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Vortex Anarch Rangefinder Review

JB mentioned it in his write up, but we were on cart paths that were pure dirt and just made in to the terrain. Plenty of bumps the entire 18. This was the first time I had my Anarch on a cart. Magnet held up perfectly after I decided to put it on the cart and not sit in my bag. Never even noticed it moving at all on the cart. Plenty strong for what I've seen. Also having the magnet be on the left, with me being the driver, was sooo easy to grab. I know that exactly what Vortex designed it for, but seeing it put in motion was really cool.

I need to discuss it on my bag though because I won't be able to get over where the hook on the case is. I had forgotten to fasten the strap before we teed off. The case sits close to parallel with the ground and will all those bumps, I got back to grab the rangefinder and it was sitting halfway out of the case. It would have fallen out and I would have lost it if I didn't notice it at that exact moment. There's no reason to have the hook that low. If the case needs to be bungeed shut to make sure you don't lose your rangefinder, that's something to work on. It won't be a hard to change the attachment point on the case to make sure it sits more vertical in case a golfer doesn't remember to close it every time. Relying less on the golfer to remember and having a case that is designed to help out instead of be a possible hinderance is feedback I will keep giving Though it's literally the only negative feedback I have. Otherwise the unit has held up to every test I've had for it now that I've had it on a cart. The rangefinder itself is unreal.
 
I managed to get out for a round last weekend and test out the rangefinder a few times and really liking it. It locks onto a pin fast and accurately. One of the guys I got paired up with had a Bushnell and we both got the same yardages. The glass continues to impress me. Next up I plan on taking it out with my hunting rangefinder to compare it to.
 
Just an FYI. My Nitron arrived today and it does indeed have the magnet plate.

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After a spring vacation trip to Florida last week, which included 4 rounds of golf, I was able to get very familiar with the Anarch. After giving it some thought and comparing to my past experiences with other range finders, it’s not just any rangefinder. It’s the flagship model for Vortex and it shows.

A good rangefinder like any other rangefinder should be able to give precise measurement so nothing really shocking about its accuracy. For me it’s the combination of all its features together including the clarity of the optics, image stabilization and the scan feature. Standing on the tee box you can scan the fairway, the landing zone and even the green to give you complete clarity of the golf hole allowing you to make a plan to navigate it and make your best score. Not just numbers to simple targets, but visuals as if you had a yardage book in your hands.

In the past without image stabilization getting a clean visual where you can view the target area and see detail of a golf hole was difficult for me and mainly only achievable by sitting in the cart and leaning against something to provide a solid base and support to minimize shake. With the Anarch it delivers regardless of the conditions. While playing out at Streamsong in windy conditions, I really became close with the Anarch as it was a course I had never played and with wide open spaces and limited trees, depth perception of targets and landing zones was not easy with the naked eye. I found myself using it just as much to get a visual picture of the hole in my head as I did for numbers to flags.

For some people they may not see the value in a flagship model rangefinder, as the base models I’d guess do a very good job at accurate distances, but the Anarch stands out to me as it can be a valuable tool for a golfer looking for more than just distance to a target.
 
Let’s go!
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Got out for a round today and before I hit the bed I wanted to share some more thoughts here.

First, I just finally realized that my Nitron came with a magnet on the side as pictured above. Yes, I feel like an idiot but the magnet held nicely there all day. Not once did it ever try to wobble or come off. Very pleased with the magnet.

As I’ve now had this range finder for a bit now I’m still blown away by its clarity. In comparison to my previous gamer (Bushnell) it’s just head and shoulders clearer when looking through it to find the flag. I’ve used many rangefinders and the Anarch just checks the box from a clarity standpoint.

The image stabilization is another feature that I’ve been impressed with. I don’t have the most steady hands and with how windy I’ve seen it over the last month plus, this thing just gets it done. This feature is well worth the price tag and I believe it was @Hawk who has the Blade and finally got to experience it on the staff retreat and was impressed too.

Again, I can’t say enough nice things about this rangefinder. It’s been all I need and exceeded my expectations thus far.
 
e1iterate said:
Got out for a round today and before I hit the bed I wanted to share some more thoughts here.

First, I just finally realized that my Nitron came with a magnet on the side as pictured above. Yes, I feel like an idiot but the magnet held nicely there all day. Not once did it ever try to wobble or come off. Very pleased with the magnet.

As I’ve now had this range finder for a bit now I’m still blown away by its clarity. In comparison to my previous gamer (Bushnell) it’s just head and shoulders clearer when looking through it to find the flag. I’ve used many rangefinders and the Anarch just checks the box from a clarity standpoint.

