Product Review: Bushnell Pro 1600 Rangefinder

Contributed by Lou Duran
December 2009

The Bushnell Pro 1600 is a solid rangefinder that I found accurate, easy to operate, and highly useful. It will be a welcome addition to many a golfer’s arsenal.

During the review period, I played 15 rounds on different courses with varying weather conditions. Several courses had considerable elevation changes where I found the slope feature to be particularly helpful. Previously, I had the tendency to overestimate the impact of slope on downhill shots and underestimate the relevance of slope on uphill shots. Once I got used to the Pro 1600, it eliminated having to guess at appropriate club selection.

My past experience with rangefinders was mixed. Most had difficulty locking in on the desired target, particularly when trees or intervening slopes were in the way or background. Doubt breeds inconsistency and destroys confidence.

Several colleagues and I compared yardages computed by our various devices (lasers and satellite units) against posted yardage markers and found the Pro 1600 Slope to be very accurate (often within a yard or two of fixed markers and actual pins). I dare say that this level of performance greatly exceeds the needs of some 99.9%+ of the golfing population.

I did have some initial concerns with the weight of the unit and the force required to push the buttons while holding it steady to lock-in on the desired target. These were allayed with experience, and the weight is actually an asset as the unit needs to be rugged to survive tough conditions and the inadvertent accidents all golfers experience.

The Pro 1600 Slope performed very well in the rain just this past week. The readings were quick and there were no problems with fogging or visibility.

In addition to on course performance, the Bushnell Pro 1600 Slope was a big hit on the driving range where I was asked by several golfers for distances to various targets. If practice makes perfect, the Pro 1600 makes perfect practice even more possible; great for half-wedges and pitching distances.

MSRP:

- Bushnell Pro 1600 Slope- $499

- Bushnell Pro 1600 Tournament – $399

Review by Lou Duran

Photos courtesy of Bushnell

Please contact The Walking Golfer if you have any product review suggestions or requests.