the horizon.
You might be wondering which of Bushnell’s golf rangefinders is the best one to buy. I have had the fortunate chance to test out two of the best golf rangefinders – It is golf laser rangefinder models, and I can attest that both have a good deal of great features and are rangefinders. In this review, I will share my thoughts as I put these two models in a head-to-head review to help you determine which model is right for you.
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At a glance
The Quick Answer
Well, Bushnell Pro XE is the top-of-the-line golf rangefinder. Pro XE is the best golf rangefinder compared to other Bushnell rangefinders and competitors. It offers premium features and upgrades such as:
- Slope with Elements
- Waterproof
- Clearer optics(7X magnification)
- Measures distance up t0 500 yards to the flag
Though pricey, Pro XE is the most accurate rangefinder.
Read on to find the full comparison details for the Bushnell golf rangefinder Pro XE, Tour V5 Shift.
Product Overview
Now let’s take a look at an overview of each of the two Bushnell rangefinders before we delve into Bushnell Pro XE vs Tour V5 shift.
Bushnell Pro XE
Bushnell Pro XE is a high-end rangefinder that has excellent features. It is one of the best releases by Bushnell and perhaps the best rangefinder that I have had an opportunity to use.
The key technology that makes Bushnell Pro XE stand out is the “Slope with Elements.” This high-tech feature considers temperature and barometric pressure in addition to slope, giving you the “play as” distance.
Better still, this Bushnell golf rangefinder has a slope switch on the side built into the Bushnell logo. So if you want to use the rangefinder in a competition, it will be easy to disable the slope mode since it is not tournament legal.
Bushnell Pro XE has 7X magnification, producing crystal clear images that leave no chance to guess your target. As such, you’ll find it easier and quicker to focus on your target with Bushnell Pro XE compared with cheaper options.
Bushnell Pro XE also boasts visual JOLT technology with red and black displays. When you lock onto a target, the Jolt vibrates, and at the same time, a red ring flashes on display. Thus, the golfer gets more confidence and greater feedback when using this rangefinder.
What’s more, Pro XE has a built-in magnetic bite that makes attaching the golf rangefinder to anything metal without much hassle.
- Slope with elements feature
- It’s fully waterproof
- Crystal clear optics with 7x magnification
- Visual jolt technology
- Built-in BITE magnetic cart mount makes it easy to attach to anything metal
- Backlight display
- Pricey
- Pretty heavier than cheaper Bushnell rangefinders
- Advanced features are not legal for tournament use
Bushnell Tour V5 Shift
Bushnell Tour V5 Shift is the latest addition to the V series of golf rangefinders by the leader in the market. Bushnell has added some of the premium features found in Pro XE to the V5 shift to provide golfers with an awesome experience at a lower price.
This Bushnell golf rangefinder is designed with the thought of user experience. It is a compact rangefinder weighing just 8 ounces.
It has the slope feature to improve the accuracy of your distance readings. There is a slope switch on the side of the device so that you can disable the slope for tournament use.
Just like Pro XE, the Bushnell Tour V5 shift features advanced visual Jolt technology that shows a red flash in addition to the vibration alert when you hit the pin. This feature is intended to make you double sure that you have hit your target.
What’s more, the Bushnell Tour V5 Shift rangefinder has the Bite magnetic cart mount, which makes this rangefinder quite handier and more interesting to use. You can easily attach it to the buggy frame for speed and convenience.
V5 Shift also has great optics with 6X magnification, which is good enough to give you a powerful zoom of the target and speedy focus on the distance read.
- Slope feature
- Built-in magnet to attach the rangefinder to the frame of a cart
- A switch to toggle between slope and standard modes
- A compact design
- Cheaper than Bushnell Pro XE
- Visual JOLT technology
- 1300 yards range
- Lacks the Elements feature in Bushnell Pro XE
- Not waterproof
Side by Side Comparison of Bushnell Pro XE vs Tour v5
Both the V5 Shift and the Bushnell Pro XE have similar features that make them excellent choices for golfers of any level. These features include:
Slope Technology
Slope technology allows the Bushnell Pro XE and the V5 Shift to measure the incline or decline of the green or any area where the golfer is aiming at their target. Thus, the devices can adjusts distances their yardage readings to the slope to give you a slope compensated distance.
Visual JOLT
The Pro XE and Tour V5 Shift have Visual JOLT technology that lets you know when you hit the target by vibrating gently in your hands. In addition to vibration, these devices display a red flash to assure you that you’ve hit the correct target.
And with the Bushnell Golf App, you can visualize over 36,000 golf courses from around the world in full aerial view.