The image stabilization is another feature that I’ve been impressed with. I don’t have the most steady hands and with how windy I’ve seen it over the last month plus, this thing just gets it done. This feature is well worth the price tag and I believe it was @Hawk who has the Blade and finally got to experience it on the staff retreat and was impressed too.

Again, I can’t say enough nice things about this rangefinder. It’s been all I need and exceeded my expectations thus far.
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I have been impressed by the magnet strength. I have not used a pushcart but I tried to make it fall of a golf cart. I hit speed bumps full speed, hit pot holes, etc and it didn't budge.
 
Played in low light, super windy conditions yesterday after work and the image stabilization and auto brightness really showed off in the Anarch. Had no issues locking pins and the reticle brightness is just so dang good.
 
Templet0n said:
I have been impressed by the magnet strength. I have not used a pushcart but I tried to make it fall of a golf cart. I hit speed bumps full speed, hit pot holes, etc and it didn't budge.
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Did that at Hidden Creek too. All over the place and nothing would drop it.
 
JB said:
Did that at Hidden Creek too. All over the place and nothing would drop it.
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I’ve only found that it falls off the cart if I rush and don’t have the magnet aligned well. Otherwise it’s rock solid
 
I want to talk maybe a bit nerdy for a min.. I have had a lot of time looking through various optics. Spotting scopes, binoculars, range finders, rifle scopes, etc. With that experience I have done lots of research and testing and trail and error. When looking through optics, and trying to determine if the optic itself is good quality or not there are a few things you should look for.

So, lets get a bit nerdy and hopefully this will help you with some specific things to look for and we will discuss how the Anarch does in each catagory.

1. Clarity - This should be pretty simple. How clear is the optic? Does it offer a sharp image? Or does it look fuzzy? One thing to look for especially in handheld optics like golf range finders is how clear it is if you are not perfectly centered in the lens. Sometimes it is hard to stay steady and as your hands move and you get off center the image will blur. Also, as you are looking through it look at the edges. Does the picture stay sharp all the way to the edges?

-- The Anarch is very clear. I do not have tons of experience with lots of different golf range finders but this unit stays very clear and sharp. Especially when looking at objects that are 2-300 yards away. You can spot pins, trees, etc easily and lock on to them.

2. Resolution - A good optic will be able to stay sharp and clean. Especially at various distances. Does your range finder look really sharp at 75 yards but then at 250 look fuzzy? This could be a sign of a lower quality optic.

-- The Anarch stays very sharp. There is also the ability to adjust the focus and match your eye by adjust it to personal preference and vision.

3. Distortion - This is the last point of the day we will cover. There are lots more but these three are kind of the major points. When you look through your optic. Do straight lines look curved? This is distortion or what can be referred to as parallax. Lower quality optics in pushing past what their glass can really handle in magnification will distort images. Again, especially at the edges.

-- To put it simply. There is zero distortion or parallax with the Anarch. It stay clear and images stay true..
 
JB said:
Did that at Hidden Creek too. All over the place and nothing would drop it.
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Its pretty wild honestly, the last range finder I had it seemed like the slightest bounce would send it flying. Bouncing off my feet out into the rocks.
 
Templet0n said:
I want to talk maybe a bit nerdy for a min.. I have had a lot of time looking through various optics. Spotting scopes, binoculars, range finders, rifle scopes, etc. With that experience I have done lots of research and testing and trail and error. When looking through optics, and trying to determine if the optic itself is good quality or not there are a few things you should look for.

So, lets get a bit nerdy and hopefully this will help you with some specific things to look for and we will discuss how the Anarch does in each catagory.

1. Clarity - This should be pretty simple. How clear is the optic? Does it offer a sharp image? Or does it look fuzzy? One thing to look for especially in handheld optics like golf range finders is how clear it is if you are not perfectly centered in the lens. Sometimes it is hard to stay steady and as your hands move and you get off center the image will blur. Also, as you are looking through it look at the edges. Does the picture stay sharp all the way to the edges?

-- The Anarch is very clear. I do not have tons of experience with lots of different golf range finders but this unit stays very clear and sharp. Especially when looking at objects that are 2-300 yards away. You can spot pins, trees, etc easily and lock on to them.

2. Resolution - A good optic will be able to stay sharp and clean. Especially at various distances. Does your range finder look really sharp at 75 yards but then at 250 look fuzzy? This could be a sign of a lower quality optic.

-- The Anarch stays very sharp. There is also the ability to adjust the focus and match your eye by adjust it to personal preference and vision.

3. Distortion - This is the last point of the day we will cover. There are lots more but these three are kind of the major points. When you look through your optic. Do straight lines look curved? This is distortion or what can be referred to as parallax. Lower quality optics in pushing past what their glass can really handle in magnification will distort images. Again, especially at the edges.

