GolfBuddy GB Laser Lite Review

Engineered to deliver all the features you could want for a fraction of the price, the GolfBuddy GP Laser Lite is an appealing device to have by your side on the golf course. Retailing at only £129.99, Golfshake Ambassador Richard Moore has tested and reviewed it for us.

The Laser Lite has slope compensation with on/off functionality (making it legal for tournament play), it picks up targets in 0.5 seconds. It has a very simple viewport, a compact, and lightweight feel, and includes calculations for elevation.

Tech Specs

Size: 103 x 74 x 39 mm

Weight: 5.04 oz / 143g (excluding battery)

Colour: Black / White

Display: LCD

Accuracy: +/-1 yard

Range: 5~ 800Y/ 5 ~ 720 M

Magnification: 6x

Battery: Type CR2 3V Lithium

Battery Life: 3,000 ~ 5,000 actuations

Water Resistance: Yes - IPX4 (Light rain)

Looks

Three years ago, I bought a leading device (with slope adjustment option for £299) which I have used every round and does exactly what I need. I love it - or so I thought! That was because Golfshake asked if I’d like to try an alternative - a GB Laser Lite by GolfBuddy. I was mighty impressed with it even after two rounds. The two devices are exactly the same size and weight and display the same distance measurements, but I think the GolfBuddy has a number of advantages over its considerably more expensive alternative.

The digital display is actually bigger on the GB Lite and provides more data. I like the fact it gives you a slope adjusted reading (and in case you were curious, also the direct line distance too).

Finally, I like the black hard case over the grey one from my previous model, which after three years of use was looking a bit grubby.

Performance

I like the fact you can switch between modes to allow you to scan multiple targets, for example the flag and a couple of greenside bunkers all within a few seconds. There is also a ‘pin’ option ideal for occasions where you have trees behind the green, while sometimes my previous model would zap the trees behind and not the pin, so you needed to double check. With the GolfBuddy, you can ask it to pick the pin out and it even vibrates to say ‘you are locked on!’

Verdict

Pros

More functions than leading products and at half the price. How do they do that?

Cons

The first time I used it was a misty day and it was unable to pick out any specific targets and therefore it just registered the target at ten yards, so I had to wait for the mist to clear – but I suspect I’d have had the same problem with any device.

I did struggle a bit with using the M button to switch the slope adjustment on and off as it just seemed to switch the yards/metres unit of measurement. Still not too sure about that and with trial and error I got there - but only a minor gripe!

The Bottom Line

Technically, I saw no advantage from more expensive models. So, knowing what I know now, I’d have bought the GB Lite over any of them.

For more information, visit https://golfbuddy.co.uk/products/golfbuddy-gb-laser-lite-rangefinder-with-slope.