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Rangefinders- built in battery vs. CR2

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JTinMO

JTinMO

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Albatross 2025 Club
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What’s the advantage of a built in battery for a Rangefinder, vs simply using a replaceable CR2? I’ve never had on with a rechargeable battery but it seems that would be a pain. I have always carried an extra CR2 in the bag, and they are in a bin at the counter of every clubhouse. is there some advantage forbuilt in rechargeable battery that I am missing?
 
I prefer the CR2 as they last a long time, and I don't have to mess with charging the device on a regular basis.
 
More power deliverable for more features. If it just a laser with slope, a regular battery is gonna be fine. If it’s one of the GPS hybrid units, or doing some other advanced calculation like triangulation, it’s going to need more power so a rechargeable battery is much better. Also the rechargeable options are getting better. What used to last 2 rounds will now last 8-10 or more for some models and they’re really simple to recharge.

Also, the majority of the courses I play at definitely don’t have CR2’s on hand.
 
With portable batteries and USB ports on carts I see the argument for built in. Not sold on it yet though.
 
I use my pinned with a built-in for a couple dozen rounds before it needs any charge
 
I prefer CR2, it’s easier for me to keep a spare in my bag to have when needed than it is for me to actually remember to regularly charge a device haha
 
Jman said:
I prefer CR2, it’s easier for me to keep a spare in my bag to have when needed than it is for me to actually remember to regularly charge a device haha
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This is definitely me.
 
My new one has the built in battery and so far it seems to be holding up well. I don’t know what the indicator for low battery looks like yet, but rechargeable tech has gotten to the point where it should last quite a while.
 
I have only ever used CR2, but recognize the benefits of having it built in.

I dont mind having to charge the device (like my ShotScope watch), as long as I can get like 2-5 rounds out of it.
 
Just_Brad said:
I have only ever used CR2, but recognize the benefits of having it built in.

I dont mind having to charge the device (like my ShotScope watch), as long as I can get like 2-5 rounds out of it.
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What are the benefits of the built in, in your mind?
 
JTinMO said:
What are the benefits of the built in, in your mind?
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Honestly, I would choose built in just because I hate having to track down CR2. If I had a dead CR2 today, I probably need to order it (no one ever has them locally).

With built in, I would just charge it after every couple rounds, the same way I would with my other devices.

This is hypothetical though, I havent owned a rangefinder with built in battery.
 
I've always been split on this one. I like the built in because as long as I remember to keep it charged I'll never have to deal with a dead battery on the course in the middle of a round and I don't have to buy batteries for it. But on the other hand, it's one more thing to remember to keep charged, and I always carry at least 1 or 2 spare CR2s in my bag so it's quick and easy to switch it out.

I don't remember ever seeing CR2s in a pro shop at a course, though.
 
I had one form Amazon that was rechargeable and it was fine, but when you can go a year or two on a normal battery it's hard to imagine the real benefits of a rechargable unit.
 
I can literally go years with a replaceable battery, but may wear it out sooner with the Anarch. I shoot everything as it is so much fun with the stabilization.
 
The advantage of rechargeable batteries is pretty obvious. Plug it in between rounds, and you never have to worry about needing to change a battery mid-round.

The argument for a non-rechargeable battery is pretty obvious too. If you are the type of person who forgets to plug in your rechargeable, you can at least recover on the course when the battery runs out. That is assuming you also aren't the type who forgets to buy and put in your bag a replacement battery!

There is also a cost advantage for the rechargeable. But I consider that a minor consideration.
 
JTinMO said:
What are the benefits of the built in, in your mind?
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as @amarkabove says, rechargeable batteries give you more power versatility, so you can have more features on a device. Very basic just laser, sure no problem, a replaceable battery will last 1-2 years. If that is what you want there is really no advantage.

If you want to add other features that are what we call in the biz "always on" than you are gonna burn through batteries faster so rechargeable makes more sense
 
Honestly the only draw back is not having juice on the course sh ok uld the battery die. Easily remedied with charge at night
 
I like the CR2 just for the convenience. I have had my Bushnell for like 8-9 years and 91st replaced the battery once. That’s over 800 rounds. I carry a spare but they last a long time.
 
I've had my built-in style now for 3 months, playing a minimum of 2-3 rounds a week. I've recharged it one time. It's currently at 2 out of 3 bars. Absolutely love it. (integrates with app to provide yardage details for the green)
 
I’m a huge fan of the CR2 especially when I can get a 6 pack of them on Amazon for $12. I always carry a few spares in my bag and my buddies appreciate it. I get about 50-60 rounds out of a battery and I use mine a lot.

It’s enough that I’m charging the battery for my Alphard Cybercart a couple of times each week.
 
I've only owned one RF ever and mine has a CR2. I've had the RF for about a decade and I've only replaced the battery once.
 
JTinMO said:
What’s the advantage of a built in battery for a Rangefinder, vs simply using a replaceable CR2? I’ve never had on with a rechargeable battery but it seems that would be a pain. I have always carried an extra CR2 in the bag, and they are in a bin at the counter of every clubhouse. is there some advantage forbuilt in rechargeable battery that I am missing?
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I have actually experienced the opposite. Of the five or so times a buddy has had a battery go dead, not a single golf course has had a battery for sale.
 
I've had my cheap amazon rangefinder, with built in battery for I think two years now. I've plugged it in to charge twice. I don't use it a ton, but it gets used every round I play.

It's not any different than plugging in my speaker to charge, but I do that far more often.
 
baylrballa said:
With portable batteries and USB ports on carts I see the argument for built in. Not sold on it yet though.
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While I agree that the tech on rangefinders is getting better, the tech on the USB ports on golf carts is absolutely abysmal.
I am guessing its maybe 50% of them actually work.
 
rhinosparky said:
While I agree that the tech on rangefinders is getting better, the tech on the USB ports on golf carts is absolutely abysmal.
I am guessing its maybe 50% of them actually work.
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I agree there. I have a battery power bank in my bag for emergency use when the cart doesn’t work.
 
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