In this post, I’m going to share my honest thoughts of the Bushnell Tour V6 Shift and if it’s still worth considering. I’ll also be comparing it to some of the other rangefinders on the market, some of which are a lot cheaper.
I’m going to do my best to point out the pros and cons, which will hopefully help you figure out if it’s the right option for you. I wasn’t paid money to give a positive review, so all thoughts are my own.
THE BOTTOM LINE
The Bushnell Tour V6 Shift is an awesome rangefinder, but I’d only consider it if the price was $100 cheaper than the newer V7 Shift. Otherwise, you’ll get essentially the same on-course performance from a much cheaper rangefinder.
Pros & Cons
+It’s very durable and solid
+Has incredible flag lock
+The optics are wide and bright
–The price
–You get some vignetting
– No color display
Bushnell Tour V6 Shift
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My First Impressions
When it comes to optics, Bushnell has been a leader for a long time. If you were to ask a random golfer what the best rangefinder brand is, they’ll likely say (or only known of) Bushnell.
Because of that, I had high expectations when I first got my hands on the V6.
I had used Bushnell is the past, but it had been at least 5 years since I had one. Between then and now, I’ve mostly been using the newer and cheaper brands that have come to market.
In the box, you’ll find the V6 rangefinder, a carrying case, a cloth, 1x battery, and a user manual. All pretty standard.
The case itself is similar to other ones you’ll find. It has a hard shell on both sides, a zipper to close, and a bungee cord backup. It also comes with a carabiner and a strap to attach it to.
The build quality of the V6 is great. Even just holding it, you can feel that it’s well-built and solid. It’s comfortable to hold and has added grip in all the right spots.
I don’t think it’s that big of a deal but the V6 isn’t fully waterproof. It has an IPX6 rating which means it’s water-resistant and can withstand heavy rain. Unless you think you might drive your cart into the pond, I think this is just fine.
The size is also very manageable. I’d say it’s mid-range in terms of size. The Bushnell Pro series are bigger and more heavy-duty. You’ll also find some smaller and cheaper units. I like where the V6 sits.
I also like that the slope on/off switch is right on the side. You can easily turn it off for tournaments and the bright orange you see when slope is on will stand out to not cause issues.
If you’re going to be using a cart, the V6 does come with a built-in magnet. Most rangefinders have this feature but some don’t. If you’ll be using the magnet, just remember to grab it when you’re done.
One thing I did notice were the limited features on the V6. Some rangefinders can do 7 different things, like speed, horizontal distance, and random other stuff. The V6 just gives you straight distance with or without slope. Personally, that’s all I need.
What I Like
It feels extremely well-built. With Bushnell, I’d expect nothing less. As soon as you pick it up, the weight, design, and overall feel is very solid.
I like that there’s an indented spot where your thumb goes to make it more ergonomic. I also like that theres grippy rubber where your fingers go. A lot of the cheaper units just have a firm, slippery plastic.
The optics are wide and bright. Comparing the V6 to my favorite “budget” rangefinder (learn more HERE), the V6 has a wider field of view and also a brighter one.
This is especially helpful from distance or in low-light conditions.
Having a wider field of view is useful when you need to read targets that are pretty far away. While my cheaper unit worked fine, the V6 optics were clearer.
The optics are also brighter and better in low-light conditions (early morning or evening golf). My eyes are pretty good so it’s not a big deal for me, but I’d imagine for some people, brighter is a lot better.
The flag lock works really well. I wouldn’t say the V6 is more accurate than my budget rangefinder. I also wouldn’t say it’s always better at picking up the flag.
That said, there have been a few times where there was an object right behind the pin (a tree, for example), and the V6 was able to pick up the flag in 1-2 tries vs 4-5 tries using my other one.
Both rangefinders eventually got the same number, the V6 was just a bit faster. If there was nothing close to the pin (behind), it was easy to figure out the right number with both.
The Bushnell uses a replaceable battery. This is one that I originally didn’t like, but after some experience with others, came to appreciate the feature.
A lot of rangefinders use a rechargeable battery. I liked the feature because you could easily recharge is and you wouldn’t have to deal with changing batteries.
The only problem is that the rechargeable battery will eventually wear down. What are you supposed to do then? I guess it’s not a huge deal if it’s not an expensive rangefinder, but you’ll have to buy a new one.
With the Bushnell, it’s going to last a long time. As long as it doesn’t break from dropping or letting the battery corrode, it should last you 10+ years.
What I Don’t Like
The price is high. This is kind of obvious if you’ve ever looked at a Bushnell. The V6 is a bit cheaper, but some units can cost you $500.
Some people say you’ll get what you pay for. I generally agree with that, but with rangefinders, I don’t know how much extra value you’ll get paying $100 vs $300 vs $500.
Yes, you’ll get a rangefinder that’s higher-quality and slightly easier to use. Just don’t expect the more expensive one to be more accurate, it won’t be.
You need good eye alignment. The one thing I noticed right away was that if you don’t have your eye in the exact right spot, you won’t get a good image.
If you know about rangefinders, you’ve probably heard of terms like vignetting, eye relief, and a small exit pupil. The terms aren’t important, but this is what happens:
- If your eye is too far away, the image looks very small and almost tunnel-like
- If your eye is too close, part of the image will disappear
- If your eye is too far left/right, the other side of the image will go dark
Once you get the hang of it it’s not so bad, but if you’ve never dealt with it before, it’ll likely take some time getting used to.
I was expecting the V6 to have some sort of improvement over my cheaper unit, but that wasn’t the case. Some of the more expensive units have a more forgiving eye box, so it’ll be easier to see out of it (even if your eye is off-center).
There isn’t a color display. This isn’t a huge deal, but at this price, I think it should come with a color display (the new V7 does). The V6 gives the yardage numbers in black. A color display would use red or green.
In 95% of cases, the black display works completely fine. Using color makes the numbers pop off the screen, which is much easier to see. This is especially the case if it’s dark out or if something is blocking the number (tree, bush, etc) in the lower section of picture.
Should You Buy The V6 Shift?
Having used the V6 for 8-10 rounds of golf and comparing it to other rangefinders I have, I can confidently say it’s a solid unit. There’s a reason Bushnell is the gold standard in rangefinders.
I like the V6 Shift because:
- The build-quality is top-notch and it’s a comfortable unit to hold
- It’s as accurate as any and the flag lock feature works extremely well
- It’s a Bushnell, so it should last you 10+ years
That said, the V6 and V7 are currently being sold for the same (or similar price). Since the V7 has a color display, it would be a no-brainer to go with that. Price aside, it’s the perfect rangefinder.
Bushnell Tour V7 Shift
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However, if you are able to find the V6 for $100 cheaper than the V7, I’d consider it. At that price, it’ll be tough to beat what you get with the V6.
Bushnell Tour V6 Shift
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Personally though, I don’t think I’d spend that much money on a rangefinder if I was starting from scratch. There are much cheaper options out there that will be good enough for the majority of people.
You can see our updated list of favorite rangefinders HERE (coming soon).
There are cheaper units that are just as accurate. There are cheaper ones that have a color display.
The main advantage is that you know what you’ll be getting with Bushnell. You know you’ll get a unit that works well and will last a long time. Some of these other brands haven’t been around long and don’t have the credibility long-term yet.
If you value piece of mind, you’ll be using it a lot, and have the cash, you’ll be happy with the Bushnell. For everyone else (myself included), save some money and go with something a bit cheaper.
Let’s hear from you – If you’ve used the V6, what did you like or dislike about it and are there other rangefinders you prefer? Leave a comment below.
