Having made a successful hit in the Korean golf industry, CaddyTalk’s golf laser rangefinders have now entered the US market. To put the CaddyTalk CUBE and the Minimi NR to the test, a group of frequent golfers compared them with their rangefinders (Garmin G80 Approach, Bushnell Z6 Jolt, and the Inesis Telemetro Golf 900) over the course of a few weeks.
Starting off with price, the CUBE goes for $349.99, the Minimi NR at $279.99, the Garmin G80 with $499.99, the Bushnell about $594.33, and the Inesis with $199.
The golfers compared each device in terms of size, ease of aim, slope capabilities, feel factor, speed, and charging. These were the Pros and Cons of each device:
SIZE
Starting with size, the CUBE, Minimi NR, and the Garmin were similar in size with the ability to fit inside one’s pocket making it easy to access and less likely to lose. On the other hand, the golfers used the Bushnell on a carrying case, and the Inesis was left in a cup holder on the cart.
AIMING
The Garmin required no aim but displayed less accurate results due to one’s ability to move the flag icon on the screen. Bushnell used a red dot but was the most difficult rangefinder for the golfers to aim at the target. The CUBE, Minimi NR, and Inesis used opaque bullseye and cross hair markers in the viewfinder. By keeping any part of the symbols on target, each device was able to give an accurate measurement. All 3 latter devices had anti-tremor software that allowed for smooth aiming capabilities.
SLOPE
When calculating slope, the Inesis, CUBE, Minimi NR, and the Garmin measured distance to the flag while integrating slope measurements. The CUBE and Minimi NR took it a step further by also including environmental variables – temperature, altitude, and humidity – into its readings. The Bushnell Z6 did not have any slope capabilities.
TRIANGULATION TECHNOLOGY
Unlike the other rangefinders, the CUBE featured a new technology that had never before been used. This feature, known as Caddy Mode, used triangulation technology that enabled the golfers to measure the distance between the ball and target from a different standing point. The golfers were able to remain in their cart and use the CUBE to measure the distance between ball and flag while their colleagues were hitting.
DEVICE DESIGN
The Garmin, Bushnell, Minimi NR, and the CUBE had a high quality feel of texture, grip, and durability whereas the Inesis felt “brittle” and less durable. This paralleled the water resistance capabilities as all devices minus the Inesis were labeled as water resistant. The materials in the Minimi NR felt soft and the eyepiece cushioned gently against the skin which allowed for comfortability and easy grip. The CUBE gave a unique retro, sleek appearance with an LCD screen on the device’s side that displayed the distance. The group of golfers favored the CUBE and Minimi NR in terms of design appearance and pocket sized grip as it enabled easy access and use.
OUTPUT READING
On the course, the golfers measured the speed of each device in their reading capabilities. From their observations, they calculated the time it took for a golfer to get to his ball, ping the flag, and reach for their club. In total, the Bushnell took 23 seconds, but the CUBE, Minimi NR,and Garmin were 7 seconds faster. They calculated that with that time reduction, a group of four golfers playing 18 holes could play 17 minutes faster than the average game.
CHARGING
Of the devices used, the Garmin, CUBE, and Minimi NR all had USB plug charging capabilities. The Garmin lasted three rounds before needing an 8 hour full recharge, though their manual claims the battery life can last up to 15 hours. The Minimi NR and the CUBE, however, only took 10 minutes for a quick charge, enabling 2 rounds of play. The CUBE requires a full recharge after every 10,000 times actuations and the Minimi NR with 8,000 times actuations. The Bushnell and the Inesis required batteries, and the Bushnell lasted on average 2 months before needing replacement. The Inesis allowed 5,000 times actuations before recharging. For time efficiency and length of use before recharge, the golfers’ top picks were the Minimi NR and the CUBE.
VERDICT
Although the golfers were accustomed to their rangefinders, they all agreed that the CUBE and the Minimi NR ranked above the rest in each category having high quality durability, performance ease due to their pocket size appearance and slope reading in addition to environmental readings. The CUBE stood out the most with its Caddy Mode triangulation technology as no other rangefinder possessed this feature, let alone for the price of $349.99. The golfers also saw superiority in both devices’ output readings as well as their charging capabilities. One of the golfers was sold to upgrade his Bushnell to the Minimi NR. With the performance of both CaddyTalk’s devices, the golfers concluded the two devices were worth the price.
“This rangefinder offers something very unique to the category, featuring technology that solves common problems golfers face while being incredibly accurate in the process.” – MSN
For more information on CaddyTalk’s rangefinders, visit caddytalkusa.com or contact your local CaddyTalk sales representative.
About CaddyTalk
At CaddyTalk, our goal is to deliver the smallest and most feature-packed laser rangefinder in the world. It is important that we provide the best golfing experience for every player. We pride ourselves in producing first-to-market technologies that make CaddyTalk the world leader in laser rangefinder technology. Each golf rangefinder is a lightweight hand-held sized item that is packed with the most innovative technology on the market. Our world patented Caddy Mode uses a triangulation technology like nothing else in this world. Magic Slope (M-Slope) uses ballistics technology designed for the average golfer to give the most accurate recommended distance. Environmental Slope (E-Slope) technology recommends distance by reflecting temperature, altitude, and humidity. These exclusive features are available only in CaddyTalk and no other golf rangefinders. www.caddytalkusa.com.
Media Contact:
Mariah Kohl
marketing@caddytalkusa.com
Sales Contact:
Kelly Walker, National Sales Manager
(253) 318-4932
kelly@caddytalkusa.com
www.caddytalkusa.com
