Golf Australia – August 2019

FACTS AND FIGURES

COMPANY SAYS: Used by over 99 percent of

PGA Tour players, Bushnell continues to evolve

advanced technologies. The Pro XE introduces

‘Slope with Elements’, a technology that takes

Bushnell’s Tour-trusted compensated distances

to the next level. Temperature and altitude have

now been added to Bushnell’s patented ‘Slope’

technology to give golfers the most precise

compensated distances ever.

The improved Slope takes into account

the most updated ball fl ight measures giving

a much sharper angle of descent over the

previous algorithm. Bushnell provides the only

compensated ‘Play As’ distance that takes

actual ball fl ight into account, whereas other

rangefi nders use simple geometry, which is easy

to calculate, but not nearly as accurate.

JOLT has been taken to the next level with the

all new PinSeeker with Visual JOLT technology. A

red ring fl ashes as JOLT vibrates to give the golfer

even greater feedback and confi dence to know

you have locked onto the fl ag.

Also new to the Pro XE is the introduction

of BITE technology. The BITE magnetic mount

allows the laser rangefi nder to be secured

to the cart bar without the need for an

aftermarket accessory.

The Pro XE also sets the gold standard in

ranging performance with the ability to range

fl ags at 500+ yards. 7X magnifi cation enables you

to have a better view of what you are ranging, and

the newly enhanced ultra-bright backlight display

provides crisp, clear data output in the LCD.

For more information, visit http://www.championsports.com.au

BUSHNELL

PRO XE LASER

RANGEFINDER

Cost: $799. Tested by: Jimmy

Emanuel, Golf Australia Writer

(GAHandicap9.4)

FIRST IMPRESSIONS:

Straight from the fi rst hole of

my testing, the Bushnell Pro

XE was extremely impressive.

The size and shape of the unit

fi t in one hand perfectly and

the laser felt solidly built but

comfortable to hold with the rubber housing.

Viewing through the eyepiece was extremely

clear and using the laser was very easy, with the

unit switched on through the touch of a button

and the ‘Slope’ capabilities easily turned on and

off with a switch on the side.

HOW IT PERFORMED: Having used a laser

rangefi nder for more than 10 years, I am

continually amazed at the additional technologies

added to each new model and the simplicity of

use for things I could once only dream of.

In the case of the Pro XE, Bushnell has added

what the company calls ‘Elements’ to the

‘Slope’ feature, which takes into account uphills

and downhills when delivering a fi nal distance.

Elements adds temperature and altitude into the

Slope equation and while originally concerned

that these extra factors might prove confusing,

the delivery of the numbers through the

eyepiece is extremely easy to understand ...

Even for the non-tech savvy golfer.

Some people will roll their eyes at the impact

these factors could have on distances, but do so

at your own peril, the technology proving itself in

my fi rst round using the Pro XE.

Playing early on a winter’s morning always

means the ball won’t travel as far as the middle

of the day during the height of Summer, but to

have the calculations done for you is incredible.

Playing a par-3 during my fi rst round with the

unit, the difference to the scorecard distance

and the fi nal Bushnell number was signifi cant.

Trusting technology, I hit the appropriate club for

the Slope with Elements factored distance. Pin

high was the result.

As the round went on and the day heated up,

the difference in distance continued to lower.

Back I went to the same par-3 tee after the

round to test the difference, and sure enough

the hole was nearly playing a club shorter four-

and-a-bit hours later.

Of course, Slope measurements aren’t

allowed in competition, but a simple fl ick of the

switch on the side of Pro XE disables the

function and is very clear to any suspicious

playing partners.

Bushnell’s standard pin-seeking technology

has also received an upgrade in the new

model. ‘PinSeeker with Visual JOLT’ locks onto

fl ags almost instantly, even with slightly shaky

hands, and to remove any doubt that you have

found the target, a red ring now fl ashes in the

eyepiece while the unit vibrates.

Of the additions compared to previous

models, the ‘BITE’ magnet on the side of

the Pro XE originally seemed a little excessive

for mine. But my fi rst round in a cart with

the Pro XE certainly proved me wrong, the

convenience of being able to place the

rangefi nder on the metal frame makes it so

helpful to grab and shoot your distance,

particularly when sharing one rangefi nder

between two players.

Rangefi nders have come a long way from my

now “vintage” unit that requires two hands and

simply offers up one distance. And although I

have held out with my old faithful for as long as

I could, once I got my hands on the Pro XE, its

impressive features and simplicity of use have

me convinced it’s time for an upgrade.

THE VERDICT: Its impressive features and simplicity of use have me convinced it’s time for an upgrade.

Playing

WITH...

106 AUGUST 2019 | golf australia