Having some sort of yardage finder on the course is one of the easier ways to improve your distance control and scores. The good news is that they don’t have to be expensive either.
Today, we’ll be talking about 3 of the best rangefinders under $100 so you can get the highest quality one possible. During testing, we looked at how well they were built, how accurate they were, and how quickly they were able to lock onto targets.
If you’re unsure about whether you should use a rangefinder, golf app, or GPS watch, be sure to check out our guide HERE.
In This Guide
- Most Features: Cigman CT-1200
- Clearest Optics: WOSPORTS L14
- Best Warranty: CaddyTek V3
- What To Look For In A Rangefinder
Most Features: Cigman CT-1200
The PROS:
- Comes with 6 different measuring modes
- Has 6x magnification
- One of the quickest reading units
- Has a digital display
The CONS:
- The optics aren’t as bright as they could be
- More grip could be put on the bottom
The CT-1200 offers one of the best combinations of features, quality, and performance in the sub $100 market. It’s the rangefinder I currently use in combination with my GPS watch.
What I like about this rangefinder is that it comes with a bunch of different modes. Straight distance, slope, and continuous scan are some of them.
It doesn’t lock-on the flag as quickly as some of the premium units, but compared to a lot of the “budget” models, it’s one of the quickest.
I like that it’s small and lightweight. I like that it’s faster than a lot of other “budget” units. One thing I would like to see is a bit more grip on the bottom, especially if your hands are wet.
- Full Review: Cigman CT-1200 Rangefinder Review
- Where To Buy: Buy from Amazon or Buy from Cigman (Save 15% with code OBG15)
Clearest Optics: WOSPORTS L14
The PROS:
- 7x magnification
- One of the brightest displays at this price point
The CONS:
- Doesn’t have as many modes as some
- Doesn’t have as much grip as some
If you’ll just be using the basic rangefinder features and you want the clearest/brightest optics, this will be the one for you.
What I like about this rangefinder is that it’s super light, but even though it’s light, the quality is still there. I like that the eyepiece uses a soft rubber, where others use a firm plastic. It’s just a bit more comfortable.
Compared to the Cigman, it doesn’t offer as much grip and it’s not quite as fast. That said, the L14 is quite a bit brighter and better in low light conditions.
The L14 has straight distance, continuous scan, and hunting mode. Some units have a few more features, but these are what you’d want 90% of the time.
- Full Review: WOSPORTS L14 Rangefinder Review
- Where To Buy: Buy From Amazon or WOSPORTS.com (Save 20% with code WOSPORTSOBG20)
Best Warranty: CaddyTek V3
The PROS:
- The build quality is one of the best in the “budget” market
- It has the most grip
- It has the best return policy/warranty
The CONS:
- The most expensive option
- Only has 6x magnification
The main concern people have with budget tech products is that they’ll stop working after a few years. If that’s you, this might be the rangefinder to go with.
The reason is that it’s sold at Costco, who have one of the best return policies out there. If anything goes wrong you can just bring it back and get a new one (or a refund).
Compared to the WOSPORTS, this one is a bit more heavy-duty and has more grip. That said, it doesn’t have as much magnification and it’s quite a bit more expensive.
Compared to the Cigman, I’d say this one is also more durable. That said, the Cigman offers better magnification and has a couple more measurement modes.
The main downside here is that it normally sells for more than $100. During sales though, you can get it for right around the $100 mark.
- Where To Buy: Buy from Costco
What To Look For In A Rangefinder
When it comes to rangefinders in general, you have a few key differences that you need to think about. Some will offer more than others, but not everyone needs those extra features.
What you’ll want to consider is the:
- Price
- Performance
- Features
Obviously, rangefinders come with different price tags. You can get one for $50 or you can get one for $500. In a lot of cases, the $50 one might be the right choice for you.
If you’re just using it for golf and are only looking to measure the straight distance to a target, one of the units we talked about above will do the job.
If you want to measure targets at a distance (250+ yards) in all weather and light conditions, one of the more expensive units will likely be a better choice.
You also need to think about the performance and how easy it is to use. Do you have still or shaky hands? If your hands shake, a more expensive rangefinder could make your life a little easier. You could also consider a golf GPS (see our favorites HERE).
If not, one of the budget options should be good enough.
What type of features are you looking for? Is slope important to you? How about measuring horizontal and vertical distances? Certain rangefinders offer different features, so it’s important to know what you want and look for the unit that offers it.
Every now and then I like to try out a new budget rangefinder. I’ll continue to update this list if I find something that knocks one of these off.
I’d also like to hear from you. Have you used any rangefinders in the $100 range? Which one was it and how did you like it? Let me know in the comments below.
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