My 5 Favorite GPS Golf Rangefinders (For Every Budget)

Technology in rangefinders has all of the sudden gone crazy.

Honestly, about a year ago, I was starting to think that this product class had kind of plateaued. Like, rangefinders had kind of become a commodity, with all of them very similar to each other and little differentiation between models.

That idea has been completely blown up. Recently, all kinds of cutting-edge technology is being introduced on the rangefinder front to the point that we’ve got an entirely new product class: Smart rangefinders.

Suddenly, we’ve got multiple options, especially when it comes to GPS integration, that are not only really technologically impressive but that might actually help your golf game.

I’m going to highlight what I think are the five best smart GPS rangefinders on the market.  I’ve tested every single one of thse extensively.

I’m going to walk you through the pros and cons, compare features, and discuss pricing. By the end, you’ll know which one—if any—is right for you.

Quick note: I have not yet had the opportunity to review the new LINK-Enabled technology from Foresight and Bushnell or the upcoming i4 rangefinder from FlightScope. In each case, those rangefinders allow you to actually get launch monitor data and personalized club recommendations right in the rangefinder. Pretty cool in theory, and from what I saw at the 2025 PGA Show, they look very promising. I’ll update this post if those products end up making the cut.

What Is a Smart GPS Rangefinder?

Before the “smart” distinction, most rangefinders functioned pretty much the same way. You look through the lens, you hit a button, and the rangefinder gives you the distance to the flag, or whatever target you’re shooting.

But GPS-enabled rangefinders take things a step further. They integrate GPS data to provide additional information, such as distances to the front, middle, and back of the green, hazard distances, and even hole overviews.

How this information is displayed varies from device to device. Some models provide an on-screen display, while others pair with an app or watch. Not every unit will be for everyone. You may prefer the features or functionality of one type of smart rangefinder more than another.

Or, you might find that smart GPS rangefinders aren’t your thing at all. Because, honestly, I’m not sure this type of product is right for all golfers.

The Downsides of GPS Rangefinders

For all their benefits, which we’ll get into, GPS rangefinders do have some drawbacks.

For one thing, most of them require USB-C charging, which could be an issue if you’re the type of person who regularly forgets to charge your electronics. If that’s you, and you can envision yourself constantly showing up at the golf course with a dead rangefinder, maybe you’re better off with a traditional battery model.

The good news is that GPS rangefinder battery life has improved significantly since these were first introduced. Most of them will now go at least 10 rounds, if not many more, before needing a charge.

Another thing is that some of these smart rangefinders need to be paired with an app. That means there’s an extra step before you start your round. You’ve got to wait for the GPS to locate your course, you have to select your course and what tee box you’re playing from. You then decide if you’re going to keep score, etc., etc.

If you just prefer a simple, no-fuss rangefinder that you never have to think about until it’s time to get a yardage, a smart rangefinder might not be the right choice for you.

That said, if you are open to the game-improvement benefits that golf technology can unlock, I do think there are very real benefits to be gained by adding a GPS rangefinder to your bag. But not just any one. These are the five smart rangefinders that I’d buy today.

Best Value: Voice Caddie SL2

At first glance, the older SL2 and current SL3 are nearly identical. They share the same laser and GPS display, but the SL3 includes additional green contour and slope features.

Originally retailing for $549, the SL2 is now available on Voice Caddie’s site for $399. Not bad, right?

Well, it gets better. With special Breaking Eighty pricing, you can get an SL3 for $259! That’s an insane deal and as good as any value you’re going to find in golf technology.

This is only going to last until they sell through their remaining stock, and last I heard there were only around 200 units left.

So at $259, the SL2 is really tough to pass up. No, it doesn’t include the green contour and slope features of the SL3. But it’s almost $350 less expensive!

The SL2 won’t be for everyone. Some people aren’t going to want the built-in screen. Others will want some of the functionality of other options on this list. But if you’re in the market for a smart rangefinder and you want the best deal out there, this is it.

Precision Pro Titan Elite: Best Traditional Rangefinder with GPS Data

This might be the best GPS rangefinder for most people: the Precision Pro Titan Elite.

This one’s super convenient in that, once you pair the rangefinder with the Precision Pro app, you can see GPS distances to the front and back of the green right in the view finder. To get that GPS yardage combined with the actual laser-measured shot distance just works really well.

Precision Pro took all of the best features of their previous flagship NX10 rangefinder, as well as their older R1 GPS rangefinder, and combined them into one to make the TItan Elite.

The result? A well-built, highly accurate, and reliable rangefinder that I really enjoy using.

The only knock I’d have on it right now is the price. Considering there are a lot of really good rangefinder options out there for less money, you’re paying a bit of a premium here. But in my experience, it’s worth it for the build quality, and killer warranty/support.

Garmin Approach Z82: Most High-Tech Smart GPS Rangefinder

Alright, if you’re a tech gadget geek, just stop right now and go get the Garmin Approach Z82. 

The Z82 packs more technology into a rangefinder than any other device. It’s unbelievable what this thing can do. Hole maps, hazard data, score keeping, and all right in the viewfinder. There’s honestly no other rangefinder out there like this.

But there are some things about the Z82 that are going to disqualify it as a candidate for many shoppers.

One is the price. Like the Voice Caddie SL3, the Z82 is $599.

The other big thing is that the Z82 is not a traditional rangefinder in the sense that there is no optical glass. Instead, when you look into the viewfinder, you see a digital screen, similar to a mirrorless camera.

On that screen, you get an incredible amount of data. You can scroll through options that include GPS hole maps, yardages, hazard data, and scorekeeping. The amount of information available right in the reticle is insane.

