As we are currently in the midst of club release season, one topic of discussion regarding all the impressive new products being introduced are their high price tags. In light of this, let’s shift gears and look at a budget-friendly laser rangefinder that costs less than $80 and possibly even less if you read through to the end. Allow me to introduce the Cigman CT-800Y laser rangefinder.
The Cigman CT-800Y laser rangefinder has several features that make it an attractive option, even before considering its low price. First, it has a 6x magnification level and can range up to 850 yards, which compares favorably to more expensive models. Additionally, it provides vibration feedback when locking in on a target and can acquire targets in less than half a second. The last part is notable because, after reviewing many rangefinders, speed is one area where the difference between high-end and budget models is noticeable.
This device has a rechargeable 750mAh Li-ion battery and a Type-C quick charging port, facilitating convenient and swift recharging. According to Cigman, golfers should expect 30,000 uses from a fully charged unit. Thankfully, there is a battery indicator on the screen every time a measurement is taken, which will help alleviate the surprise of a dead battery when trying to capture yardage 30,001.
You will instantly notice a few things when you take this laser out of its case. The first thing is its compact design, which weighs just over 5 ounces. Overall, it’s comfortable to hold and has some added grip on the top and bottom of the unit. Compared to other rangefinders it doesn’t have that premium feel, but given its price point, you were probably not expecting that anyway.
Cigman’s laser is marketed as a versatile rangefinder that can be used for both golfing and other outdoor activities such as hunting. It comes with five different shooting modes, three primarily designed for golf. These distinctive settings mean golfers can easily switch between modes depending on their needs, while hunters can take advantage of the other available options.
The three golf modes mentioned above with the Cigman CT-800Y rangefinder are Straight Distance, Golf Slope Compensation, and Flagpole Mode. The Straight Distance is your primary point-and-shoot mode, however you can also long-press the power button to scan various targets. On the other hand, if you prefer to take slope into account, the Golf Slope Compensation mode is perfect. To change to this one, slide the toggle switch to the left, revealing a red underlay indicating the slope is on. Then, hit the mode button twice to toggle to slope mode. Here, the rangefinder considers elevation changes when calculating the distance to the target.
Flagpole Mode is different from what I initially imagined it to be. I thought it would be just another name for Pinseeker or Flag Lock modes, but it turned out slightly different. Have you ever played on a golf course where it’s hard to see the flagstick against a busy backdrop, even with a rangefinder? In Flagpole Mode, golfers can push a button to start taking their reading. They can then pan the rangefinder in the rough direction of the flagstick. Once they feel the rangefinder vibrate twice, it filters out everything they’ve measured and displays the distance to the nearest target, which should be the flagstick. It takes a little longer to obtain this yardage because the rangefinder is processing more information than usual. Still, in real-world time, it’s not much different from a player who has to shoot repeatedly because they can’t get a good lock on the flagstick.
I tested the Cigman laser against several other devices and found that the yardages displayed were generally accurate. During this comparison, the difference was usually within one or two yards, with the most being four yards. At that time, I reshot, and the numbers were similar. In my opinion, if a golfer is skilled enough to be significantly affected by a two-yard discrepancy, then they are probably not the intended target audience for this product.
Although not specifically designed for golf, it’s worth noting that the device has two modes for measuring vertical and horizontal distances and a speed measurement mode. The speed measurement could be useful on the golf course to track how speedy the beer cart approaches. During my testing, I used the speed measurement in my backyard to see how fast my dog runs when she gets a case of the zoomies. FYI, she’s fast.
Finally, to compensate for the absence of a built-in magnet, Cigman provides a magnet strap within the box at no additional cost, which is a pleasant surprise. I appreciate that the magnets feel sturdy and require some effort to detach them from surfaces. This assures me that it can endure the bumps of riding on a golf cart.
Obviously, a big part of the Cigman rangefinder story is the price, which can be had for $76.99 through their website today. Cigman also has a store on Amazon, and at the time of this writing, there is a $20 coupon that knocks the price down to $59.99. Take all of that into account, and the Cigman could be a solid buy for a junior golfer or someone who has wanted to give a rangefinder a shot without having to spend significantly more money.
More information on the Cigman CT-800Y laser rangefinder is available at www.cigman.com.
