Bushnell Pro 1600 – Is This Rangefinder Right for You?

Bushnell Pro 1600 is touted to be the most dead-on accurate and most feature-packed of the Bushnell range of both laser and GPS rangefinders. Keep in mind that the Pro 1600 is a laser rangefinder, which means that it must be targeted to an object (i.e., a flagstick or a tree) for distance measurement purposes. And the 1600 refers to the range distance at which this Bushnell device can work – in this case, 1,600 yards.

If you have any problems with seeing objects for targeting purposes, the magnification feature embedded in the eyepiece is truly useful. For example, on par-5 second shots, the magnification can assist in figuring out the good lay-up yardage. Our only complaint is that the Bushnell Pro 1600 must be held with both hands during such magnification lest the wrong object is targeted and there goes your shot at glory.

So, how does the Bushnell Pro 1600 work?

Basically, it emits infrared pulses, which are then reflected back to the unit’s microprocessor. The software then calculates the time it takes the low-level laser beam to bounce back from the target, which is then used to measure the distance. Think of sonar technology or echolocation in bats and you should get the idea. (Don’t worry the laser beam will neither harm your eyes nor be dangerous to your health even in the long run)

The Pro 1600 has two modes to choose from depending on the circumstances and the goal for the shot. The Pinseeker mode assists in the identification of the pin, which is made possible by the showing a circle in the viewing field once the pin is targeted. It is indeed useful for golfers who must see the pin before taking the shot – it’s a mental as well as physical thing going on.

The Bushnell 1600 series also has a Slope Edition with, obviously, a slope mode. The built-in inclinometer provides for accurate distances regardless of the degree of incline or decline of the slope in question. With many laser rangefinders, the distance measurement is skewered because of the slope’s incline or decline, thus, completely missing the shot.

Take note that accurate distance measurements are essential in choosing the right club, performing the right swing and executing the right angle of attack. With laser rangefinders (+/- 1 yard) like the Pro 1600 being known for its greater accuracy than their GPS counterparts (+/- 3 to 5 yards), you are more likely to hit the mark.

And with the Bushnell Pro 1600 Slope Edition, you can easily change clubs depending on the circumstances of the present play. For example, if a hole is 150 yards based on a rangefinder with no built-in inclinometer, an 8-iron is mistakenly considered good. But the Pro 1600 slope inclinometer calculates the distance to be just 128 yards, which means that you can adjust to a pitching wedge. (Remember that the Slope Edition is illegal for tournament play)

Final Verdict On The Bushnell Pro 1600

Our final verdict on the Bushnell Pro 1600 is that it is an excellent laser rangefinder for as long as you can live with the general disadvantages – no course maps and no pictures of the holes, for example – of these kinds of devices. The advantages are great, nonetheless, including no downloads and no subscription fees as well simple and easy to use.

Comments are closed.