Leupold GX-5i3 Laser Rangefinder Review

Raising the Rangefinder Bar

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I think it’s safe to say that over the last few years, the number of GPS units in use for golf outnumbers laser rangefinders. This is due in part to the endless number of smartphone apps that will turn your device into a GPS unit.

As a rule, these units are accurate enough for the average golfer. After all, I’m sure many of them share the same satellite. Some of them are rather impressive, with touch screens and the ability to pick up distances to hazards, etc. As useful as they are, I just can’t seem to find one that gives me enough confidence to replace my Leupold laser rangefinder.

Leupold recently introduced their new GX-5i3 which picks up where the GX-4i2 left off. The unit is equipped with Leupold’s proprietary True Golf Range, a feature that takes into consideration things like inclines, declines, altitude, temperature and other atmospheric conditions to deliver a true distance to the flag. Combine TGR with another exclusive Leupold feature – Club Selector – and this rangefinder will even tell you which club to hit based on your personal ball-striking profile. Club Selector is something you set up by telling the unit how far you hit certain clubs. Leupold GX rangefinders are the only ones in the world with this feature.

The GX-5i3 features Leupold’s high performance DNA® (Digitally eNhanced Accuracy™) engine, and an advanced infrared laser provides fast measurements and increased accuracy displayed to the nearest 1/10 of a yard. Perhaps the biggest change with this new unit involves the removable faceplate, or lack thereof. With the GX-5i3, the TGR and Club Selector features can be disabled for tournament play through the onscreen menu. Leupold GX rangefinders also use advanced Digital Signal Processing to eliminate digital noise and deliver a more precise, accurate range to the target.

Leupold’s PinHunter 3 technology is the key to fast, accurate ranging and the ability to quickly lock onto the flagstick. It used to be that a shaky hand meant locking onto the pin was an arduous task, but not anymore. Improved PinHunter 3 technology filters out background images and increases the pulse rate of the rangefinder which ignores user movement to identify the pin. And if your course uses prism technology on the flagsticks, Leupold’s Prism Lock feature finds the prisms and locks in quickly with an audible tone. This feature alone can help speed up play. Prism Lock Technology is only available on Leupold’s GX models.

Need to decide whether to try and carry the water on the left or the sand on the right? Leupold’s One-Touch Scan Mode allows you to get multiple readings by simply holding down the power button. Fog Mode allows you to cut through the fog and still pick up the flag, something other rangefinders are not able to do.

Not only are these small, handheld units full of technology, they are solidly built. The housing is made from a durable, lightweight material with a rubber armor coating. No worries about damaging this unit as it bounces around in your golf cart or bag. After all, it’s made by a company best known for hunting scopes. Leupold’s red OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display is mirror coated which helps to filter away as much light as possible. The result is a display that is brighter and easier to read.

Setting up your new Leupold GX-5i3 is a breeze. Simply install the CR2 Lithium battery that comes with the unit and hit the power button on top. Once the unit powers up hit the menu button on the side and scroll through the menu using the power button to toggle between choices. The entire process takes about 2 minutes. Then your good to go.

The GX-5i3 raises the bar on what a laser rangefinder can do. Leupold’s GX golf rangefinders were developed to provide you with the very best products available on the market. Every detail and function of the GX series is designed to improve your game, whether you’re a professional or an amateur.

For more information on this or any other Leupold golf product, visit their website at www.www.leupold.com/golf/rangefinders

David Theoret

David Theoret has been in the golf and golf travel industry for over 12 years, primarily selling online advertising. For the past seven years, he has also been a golf writer, reviewing golf courses, resorts, destinations, equipment, golf apparel, and training aids – the latter of which never seems to help. What started as a dream years ago, by God’s grace, became a reality in 2015 when The Golfin’ Guy editorial marketing company was founded. Working together with golf course designer Ron Garl; David’s articles and reviews have been posted on many golf travel, equipment, and apparel websites.

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