Leupold GX-I Laser Rangefinder Review
Leupold are renowned for their hunting optics and have over a century of experience in the rangefinder market. But they’ve recently moved into making devices specially created for golf and we’ve got our hands on their flagship model — the tournament legal GX-I. Their GX range has earned great acclaim since its launch, so we’re expecting a lot. See if this highly sought after product lives up to the hype…
What they say:
Legal for tournament play, the GX-I is a line of sight rangefinder. The GX-I incorporates Leupold’s exclusive PinHunter™ technology, which effectively filters out background noise and zeroes in on the flag or pin for extremely precise and fast target acquisition. Golfers can select from seven aiming reticles for precise ranging on the flag, pin or other targets. Additionally, distance can be displayed in either yards or metres.
What we say:
Opinion surrounding the use of laser rangefinders is split — some people believe they are invaluable scoring tools which can not only help speed up the game, but allow you to hit more greens and even avoid hazards, whilst others feel they are just another money-making gizmo which can actually slow down play. Some people even think they are too much hassle and opt for the more expensive GPS systems.
Whatever your thoughts are, there’s no escaping the fact that knowing the distance from where you are to your target is key to shooting low scores, and more and more people are coming round to this and investing their hard-earned in these space-age devices.
“At only 6.8 ounces (less than half a pound), the GX-I is one of the lightest laser rangefinders on the market…”
But if you’re going to shell out in the region of £200 on a rangefinder, you need to know it’s a good one.
And, from the many we have tested over the last two years, we’ve found no legal devices better than the Leupold GX-I.
This small, but perfectly formed, rangefinder works by firing an infrared laser at the chosen target and displaying a reading (in yards or metres depending on preference) for you to choose a club from.
It takes only two clicks of a button to get your reading — simply turn it on with the first click, line the recticle up with your target and click again.
The yardage is displayed above the aiming recticle, to an accuracy of +/- 1 yard, and is therefore a much speedier process than pacing out distances from the 150-yard marker, for example.
VIDEO: An in-depth tutorial on how to use the Leupold GX range. Please note: the True Golf Range section of the video only applies to the Leupold GX-II rangefinder — a tournament illegal version of the GX-I
The result for my playing partners and I was mind-blowing.
We took the GX-I for a test drive around our local course, which normally takes approximately four hours to complete. But with the GX-I, we shaved almost half an hour from our round time.
A member of our fourball also shot six below his handicap after peppering the pin with iron shots he said he ‘would never have hit’ due to not knowing the distances.
After all, knowing what club to hit can often be half the battle for some golfers.
But it wasn’t the way the GX-I speeded up play that impressed us the most, it was its durability and stability in the wind.
At only 6.8 ounces (less than half a pound), the GX-I is one of the lightest laser rangefinders on the market, and as a result we expected it to be very susceptible to poor conditions like most other rangefinders we have tested. But it stood firm in the blustery English weather and could seek out the pin even when the flag was blowing in the opposite direction.
“It stood firm in the blustery English weather and could seek out the pin even when the flag was blowing in the opposite direction.”
This is thanks to three things: Leupold’s legendary ‘PinHunter™’ technology’; a six-times magnified scope; and a choice of seven aiming recticles.
Pinhunter™ Technology
The PinHunter™ technology, Leupold say, picks out the flagstick even when it is against a background of trees or grass. This is possibly the most impressive feature as it prevents mis-reading and therefore the resulting over-clubbing which ends with a spell in the cabbage.
Six-times Magnification
The six-times magnification is also a great way of preventing mis-reads. It allows the golfer to zoom in on the target and get the most accurate read possible, meaning more greens hit and less time spent seeing the ball soar over, or fall short of, the dancefloor.
Seven Aiming Recticles
Finally, a choice of seven different recticles (right), allows you to customise your rangefinder and get maximum accuracy. Personally, I opted for the ‘Diamond Plex With Plus Point’ because I thought it was the easiest to line up, but my playing partner preferred the ‘Plus Point’ because, he said, ‘It is the most accurate’.
Whichever way you look at the GX-I it is hard to find fault — it is light, easy to use, extremely reliable and accurate, and even comes with a handy carry case which can be clipped to, or stored in, your bag.
But there is one thing we’re no the biggest fans of.
You may have noticed from the images Leupold supplied us with, that the GX-I is by no means a looker.
“Arguably the best all-round laser rangefinder currently on the market.”
The ergonomic shape does fit superbly in the hand and provide both comfort and stability, but the boring colour scheme and one-dimensional feel means it is not the most exciting product to look at. But this is merely an aesthetic fault and has no bearing whatsoever on performance.
Whatever you do, do not be put off — the GX-I is possibly the greatest all-round laser rangefinder currently on the market and the way it looks should not be a factor in your decision to buy it.
And with no annual subscriptions or course fees to pay, like with GPS devices, the GX-I is a true bargain.
Get yours today.
To Sum Up…
Arguably the best all-round laser rangefinder currently on the market. It is accurate, reliable, strong and above all cheap as chips. Save shots, time and hassle.
Details
Weight: 6.8 oz (0.4 lbs)
Dimensions: 4″ x 2.75″ x 1.5″
Maximum Range (yards): 750 (reflective surface); 600 (trees); 250 (pin)
Number Of Available Recticles: 7
Is it Tournament Legal? Yes
RRP: See Stockist
Website: www.leupold.com/golf
Telephone: +43 2256 820 551
In Short
Looks: 7
Accuracy: 10
Durability: 10
Quality: 10
Value: 10
OVERALL: 47/50
Tags: GX-I, GX-I Rangefinder, Laser Rangefinder, Laser Rangefinder UK, Laser Rangefinder USA, Leupold, Rangefinder
