Equipment

Leupold introduces GX-5i3 rangefinder, updates GX-1 and GX-2

Published

9 years ago

Feb 2, 2017

Leupold is rolling out a new rangefinder, the GX-5i3, and updating its popular GX-1 and GX-2 models.

“Our new GX-5i3 laser rangefinder is an all-in-one solution for golfers who want to shoot lower scores and get around the course faster,” says Rob Morrison, Leupold’s Vice President of Global Marketing. “Why mess with GPS when you can have the accuracy and customization of GX-5i3? It’s like having a personal caddie who really knows your game and can take the measure of any course.”

The Oregon-based company updated its high-performance DNA (Digitally eNhanced Accuracy) and infrared laser to enable the GX-5i3 to boost the speed and accuracy of the rangefinder’s measurements down to the nearest 1/10th of a yard, it says.

Leupold’s new PinHunter 3 Laser Technology enhances the pulse rate, improving the device’s ability to ignore user movement and lock onto the target.

In addition, the GX-5i3 offers TGR and Club Selector features, giving users ranging information and club recommendations matched to the slope of the shot, atmospheric conditions and a golfer’s personal hitting strength (how far a golfer typically hits each club).

Leupold GX-5i3

The TGR feature displays the adjusted “plays like” range, calculated from the laser-measured line-of-sight distance, incline or decline, trajectory of the ball, current temperature and specific altitude. Club Selector works the golfer’s specific hitting strength into the equation, plus TGR to the target, returning a recommending for the proper club for each shot.

The GX-5i3 weighs 7.3 ounces, is 3.8 inches long, 3 inches high and 1.4 inches wide. It’s waterproof and covered by Leupold’s Limited 5-Year Electronics Warranty. MSRP is $624.99.

In addition to the range-topping GX-5i3, the GX-1i3 and GX-2i3 feature new ergonomic design, as well as the PinHunter 3 Laser Technology.

“Golfers will appreciate the look, feel and handling of these new rangefinders,” Morrison says. “They have all the distance, speed and accuracy to help take any golfer’s game to the next level and with the GX-2i3, you have customization features that make it like a personal caddie who really knows your game and can take the measure of any course.”

The GX-1i3 provides line-of-sight distance measurement only and is tournament legal. The GX-2i3 adds Leupold’s TGR and Club Selector features.

Leupold GX-1i3

Leupold GX-2i3

Both models weigh 6.8 ounces and measure 4 inches long, 2.5 inches high and 1.5 inches wide and feature the same warranty as the GX-5i3. MSRP is $374.99 for the GX-1i3 and $414.99 for the GX-2i3.

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Ben Alberstadt

Ben Alberstadt is the Editor-in-Chief at GolfWRX, where he’s led editorial direction and gear coverage since 2018. He first joined the site as a freelance writer in 2012 after years spent working in pro shops and bag rooms at both public and private golf courses, experiences that laid the foundation for his deep knowledge of equipment and all facets of this maddening game. Based in Philadelphia, Ben’s byline has also appeared on PGATour.com, Bleacher Report...and across numerous PGA DFS and fantasy golf platforms. Off the course, Ben is a committed cat rescuer and, of course, a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. Follow him on Instagram @benalberstadt.

11 Comments

George Hanson

Jun 12, 2017 at 10:39 pm

BEWARE OF BUYING THIS DEVICE, THEY HAVE SHIPPED A TON OF THEM THAT ARE DEFECTIVE, A RECALL IS IN ORDER.

Took the plunge and paid up for this top of the line Leupold GX-5i3, my first Leupold product—off to a lousy start.

By design different functions (slope, beep, club recommendation, etc) can be controlled individually, not mine. Club recommendation function will not stay off, beep only works intermittently.

Called Leupold about it once, the person on their end of the line (Rep #1) had no idea how to operate the device, wanted me to mail it in (only had it 6 days). I suggested I would just go to the retailer and get another one. Lo and behold, I bought the only one they had put into stock.

Left it with the retailer, they were going to “call the rep”. Just to be sure I properly understand the functionality I call Leupold again and this time get a guy (Rep #2) who is an expert, he confirms that I have a bad unit.

