Bushnell Tour V5 & Tour V5 Shift Review

Are you looking for a state of the art golf laser rangefinder? Look no further than the Tour V5 from Bushnell. This laser rangefinder is packed with features that will take your game to the next level. With PinSeeker with Visual JOLT, you’ll always know when you’ve hit the pin.

And when you want to improve your game with more precise distances, Bushnell’s Tour V5 Shift gives you slope compensation and is one of the best golf rangefinders with slope. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the details of how the Bushnell Tour V5 rangefinder can help you up your golf game.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you click on the link and purchase the item, I may receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.

How To Choose The Best Golf Rangefinder

If you need help figuring out which golf rangefinder is right for you, read our in-depth article How To Choose The Best Golf Rangefinder.

It will help you understand what rangefinder features are available, how they work, how you can identify what type of rangefinder you need, and ultimately how to choose the best golf rangefinder for yourself.

Bushnell Tour V5 Summary

According to Bushnell, 99.3% of PGA Tour pros use Bushnell Laser Rangefinders. There is a reason they use Bushnell–they are the best!

So how does the Bushnell Tour V5 & Tour V5 Switch fit into the picture? These models sit below the Pro X3. The Bushnell Pro X3 is their best performing laser rangefinder available. It contains extremely advanced slope functionality such as temperature & barometric pressure.

The Tour V5 does not contain slope functionality–that is where the Tour V5 Switch comes into play.

If you don’t care about temperature & barometric pressure, the Tour V5 models are incredible rangefinders and are highly recommended!

Differences Between Bushnell Tour V5 & Tour V5 Switch

The only difference between the 2 rangefinders is slope functionality. The Tour V5 Switch has slope functionality built in and the Tour V5 does not.

There are some slight color differences, but that is it. All of the other functionality is identical. See this comparison table for more details.

For mobile devices switch to portrait mode to see the entire table

PinSeeker with Visual JOLT Technology	Flag Lock Technology	PinSeeker with Visual JOLT Technology
Ranges 400+ Yards to a Flag	Range	Ranges 400+ Yards to a Flag
6x Magnification	Magnification	6x Magnification
Bright, Clear Optics (2x brighter than previous generation product)	Optics	Bright, Clear Optics (2x brighter than previous generation product)
Built-in BITE Magnetic Cart Mount	Cart Mount	Built-in BITE Magnetic Cart Mount
Legal for Tournament Play	Tournament Legal	Legal for Tournament Play (with slope turned off)
	Slope Function	Slope-Switch Technology
	Slope Functionality	New, Improved Slope Algorithm

How Rangefinders Work

A laser rangefinder is a device that uses laser technology to measure distance. By bouncing a laser off of an object and measuring the time it takes for the laser to return, the rangefinder can calculate the distance to the object.

Laser rangefinders are used in a variety of applications, including surveying, navigation, and of course golf.

TECHNICAL EXPLANATION OF HOW A LASER RANGEFINDER WORKS
The laser rangefinder works by sending out a laser pulse and measuring the time it takes for the laser to bounce back off the object. 

The laser rangefinder then uses the formula: Distance = (Speed of Light * Time) / 2 to calculate the distance to the object. 

The speed of light is a constant, so by knowing the time it takes for the laser to bounce back, we can calculate the distance.

How Does The Slope Function Work On A Golf Rangefinder?

Now that we know how laser rangefinders work, let’s take a look at how they are used in golf. Laser rangefinders are becoming increasingly popular among golfers because they can help you make more accurate shots.

Most laser rangefinders on the market today come with a feature called “slope.” Slope compensates for the elevation change between you and the flagstick.

For example, let’s say you are standing on a hill and looking down at the flagstick. The laser rangefinder will give you the distance to the flagstick, but it will also take into account the fact that you are standing on a hill.

This is where slope comes in. Slope will give you the adjusted distance to the flagstick, taking into account the elevation change.

Slope is a great feature to have if you are playing on a course with a lot of elevation changes. It can help you make more accurate shots and lower your score.

The Downsides to Using Slope Functionality

There can be a few drawbacks to using the slope functionality of a rangefinder, but they are limited to tournament play.

Firstly, you can become over reliant on it to provide the true distance to a target. While this works great in non-tournament play, you could struggle in tournaments if you can’t figure this out without the slope function turned on.

Secondly, if you forget to turn off the function in a tournament you will likely be disqualified. This is unlikely, but still something to consider if you play a lot of tournament golf.