Personally, I find it to be a little distracting at times. Because there is so much stuff in the viewfinder, when I use it, I spend a lot of time choosing between menu options and looking at all the cool stuff. It ends up taking away from the game in a way I don’t really prefer.

The Z82 is also starting to show its age. It’s still got the USB mini connection, and the rechargeable battery life isn’t up to the most current standard. You pretty much have to charge the Z82 every round or two.

Overall, for as cool as the Z82 is, it’s probably not for most people. But for gadget guys, it might be a must-have.

Garmin Approach Z30: Best for Garmin Watch Wearers

Out of all the options on this list, the Garmin Approach Z30 is the one I personally enjoy using the most.

This is a traditional rangefinder, meaning you look through optical glass rather than at a digital screen. But it pairs with the Garmin app to provide GPS data.

But not just any data. The Z30 will display distances from the pin to the front and back of the green. For example, if you see a “16” on the top of the screen and a “4” on the bottom, that means the pin is 4 yards from the front and 16 yards from the back.

Many GPS devices give you yardages to the front, middle, and back of a green, but the way this Z30 factors in the pin’s actual location and shows you how much room you have to work with on either side of your target is awesome.

But the real reason to buy this rangefinder is if you’re someone who regularly wears a Garmin golf watch. That’s because you can pair the Z30 with your watch, and in my experience, once you’ve made that initial connection, it syncs automatically every time you start a round. It just works really well.

Here’s where it gets cool. After shooting the flag, your Garmin watch will update to show you a GPS-mapped green with the exact pin location. You’ll still see the front and back yardages, but now you’ll also have the precise flag position for that day right on your wrist.

And it gets even better. Once you’ve locked in that pin location, the watch remembers it. No matter where you move on the hole, you’ll get updated yardages to the actual pin placement, not just the green in general.

I have had some occasional times where the flag location was slightly off, but it’s always close and hasn’t been a big concern overall.

I will say this isn’t the fastest rangefinder. It can take a couple of seconds to pull in the GPS data.

But if you already use a Garmin watch, this rangefinder honestly feels like magic. Since getting it, I’ve kept it in my bag at all times. Even when testing other rangefinders, I find myself coming back to this one just because of how seamlessly it works with my watch.

Voice Caddie SL2 vs. Precision Pro Titan Elite

After I originally reviewed the SL2, I had a lot of people asking if they should get that rangefinder or the Titan Elite. Really, it depends.

The SL2 is better on paper. You’re getting that dual OLED display and the built-in screen (though I will say that’s one of those love-it-or-hate-it features). Overall, the SL2 really is a nice device.

But as far as just a traditional rangefinder feel, I like the Titan Elite. It’s a little bigger and heavier, so it feels more stable. The target vibration is great. The GPS data is quick and right in the viewfinder. It’s just rock solid, and I really like it.

I personally prefer having my data in the viewfinder, like with the Titan Elite, even if that means sacrificing some of the information I’d get if it were on the screen, like with the SL2.

Really, the Garmin Z30 is the best of both worlds. I can get that data from the flag to the front and back in the viewfinder and then get all the additional data on my watch.

But between the SL2 and Titan Elite, it really comes down to whether you like the extra features and the extra information and are OK with having the screen right there, or whether you just like getting everything you need in the viewfinder.

The other consideration, of course, is price. The Titan Elite is $399. And you can get the SL2 for $259.

So, while I probably prefer the Titan Elite, do I prefer it by an extra $140? No, probably not.

Best Smart Caddie: FlightScope i4 or Bushnell Pro X3 Link

In 2025, we’re seeing a new category of smart rangefinders come out. These new models still use GPS data from an app to factor in things like wind, altitude, and temperature – but they take things a step further with club data.

Both the FlightScope i4 and Bushnell Pro X3 Link will take your actual launch monitor data and make real time club recommendations anywhere on the course.

It’s pretty cool tech, that for the right person can be genuinely useful.

These are both niche products that won’t be for everyone, and which one is best for you comes down to which products you use.

The Bushnell Pro X3 Link is hands down the better rangefinder. But you only get that extra club data when you also use a Foresight GC3, GC3s, or Bushnell LPi. 

The FlightScope on the other hand, works best if you use the Mevo Plus or higher-end XC3, but you can input launch monitor data from another device – so this one is best if you don’t have a launch monitor of your own.

Both are cool, but at $599 for the Bushnell and $499 for the i4 – there’s likely a better option for you unless you’re invested in one of their ecosystems.

Final Thoughts on the 5 Best Smart GPS Rangefinders

You’re definitely going to be in good shape with any of the options from this list. I’ve used them all extensively, and I love each one. These are the contenders as I see it.

If you’re looking for the best value, get the Voice Caddie SL2. At $259, that deal is insane.

If you want a traditional rangefinder experience with a little GPS data thrown in, the Precision Pro Titan Elite is a great choice.

If you wear a Garmin watch, just get the Garmin Approach Z30. Seriously. The experience is seamless.

And if you love the idea of a virtual caddie, then either the FlightScope or Bushnell will provide a very unique experience.

Any of these smart rangefinders are going to be great. 

If you have any questions, I’ve probably tested more rangefinders than anyone on the planet. Just let me know in the comments.

This page contains affiliate links. This means that if you click a link and buy one of the products on this page, we may receive a commission (at no extra cost to you!) This doesn’t affect our opinions or our reviews. Everything we do is to benefit you as the reader, so all of our reviews are as honest and unbiased as possible.