GolfBuddy has been making a range of golf GPS devices since 2008. Now, for the 2013 season, the company has launched their first laser DMD (Distance Measuring Device), the LR3.
The LR3 refers to "Laser Rangefinder" and 3 is in reference to the year it is launched, i.e. 2013.
The compact, lightweight design is aimed towards better golfers, who demand the ultimate on-course yardage accuracy. John Ennis, GolfBuddy's Head of Sales and Marketing, says:
"The launch of our first laser is in direct response to extensive research carried out by GolfBuddy in Europe which tells us where the DMD market is heading and what types of golfers prefer which devices."
"Our award-winning handheld and wearable GPS devices are much more popular than lasers with higher-handicap category 3 and 4 players, although they are used by a significant number of better players too.
"But lasers are very popular with category 1 and 2 players and we wanted to make sure we had a product that appealed directly to these golfers, who aren't as wayward as higher handicappers and are therefore more often in a position to attack the pin."
Weighing just 200 grams (7oz), the LR3 can display distance in yards or metres with a 6x magnification. The 23mm objective lens offers golfers a 7-degree field of view and can be easily used by glass-wearers.
Ennis said "Research tells us that lasers are required to be accurate, easy to use and fast so to guarantee supreme accuracy we have equipped our LR3 rangefinder with three distance-finding modes to cater for every serious golfer's requirements."
'Normal' mode provides distances to a single point, such as the flag, the bank of a hazard, face of a bunker or a dogleg point. 'Flag' mode does what it says, specifically picking up the flagstick whilst ignoring background objects, such as trees or bushes behind the green. Lastly, in 'Scan' mode a 10-second display of all the objects is shown, allowing golfers to move the device around and understand the yardages to various areas of the hole.
With no subscription costs, hidden fees or annual membership, the GolfBuddy LR3 is ready to use out the box.