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6x vs 7x magnification: does it matter for golf?
Updated
A 7x view makes the flag look a little bigger than 6x, which can help you hold it in the reticle. It also magnifies hand shake. Either works for golf. The bigger issue is that some listings cannot agree with themselves on which one they are.
What the picks list
| Rangefinder | Magnification |
|---|---|
| Callaway 300 Pro | 6x |
| Bushnell Tour V6 Shift | 6x |
| Bushnell Tour V5 (non-slope) | 6x |
| Blue Tees Series 3 Max+ | 6x in the title, 7 in the spec table |
| Gogogo Sport Vpro GS24 | 7x in the bullets, 6x in the spec table |
| REDTIGER Golf Rangefinder | 7x |
Blue Tees' own page lists the Series 3 Max+ at 6x, so we treat its "7" as a spec table error. Gogogo's own page says the GS24 is 7x after its upgrade, so the listing's 6x may describe older stock. Check the version you get.
If you wear glasses
Look for eye relief, the distance your eye can sit from the eyepiece and still see the whole view. Longer is better for glasses and sunglasses. Bushnell prints 16 mm, which it calls extra long, and a 4.0 mm exit pupil for its Tour V7 Shift. None of the six Amazon listings we read printed eye relief, so ask the maker before you buy if it matters to you. Owners of the REDTIGER Golf Rangefinder and the Blue Tees Series 3 Max+ mention trouble seeing the full picture or a blurry view.
Laser safety basics
The REDTIGER listing calls its unit a Class 1 laser product. The FDA describes Class I lasers as considered non-hazardous, and notes that the hazard increases if the beam is viewed with optical aids such as magnifiers or binoculars. So never aim a rangefinder at someone's eyes, and never look at another laser through your rangefinder.
Match a pick to your game with the rangefinder checker, or compare all six on the roundup page.