There’s no doubt about it, the golf laser rangefinder market is heavily saturated. You can spend £500 on an all-singing, all-dancing laser that does pretty much everything but hit the putt for you, or £50 on a budget model that does the job but feels more like a toy. What Shot Scope has always done so well with their laser rangefinders is find the middle ground. With their PRO X model, Shot Scope is asking for more of your hard-earned cash with the USP of personalisation, but is it worth it?
Get the Shot Scope PRO X today
Ready to try the Shot Scope PRO X?
Don’t miss out! Click the button below to reveal my exclusive 15% discount code and be taken directly to the official Shot Scope website. Copy and paste or manually enter the code at checkout to apply this amazing saving to your basket.
With this affiliate link, I may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases but at no extra cost to you. This code can be used on a range or products, and worldwide.
What comes in the box?
Inside the box, you’ll find the PRO X laser rangefinder, premium carry case, carabiner clip, battery, lens cleaning cloth and a QR code providing free access to the Shot Scope GPS app. If you want to take a closer look, check out my unboxing video below.
View video transcript
New Shot scope Pro X laser rangefinder unboxing
In this video, I am going to unbox and take a closer look at the Shot Scope Pro X laser rangefinder. This is a brand new offering from Shot Scope that fits perfectly into the budget laser rangefinder category, yet it is packed with features including really cool customization options. If you have any questions about this product, make sure you drop them in the comments below. Also, if you are interested in the Pro X or any other Shot Scope products, you can use the discount code andy’s golf for an extra 15% off sitewide.
Packaging and key features
The packaging for the Shot Scope Pro X is very nicely designed, which is exactly what I have come to expect from the brand. It is quite similar to the premium Pro ZR packaging. Looking at the key features listed on the back of the box, this device has an 800-yard range, which is more than enough for any golfer.
It also includes adaptive slope mode, 6x zoom, and rapid-fire detection for fast and accurate pin-seeking. Additionally, there is a built-in cart magnet, which is perfect for sticking the device onto the metal frame of a golf cart for easy access. Finally, it features target lock vibration to give you tactile feedback and confidence that you have successfully zapped the pin.
What is inside the box?
The first thing I find inside is a sturdy, water-resistant carry case. It is a neat little case that feels well-sealed. Inside the box, I also find a card for free GPS maps. By downloading the Shot Scope mobile app on Android or iOS, you get access to distances to the front, center, and back of the green, as well as hazard information and a strategy builder tool for planning your rounds.
Other items included are:
A simple and easy-to-follow user guide with helpful diagrams.
A cleaning cloth for the lens.
A carabiner clip to attach the carry case to your golf bag.
A CR2 3-volt battery to power the device.
The battery is cheap to replace and should last for thousands of shots. I have never even had to replace a battery in my other Shot Scope lasers yet, though you must remember to remove the plastic tab before inserting it into the device.
A closer look at the Pro X laser
The laser itself comes in a protective bag. The most notable thing about this specific unit is that it has been customized with my logo. This is a brilliant feature for societies, groups, or golf clubs that want to personalize their gear or provide prizes. The customization is essentially a magnetized plastic tab that can be replaced with different designs.
The device is very simple to operate. On top, you have the power button and a sturdy slope switch. On the back, there is a rotating eyepiece for focusing. The battery compartment is easily accessible at the front.
Comparison with the Pro L2
Comparing the Pro X side-by-side with the Pro L2, they are very similar in size and weight. The Pro X has a slightly different ridge effect running along the top and the slope switch has been moved from the side of the device to the top. It feels very comfortable in the hand, and you can easily operate the buttons with just two fingers. I have the white model, which looks very sharp and neat, though it might be a bit of a challenge to keep clean over time.
Final thoughts
I am looking forward to getting this out on the course to see how it performs against the cheaper Pro L2 and the more premium Pro ZR models. The standout features for me are the ability to customize the device with a logo and the included access to GPS maps.
If you want to save 15% on the Pro X, remember to use the code andy’s golf at checkout. I will be testing this out over the next few weeks to provide a full, detailed review for you guys soon.
The USP: That personal touch
The standout feature of the PRO X is that it is genuinely customisable. On the side of the device, which is available in either black or white, is a removable plate. At the point of purchase, you can choose from various flags, including Scotland, England, USA and Canada, or designs like ‘Number 1 Dad’ or Team Europe/USA logos.
For societies, golf clubs or corporate days, Shot Scope offers personalised custom branding, like my device shown above, on orders of six or more. Personally, whilst I’m not entirely sold on some of the default options mentioned above, allowing custom design printing is a brilliant idea, giving golfers the chance to own a truly unique device that no one else will have.
In terms of the black or white casing colours, while the white model looks really cool out of the box, I do have concerns around how it will fare over time. Between the dirt on our hands and the muddy Scottish winter conditions, keeping that white finish pristine, especially if it’s dropped, will be far more challenging than with the black case. Naturally, with this in mind, I’ve been extra careful with mine, but I can’t help but think I perhaps would have been safer with the black casing. That said, I really do love how the white unit looks.
