Let’s get one thing clear right out of the gate: I love Arccos.
I’ve played nearly 400 rounds with it over the last decade.
It’s captured many of my most memorable golf shots and golf rounds.
It’s given me insights into my game, that honestly, I would have probably missed without it.
And it’s also very much not perfect, as many of it’s detractors have routinely pointed out to me.
But to get so much granular data about my game, in a way that rarely interferes with my round of golf? That’s absolutely worth it to me.
So when they announced the Arccos Smart Laser Rangefinder. I got excited.
Well, mostly. I also got skeptical.
The rangefinder niche is probably the most overcrowded in golf. And despite so many brands trying to do something to differentiate their products, most just add unnecessary features, or make the round more cumbersome.
But the new Smart Laser from Arccos was promising something different. Full integration with the Arccos app, real-time data given in a way that no other brand has done before, and a pin-setting feature that, if it works, is worth the price of admission for that alone.
Now having gotten hands on with the Smart Laser, I’ve got some thoughts.
Is it good? Should you buy it? And are there any dealbreakers (hint: there might be.)
Let’s find out.
What is the Arccos Smart Laser?
Before we go too far, we need to establish what the Smart Laser is, what makes it different, and why you should consider it.
While the Smart Laser can absolutely work on its own as a rangefinder, its major selling point is its extremely tight integration with the Arccos game tracking app.
If you’re unfamiliar, Arccos uses a set of sensors on your clubs in tandem with a GPS app to track every single shot you hit on the golf course. It will then give you stats based on this data, show you your strengths and weaknesses, and then make recommendations for how to improve your game.
Along with this, there is deep AI caddie integration, so within the app it will give you all your green and hazard yardages, while also making club recommendations based entirely on your data.
The rangefinder looks to enhance this in a few ways:
First, they’re saying it will give you the most accurate plays like numbers of any rangefinder. It takes into account slope, elevation, wind, and more to give you an Arccos “Smart Distance.”
Second, and maybe more importantly, is it will auto-tag every pin location. Meaning, every time you laser a hole, it will set that exact pin location within the Arccos app. This means all of your data relating to putts and approach shots is that much more accurate – and you no longer have to manually set the pin while you’re on the green.
First Impressions of the Arccos Smart Laser
Out of the box, the Smart Laser Rangefinder is pretty much what you’d expect from any other rangefinder.
In the box you’ll find:
- Smart Laser device
- Canvas case
- Caribiner
- Microfiber cloth
- A note about the product
The device itself is a really nice size and weight. I prefer a rangefinder that has a slight amount of heft to it. I want it to feel sturdy, and the Arccos unit nails that. It’s not too big and bulky like the Bushnell Pro X3 or even the Cobalt Q-6.
It’s a similar size to my oft-recommended Voice Caddie TL1.
The design is pretty nice, without being super groundbreaking. There’s a nice combination of materials and textures that make it feel high-end, but I wouldn’t say it’s the absolute most premium-looking rangefinder I’ve ever used.
The shape is pretty standard and doesn’t do anything overly unique there.
It’s a simple two-button system, which I appreciate. And the slope switch on the side is functional and easy to access.
If you're an Arccos power user this rangefinder will enhance your experience in a number of ways. The added subscription is less than ideal, but in terms of performance, this thing delivers.
Use code BE15 to save 15%.
Setting Up the Arccos Smart Laser Rangefinder
There are a number of smart rangefinders out there, that each do a different combination of “smart” things.
Many provide GPS yardages to the front, middle, and back of the green – for instance.
However, the only other one I’ve tested that can actually set a pin location on the green is the Garmin Z30. That device will not only shoot the pin, and then tell you how many yards it is from both the front and the back of the green, but then it will set the pin location on your compatible Garmin watch – and remember that location for the duration of the hole.
It genuinely feels like magic, and the setup and connectivity is so insanely seamless as well.
This is my frame of reference, so Arccos has a lot to live up to here.
The good news is, it delivered.
When you open up the app you’ll see an option to connect a Smart Rangefinder.
You simply make sure your device is on, click connect, and it pairs right away. It’s just as seamless as the Garmin device.
Getting this right is one of the most important aspects of a product like this. If it’s a pain to use, people simply won’t use it. So I’m glad they got this right.
You then start your round in Arccos just like you always would, and away you go.
How Does the Smart Laser Perform Simply as a Laser Rangefinder?
Before we go into the stuff that makes this device unique, let’s talk about how the Smart Laser performs as just a regular, $299 laser rangefinder.
The optics on the Arccos rangefinder are excellent. While I always prefer 7x magnification, the 6.1x magnification on this device looks fantastic and never left me wanting for anything more.
