Is This New Shot Scope Device The Future Of Laser Rangefinders?

Is This New Shot Scope Device The Future Of Laser Rangefinders?

The best laser rangefinders have become more and more accessible to golfers in the last decade or so. With increased competition and more affordable technology, a decent, well-specced model can be found for under $150. Increased competition in the category has lead to plenty of ground-breaking innovation too, and the newest device from Shot Scope is evidence of this. 

The new Shot Scope Pro LX+ rolls two distance measuring devices into one and includes shot tracking capabilities as an added bonus - I think it could be an early look into the future of laser rangefinder designs. As you can see from the images, it's a laser rangefinder with a handheld GPS device magnetically attached. It also comes with Shot Scope's shot tracking system, using 16 screw-in sensors that allow golfers to track every shot on course and use post-round analytics to better their individual game. 

We've seen laser rangefinders with embedded GPS technology before - check out our Bushnell Hybrid Laser Rangefinder review  - but never have we seen shot tracking capabilities as part of the package. I've recently starting using both a GPS device and laser rangefinder out on course alongside shot tracking and I know plenty of colleagues and fellow players that do the same. Using two devices gives you even more vital data at your fingertips, but that obviously requires you carry two different devices around, so the Pro LX+ combines that into one, more convenient device. 

Let's break down the device piece by piece, starting with the H4 GPS device. This handheld device provides a clear readout of yardages to the front, middle and back of the green while combining with 16 Shot Scope sensors to mark shot locations on the course. This allows you to gather accurate statistics about every element of your game to pontificate over post-round. It magnetically attaches to the laser rangefinder and can be easily clipped on or off as you wish. It mimics the Shot Scope V3 GPS watch and will be great for those who don't like to wear a watch when they play. It can also be purchased on its own ($149.99/£149.99) if you just want simple on course yardages. 

Next is the Shot Scope Pro LX laser rangefinder. It features slope technology for the first time and has a target lock and vibration mode to make zapping yardages out on course as easy as possible. Without having it to hand, the device looks slightly more bulky than most other laser rangefinder designs, including Shot Scope's own Pro L1, but the rubber grip areas should make this an easy and enjoyable laser to use. This will also be available to buy on its own ($249.99/£229.99) if you just want to use a laser on course. 

The Shot Scope Pro LX+ looks to be a one stop shop for golfers to access all possible yardages on course and access shot tracking data. Retailing at just $349.99/£329.99, I think this is also a very attractive price point for such a cutting-edge product. Bearing in mind the entry level Bushnell Tour V5 laser rangefinder on its own retails at $299.99, I think this Shot Scope Pro LX+ could give the well established brands a real run for their money in 2022.

We are yet to test the product to conclude whether other manufacturers will start going in this direction, but the need from golfers feels fairly compelling. Is this too much data at your fingertips? How well will the laser and GPS yardages work side by side? Will the shot tracking worth seamlessly without a watch? We'll answer all this and more in our review, so keep an eye out on the Golf Monthly website, Twitter and Facebook over the coming weeks.