Cool golf gear alert! I’ve been testing out the new Bushnell Phantom 2 Golf GPS for a few weeks. Thrilled to have it, as my original Bushnell Phantom was lost/stolen. I’ll cover that more in a minute. First. let’s take a look at the Phantom 2.
Features
The Phantom 2 provides GPS data for over 38,000 golf courses around the globe. I haven’t visited a course yet with either my original Phantom or the Phantom 2 that didn’t pop right up on the courses list (below).
The data includes front, center and back yardages. Knowing something other than center is strategically beneficial so one can choose the appropriate shot in terms of risk, carry, and optimal distance.
The yardages (pictured below) are shown in very large, easy-to-read numbers. Even if the unit is on your bag or golf cart several feet away the yardages are easy to read.
The unit automatically detects when the golfer moves to the next hole and advances the data to that hole. Of course, the user can manually control which hole he is on in the event of some…. “errant” shots.
The unit is pocket sized, small and light. It’s easy to carry in a pocket, but also comes with a clip for clipping it onto a bag or a belt. The clip features a loop so the unit can be attached to a golf bag with a carabiner. The back features a strong magnet to stick it to the supports of a golf cart. Pay close attention to where you put it.*
Each golf hole can have up to six hazard/layup distances per hole. This is extremely useful information, especially for that first time on a course when the player is unsure what to hit and how far the hazards and carries are.
The green-view screen is very informative and useful. It shows the shape of the green and allows the user to cycle through the different pin placements, showing the yardage for each pin placement. This is vital information which will help the player choose the right club and avoid missing greens and/or three-putts.
The player can track each shot, including putts. Below I’ve 2-putted the 17th.
The unit doesn’t just count up shots, it also tracks shot direction and distance so the user can analyze the round later and use that recon for improvement. Knowing what to work on is fantastic. Missing a bunch of fairways to the left? AIM RIGHT! LOL.
The internal battery lasts up to 18 hours, perfect for those summer solstice day-long marathons! The battery is charged via USB-C. Nice that it isn’t an odd and hard to find proprietary cable.
Lastly, the unit features a cool gray camo look.
Final Thoughts
The features packed into an affordable $129.00 retail price for the Phantom 2 are many. Yardages are quick and convenient, as is shot tracking. Play with confidence in your choices, knowing the proper distances, hazards, and pin placements.
*Beware of attaching the unit to a golf cart! I used my original Phantom this way until the day I forgot to take it off the cart. Despite the fact that I’d played the fanciest private club in town, by the time I realized I’d left the unit on the card and ran back to the clubhouse, the Phantom was gone.
I’m a big fan of veterans, and of organizations like Folds of Honor. I’m also a big fan of golf! Here’s a great package from Bushnell Golf which features the new Tour V5 laser rangefinder and an awesome Folds of Honor divot tool, the Tour V5 Patriot Pack.
Description:
- Built-in BITE Magnetic Cart Mount
- PinSeeker with Visual JOLT Technology
- Ranges 400+ Yards to a Flag
- 6x Magnification
- Bright, Clear Optics (2x brighter than previous generation product)
- Legal for Tournament Play
- Two year limited warranty
Patriot Pack
The Patriot Pack includes newly designed premium carry case, Bushnell Golf/Folds of Honor divot repair tool, CR2 battery.
Quality
I’ve been gaming Bushnell laser rangefinders for years and they’re super accurate. Yardages are delivered quickly and the feature sets are robust.
Magnetic Mount
The side of the unit comes with a powerful magnet which allows the player to mount the laser to a golf cart frame or push cart frame.
Father’s Day
Father’s Day is coming up quick. If you have a father on your list who is also a vet, this would be a fantastic gift. Pricing is around $299 for technology that can be priced above $500.
Bushnell has been at the top of electronic golf distance measuring since electronic golf distance measuring was a thing. Every year I’m thankful to get to test their latest and greatest, and every year I’m amazed they found a way of improving their offerings from the previous year. This year wasn’t just an improvement, it was a leap. Let’s take a look at the new Pro XE laser.