-- To put it simply. There is zero distortion or parallax with the Anarch. It stay clear and images stay true..
Click to expand...
Love this. Speaking of clarity, not that we can even use the rangefinder without the stabilization active, but have you ever noticed how much clearer the image gets once that kicks in? I was messing around with it last night while we were waiting and thought it was kind of fuzzy, pressed the measure button and it instantly cleared up. Is that normal for things with stabilization?
 
Muchmore said:
Love this. Speaking of clarity, not that we can even use the rangefinder without the stabilization active, but have you ever noticed how much clearer the image gets once that kicks in? I was messing around with it last night while we were waiting and thought it was kind of fuzzy, pressed the measure button and it instantly cleared up. Is that normal for things with stabilization?
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I was thinking the same. I have never used anything with image stabilization before this. It is kinda wild how that works. I would assume that it is compensating for micro movements in your hands and it sharpens the image and sets the picture so to speak. I honestly don't know other than to say "IT WORKS".. I would think that for older golfers or those that maybe have some unsteadiness in their hands something like this would be a godsend.
 
Muchmore said:
Love this. Speaking of clarity, not that we can even use the rangefinder without the stabilization active, but have you ever noticed how much clearer the image gets once that kicks in? I was messing around with it last night while we were waiting and thought it was kind of fuzzy, pressed the measure button and it instantly cleared up. Is that normal for things with stabilization?
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It actually throws you for a loop when you first start using it.
 
JB said:
It actually throws you for a loop when you first start using it.
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I had no idea what it was when I first started using it
 
Templet0n said:
I have been impressed by the magnet strength. I have not used a pushcart but I tried to make it fall of a golf cart. I hit speed bumps full speed, hit pot holes, etc and it didn't budge.
Click to expand...

JB said:
Did that at Hidden Creek too. All over the place and nothing would drop it.
Click to expand...


To quote you both here, I have had multiple versions of previous Bushnell rangefinders fall over and go tumbling. The couple of times I have been in carts vs my pushcart haven't exactly been smooth rides and not once have I felt panic that it was going to fall off. This has been something I have appreciated a lot with the Vortex Anarch.
 
e1iterate said:
To quote you both here, I have had multiple versions of previous Bushnell rangefinders fall over and go tumbling. The couple of times I have been in carts vs my pushcart haven't exactly been smooth rides and not once have I felt panic that it was going to fall off. This has been something I have appreciated a lot with the Vortex Anarch.
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Its honestly kinda a big deal. Less worry about breaking it. But Vortex still thought ahead with the magnesium chassis and if that still fails.. Freaking lifetime no questions asked warranty..
 
Templet0n said:
Its honestly kinda a big deal. Less worry about breaking it. But Vortex still thought ahead with the magnesium chassis and if that still fails.. Freaking lifetime no questions asked warranty..
Click to expand...
Talk about peace of mind
 
Templet0n said:
Its honestly kinda a big deal. Less worry about breaking it. But Vortex still thought ahead with the magnesium chassis and if that still fails.. Freaking lifetime no questions asked warranty..
Click to expand...
Yes, the scariest thing I previously had happen was a golf trip out of state and we hit a bump and my range finder went tumbling by the bridge with a creek under it and the grass was high. We literally almost did not find it and from that moment on I was anti magnet for the most part. Being a tester for this has given me a chance to trust this again and I do have full trust in the product Vortex is putting out there.
 
bsbmike said:
Talk about peace of mind
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I'm probably beating a dead horse to some people here, but the rangefinder fell out of my case (this time on my motocaddy). Knowing that this is in place makes dealing with the case a lot easier for me. If the warranty wasn't there, I would be grabbing my precision pro case and using it instead. I should probably do that anyway at this point 🤔
 
Muchmore said:
I'm probably beating a dead horse to some people here, but the rangefinder fell out of my case (this time on my motocaddy). Knowing that this is in place makes dealing with the case a lot easier for me. If the warranty wasn't there, I would be grabbing my precision pro case and using it instead. I should probably do that anyway at this point 🤔
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There definitely seems to be an area of improvement that needs to be addressed with the case.
 
Templet0n said:
Its honestly kinda a big deal. Less worry about breaking it. But Vortex still thought ahead with the magnesium chassis and if that still fails.. Freaking lifetime no questions asked warranty..
Click to expand...
Also a huge deal, 100% waterproof and no worries if something goes wrong that they replace it...FOREVER.
If it is a downpour, the Bushnell needs to go into hiding.
 
jdtox said:
There definitely seems to be an area of improvement that needs to be addressed with the case.
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Is it simply to change the spot of where it hangs?
 
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