If after reading this review you are interested in purchasing the Cigman CT-800Y, head to the Cigman website and enter my exclusive discount code ‘AGB15’ to save 15%. It’s also available on Amazon, and my code ‘2VPGPW5U’ will allow you to save 20%.
Pressed for time? Quick review
The Cigman CT-800Y is an affordable laser rangefinder designed for golfers on a budget. Priced at just over £60, it offers solid performance with key features such as 6x magnification, an 800-yard range, and a built-in rechargeable battery. While it lacks some premium features and has a few quirks, it delivers well on the course, especially considering the price.
Pros
- Affordable price (just over £60)
- Lightweight (153g) and compact
- Accurate measurements within 2-3 yards
- Built-in rechargeable battery with up to 30,000 uses per charge
- Vibration feedback for pin lock confirmation
- 6x magnification and 800-yard range
- Slope mode with easy toggling
Cons
- Basic design with plastic construction
- Lacks a built-in magnet and carabiner clip for the carry case
- Too many modes, including non-golf-related ones, complicate usage
- Unnecessary information clutters the display during use
- Decimal points displayed for distances under 200 yards are distracting
First impressions
The CT-800Y’s packaging is functional but basic. While the box design is definitely a little plain, it is made entirely of recyclable cardboard, which is a positive in terms of sustainability.
Much like its packaging, the CT-800Y has a basic look and feel, which is expected at this price point. However, it’s worth remembering that this is a budget laser rangefinder. The design is simple and straightforward, with clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic. It has to be said that it is a neat little unit, around the same size as the Shot Scope PRO L2, and at 153g, it’s really lightweight.
Its plastic construction, whilst contributing to its lightness, does give the device a somewhat budget feel. It’s clear with the Cigman CT-800Y that Cigman’s focus was on delivering functionality at an affordable price point, rather than a premium product constructed from using-end materials, but for the money, that’s okay.
The device comes with a basic carry case, although rather strangely, it doesn’t include a carabiner clip, which means that it cannot be hung from your golf bag unless you purchase. This is definitely the first laser rangefinder I’ve owned that doesn’t come with one as standard. Another slightly odd thing is that instead of having a built in cart-magnet, the CT-800Y comes with an external attachment that can be wrapped around the device. For me, this is just asking to either be lost or left and home and forgotten about. If you’re going to include a magnet then it should be built into the device in my opinion.
Now, I’ve been a little critical so far but the good news for Cigman is that the CT-800Y does have some plus points and they come when it’s used on the golf course.
Performance on the golf course
It’s on the golf course where the Cigman CT-800y begins to show its strengths. Despite its modest appearance, it does actually perform rather well on the golf course when it counts – better than I expected, anyway. The 6x magnification and 800-yard range are more than sufficient for most golfers, and during my testing I found that the device locked onto targets well, with a reassuring vibration. The vibration feedback is a well-designed feature, with one buzz for a standard measurement and two for a confirmed pin lock, helping to quickly confirm successful targeting.
Switching measurement units between metres and yards is straightforward, and the display remains clear and easy to read, even in bright sunlight.
One feature new to me when it comes to laser rangefinders is the built-in lithium-ion battery. All of the rangefinders I own use replaceable batteries but I like that this is charged using the USB C cable provided. Cigman suggests that it’s capable of lasting up to 30,000 uses from a single 3-hour charge, and that battery life goes even further thanks to the fact that the device automatically shuts off when not in use, helping to conserve power. In addition to this handy feature, the battery level is constantly displayed on the screen which is helpful.
In terms of accuracy, the CT-800Y competes surprisingly well with more expensive models like the Shot Scope PRO ZR. During testing (against the Shot Scope PRO ZR), it was consistently only 2-3 yards off when measuring numerous targets between 25 and 500 yards, which is more than sufficient for most golfers. The only occasion during my testing where this laser didn’t work as expected was on a morning when there was a very light fog. The distance information I was getting from the device was at least 100 yards lower than expected. I chalked this one down to the fog which I don’t think should have made a difference but I’ve not had any issues since so can only assume this was the case.
It’s also a rather fast-firing laser, providing a measurement within half a second, so it’s not likely to cause you to hold up play. One slightly annoying thing I have noticed is that for ranges less than 200 yards or metres, the display shows the distance with a decimal point. Although this isn’t a deal breaker, it’s a bit unnecessary and just looks a bit odd, to be honest.
As is pretty much standard these days, it also includes a slope mode, which can be easily toggled on or off using the switch on the rear. This feature is useful for accounting for elevation changes, though I did notice that angle and vertical distance information is displayed even when slope mode is turned off. Whilst this is separate from the slope information, it’s unnecessary and clutters the screen somewhat. I’ve no idea why this information is still displayed when in golf mode but unfortunately, there’s no option to disable it, which is annoying.
One particular area where the CT-800Y also lets itself down is by having too many modes. The device has five several modes, which might sound appealing, but given that three are unrelated to golf, such as speed mode and straight line mode, it just makes for more work trying to cycle through them to find the one you want to use.
Unlike most lasers I’ve used which are intuitive and easy to use without reading the manual, I did find that with so many modes and so much information displayed on screen, reading the manual before using the device was a must. Thankfully, the manual is really well-written, clear, and easy to understand but the device does take some getting used to compared to other rangefinders.
Final thoughts
Overall, the Cigman CT-800Y offers solid performance at a highly competitive price. While it may lack some premium features, its accuracy and ease of use make it a strong contender for budget-conscious golfers. It’s not the most luxurious or feature-packed device on the market, and it has its quirks, but it delivers when it comes to accuracy and speed. The lightweight design makes it easy to carry and use, and the built-in rechargeable battery is convenient.
However, the device isn’t without its flaws. The plastic construction and basic design might not appeal to those looking for a more premium product, and the inclusion of pointless non-golf modes complicates what should be a simple, straightforward user experience. The lack of a built-in magnet and the fact that a carabiner clip is not provided for the carry case are two slight oversights.
For those of you who prioritise functionality over form and are looking for an affordable, reliable rangefinder, the Cigman CT-800Y is a definitely worth considering, especially given Cigman offer a 30-day money-back-guarantee and a 3 year warranty as standard. However, if you’re after a more refined device with fewer quirks, and budget allows, the Shot Scope PRO L2 or premium PRO ZR model might be of interest (reviews are available for both devices on my golf blog).
Where to buy the CT-800Y and save 15%
The Cigman CT-800Y is available to buy directly from Cigman’s website, and you can save an additional 15% by using my exclusive discount code ‘AGB15’ at checkout. Alternatively, it can also be purchased from Amazon although their pricing is dynamic so it may or may not be more expensive than buying directly from Cigman.