Features
The viewfinder features 7X magnification to make picking a target easy. The laser range of the unit is from five to 1,300 yards. Yeah. I usually laser targets that are around 5-6 yards. Can’t be guessing those distances. Hehe. The laser is accurate to within one yard, which is terrific. Many lasers claim accuracy from 3-5 yards. That 3-5 yards could make the difference between hitting a green and landing in the drink short of it.
When the unit has locked in on a pin it vibrates or gives a “jolt.” This confirms to the golfer that the unit has locked in on the flag, and not the beverage cart.
The unit is compact in size and weighs in at a mere 11 ounces, despite having a rubber-armored metal housing.
The display is an “enhanced ultra-bright backlit” type, which produces stunning clarity and crispness in the yardages and graphics. It’s quite awesome.
To keep the electronics safe, and to allow use even in Scottish conditions (rain), the unit is waterproof.
The unit displays slope when the convenient slope switch is turned to the on position. Slope is where the unit gives a yardage number which compensates for elevation changes. For instance on my home course’s final par-3, it plays about 156 yards because of the downhill, but the true distance is about 165.
Not only does the unit calculate yardage for slope, but for the elements. The Pro XE uses yardage, slope, temperature and barometric pressure to calculate what yardage the shot is “playing like.” Unbelievable technology!
There’s a strong magnet on the side of the Pro XE for sticking it to the metal support beam of a golf cart, or the frame of a push cart (trolley for you in the UK). But don’t forget you stuck it on the cart. I left a magnetic GPS on a golf cart and dropped it off at the cart barn. I came back within five minutes but it was already gone, probably straight into the cart boy’s bag.
In Action
I can’t stress enough how amazing the optics and graphics display in this unit. It’s like the difference between VHS video and digital 4K. They should put an “HD” label on the thing. It’s so crisp and clean.
Of course, and as expected, the yardages are solid and super fast. I trust the XE’s numbers completely. It locks onto pins extremely fast. I even shot the pins on the practice green from the driving range. You know, those funny little pins that are about 18 inches high? No problem!
Final Thoughts
I wish I could have tested the amazing Pro XE laser rangefinder by Bushnell while playing actual golf, but the shoulder surgeon (and my shoulder) tell me there’s no golf for me until sometime in 2020. But I gave the unit an honest battery of tests, including the “trees behind the pin” to see how she performed. I’ve tested many, many lasers to date and none outperform the Pro XE.
That performance comes at a price. Retail on this baby is $549.00. Sure there are lasers out there these days that are considerably cheaper, but in this case you get what you pay for.
I may not be able to swing a golf club until 2020 but I can sure point a golf laser rangefinder at a flagstick and press the button. I did a bit of that today while trying out the new Bushnell Pro XE laser rangefinder for the first time. Here’s a first look:
Man is the display super looking. The red text and layout is fantastic. I shot a few flags in the practice area today and the unit locks on quickly and gives great information, including slope if the switch is moved to show the red mark (see photo above, silver switch with red to right).
Pro XE Images
More images of the Bushnell Pro XE laser rangefinder.
I’m now testing out the new Bushnell Phantom GPS Rangefinder for my full review here at Hooked on Golf Blog. I reviewed its predecessor, the Bushnell NEO a couple of years ago.
My first round of testing the Phantom was today, with great results already. I just have to get used to the very powerful magnet on the device. More on that later. Here are a few teaser shots of the Phantom, in action and in retail packaging.
Phantom showing yardages to center, front, back.
Below is the retail packaging.
And here’s the course list which pops up when you power the unit up and hit the play golf button. My course was automatically selected.
Below shows a little accuracy test. Within two yards either way works for me.
I’ll be posting my review after I have a a fair amount of rounds in the books, but so far I’m digging the Bushnell Phantom GPS. I can already tell this would make a great golf Father’s Day gift.
Related
Bushnell NEO Ghost Pocket Golf GPS Review
2017 Golf Accessory Product of the Year – Bushnell Pro X2 Laser Rangefinder
Bushnell Golf Pro X2 Laser Rangefinder Review
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