If you’re serious about golf, you need to have some sort of yardage finder in the bag. Whether that’s a golf app, GPS watch, or rangefinder (see the differences HERE), knowing the distance to different parts of the course is super valuable.
The most versatile option is a laser rangefinder because it’ll work no matter the course you’re on. You could spend hundreds of dollars on one, but the good news is that you don’t have to (and I wouldn’t).
I tend to use both a GPS watch and rangefinder when I play. They both do similar things, but they’re better in certain areas. I had been using the Cigman CT-1000 before and liked it, so when they released the newer CT-1200, I had to give it a try.
You can see our favorite budget rangefinders HERE.
Cigman CT-1200 Specs
| Yardage | 1300 Yards |
| Measurement | Yards Meters Km/h |
| Magnification | 6x |
| Slope | Yes |
| Modes | Slope Flag Lock Continuous Scan Speed Horizontal/Vertical Distance |
| Magnet | Yes |
| Flag Lock | Yes |
| Vibration | Yes |
| Weight | 152g |
First Impressions
When it comes to rangefinders, you’ve probably heard of brands like Garmin and Bushnell. These companies make some solid products, but the name-value adds quite a bit of cost.
I like new, shiny golf stuff as much as the next guy, but what I like even better is getting solid value for my money. Rangefinders from brands like Cigman have options that are $200-300 less expensive, which is what I like to see.
Taking the CT-1200 out of the box, you’ll get a charging cable, lanyard, carabiner, cleaning cloth, and a hard-shelled carrying case. I like that the case comes with a zipper and strap, so if one eventually breaks, the other will still keep it closed.
There are 2 buttons on the rangefinder, one to use it and another to change modes. The modes you’ll have are straight distance, slope compensation, continuous scan, speed, and horizontal/vertical distances.
One unique feature of this rangefinder is that it comes with a digital screen on the side. Sometimes it can be tough to see the distance when it’s darker out, so with this, you can easily see.
In terms of size, the CT-1200 is on the smaller side. It’s not the smallest rangefinder on the market, but the majority of the ones I’ve used in the past were bigger.
Holding the rangefinder, the bottom is a textured plastic and the top (where the buttons are) is rubber. I would like a bit more grip on the bottom, especially if you’re using it with wet hands.
One thing I do like compared to the CT-1000 is the softer eyepiece. The older version used a firm plastic while the new version uses a softer rubber.
Accuracy & Performance
Pretty much every rangefinder out there, the CT-1200 included, will give you consistent and accurate distances. If you have a clear view of your target and you scan the right target, you’ll get the right yardage.
The main difference between a budget and premium rangefinder is with smaller targets at distance. Expensive units tend to lock-on the target quicker and block out obstacles behind the flag.
If you’re 300+ yards out, a premium unit might takes 1-2 tries to lock-on while a budget unit could take 3-5. It’s not a huge difference, but it could be worth the extra cost if you have shaky hands.
This is pretty much the case with all “budget” units compared to a higher-end Bushnell, for example. The extra cost isn’t worth it to me, but not everyone will agree.
When you look through the eyepiece, the target is right in the center, kind of expected. Left of center, it’ll tell you what mode you’re in. Above center, it’ll tell you the straight distance (in yards or meters). Below center, it’ll tell you how elevated the target is and give you a slope-adjusted number.
I’d prefer if the slope-adjusted number was the main number shown (if using slope mode) instead of the straight distance number, but you get used to it pretty quickly.
All of the numbers on the screen are black, the same as a lot of other units. Some of the premium ones have a color display, which helps in low light conditions. The CT-1200 does have the digital display though, which helps a lot.
What I did notice with the CT-1200 was that the display wasn’t quite as bright as some. I also have the Wosports L14, which has a slightly brighter display and would be better if you golf a lot in the early morning or late evening.
In saying that, the CT-1200 was quicker at giving me distances compared to the Wosports, so each of them has its pros and cons.
It also comes with 6x magnification and is supposed to have a range of 1300 yards. That’s not really helpful on the golf course and am not sure how true that is.
The target lock feature works up to about 350 yards. Most of us won’t be hitting that far so we don’t really need anything longer. At this distance, it took me a number of tries to find the target, but I was eventually able to.
Value
The CT-1200 is usually priced around the $100 mark and you can normally find a discount code to bring the price down even more. At this price, it’s pretty tough to beat.
Considering some rangefinders are $200-300 more expensive, you need to ask yourself if it’s really worth the extra cost. For me, it’s not.
The main benefit you’d get from something more expensive is that it’ll find the target a bit quicker and will usually have a brighter display. These are important to a lot of people.
Should You Buy The CT-1200?
If you’re in the market for a new rangefinder and don’t want to spend a fortune, the CT-1200 is one worth checking out. If you have a tough time seeing the black numbers on the display, having the digital screen could really help you out.
Is it the best option out there? No, there are expensive units that are better. Is it the best option at this price point? I’d say it’s in the top 3 overall.
If you’re unsure about whether or not you need a premium unit, ask yourself this:
- Will you be using it a lot for distances 300+ yards away?
- Do you golf in a lot of low light conditions?
If you answered yes to either of those, a premium unit might be worth getting. If you answered no to either (or both), you probably should get a more budget-friendly model.
If I was to compare the CT-1200 to other “budget” units, this is how it stacks up:
- It’s one of the smallest and lightest units
- The digital screen makes it easy to see the distance
- It’s one of the quickest at reading distances
- The display isn’t the brightest
After using the CT-1000 and CT-1200 for 20+ rounds of golf, I’m happy with how they’ve performed and held up. Obviously, 20 rounds isn’t a whole lot of time, but I’ll continue to use them and will update this post if anything changes.
Check The Price on Amazon or Cigman.com (Save 15% with code OBG15)
Let’s hear from you – Have you tried any of the Cigman rangefinders? Let us know in the comments below what you liked or disliked about them.
And if you want to see some alternatives, check out one of these articles:
