Last week I was trying to decide on a new rangefinder and I was confused by the number of options as well as the brands I know and lesser known brands that were available. Since I was interested in picking up a slope model, that put my Bushnell options at well over $300 and that was more than I was wanting to spend. I needed to make a decision as to whether I wanted to give up features for a less expensive version of a brand name. My solution was to buy one of each and then decide. I settled on a Bushnell V3 and a Caddytek Caddyview V2 w/ slope. To be honest, there were a few lower priced options and I chose the Caddytek based solely on looks. They have both arrived and I wanted to share my comparison.
Here are some side by side shots. The Caddytek is slightly smaller and weighs slightly less, but construction quality is surprisingly good on both.
I found the slightly smaller size of the Caddytek to be more comfortable to use.
Now, let's have a look through the viewfinders:
First is the Bushnell-
The Bushnell has a minimalist approach which gives you a flag icon (pinseeker mode) and a yardage readout in the lower portion of your view.
Next is the Caddytek-
The Caddytek gives you the pinseeker icon with a larger yardage measurement at the top of your view and a smaller slope compensated yardage at the lower section of your screen. It also gives you a battery charge indicator.
It was quite difficult to photograph through the rangefinders, but these are fairly accurate representations. They were similar in clarity, but one thing I liked on the Caddytek was that the viewfinder has a micro focus adjustment which allows you to adjust for your eyes. The Bushnell is supposed to have the same type adjustment, but it didn't seem to turn as smoothly or adjust as easily. The clarity of both is better than is represented in these pictures.
I took measurements at a dozen different distances and they came up with identical results. I was able to measure distances to 1000+ yards with both rangefinders on houses in my neighborhood.
I did like the jolt technology on the Bushnell which vibrates when it locates the flag. The jolt technology is nice, but I really didn't have any trouble picking up flags at the range today with the Caddytek. I found the digital display on the Caddytek easier to read. Also, the Caddytek is 6x magnification versus 5x with the Bushnell, but it was a minor difference.
Mode adjustment:
The Bushnell has a one button design and Caddytek has a two button design. I found both equally simple to use. The Caddytek has a mode where you can sweep the laser and it will give you changing measurements as you move between areas. I'm not sure if the Bushnell does this as it isn't in the manual and I couldn't get it to work that way.
I did find the texturing on the Caddytek nice and easy to grip.
What came in the box?-
Bushnell:
The Bushnell came with a very nice carrying case with a magnetic closure, a protective sleeve for the rangefinder and a battery.
Caddytek:
The Caddytek came with a nice carry bag (not as nice as the bushnell) with a velcro closure. It also comes with a sideplate that you change to disable the slope function and make it tournament compliant. There was a small bag for the plate that goes in a side compartment on the carry bag. It also came with a battery.
The Bushnell has a two year warranty, while the Caddytek has a one year warranty.
The Caddytek is currently $164.24 on Amazon and the Bushnell V3 is $229.99 (both prices include shipping).
I'm going to take both units on the course a few times over the next week before I make a final decision on which to keep, but I'm leaning heavily toward the new Caddytek for several of the reasons I have noted.
Here are some side by side shots. The Caddytek is slightly smaller and weighs slightly less, but construction quality is surprisingly good on both.
I found the slightly smaller size of the Caddytek to be more comfortable to use.
Now, let's have a look through the viewfinders:
First is the Bushnell-
The Bushnell has a minimalist approach which gives you a flag icon (pinseeker mode) and a yardage readout in the lower portion of your view.
Next is the Caddytek-
The Caddytek gives you the pinseeker icon with a larger yardage measurement at the top of your view and a smaller slope compensated yardage at the lower section of your screen. It also gives you a battery charge indicator.
It was quite difficult to photograph through the rangefinders, but these are fairly accurate representations. They were similar in clarity, but one thing I liked on the Caddytek was that the viewfinder has a micro focus adjustment which allows you to adjust for your eyes. The Bushnell is supposed to have the same type adjustment, but it didn't seem to turn as smoothly or adjust as easily. The clarity of both is better than is represented in these pictures.
I took measurements at a dozen different distances and they came up with identical results. I was able to measure distances to 1000+ yards with both rangefinders on houses in my neighborhood.
I did like the jolt technology on the Bushnell which vibrates when it locates the flag. The jolt technology is nice, but I really didn't have any trouble picking up flags at the range today with the Caddytek. I found the digital display on the Caddytek easier to read. Also, the Caddytek is 6x magnification versus 5x with the Bushnell, but it was a minor difference.
Mode adjustment:
The Bushnell has a one button design and Caddytek has a two button design. I found both equally simple to use. The Caddytek has a mode where you can sweep the laser and it will give you changing measurements as you move between areas. I'm not sure if the Bushnell does this as it isn't in the manual and I couldn't get it to work that way.
I did find the texturing on the Caddytek nice and easy to grip.
What came in the box?-
Bushnell:
The Bushnell came with a very nice carrying case with a magnetic closure, a protective sleeve for the rangefinder and a battery.
Caddytek:
The Caddytek came with a nice carry bag (not as nice as the bushnell) with a velcro closure. It also comes with a sideplate that you change to disable the slope function and make it tournament compliant. There was a small bag for the plate that goes in a side compartment on the carry bag. It also came with a battery.
The Bushnell has a two year warranty, while the Caddytek has a one year warranty.
The Caddytek is currently $164.24 on Amazon and the Bushnell V3 is $229.99 (both prices include shipping).
I'm going to take both units on the course a few times over the next week before I make a final decision on which to keep, but I'm leaning heavily toward the new Caddytek for several of the reasons I have noted.
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