Steve,
Thanks for the info on the Nikon. They do a pretty good job of hiding
their 500G's features :-) Initially only found their "First Target
Priority" capability on a consumer website. Then I found this link that
gives more details on their products
http://nikon.topica.ne.jp/bi_e/products/laser.htm
The 500G product reviews on amazon.com show kind of mixed bag on
flagstick acquisition. It would be interesting to hear someone's
comparison of a Bushnell Pinseeker and a 500G, especially on non-windy
days. From what I've heard the Pinseeker does a good job on picking up
a limp flag, but I'm not 100% sure of that info.
BTW - I think the best device would be a combination GPS and Range
finder! The range finder would have a "steady cam" mode and a good flag
acquisition feature. One more thing, it would be cheap :-)
/Ed
Steve wrote:
Ed,
Just went through a similar experience when buying my father one over this
father's day. I first bought him a middle priced Leopold at the local
Cabella's. When he found it to be unsatisfactory I returned it and bought
an even more expensive Leopold rangefinder. After hearing that he couldn't
hit the pin with that one either, I went and tried for myself, and low and
behold, all I could do was hit the mounds behind the green, not the actual
pin. Finally I went online and did a significant amount of research and
chose the Nikon 500G which does have a pinseeker function and works exactly
like he expected it to (point and click at the pin).
Since he's had the working one, I've really enjoyed playing with him (not
that I didn't before =)) and being able to get the exact distance to the
pin, which oftentimes I completely mis-calculate based on the yardages that
are marked on the course. It's also nice for those "how far is it" lay-up
shots that come up on occasion.
All in all I'd have to say that these are a great investment for one's
game, but if you don't have the pinseeker function in the rangefinder it's
really not much help at all.
Thanks,
Steve
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