Bushnell Tour v3 Laser Rangefinder Review
The Bushnell Tour v3 JOLT builds upon the prior generation Bushnell Tour V2, with the same magnification (5x), range performance (5-1000 yards), and accuracy (to within 1 yard). The Tour v3 introduces Bushnell’s JOLT technology, which provides short bursts of vibration to indicate that its PinSeeker technology has locked onto a target. The JOLT technology may not be for everyone, but if you don’t like it, you can turn it off – we found ourselves appreciating it more over time. We do note that the Tour v3 does not always indicate that it has locked onto the target (via icon of a circle surrounding the flagstick in the display) even when it is returning the correct distances, and if the device hasn’t determined that it is locked on, there will be no accompanying vibration. As a result, it became clear that we didn’t absolutely have to have indication that the laser was locked onto a target – if the distance appears accurate, it probably is.
When you fire the laser, the distances will intermittently update as you pan across objects. We found that the laser can continue to fire in the range of 3-5 seconds before it locks onto a target, after which the yardage will continue to display for 15 seconds after the firing button is released. Distances to additional targets can be obtained even after PinSeeker has locked onto a target if you continue to pan.
The Bushnell Tour v3 JOLT is a solid device and at $299, is $100 less than the Bushnell Tour V2 and one of the least expensive golf laser devices tested. It provides quick and accurate readings even without verification, which was OK with us. But if you are keen on the PinSeeker and JOLT functionality, just realize that you may not get feedback with every reading.
Pros:
Reasonable price
It vibrated!
Rainproof
Cons:
Only 5x magnification
JOLT technology provides the same information as the PinSeeker icon in the display, so it’s more of an augmentation than a separate feature
Retail: $299
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Editor’s note: Consumers who like the sound (er, JOLT) of the Bushnell Tour v3 but want to add slope-adjusted distance information should check out the Bushnell Tour v3 Slope.
Bushnell Tour v3 Review
The Bushnell Tour v3’s always-on PinSeeker mode is prevalent in the Bushnell line and most competing products have a similar feature, all with the goal of locking onto the closest target within a line of sight, which under most circumstances is a flagstick against a background of trees or hills. PinSeeker works as well as it has on the Bushnell devices we have used in the past, which is to say that it is generally quite good, but not infallible. Occasionally the Tour v3 will lock onto objects behind the pin. It doesn’t happen often enough to give us any pause in recommending the device, and in the cases where it would initially provide distances to the background object (which is generally pretty obvious), a quick re-fire usually righted this wrong. “PinSeeker” is a bit of a misnomer, as it can provide locked-on distances to any target – trees, bunker faces, mounds, the group in front of you that you are considering driving into…
If a circle is not shown around the flagstick icon within the display, the device may still be providing the distance to the appropriate target, but for whatever reason is still sensing multiple objects in its path. We experienced this situation fairly frequently, and although there was no indication that the device has locked on to the target, it would still return the correct distance. It is difficult to say exactly when the Bushnell Tour v3 JOLT will “lock” onto a target and display the circle around the flagstick icon (indicating PinSeeker has found a target). Curiously, the device will often allow players to continue panning across targets (even after it JOLTS and displays the PinSeeker icon) for a range of 4-10 seconds
Lastly, let’s talk about the newest and most heavily-marketed feature of the Bushnell Tour v3: Bushnell’s JOLT technology. While most laser rangefinders provide some indication that the device has locked onto a target through either through some icon on the display and/or a beep or a tone, the Bushnell Tour v3 is the first device that adds haptics to a laser rangefinder. We weren’t enamored at first and looked for a setting that would enable us to turn the pulsing vibrations off (and while the manual indicates you can turn off JOLT, we aren’t able to do so on our device); however, over time we grew to appreciate the additional validation of locking onto a target. Some players will like the feature while others are satisfied with just a visual indicator and will find the JOLT to be no more than a marketing gimmick. Interestingly, the JOLT functionality hasn’t raised the price from the prior generation device (see ‘Value’, below), so whether you like it or not, at least you aren’t paying more for this feature compared to last years’ device.
The Bushnell Tour v3 provides distance information in 1-yard increments. The displayed distances don’t blink when they are being refreshed, so there are times when you’re firing the laser that you may wonder if the device is doing anything. If you’re in doubt, just check if cross-hairs are shown around the center aiming circle – that’s the indicator that the laser is being fired.
While the 5x magnification is at the low end of device magnification (the majority of quality rangefinders now offer 6x magnification), it’s a tradeoff for significant cost savings.
Additionally, the device is rainproof and has coated optics that are intended to help whisk away the rain and dust.
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