A growing number of golfers, both casual and tournament-ready, are turning to golf laser rangefinders to improve their games. This bit of technology can help duffers lower their scores by helping them accurately compute just how far they are from their targets.
Of course, not all of these laser rangefinders are created equal. And while most of them have their own positives, there are certain rangefinders that are more difficult to use and more cumbersome.
The Callaway LR1200 is a quality rangefinder. But it may be outclassed by powerful rangefinders such as the Bushnell Pro 1600 or the extremely lightweight Bushnell Tour V2.
The LR1200, then, is not a bad machine. It’s just not as top-of-the-line as some of the other models available.
Here are the positives of the Callaway LR1200:
- It features a backlit LCD screen, which makes it easier to read.
- This rangefinder has a particularly long range, always a plus.
- It is ranked as tournament legal, a bonus for competitive golfers.
On the negative side, the Callaway LR1200:
- Is a bit bulky, and is one of the largest rangefinders now available.
- It is also quite heavy.
- The rangefinder is not all that easy to use. It can take even experienced golfers several tries to notch an accurate reading with it.
If you thought the Bushnell PinSeeker 1500 or Bushnell Pro 1600 was a large rangefinder, you might be surprised to learn that the Callaway LR1200 is even larger. However, it is a bit lighter, though it still weighs a formidable 9.8 ounces.
And while it nearly weighs the same as the two Bushnell models, the Callaway LR1200 just isn’t as easy to use. The PinSeeker models from Bushnell allow golfers to lock onto their targets easily, even if they have an unsteady hand. The LR1200, though, often took our testers two to five attempts before they were able to notch an accurate reading.
On the other hand, the LR1200 does boast an impressive maximum range of 1,200 yards. That’s a big positive for competitive golfers. It also has that backlit LCD, a great feature for golfers who are taking their swings during the twilight hours. Finally, the LR1200 comes with a magnitude level of seven times.
Still, it’s hard for us to recommend the LR1200 over some of the rangefinder models now on the market. For instance, if you want to walk the course with a compact laser rangefinder, you’ll probably do better with the Bushnell Tour V2 or the Leupold GX-I. If you’re a golfer who’s more interested in effectiveness and ease of use, you’ll do better with the Bushnell PinSeeker 1500 or 1600.
In other words, the LR1200 is not a machine to look down on. It just doesn’t quite measure up to its competitors.
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