Over the past 20 years, I’ve tried a number of laser rangefinders and GPS units and I always come back to Leupold. When it comes to optics companies, no one has a reputation or longevity like Leupold. This 5th-generation, family-owned business was founded in 1907 and is still owned by the Leupold family. In 2014, the NRA conducted an equipment survey and found Leupold to be the most popular scope manufacturer for both the high-power and high-power hunter competition rifles. They are also well-known for their binoculars and performance eyewear. So, it only makes sense that this success would spill over to golf rangefinders.
Recently the display on my Leupold GX-5 started to fade and according to the technicians at Leupold, it cannot be fixed. I decided to replace it with another Leupold unit since I have never had a problem with any previous units.
My dilemma is whether or not I spend the money to get a similar unit – in this case, the new GX-6c – or save some cash and purchase the GX-2c.
Without going into technicalities, Leupold has some proprietary technologies that make their laser golf rangefinders some of the fastest and most accurate in the business. Their products are among the best in the industry in terms of performance and reliability. Here are some of the features that can be found in either the GX-2c or Gx-6c:
True Golf Range Technology (TGR) is a sophisticated way of saying “slope.” The difference with Leupold is that it takes into account altitude and temperature and gives extremely accurate readings.
Club Selector is my favorite feature and can only be found on certain Leupold models. It allows you to program your club distances directly into the device. Then based on the distance and variable items like slope, altitude, and temperature the Gx-6c selects the correct club for you. When used with TGR Technology, it can take the guesswork out of club selection.
One feature that seems to separate Leupold from many others is Fog Mode, which helps the laser cut through fog or mist to give you more accurate readings. This is especially useful if you live in a particularly rainy area.
The Prism Lock feature gives you both an audible and visual alert when the rangefinder has successfully locked onto a flagstick with a prism in it, something many courses are adding.
Flag Lock is similar to Prism lock but allows the device to differentiate between a flagstick and other background elements such as trees.
Digitally Enhanced Accuracy (DNA) uses digital processing which picks up “less noise” than traditional rangefinders and gives more accurate results down to 1/10th of a yard.
Scan Mode allows you to hold down the range button and scan from one target to the next, getting multiple yardages quickly.
PinHunter 3 is Leupold’s latest laser technology which helps to eliminate false readings and separates things like background trees.
The GX-6c has one major feature not available in the Gx-2c – Image Stabilization. It uses technology similar to what you would find in a stabilized camera lens and makes it extremely easy to lock onto the flag no matter how shaky your hands might be.
The other feature where the GX-6c shines is the display. It uses a high light transmission optical system with a bright red display for ease of reading whereas the 2c uses a high-resolution LCD display. A CR2 lithium battery is included with each as is a two-year limited warranty. Line of sight distance is USGA legal on both models.
Leupold Rangefinders are missing a couple of features that other manufacturers hype up – a magnet to attach it to the golf cart for easy accessibility and a vibration feature. I’ve never had a rangefinder with a vibration feature – a beep is good enough for me – and I’ve played with several people where the magnet failed, and their rangefinder crashed onto the cart path. One guy accidentally ran his over!
In the end, I opted for the GX-6c, less of a learning curve. After all, it’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks. For more information on either model or to purchase a new Leupold golf rangefinder, visit them online at www.leupoldgolf.com.