Many people probably think of the same prominent names when discussing laser rangefinders. Aside from some pop-up brands, the rangefinder market has become somewhat lethargic. Recently, THP has been highlighting Vortex Golf and their incredible transition from birdwatching to golf. I recommend checking out their brand story if you haven’t heard about their journey. As Vortex entered the golf market, they leveraged their optical expertise to create three different laser rangefinders. Today, we are focusing on the Blade Slope rangefinder.
Straight out of the box, the Blade Slope impresses with its rubberized comfort guard grip, ensuring a secure hold and providing an extra layer of protection against accidental falls or drops. Its compact size measures just under 4″ x 3″ and weighs only 6.6 ounces, making it easy to toss into a bag or even one’s pocket for those inconvenient cart path-only rounds.
The top of the rangefinder features a straightforward two-button system: one button for measuring distance and the other for accessing menu options. The measure button has four raised bumps to help you quickly identify the correct button for measuring distance. Both buttons have a soft touch and do not produce a noticeable click when pressed.
On the side of the rangefinder, a built-in magnet allows golfers to attach it to a golf cart for added convenience. Other accessories included in the box are a case, a carabiner clip, a battery, a magnetic ball marker, and a lens cloth.
Shooting Modes – Vortex Golf Blade Slope
Pinspotter Mode
One of Vortex’s three shooting modes is Pinspotter mode, a common feature in rangefinders. Although this is a standard mode, discussions about how effectively and quickly a rangefinder filters out background distractions to focus on the flag can often be overlooked. For the Blade Slope, if multiple objects are detected, the rangefinder will provide the distance to the nearest object. Once the flag is locked on to, an icon will appear on the screen, accompanied by a vibration for added feedback.
Slope Mode
When slope mode is enabled, golfers will see two distance numbers displayed on the screen. The top number indicates the actual yardage to the flagstick, while the bottom number shows the adjusted distance accounting for elevation changes. Next to the slope yardage, there is also a measurement indicating the degree of slope. This information can help understand how certain shots may perform in the future, even when slope mode is not activated. The numbers are accompanied by a + or – sign to indicate whether the shot is uphill or downhill, although that should be easy to assess without the need for the rangefinder.
Have you ever participated in a tournament governed by USGA rules and wondered whether someone in your group is violating the rules by using slope readings? If that person is using the Vortex Blade Slope, it will be easy to identify who is using slope mode. When slope mode is activated, two green LED lights on the side of the device will illuminate every time the measure button is pressed, and they will remain lit until the 10-second auto-shutoff feature activates. While this may seem like a minor feature, it provides a helpful visual cue for the user to turn off slope mode when playing in such events.
Scan Mode
To operate scan mode, hold down the measure button and slowly move the rangefinder from side to side. The advantage of this feature is that you don’t need to change any settings in the menu to activate it. However, please be aware that while using scan mode, the vibrational feedback will be automatically disabled. Vortex states that this mode is beneficial for golfers who want to identify the nearest and furthest points of a dogleg. It can also be helpful for assessing landing zones on forced carries.
Optics
We are noting similar points here as you’ve in our reviews of the Anarch and Blade rangefinders. The optics on the Blade Slope model do not disappoint. Over the past several years, I have tested many rangefinders, most of which were on the budget side. Were the optics acceptable? Yes, they served their purpose, but it becomes clear(no pun intended) that you step up in quality, as is the case with the Blade Slope’s Clear View optics.
While the Anarch model features an illuminated red display, the Blade Slope offers a more traditional black LCD. I had to adjust the diopter slightly to enhance the contrast of the black display, but once I did, everything looked great.
For those who enjoy comparing rangefinder specifications, the numbers for the Blade Slope hold up very well against the competition. It offers a 6x magnification with a reflective range of up to 1,400 yards. The range for lasering the flag is 350 yards, which should be plenty for 99% of golfers. There is also a minimum range of 6 yards, in case you are that golfer who wants to use it greenside. A word of advice: please don’t be that person.
One feature I find particularly useful is the ease of accessing the menu to adjust the modes and measurement options to suit my preferences. It’s quick and simple to enable or disable the pinspotter and slope modes. Additionally, the menu allows for customization of the reticle style displayed on the screen. There are three options available: a single circle, a circle crosshair, and a crosshair without the inner circle. My personal preference is the crosshair without the circle, as it’s a style I have used in the past.
Accuracy
Being in the middle of winter here in New York meant there were sadly no real opportunities for on-course testing with the Blade Slope. Instead, I took it to a local driving range that still had some distance markers, allowing me to compare its readings with those of other rangefinders I trust. As expected, the numbers were very similar, differing by no more than a yard.
During the pinspotter testing, I was pleased to see that the Blade Slope effectively filtered out background distractions, providing an accurate distance to the pin rather than to a tree several yards behind it. Once the flag was acquired, there was a slight vibrational feedback to confirm that the target was locked in. In scan mode, the yardages displayed on the screen changed quickly and accurately. For slope mode testing, we used various objects, such as trees and light poles in different locations, to simulate uphill and downhill pins. In every case, the results met expectations and did not raise any concerns about accuracy.
Warranty
Manufacturer warranties tend to get overlooked until that day something goes wrong, which leads to a frantic search of the company’s website for information. If you have purchased a rangefinder from one of the budget brands, the warranty and replacement policy may be inconsistent. This is where Vortex flexes its muscle with its VIP warranty and proves they have your back if something goes wrong with your device. On their website, Vortex outlines their VIP warranty and how it’s about you, the customer.
Battery
Considering all the specifications mentioned above, one crucial aspect still needs to be addressed: the battery. Increasingly, rangefinders are equipped with onboard rechargeable batteries. Vortex Slope is a bit old-school, sticking with the tried and true CR2 battery. When the battery level drops to around 25%, a low battery icon will appear on the screen as a gentle reminder. This icon will remain visible every time a yardage is measured until the battery is replaced. Alas, I did not immediately test this, but I will keep an eye on it during the season, as the Blade Slope will be the rangefinder attached to the bag.
Final Thoughts
Blade Slope is the middle sibling among the Blade and Anarch rangefinders. It provides one extra shooting mode compared to the Blade while still lacking the advanced features of the Anarch. Priced at $399.99 when purchased through Vortex’s website, it offers a good balance of quality and functionality. If red optics and image stabilization aren’t top priorities for you, the Blade Slope has more than enough options to meet your needs.
More information on the Blade Slope and other Vortex devices can be found at www.vortexgolf.com.