The red LED backlit display looks crisp and sharp. I do wish you had the option to toggle this back to a standard black, but this is a minor critique since the red looks so good.
The Smart Laser does an excellent job at finding and locking onto flags very quickly. In two rounds, I haven’t had any issues getting yardages I feel confident about right away. Even with trees or other objects in the background, I haven’t really had any instances where it’s gotten confused and given me the wrong number.
This is a big deal, and is one of the major things that sets premium rangefinders apart from cheaper units.
The only complaint I have about the Arccos device from a standard rangefinder standpoint comes down to the flag lock vibration.
This device will vibrate pretty much anytime you range a distance, not just when you lock onto a flag.
The whole point of the vibration feature should be tactile confirmation that you actually shot the flag. When it vibrates no matter what, any time you range a distance, it makes that feature less useful.
Considering how accurate the device is, this isn’t too big of a deal in this case, but it is something worth noting.
How Well Does the Smart Laser Integrate with Arccos?
Alright, now, for the good stuff.
How “smart” is the Smart Laser?
When you’re looking in the viewfinder, you’ll find not one, not two, but three different numbers displayed.
In it, you’ll find:
- Actual Yardage – This is the actual distance from you to the target
- Arccos Smart Distance – This is the “plays like” distance that takes into account slope, elevation, wind, temperature etc.
- Gusts – This is the distance the yardage could be playing based on peak wind gusts
Typically, I want as uncluttered a viewfinder as possible. But even with 3 different numbers here, they’re laid out in a way that doesn’t feel too claustrophobic – and they’re all genuinely useful.
The Arccos Smart Distance I’ve found to be among the most, if not the most, accurate plays like yardages I’ve received from a rangefinder.
I’m still not entirely sure what technology they use to pinpoint wind in any given spot, but I found it to be very accurate in measuring the numbers. I also like how you don’t have to tell it which direction the wind is blowing like in the FlightScope i4 rangefinder.
The app integration also feels tighter than it does on the Bushnell Pro X3+ and Garmin Z82 – the other rangefinders I’ve tested that use wind in their plays like distances.
The gusts, I expected to feel redundant and unnecessary. But what it’s ended up doing is giving me more confidence, especially when I’m in between clubs.
For instance, one of my first holes with this device was a par 3.
It gave me a yardage of 163 yards to the pin.
The Smart Distance was 168
Gusts said 172.
At 163 yards, I would have been likely to pull an 8 iron.
168 is in between a 7 and an 8.
Having a “Gusts” number even higher, essentially told me, take the longer club and don’t be afraid to hit it, either.
Sure enough, pin high.
Depending on wind direction, you might see that gust numbers go the opposite way as well.
Is it totally necessary? No, probably not. But after two rounds with it, I’ve found it to give me increased confidence in my club selection, and I’ve enjoyed having it.
What About GPS Distances?
What most people are looking for when they think of a “smart rangefinder” is GPS yardages to the front, middle, and back of the green.
Well, you’re not going to get those here. The Smart Laser, doesn’t provide any GPS yardages in the viewfinder itself.
This may be disappointing to some, but the Arccos laser is serving a bit of a different purpose.
The good news is that if you do want those GPS yardages, you can just open up the app on your phone and have full access to them.
Or better yet, if you’re using Arccos with an Apple or Android watch, you can get yardages on there.
If you're an Arccos power user this rangefinder will enhance your experience in a number of ways. The added subscription is less than ideal, but in terms of performance, this thing delivers.
Use code BE15 to save 15%.
How Well Does the Pin Setting Feature Work?
For me, the feature I’m most excited about is the automatic pin setting.
When I play a round, I have to walk up to the green on every pin and hit the button on my Link Pro to set the pin. I always get a comment or two from people asking what I’m doing.
To be able to have that pin set automatically every time I use the rangefinder? It makes it that much easier and less obtrusive.
Overall, this feature works pretty well. I will say, it doesn’t feel quite as accurate as a manual button push while on the green.
Due to variances in GPS course mapping and GPS accuracy while I’m on the course – occasionally the pin won’t register in the exact spot it’s at on the green within the app.
I’ve had the exact same issue with the Garmin Z30. 70% of the time, it’s pretty dead on, 20% of the time, it’s close enough, and 10% of the time, it’s a little ways off.
The good news, is that because Arccos adds a snail trail to your steps while on the green – this is very easy to adjust after the fact if necessary.
You shouldn’t have to do it much, but for the people who really care about making sure everything is accurate down to the inch, it’s nice to know it’s an easy adjustment.
I would like to see an update in the future where there’s a notification within the viewfinder that confirms the pin as pin set. You can look at the app to see a checkmark confirming the pin setting, but in the rangefinder itself there’s no way to see that.
