Golf Buddy LR5 Laser Rangefinder Review

Written by: Tony Korologos | Wednesday, September 9th, 2015
Categories: Golf AccessoriesGolf GearReviews
Tags:

Golf Buddy has been a world leader in GPS golf yardage devices for many years and now they’ve added laser rangefinders to their product lineup with the LR5 laser rangefinder.

Golf Buddy LR5 Laser Rangefinder

Golf Buddy LR5 Laser Rangefinder

The LR5 is a very small and handy laser which produces dependable yardages.  Let’s take a look at some of the features.

  • Compact design, easy to handle. Nearly half the size of some lasers on the market.
  • Three targeting modes: scan, standard, pin
  • 6x magnification in the viewfinder
  • Accurate to 1 yard
  • Water resistant.  Not waterproof though, so don’t throw it in the lake.
  • Reasonable price.  Though it retails for $299 I’ve found the Golf Buddy LR5 on Amazon for around $180.  Beats the hell out of $399 or $499.
  • Carrying case

On The Course

First I really dig the footprint of this laser.  Some lasers are ridiculously large.  This one fits nicely in my hand and stows away in the included carrying case, or inside a pocket in my golf bag.

The laser locks onto the target quite easily and delivers solid and consistent yardages.  Consistency is a big deal to me.  Other lasers will produce different yardages every time you shoot the same target.  That’s not a confidence builder!

The carrying case works just the same as most other brands’ cases, barring the little rubber strap which is supposed to aid in securing it.  The mesh grabber on that strap fell apart.  Not a crucial part though.

Conclusion

Finally companies are pricing golf lasers and golf GPS devices in a more reasonable range, not the crazy $500 price tag of years past.  That money needs to be saved for this week’s latest driver, guaranteed longer and straighter than ever!

The Golf Buddy LR5 is small, accurate, and dependable.  Solid.


First Look – Golf Buddy LR5 Laser Rangefinder

Written by: Tony Korologos | Friday, July 24th, 2015
Categories: Golf AccessoriesGolf For WomenGolf Gear
Tags:

I’ve started testing the new Golf Buddy LR5 laser rangefinder.  My first round with the unit was a couple of days ago.  Here’s a photo of the unit below.

Golf Buddy LR5 Laser Rangefinder

Golf Buddy LR5 Laser Rangefinder


One round is not enough for me to write a review, but first impressions are that it is accurate and I love the small size. It fits in the palm of my hand.

Stay tuned for my full Golf Buddy LR5 Laser Rangefinder review soon.


GolfBuddy VS4 Mini Talking Golf GPS Review

Written by: Tony Korologos | Wednesday, October 1st, 2014
Categories: GolfGolf AccessoriesGolf GearReviews
Tags:

My latest gamer in the golf GPS department has been the GolfBuddy VS4 Golf GPS.  The VS4 is a tiny golf GPS, the size of a watch but without a watch band.  Not only is this golf GPS tiny, it speaks your yardages to you.  Suggested retail price on this unit is $179.99 but I’ve seen street pricing averaging at around $149.99.

GolfBuddy VS4 Feature List

  • Speaks yardages as well as informing golfer that he’s on a certain hole/tee box (just don’t hit shot from one hole to next tee box!)
  • Detachable back allows unit to be mounted to hat, belt
  • Water Resistant
  • Displays yardages to front/center/back of the green
  • Green view
  • Preloaded with 37,000+ global courses
  • Automatic course & hole recognition
  • Measures shot distances
  • 10 hour battery life
  • Standard micro-usb charging cable

On The Course

I’ve found the convenience of the VS4 to be stellar.  The unit is so small and light that I usually carry it in my left pocket (right pocket is tees and divot tool).  When I want a yardage I can push the talk button through my pocket and the lady’s voice tells me “180 yards to center of green.”  I’ve also mounted the unit on my belt and can easily see the center yardages as well as front and back.  But lately I’ve had a Game Golf digital tracking device on my belt and don’t want a second device there.  Another convenient place I can mount the unit is on the brim of my hat, similar to another brand of talking GPS.

The yardages in this unit are solid and accurate.  I use a golf laser rangefinder as well, and the yardages to green center are either exact, or within 2-3 yards.  The advantage of the GPS over the laser is that I can get yardages from anywhere without having to have a straight line of sight.  And lately with my driving accuracy issues, I need yardages from behind trees, houses, cars, buildings, airplanes, mountains.

GolfBuddy VS4 Golf GPS

GolfBuddy VS4 Golf GPS

The unit lasts close to two rounds, about 10 hours.  I make sure to charge it before every round.

Speaking of charging… a big gripe I have with watch sized golf GPS units is that they all have proprietary charging cables.  So if you forget your cable, you can’t charge it by using a standard cable.  That especially sucks when you are on a golf vacation.  The VS4 uses a standard micro-usb cable for charging.  Very convenient and if one forgets the cable, a new one can be purchased nearly anywhere for super cheap, like less than $2.00.

Critiques

The only missing feature I can think of with this great golf GPS unit is changing voices.  I’d die and go to heaven if they put in the “scottish caddie” voice.  When you click the button a burly caddie speaks to you in indecipherable gibberish and at the end of the yardage says “f*&*ing hit it!”

Accessories

I’m not a watch wearer but for those who are, an optional watch band allows this unit to be worn on the wrist.

Conclusion

I have at least 10 golf GPS units in my garage thanks to running a popular blog.  The VS4 is the unit I’ve chosen as my go-to gamer.  This is the one in the bag.  The size, convenience, and accuracy make the GolfBuddy VS4 my GPS of choice.

Related Links

WT3 Golf GPS Watch review

GolfBuddy World Platinum GPS review

 


First Look: GolfBuddy VS4 Talking Golf GPS

Written by: Tony Korologos | Friday, August 29th, 2014
Categories: Golf AccessoriesGolf GearSite News
Tags:

In for review here at Hooked on Golf Blog is the new GolfBuddy VS4 talking golf GPS. This is a tiny, watch-sized golf GPS which speaks your yardages to you. See the video below for a sample.

I’ve used the unit for two full 18 hole rounds now and it is very solid. At times when the pin has been center-green, I’ve checked the distances with my laser rangefinder and they are exact.

GolfBuddy VS4 Golf GPS

GolfBuddy VS4 Golf GPS

Stay tuned for the full review in a week or two when I’ve had the opportunity to complete my comprehensive review.


First Look: Golf Buddy WT3 Golf GPS Wristwatch

Written by: Tony Korologos | Tuesday, November 19th, 2013
Categories: Golf AccessoriesGolf EquipmentGolf GearSite News
Tags:
Golf Buddy WT3 Golf GPS Wristwatch

Golf Buddy WT3 Golf GPS Wristwatch

Remember how big golf GPS’s were a couple of short years ago?  Now they’re in your wristwatch…

In for review here at Hooked On Golf Blog is the cool new Golf Buddy WT3 golf GPS watch. The battery is charged and weather permitting I’ll begin testing of this unit this week. Stay tuned.

Until then, check out the HOG gallery where I’ve posted a couple of photos of the Golf Buddy WT3 golf GPS watch.


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