Build Quality and Feel
In the hand, the PRO X certainly feels like a premium rangefinder. It’s ergonomically shaped with a soft rubber grip that makes it comfortable to hold and easy to keep steady. Whilst it lacks the DuraShield Hardshell found on the premium Shot Scope PRO ZR model, it still feels robust and well-weighted.
That weight is a plus point as it makes the device easier to hold still when zapping targets at a distance and in slightly windier conditions. The device also houses a powerful built-in cart magnet, which I suspect is partly what gives it the weight. Whilst I haven’t actually tested this on a golf cart, I have checked it against metal objects, and it’s certainly more than powerful enough, so I suspect it’ll do the job on a golf cart.
Optics and Performance
The x6 magnification is clear, and the focus ring is smooth and easy to adjust. However, it’s not all perfect. I was surprised to find that the PRO X lacks the dual optics (the ability to toggle between red and black text) found on the cheaper PRO L2 model. Being able to switch optics to combat bright or dark conditions is actually incredibly useful, and something many golfers probably don’t appreciate until they try a rangefinder with this option.
That said, performance-wise, it’s really hard to pick faults with the PRO X.
- Speed: As mentioned, it is incredibly quick to return a reading. The yardage appears almost instantly after pressing the Power button, even from longer distances. I tried to time how fast it fired, but I couldn’t even start and stop my timer quickly enough.
- Range: The 800-yard range is pretty much standard these days and more than enough. From 300-yards and in, the PRO X worked well. I didn’t really test it beyond that, because there’s no need to use a laser past that distance in my opinion.
- Target Lock: Generally speaking, it locks onto the pin with relative ease, even against busy backdrops like trees, and provides a reassuring vibration when a lock is acquired.
- Simplicity: There are no unnecessary modes, such as speed tracking, often found on lower-quality budget rangefinders, and thanks to this, the display isn’t cluttered when you look through the viewfinder.
One thing that I wasn’t entirely sold on during testing was the way the Continuous Scan mode worked on the PRO X. Normally, on rangefinders with this mode, you can press and hold the button and scan for as long as you like. With this unit, after just a few seconds, it would return a reading, meaning I had to restart the process again, even if I hadn’t finished scanning, which I found a little frustrating. Whilst I don’t tend to use the Continuous Scan mode on my rangefinder often, I prefer it to continuously scan without interruption.
Shot Scope PRO X: Pros & Cons
Here’s a quick rundown of the main pros and cons of the PRO X.
Pros
- Premium Build Quality: The device feels lovely to hold. It’s nice and weighty, making it comfortable and very easy to keep still when aiming.
- Rapid-Fire Detection: Locking onto the target is every bit as fast as the premium PRO ZR model, and in truth, it really doesn’t need to be any quicker.
- Unique Personalisation: It features a secure, interchangeable faceplate system, offering a level of personalisation not found on any other laser rangefinder on the market.
- Strong Built-in Magnet: Includes a very strong cart magnet, making it great for golfers who use ride-on golf carts.
- Accuracy: Highly accurate, to within one yard.
- Shot Scope GPS App: Free access to the Shot Scope mobile app.
- Extended Warranty: Two-year warranty as standard, as well as a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Cons
- Removable Battery: Uses a standard CR2 battery rather than a modern USB-C rechargeable internal battery, which some users may find less convenient.
- Casing Maintenance: While the white finish looks fantastic, it does require a bit of extra care to keep it looking clean and like new.
- Lacks Dual-Optics: Unlike the cheaper PRO L2, this model does not feature a red/black dual-display for improved visibility in low-light conditions.
Final Thoughts: Who is the PRO X for?
The Shot Scope PRO X is a fast, accurate, and undeniably solid laser, but it sits in a difficult position within the Shot Scope range.
At £199.99 (or £169.99 with my 15% discount code below), it is more expensive than the Shot Scope PRO L2 but cheaper than the PRO LX or PRO ZR models. When you consider that the more affordable PRO L2 includes a better Continuous Scan mode and those helpful Dual Optics, the PRO L2 starts to look like the better option for the average golfer.
However, if you are a golf club, a society organiser, or someone looking for a high-quality branded gift, the PRO X is a fantastic option. It’s a solid device that looks great, performs very well, and will be a gift any golfer would be delighted to receive, especially if personalised.
Get the Shot Scope PRO X today
Ready to try the Shot Scope PRO X?
Don’t miss out! Click the button below to reveal my exclusive 15% discount code and be taken directly to the official Shot Scope website. Copy and paste or manually enter the code at checkout to apply this amazing saving to your basket.
With this affiliate link, I may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases but at no extra cost to you. This code can be used on a range or products, and worldwide.
As always, if you have any questions about the PRO X, or want to share your thoughts and opinions on it, drop a comment below. I’d love to hear from you.