Meantime the retailer calls Leupold, again they suggest a mail back and “repair”, now keep in mind this is a brand new unit, 1 week old. Retailer suggest offering me a brand new unit is the thing to do, Leupold balks.

Furthermore, Leupold offers up information that a large number of these were shipped with bad software. I follow up with another phone call and pretty sure I get Rep #1 again, totally unhelpful. He’s evasive, suggests I don’t know what I’m speaking of, intimates that they can’t ship a retailer a new unit without first having the old one in hand….complete waste of my time.

I also find out that Leupold rangefinders are not made in USA (all their rifle scopes are, I thought Leupold only sold Made in USA product) and again Rep #1 is evasive, won’t say where these units are made, generalizes with “multiple places across Asia”.

I believe Leupold has a big problem on their hands and are not willing to acknowledge it, they don’t want to have to take back a whole bunch of their top-of-the-line units and replace them, and then be put into a position of having to destroy bad units, or put them back out there as refurbished. Again, just how it appears to me.

My research indicated that Leupold are absolutely at the top if the heap in terms of customer service….

….that’s certainly not the experience I am having.

Reply Report comment
- George Hanson
  
  Jun 20, 2017 at 4:04 pm
  
  UPDATE: Exactly 3 weeks from the day of my initial purchase, today I have a new Leupold GX-5i3 in my possession.
  
  The path to getting here was downright unpleasant and overall my impression of Leupold’s customer service operations and people is not a good one. That said, in the end a supervisor names Allan got it right, but the path was way way bumpier than it needed to be. It has occurred to me that Rep #1 has a bright future as a political talking head because his ability to completely ignore what one says to him and keep plowing ahead with the at hand talking points, far surpasses that of anyone else I have ever dealt with permanently.
  
  A cursory check of this new unit shows it to be in working order, let’s hope that remains the case. If this one goes bad I doubt I will stick with Leupold…probably go back to Bushnell.
  
  Reply Report comment
ChristopherKee

Feb 3, 2017 at 8:47 pm

I’ve had my GX-1i and GX-2i in the bag for 6 or 7 years now and have never had a problem even when they have been rained on. They are both still going strong and I’ve only changed battery a couple times each in that span. (I average 70 rounds a year). 6x magnification is > than vibration when sorta hitting a flag.

Reply Report comment
AlmostScratchOnce

Feb 3, 2017 at 10:26 am

Sweet! Finally a range-finder that will help my game, with accuracy to 0.1 yard. I’ve been sick and tired of missing the flag by 0.3 yards (10″) on approaches that are longer than the measuring tape I keep on my belt. I can’t wait to peel $650 off for this gem!

P.T. Barnum was right…

Reply Report comment
Golfraven

Feb 2, 2017 at 5:12 pm

I´ve been using the Leupold GX-4i2 now for past 2-3 years and it is very reliable. Just surprised that they don’t offer the slope (smart key) feature in their GX-5i3 model. Otherwise pretty unchanged in design for the top rangefinder. For those prices I would rather go for an older model like the GX-4i2 which should be in the range of 400$ or buy second hand.

Reply Report comment
- Mat
  
  Feb 3, 2017 at 4:45 am
  
  Based on the new rules, it can just be switched on and off. The plates were always about USGA conformance. Now that they’re ok with a switch on the device, it’s all good. And don’t expect MSRP to survive long for them.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - golfraven
    
    Feb 3, 2017 at 2:43 pm
    
    Thanks for the info. Good to know!
    
    Reply Report comment
Double Mocha Man

Feb 2, 2017 at 12:52 pm

Looks like, from their press releases, they’ve hired someone from the TaylorMade marketing team.

Reply Report comment
TigerArmy

Feb 2, 2017 at 11:52 am

Why no vibration when locked on the pin like Bushnell? Should be standard on rangefinders!

Reply Report comment
- PAPAJOHICK
  
  Feb 3, 2017 at 12:31 pm
  
  Mine beeps so I would imagine this one does too. The crosshairs also change to a square when locking on to prism.
  
  Reply Report comment
JJ

Feb 2, 2017 at 7:26 am

I really don’t like seeing decimal places in my shots when there aren’t reflective markers on the pin. I do not need that. I would rather a whole number. But Leopold’s customer service and product quality is unmatched so I’m not going anywhere, just a thought

Reply Report comment

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Equipment

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