The Callaway LR550 is a decent attempt by Nikon to compete with the lower end ($200-$250) laser rangefinders from Bushnell and Leupold, The Bushnell Tour V2, Bushnell Medalist and the cheaper Leupold GX series.
The LR550 is a laser rangefinder that comes at a starting price of ca $230 (see below) and has a distinctive yellow color.
The main benefits of of the LR550 is its simplicity and easy of use along with its exceptional accuracy.
You will be able to find the flag stick or a bunker with .5 +/- accuracy between 22-99,5 yards and 1 +/- yard up to 500 which makes it among the most accurate rangefinders on the market within the price range.
The Callaway LR550 is a point and shoot rangefinder and has a scan mode and the popular PinSeeker which makes it great for finding the flag. You can with high accuracy find the flag from up to 550 yards and if you feel that you can not get a clear vision of the target from that distance you can zoom in up to 6x.
The LR550 on the field
When you use the LR550 you can choose from two main range finding modes:
(1) The target mode will give you an instant reading of the target that is nearest to you. This comes in handy when you have trees or other objects in the background that you do not want to get a reading on (Nikon calls this “First Target Priority Mode”). It can be very frustrating when you are trying to get a measure of the flag stick but end up geting a measure of a tree in the background.
(2) The continuous mode which starts out with a 8 second scan mode which gives you a constant reading of the objects that you point towards. This gives you the option to measure multiple targets before your next shot. You can find the bunker, the front, back and middle of the green as well as finding the flag. All within the same reading, that is a great feature.
The Callaway LR550 Flaws
However, despite all the great benefits to the LR550 there are some annoying flaws that you will have to be aware of. When it comes to user experience and over all built of the LR550 Nikon falls somewhat short when compared up against the competition. It is the overall structure and user experience that fails. The built is weak and this is not something that you want to drop on concrete as it might break. The eyepiece is rather loose and if you don´t watch out it might fall of. This is very annoying and as this is a rangefinder intended for outside use and it is very easy to loose the eyepiece if you are not paying attention, which you might not be while focusing on playing golf.
The Yellow Color
The Callaway LR550 Rangefinder by Nikon seems to divide people into two groups, those that hate the yellow color and those that love it but in the end it comes down to personal preference.
Some say that the yellow color makes it hard to loose because you will always notice it lying around. It will also remind you not to leave it behind because you will always notice it so it will not be stolen because you have a constant reminder in front of you.
Others say that the yellow color makes it more likely to be stolen as it brings unwanted attention that makes it hard to leave behind, you cant even leave it in the golf bag because it has already brought the attention if someone was going to take it.
Then there are those that say that it is just plain ugly and they would never be seen with it on the green.
Note that the Callaway LR550 is also available in white (with Amazon) but for a price that is close to $300 which is almost $70 more that you would pay for the standard yellow type.
The Verdict
The Callaway LR550 Laser rangefinder is a decent attempt from Nikon to produce a rangefinder that can compete with the lower end rangefinders from Bushnell and Leupold. While the Callaway LR550 is in many ways a excellent product but falls somewhat short in some basic areas which make the Callaway LR550 a lesser version to its competitors in this price range.
Bushnell and Leupold might give you more in terms of options and user experience but when it comes down to it the Callaway LR550 delivers accuracy and is very simple to use. For those that want a point and shot laser rangefinder that is simple to operate with the popular PinSeeker technology but no not mind a few minor bugs (eyepiece) or the yellow color then the Callaway LR550 Rangefinder by Nikon might be a good option.
Pros:
- Very simple to use
- Very easy to use
- Durable and waterproof
- Good price
- Accurate
- Yellow color
Cons:
- Eyepiece might fall of
- Could be built better
- Yellow color
- White version expensive
Callaway LR550 Rangefinder Specifics
The Callaway LR550 Laser Rangefinder is in the lower to middle range of laser rangefinders which has some useful features that can be of great benefit to any golfer.
Magnification: The Callaway LR550 has an impressive 6x magnification that works really well when you want to zoom in on targets. It comes with a long eye relief with a folding rubber eyecup which can be very useful for those that wear eyeglass. This has however been a major problem with the Callaway LR550 as there have been multiple complaints that the eye relief has a weak built and tends to fall of. The GolfReviewGuide did not have this problem when testing but the front rubber seems very weak and it seems that Nikon could have put more effort into making it stronger. A rangefinder is something that you take with you for a outdoor sport and needs to be stronger than that.
Range: Can find a yardstick from up to 550 yards.
Battery: Uses 3v lithium batteries which are included.
Accuracy: Great accuracy and ranks among the better in this price range.
Orientation: Vertical
Measures: The Callaway LR550 is very small and light, it is easy to handle.
Warranty: Comes with a 1-year warranty. Note that most competitive products, such as the Bushnell Tour V2 and the Bushnell Medalist, come with a standard 2-year warranty.
Screen: Has a LCD screen that will show you when measuring is in progress, very useful in scan mode
Contionous/scan mode: Yes
Rain mode: No, it does not have special rain mode.
Pinseeker: Finding the pin or the flag is very fast and easy.
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