One other thing to note is that when you get used to setting the pin with the rangefinder, you need to make sure you use it on every hole. There were a couple holes, I didn’t use it, and remembered later on that it then wouldn’t be set for those holes, so I updated after the fact, then as well.
How is the Battery Life?
Rather than use a USB-C charger like most smart rangefinders, this uses a traditional battery. I personally prefer this, since I’m terrible at remembering to charge things.
I’m not sure what the battery is rated for, but I’d expect you shouldn’t have issues going the better part of a full season or more on one battery.
I’ll update this if I get info on the battery rating.
The One Major Downside: A Subscription
Ok, so maybe you’ve read through this post and you’re thinking “Yeah, this sounds like exactly what I’m looking for!”
If so, great!
But there’s one thing you need to know:
There’s a subscription.
And I’m not just talking about your regular annual Arccos subscription.
If you want to use all of the integrated Arccos Smart Rangefinder features, then you’ll need to upgrade to a Smart Laser subscription, which is an additional $99 on top of your standard Arccos membership.
This is going to make a lot of people unhappy, and I very much get it. I’m not stoked on it either.
But here’s how it works, and here’s my take.
A standard Arccos Game Tracking subscription is $200/year.
If you have this, the additional Smart Laser subscription is $99/year (which they say is a $100 discount).
Eventually, there will be a rangefinder-only subscription option (which is where I’d guess that $100 discount comment comes from).
But for now, it’s an extra $99/year to use the rangefinder.
Two bits of good news on this.
- Your first year is free
- You can use the Arccos discount code BE15 to save 15% on the upfront cost of the device.
So essentially for the full meal deal Arccos package, you’re looking at $300/year, after the first year.
That’s a lot of money. Especially for golfers in regions where you can only golf half of the year, or for people who only play once a month or less.
One other thing to note, is that if you stop paying the Smart Laser subscription, the device will stop working completely. Not just the smart features, but you’ll be unable to get any yardages at all – which is kind of a bummer.
One Big Unknown About the Arccos Rangefinder
Arccos is marketing the Smart Laser as more of a software product, rather than a hardware product.
The idea is that it’s a product that is going to continue to get much better over time, as they roll out new features for users.
If they do? Fantastic, this will make the subscription feel more and more worth it as time goes on.
But I can only review what’s right in front of me. As it stands, this is a worthy upgrade for Arccos power users. But if you’re a more casual or occasional user, the added expense may not pencil out.
Is the Smart Laser Worth Buying?
If you’re not an Arccos user and you’re just looking for a solid rangefinder? This isn’t for you. Go buy the Voice Caddie TL1, which is as good as any rangefinder I’ve tested and it’s under $300 with our special pricing.
If you are an Arccos power user and you want the best Arccos experience possible? I think the Smart Laser is worth it. Aside from the vibration issue I mentioned, it’s a very good to excellent rangefinder in its own right.
But when you throw in the most accurate smart distances I’ve seen, the ease of use/integration, and automatic pin setting? It’s definitely a big upgrade to the Arccos experience.
At $299, it’s a really solid price for what you get. For an extra $99/year on top of that? The “value” element of the equation definitely takes a hit. Especially if you’re planning on using it for many years to come.
However, for me? Who is admittedly a huge fan of Arccos – this is the rangefinder I’ll have in my bag for the foreseeable future. It’s worth an extra $99 a year, even if I’m not thrilled about that pricing model.
I’m excited to see what features they roll out for it in the future. My hope is that new features get rolled out to the point where it feels like a no-brainer for any Arccos user to want to invest in it.
But as it sits now? I’m just happy to see they delivered on a product that lived up to most of the expectations I had for it.
If you're an Arccos power user this rangefinder will enhance your experience in a number of ways. The added subscription is less than ideal, but in terms of performance, this thing delivers.
Use code BE15 to save 15%.
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A solid laser rangefinder, with some smart features that enhance the Arccos experience.
The Arccos Smart Laser is not only a very good laser rangefinder, but it's an excellent enhancement to the Arccos ecosystem. The major concern here isn't performance, but a pricing model that is $299 upfront, and an additional $99 a year on top of your existing $199 Arccos membership. It's a lot of money, but for the Arccos power user? It's a worthy upgrade to your experience.
The Good
- As fast and accurate as any laser I've used
- Solid build quality and feature set
- Seamless integration into Arccos app and experience
- Smart features overall work really well
The Bad
- Flag lock vibration isn't as dialed as it could be
- On going subscription is disappointing
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Presentation
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Performance
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Quality and Features
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Price
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Personal Affinity
