There was a lot of hype around the Bushnell Pro X7 when it came out, and for good reason. This rangefinder is the most accurate you’ll find on the market today, and only a couple minor things to criticize. We loved the X7 enough to name it Best Rangefinder in 2016.
First Impressions
Straight out of the box you’ll notice this rangefinder takes up most of the box and comes in a semi-hard zip-case, similar to the kind that nice pairs of headphones come in. The case has a carabiner clip to hang from your bag, which turns out to be necessary because of the size. I use a pretty small carry bag, like this one, so there’s not a ton of extra space. I could fit the X7 in my bag if I didn’t stuff my golf shoes in it. The battery comes included and I really didn’t need the instructions to get going.
I didn’t realize it initially but the elastic loop allows you to access it without having to loudly unzip it while someone else is in the middle of their backswing. It’s a small but smart little feature that shows that Bushnell pays attention to the details, which makes me trust the X7 more.
The Specs
- Tournament Legal (no slope)
- 550yd range to flag
- Accurate to 1/2 yard at 125+ and 1/10th yard inside 125
- 7x Magnification
- Speed Tech via ESP, “Extreme. Speed. Precision.”
- Vivid Display Technology – assists with varying light conditions
- Waterproof
- Pinseeker Tech with JOLT
- 2 Year Warranty
If you’re considering buying the Pro X7 and comparing against other models, here are the features that makes it better than the competition:
Feature By Feature Review
Accuracy to .1 yards when inside 125 yards
Hitting great approach shots means you need to be dialed in from short range. The X7 gives you an extra level of accuracy from .5 to .1 yard to give you extra confidence. You may not be accurate enough to need this precision now but you might need it once you see the impact on your game.
This feature doesn’t make a huge difference in my game but love having it for a 40 yard toss shot that I practice all the time. I’m pretty dialed in with it so that extra 14 inches of accuracy can make a difference.
7x Magnification
The 7x magnification that the Bushnell Pro X7 brings to the table is the best on the market. The extra magnification enables you to shoot the flag from a range of up to 550 yards. It also helps you to clearly see the slope and undulations of the green which means you can pick better targets on your approach shots. There’s also a dial for focusing the lens on it just like a DSLR camera.
Range
I tend to play flat courses so it’s a great feeling being able to shoot the flag on Par 5’s from way out, although you realistically only need about 300 yards. The extra weight it has helps stabilize it if you have shaky when you’re shooting.
Pinseeker
The Pinseeker technology has been around for a few years now and it really does make a difference between a non-pinseeking rangefinder. Most rangefinders in the $200+ range have it now, so it’s not all that different from the competition in this category.
Waterproof
Most competing models are only rainproof. I don’t plan on putting this to the test with my unit but I like having that extra defense if I drop it in a water hazard somehow.
E.S.P.
Bushnell’s ESP (“Extreme. Speed. Precision.”) Technology is designed to get your reading faster. Calling it “extreme” is a little extreme, but it’s definitely very fast. It gives a reading right away.
Vivid Display Technology
This is a fancy way of saying it adjusts the display based on the amount of light around you. There are 4 settings BRT1 – BRT4 with 4 being the brightest. It does help to adjust this when you’re playing in the evening and don’t want to blow up your round shooting in the dark.
Vetted by the Pros
Bushnell has more PGA Professionals using their rangefinders than all the other brands combined. Considering that no clubmakers have that kind of market share for irons or drivers, it speaks volumes for the quality of these units.
Feels Sturdy and Durable
This thing is heavy compared to most of the rangefinders you’re used to. It still weighs less than a pound so it’s not
Using the Pro X7
This thing is very user-friendly and minimizes the buttons. Just press the power button, aim and hold it until you get your reading. Adjusting the display brightness is just a matter of holding down Mode and toggling to the brightness level you want.
Final Thoughts in the Bushnell Pro X7 – Do I love it?
Yes! I really do love this thing. I’m shooting distances during all my range sessions, and usually twice each hole. My game has improved now that I really know my distances — I can’t round up my distances like I used to — but I also swing more confidently knowing I have the right club to put me in a better position to score. The only downside is how big it is, but it’s a tradeoff I’ll happily make for the extra level of precision, extra magnification and how it’s easier to hold steady.
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