I have been blessed in having a Leupold laser rangefinder for the past 8 or 9 years. I started with the GX-3, migrated to the GX-4 and then the GX-4i². With each model, the features got better. I mean, how can you question a rangefinder that does slope?
I recently received the new GX-2i² to review and I must say, I am totally impressed. Leupold has redefined golf rangefinders using one, simple principle: customize them to the individual golfer’s needs. It does everything the GX-4i² does only without the faceplate. Now you can turn on and off the slope through the on-screen menu, making it tournament legal.
Leupold’s Digitally Enhanced Accuracy (DNA) has taken golf laser rangefinders to new levels of precision by providing faster, more precise feedback to within 1/10th of a yard regardless of the background colors and textures.
The key to getting a quick accurate read requires the unit to be able to lock on to the flagstick. Depending on your steadiness (which can be greatly influenced by the previous night’s activities, especially on early Saturday and Sunday morning rounds), zeroing-in on the pin used to be tough. But not anymore. Leupold’s improved PinHunter 2 Laser Technology filters out background images and makes zeroing-in on the target faster and easier. Seven different reticle options give you more flexibility in choosing the one that’s best for you. And, should the course you’re playing have “prisms” on the flagsticks, the distance is displayed immediately. What’s more, there’s even a fog mode. Most rangefinders provide a measurement to the first target they find, which on foggy days is quite often the fog itself. The GX-2i² cuts through the dreary weather and provides fast, accurate measurements to get you on the green.
The GX-2i² adds two exclusive Leupold features found in the more expensive models: True Golf Range (TGR) and the Club Selector. TGR provides ranging information matched to your personal hitting strength, the slope involved (up or down), as well as current environmental conditions. Then it automatically recommends the appropriate club based on the atmospheric data you input at setup. If only it could swing the club!
One of my favorite features of the GX-2i² is the scan mode, which provides multiple readings in one quick sweep – perfect for determining if you want to go for the green or play it safe.
The GX-2i² has no snap on faceplate to change from slope to non-slope mode; instead, you turn it on/off in the set up menu. This make it USGA Rule 14-3 compliant according to changes approved by the Association in 2015.
This unit delivers nothing but crisp, clean optics, dead on accurate ranging and low glare. Leupold products are beat up and abused every day by thousands of enthusiasts, making them legendary for their durability. After all, Leupold rangefinders are used by hunters and shooters in a lot rougher environments than a golf course! Leupold has also applied a lot of this knowledge into weatherproofing their new rangefinder. I firmly believe that there are too many nice days in Florida to play golf in the rain, but should you end up doing so, be assured that your Leupold golf rangefinder will survive.
Previous models I had were on the high end of the price spectrum when compared to other rangefinders with a slope feature. Although the new GX-2i² is priced at $429.99 on their website, most online golf retailers are selling it for $100 less, making it one of the lowest priced rangefinders available that calculates slope. When you add in the other features it has, this new unit becomes even more of a bargain. It’s easy to use, deadly accurate and won’t leave you guessing on which club to hit.
For more information on the new Leupold GX-2i², you can visit their website at www.golf.leupold.com.