BITE Magnetic Mount
Both Bushnell Pro XE and V5 Shift have the BITE magnetic technology that allows you to attach the rangefinders to any metallic cart. The magnet is very strong and securely holds the rangefinder in place while using it on the course.
Yard Range to Large Objects
The maximum range to large objects is 1300 yards with both rangefinders. Also, the ranging accuracy of both Pro XE and Tour V5 Shift is +/- 1 yard.
Key Differences Between Bushnell Pro XE Vs Tour V5
Let’s look at the key differences that distinguish Bushnell laser Pro XE vs Tour V5 shift to help you decide which rangefinder suits you.
Slope With Elements
The main difference between these two Bushnell golf rangefinders is that Bushnell Pro XE has “Slope with Elements” technology while Tour V5 Shift has the slope feature only. “Slope with elements” means that the “Play As” distance you get from Pro XE will be adjusted not only to elevation but also to temperature and barometric pressure.
Magnification
Bushnell Pro XE has clearer optics than Tour V5 Shift. While Pro XE has a 7X magnification, Tour V5 Shift has 6X.
Flag Yard Range
Another aspect that makes Pro XE stand out from V5 Shift is the flag-ranging capabilities. While Pro XE can measure the distance to the flag lock up to 500 yards, Bushnell Tour V5 Shift has a shorter flag yard range of 400 yards.
Waterproof
Bushnell Pro XE has a fully waterproof metallic housing (IPX7 rated), so you can use it in the rainy season or drop it into the water without the fear of damaging it. On the other hand, the V5 Shift is not waterproof but rather water-resistant plastic housing.
Price
Premium things come at a price, and Pro XE is no exception. It has a higher price than the Bushnell V5 Shift. Pro XE is a high-end device for golfers who want more accurate and fast distance readings adjusted to slope and weather elements. V5 Shift is the cheaper option for people on a budget who want the slope, BITE magnet, visual Jolt, and clear optics.
A Couple of Alternatives To Consider
Bushnell Tour V5 Golf Laser Rangefinder
If you have a limited budget and want to save some bucks, Bushnell Tour V5 Golf Rangefinder is a cheaper alternative for you.
This device from Bushnell is your go-to point-and-shoot laser rangefinder. While it resembles V5 Shift in most aspects, the Bushnell Tour V5 Golf laser rangefinder lacks slope functionality. It doesn’t factor in slope adjustments.
Although the distances are not adjusted to slope or other elements, the readings are still accurate to 1 yard, appearing very fast. This rangefinder also has next-level clarity and brightness, magnetic BITE, and Visual JOLT.
This Bushnell Tour V5 will still give you value for your money on a smaller budget.
Garmin Approach Z82
If your budget is on the higher end, you may want to consider the Garmin Approach Z82, which compares well with these two Bushnell products we are looking at.
With this feature-packed golf rangefinder, you will definitely get what you pay for.
What makes Gamin Approach Z82 stand out from anything else in the market is the excellent GPS feature. In fact, Gamin is the king when it comes to blending GPS with laser rangefinder functionality to give you what you deserve.
The 2D hole map overlay lets you see what lies ahead with exceptional accuracy and clarity.
FAQs
What Is the Difference Between the Bushnell V5 and V5 Shift?
The main difference between these two V5 models is that Bushnell Tour V5 Shift has a slope calculation feature while the standard Bushnell V5 doesn’t. Thus, V5 Shift has advanced technology to give you more accuracy of distances.
What Was the Bushnell V5 Shift Release Date?
Bushnell V5 Tour V5 Shift was released in January 2020.
Is the Bushnell Tour V5 Shift Tournament Legal?
Bushnell V5 Shift has a visible slope-switch technology, so you can disable the slope function easily to make it tournament legal.
Does Pro XE have a carrying case?
Bushnell Pro XE comes with a nice soft-sided carrying case. The carrying case is convenient if you’re unwilling to use the magnetic cart mount.
Bushnell Pro XE is the best golf rangefinder as it gives more accurate yardages. The distances are adjusted to slope, temperature, and barometric pressure. V5 Shift has its distance readings adjusted to slope only.
Final Thoughts
Both Bushnell Pro XE and V5 Shift are excellent golf laser rangefinders from Bushnell. They share outstanding features that any golfer would find handy. But when it comes to high-end features, the Pro XE takes the lead.
So if you want a premium device that will take your golfing experience to the next level, then go for Bushnell Pro XE. Check its price on Amazon. However, if you want a great rangefinder on a budget, Bushnell Tour V5 Shift is a fit for you. Check the price on Amazon.