I recently had the chance to review the Bushnell Tour V5 Shift, the “middle of the road” option in Bushnell’s rangefinder lineup.
The clarity, speed, and accuracy of this device were impressive, it’s no wonder Bushnell is the leader in golf rangefinders.
At its price point, I wouldn’t expect anything less…but I did run into a few kinks as I put it to the test on the course.
Bushnell Tour V5 Shift Rangefinder Review
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I took the Bushnell Tour V5 Shift out on the course with the Tour V5 and the Pro X3, just to see how big of a difference there was in overall performance. I was basically a caddie during this round, collecting distances to anything and everything.
All 3 provided me with the exact same distances and slope adjustment readings (shift model) with pretty much every single target I shot.
Trees, bunkers, edges of ponds, rocks, other golfers, and flags.
The Tour V5 Shift was super fast, giving me distance readings almost immediately with every shot. The 6x magnification and overall view quality were impressive.
The V5 Shift was also noticeably lighter and more compact. It’s a bit smaller than the Precision Pro NX10, a model with very similar features.
It was also very simple to use. No crazy mode selections, simply turn the slope switch on or off, and only one more button to choose between yards or meters. That’s it!
It also has the ability to scan targets. When you hold down the power button and move from one target to another, it will continuously update yardages, and once you hit the flag, you’ll get the jolt lock.
The Jolt feature and Flag lock didn’t always work as expected, however, I’ll share more on that below.
Quick Facts
The Bushnell Tour V5 Shift Laser Rangefinder is a golf rangefinder that is accurate to within one yard. It has a 6x magnification scope and Pinseeker with Visual Jolt technology.
It also has a slope switch that is easy to access via a button on the side, making it legal for tournament play. When in slope mode, it utilizes Bushnell’s enhanced slope algorithm technology to deliver the most accurate adjusted distances available.
The Bushnell Tour V5 Shift is also water resistant, but should not be exposed to heavy rain or submersion.
As with all Bushnell rangefinders, it has BITE magnetic mount. Here is the full manual if you’d like to read more.
MSRP – $329.99
PROS
- Bite magnetic cart mount
- Compact design
- Best-in-class accuracy
- Quality look and feel
- Ability to scan targets
- 6x magnification
CONS
- Not waterproof (only water resistant)
- Pricey
- PinSeeker does not work 100% of the time
Who Should Buy the Bushnell Tour V5 Shift
If you are a golfer who is willing to pay a premium for the best and highest quality products on the market – this is definitely the best in its price range.
If you are looking for a more compact design, this fits the bill. Bushnell rangefinders are trusted by PGA Tour Pros, and have been for years. They have been tested and provide the most precise compensated distances of any rangefinder on the market.
You’ll pay a few extra bucks for that peace of mind, however.
If you are looking to spend a bit less, check out my Blue Tees Series 3 Max review! You can always get a great deal, plus I have a 10% coupon code you can use.
Bushnell Tour V5 Shift Product Comparison Chart
| Bushnell Pro X3 | Bushnell Tour V5 | Bushnell Tour V5 Shift | Bushnell Tour V6 | Bushnell Tour V6 Shift | BlueTees Series 3 Max | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $599.99 | $249.99 | $329.99 | $299.99 | $399.99 | $239.99 |
| Weight (Ounces) | 12 | 8 | 8 | 8.5 | 8.7 | 8 |
| Waterproof | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Slope | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Slope Switch | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Magnification | 7x | 6x | 6x | 6x | 6x | 7x |
| Total Range (yards) | 1,300 | 1,300 | 1,300 | 1,300 | 1,300 | 900 |
| Accuracy (yards) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Warranty (years) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Magnetic Mount | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Learn more about rangefinder features with our comprehensive golf rangefinder buying guide.
Unboxing the Bushnell Tour V5 Shift and First Impressions
My first impression when pulling it out of the box was – wow, this thing is very solid. It is more compact than most rangefinders, but it feels very solid and high quality.
I elected for the patriot pack, which comes with a “Folds of Honor” divot tool.
More importantly, Bushnell donates a portion of the purchase price to the Folds of Honor Foundation. A non-profit dedicated to providing educational scholarships to spouses and children of fallen or disabled service members.
As a veteran myself, this is something I particularly appreciate!
The slope switch technology, 6x magnification, extremely clear optics, and incredibly fast processing time make this one of the best rangefinders available on the market for its price-point.
What’s not to like about the V5 Shift?
I had some bad readings with the “PinSeeker” technology, but it only happened rarely. I was at a 145 yard par 3 with trees in the background at about 175 yards. The flag wasn’t really blowing around, and it took me a few shots to actually pick it up.
I kept getting the trees behind it.
Anyone who has ever used a rangefinder before knows its certainly not uncommon to pick up trees in the background.
So I’d simply keep this in mind and not rely solely upon the jolt or PinSeeker technology. It works great most of the time, but it’s always a good idea to have a “general” frame of reference for your distance before you blindly take the first reading your rangefinder provides.
If you are looking for additional features, such as adjustments for elements, check out my full review on the Bushnell Pro X3.
If you are looking for a cheaper option and don’t care about slope, check out my review on the Bushnell Tour V5.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for the highest quality slope rangefinder on the market, this is the one! You’ll pay a few extra bucks for it however.
I really like its compact design and overall quality. When you pick it up, it just feels like a high quality device.
When you use it, you’ll get your distance immediately. No shooting the pin 4 or 5 times. Overall, a great product!
Good luck on the golf course!