The Nikon Coolshot 20 is a rangefinder that comes from a company that knows optical equipment quite well.
If you want something that will treat you to a high-quality viewing experience, you will appreciate the crystal clear image rendering of the Coolshot.
Granted, the impressive performance of this equipment does come at a price. It is one of the more expensive rangefinders on the market, but it does not necessarily outperform comparably priced products.
Is the Nikon Coolshot right for you? Read on for my Nikon Coolshot 20 review and decide for yourself.
Review Summary
On its own merits, this is a really good piece of equipment. While it does start to get a little lacking when you compare it to other lase finders of its price range, it ultimately treats the user to a good experience.
Nikon Coolshot 20 – A Quick look
- Affordable
- Incredibly accurate
- Can be hit from tee or fairway
- Unique design concept
- Not as aerodynamic as some clubs
- Shorter than the average driver
Nikon Coolshot 20 – Specifications
- Model Name: BKA127SA
- Brand: Nikon
- Color: Regular
- Material: Metallic-Fiber
- Item Weight: 4.32 Ounces
Things To Consider Before Buying A Rangefinder
We will be taking an in-depth look at the Nikon Coolshot rangefinder in the paragraphs that are too follow. However, until then it may help to keep in mind a few important buying considerations that will help you navigate the wide market of golf rangefinder products.
Durability
The durability of a rangefinder is huge in determining how long you will have the equipment. Rangefinders are very small and it isn’t hard for them to take a spill out onto the cart path. After all, just think of how many times you drop your phone throughout the week.
Your rangefinder is similarly at risk. The solution is to invest in something that has been fortified with durable rubber and or plastic housing.
Pin Lock
It is notoriously difficult to lock onto the pin when you are using a rangefinder. A large part of the problem is simply the fact that it can be very hard to determine what you are locking onto.
A “pin lock” feature can go a long way towards alleviating the problem. With this feature, the rangefinder will vibrate when you’ve found the flag.
Slope Reader
Some rangefinders are also able to read for slope. This means that they can tell if you are playing uphill, or into a downgrade. His factor can have a pretty major impact on the type of club you choose, helping you to save strokes throughout the course of your round.
Slope reading technology is currently illegal in the context of tournament play. However, most slopes empowered rangefinders will also feature a tournament mode. When tournament mode is activated they will blink red so that your playing companions know you are being honest.
Nikon Coolshot 20 Review – [ In-Depth]
The Nikon Coolshot is a sleek and low-profile product that is designed to be ergonomic and lightweight. It features an impressive range of 650 yards and it displays information in one-yard increments giving you a detailed look at the hole you have ahead of you.
It also includes an interesting image priority feature. With this component of the rangefinder, you always take measurements on the object that is closest to you first. This is helpful for the fact that if you are staring down the green you can be sure that you are looking at the pin and not a tree somewhere out in the distance.
However, even with all of this in mind, it does lack some of the features we expect to see from a product in this price range. It is definitely a good rangefinder, but there is some concern that you may be able to get more bang for your buck shopping elsewhere. Still, if you love the high-quality Nikon optics it will be worth the money.
Buyers will also want to keep in mind that it is fairly fragile so handle it with care.
Nikon Coolshot 20 RangefinderFeatures & Benefits
And now, here are some important features and benefits that the Nikon Coolshot has to offer.
Incredible Optics
One of the ways this unit sets itself apart from other options on the market is through the quality of its optics. Few if any rangefinders on the market will give you a better look at the green.
High-quality optics are not technically necessary. So long as the laser was accurate, you could look through the bottom of a glass of milk and still enjoy decent results.
However, optics do give you certain advantages. For example, crystal clear viewing gives you a good look at what is up on the green above.
Maybe there is a hill you will want to fly. Maybe there is a hidden bunker that isn’t visible from the fairway. Better optics mean better intel.
Range
This unit also has an impressive range of between 550 yards and 650 yards (depending on a variety of environmental factors that can shape your viewing experience).
The actual lens itself then benefits from 6x magnification so that you can take full advantage of the huge range.
Do you actually need that much of a range? Even the very longest holes on the PGA tour rarely hit the 650-yard range. Still, it is always nice to have more of a range than you need. With this feature you can scope out an entire hole from the tee box, knowing where everything is as you prepare your shot.
Target Priority Mode
I am actually a little on the fence with this next feature. As mentioned earlier, image prioritizing means that you always get a read on the image nearest to you. This will be handy as you point the finder towards the green because it means you are peeping the flag and not some trees from beyond.
Great right? The only problem is that there are better features out there that do the same thing. For example, many laser rangefinders in this price range feature a pin jolt mode. Through this feature, the rangefinder will vibrate the moment you lack onto the flag.
It’s a much handier way to know that you’re actually measuring the right thing. Still, when all is said and done, this will get the job done.
What People Are Saying About Nikon Coolshot 20?
For the sake of being thorough, I have spent some time chatting with people that regularly use the Nikon Coolshot 20.
This laser rangefinder is, for the most part, well regarded by those that use it. The general consensus is that the laser is very accurate in its ability to take measurements while the lens itself is crystal clear in its image rendering.
As far as laser-driven viewing equipment goes, these are fairly major pluses in the product’s favor. I have heard from a number of people that claim the laser finder is a little bit more fragile than they would prefer.
However, even with that said Nikon Coolshot, 20 reviews from users are mostly very positive.
Conclusion
Hopefully my Nikon Coolshot 20 review helped you decide if this is the right product for your needs. If you want a product with great optics, and accurate laser, and an impressive range, this will be an option to consider.
While it does lack some of the more modern features that I might expect to see from units in this price range, it ultimately succeeds in the departments that count.