Bushnell Tour V5 Shift – One Of The Best Golf Rangefinders With Slope

The Bushnell Tour V5 Shift is a new feature that provides slope compensation. This is especially useful when hitting approach shots into greens that are uphill or downhill from your position.

Tournament Legal When You Need It

Slope-Switch Technology lets the golfer easily switch the Tour V5 Shift in and out of Slope mode. Tour V5 Shift is legal during tournament play when Slope is disabled.

With the Tour V5 Shift, simply aim at your target, press the button on the side of the rangefinder, and hold it down until the display changes from “no” to “slope.”

The shift function will then automatically compensate for elevation change, giving you a more accurate distance to your target.

Now with an enhanced slope algorithm to provide golfers with even more precise tour-trusted compensated distances to account for the hole’s incline/decline.

Laser Rangefinders vs GPS Devices

Whether you want a rangefinder or GPS device, there is no wrong answer as to which device is better. Many players carry both devices to get the advantage from each.

There are a few key advantages that a golf laser rangefinder has over a golf GPS device.

First, laser rangefinders are generally more accurate than GPS devices. This is because they use laser technology to measure distance, while GPS devices use satellite technology. This means that laser rangefinders can be more accurate in measuring distances to the flag, hazards, and other objects on the course.

Second, laser rangefinders don’t require a satellite connection in order to function. This means that you can easily carry a laser rangefinder with you on the course, and don’t have to worry about losing a GPS signal. Occasionally satellite reception might be limited which leads to inaccurate yardages.

On the other hand, GPS devices can be attached to your bag, or worn on your wrist providing realtime yardage updates. With GPS, you always see a visual of the hole with yardages to hazards, the green and any target you wish.

Bushnell Tour V5 & Tour V5 Shift Shared Features

As mentioned above, the only technical difference between these 2 rangefinders is the slope functionality. With that out of the way, let’s look at the main features included with these rangefinders.

PinSeeker with Visual JOLT

The Bushnell Tour V5’s PinSeeker feature is a godsend for any golfer. With it, you’ll always know when you’ve hit the pin.

Once activated, the PinSeeker will emit a red beam of light towards the flagstick. If the flagstick is in range, the beam will reflect off the flagstick and back into the rangefinder.

The visual JOLT feature will then provide visual and vibration cues to let you know that the flagstick has been targeted.

The ring around the flag on the rangefinder’s screen will actually flash red and the unit will provide vibrating pulses that you feel when the laser locks in on the pin.

This makes it easy to know when you’ve hit your target, and it takes all the guesswork out of wondering if you locked onto the flag. It is a great feature–especially if you have encountered rangefinders that make it difficult to tell when you have actually locked onto the pin.

Tour Trusted Distance

Trust your Bushnell for precise distances that make all the difference — and add an edge to your game with yardage accuracy within 1-yard.

The Bushnell Tour V5 Shift comes with an enhanced slope algorithm to provide golfers with even more precise tour-trusted compensated distances to account for the hole’s incline/decline.

Bushnell Golf App

Unlock vital information including distances, hole layouts, and 3D flyovers powered by the latest additions and updates.

• Access to data for more than 38,000 worldwide golf courses including 3D flyovers
• Reliable and accurate front, center and back GPS-provided distances
• Shot planning with movable layup points
• Track and store your rounds and statistics including fairways hit and greens in regulation
• Wireless course and firmware updates for your GPS devices.
• Pair compatible Bushnell Golf devices with the app and track your scores.
• Receive Call and SMS notifications for compatible Bushnell Golf devices.

#1 on the PGA Tour

Bushnell is the undisputed #1 Laser Rangefinder in professional golf — used by 99.3% of PGA Tour Pros.

How The Bushnell Tour V5 can improve your game

If you’re looking to improve your golf game, a laser rangefinder can be a valuable tool. By helping you accurately gauge distances to the hole, a rangefinder can help you make smarter choices about club selection and shot execution.

When you know exactly how far a target is, you can confidently select the right club. Indecision is a killer in golf and having precise measurements can help eliminate that.

In addition, a rangefinder can also help you avoid hazards on the course. By being able to accurately gauge the distance to potential hazards, you can make better decisions about whether or not to attempt a risky shot.

See this article from Playbetter.com for 12 Reasons to Get a Golf Rangefinder for more info.

Conclusion

The Tour V5 from Bushnell is a must-have for any serious golfer. With features like PinSeeker with Visual JOLT and Bushnell’s Tour V5 Shift, you’ll be able to fine-tune your game and shoot lower scores than ever before.

If you’re looking for a state of the art golf laser rangefinder, look no further than the Tour V5 from Bushnell.

Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions