Pinned Prism Plus Rangefinder Review - Worth Your Money?

You know that friend who shows up to the course with neon gear and plays music from their cart? That's basically Pinned Golf in company form. They burst onto the scene in 2018 with a simple goal - why the hell are we paying half a grand for rangefinders?

Here's what makes them different though. Sure, tons of companies claim they're the "affordable option," but Pinned actually brings something else to the table. They're making golf gear that looks like it belongs in 2024, not 1984. Think bright colors, clean logos, and designs that won't make you look like your dad's golf buddy.

Their vibe matches perfectly with the new wave of golf - you know, the crowd rocking hoodies instead of polos and wearing Jordans on the tee box. Not everyone's cup of tea, and you'll definitely get some side-eye from the traditionalists, but who cares when you're having fun?

Now they've dropped their newest rangefinder, the Prism+, and things just got interesting. For just thirty bucks more than their last model, you're getting some serious tech upgrades. We're talking a crisp 4K OLED screen and 7x magnification that'll make you feel like you've got binoculars strapped to your face.

Here's the million-dollar question though - does this thing actually work when you need it? Because let's be real, at this price point, you're still looking at more cash than those super-cheap models on Amazon, even if it's way less than the premium brands charging mortgage payments for their gear.

Time to dig into whether this rangefinder is worth your hard-earned beer money or if you should keep shopping around.

You know what catches your eye right away with the Prism+? It's not another boring black box like every other rangefinder out there.

While most golf gear makers play it safe with dull grays and blacks (maybe throwing in a tiny splash of color if they're feeling wild), Pinned said "screw that" and went all-in with bright, single-color designs.

You've got seven choices to pick from: Navy, Red, White, Black, Green, Pink, and a Stars-and-Stripes model for the patriotic crowd. I've been testing the Red version, though honestly it's more like a red-orange hybrid. Either way, you'll spot this thing from across the parking lot!

Each model rocks just one solid color all over, except for Pinned's stylish script logo. No busy patterns or weird color combos - just clean, bold simplicity.

Here's what Pinned figured out - golf's getting more fun and less stuffy these days. Your rangefinder doesn't have to look like it belongs in a boardroom. Yeah, sure, this vibe probably hits harder with younger players, but c'mon - if you're wearing Jordan golf shoes at 55, you'll dig this too. It's all part of that same "golf but make it cool" movement.

Now let's talk about how it feels in your hands. The build's solid - definitely good quality for what you're paying. Is it gonna feel as premium as a Bushnell or Garmin? Nah. Even the Shot Scope Pro ZR at a similar price feels a bit more refined. But you're not getting ripped off either.

Here's where things get interesting though. For the money you're spending, the Prism+ brings something special to the table that goes way beyond just looking cool. There's a performance angle here that actually matters for your game.

You know that feeling when you're expecting something to be all style and no substance? That's exactly what I thought about this rangefinder before I actually got my hands on it. Figured the sleek design was the whole selling point, and I'd be done talking about it in five minutes.

Boy, was I wrong.

Here's the deal - this thing packs 7x magnification with a 4K OLED display, and it'll only set you back $259.99. To put that in perspective, most rangefinders under 300 bucks give you 6x magnification at best. Hell, even some that cost $350 or more stick with 6x. That extra magnification? It makes a real difference when you're trying to lock onto the flag from 200 yards out.

The display absolutely blew me away. When you peek through that viewfinder, everything's ridiculously sharp and clear. The red numbers practically jump out at you against the background - no squinting or second-guessing what you're reading. Even when I was ranging targets way out there, checking distances felt less like work and more like using some high-tech toy.

I've looked through plenty of rangefinders, including ones that cost twice as much, and this screen ranks right up there with the best of them.

You've got five brightness levels to play with, which you can cycle through without taking your eye off the target. I'm a fan of cranking it up to the brightest setting, but you might want something different depending on whether you're playing in bright sun or cloudy conditions. Plus, you can twist the eyepiece left or right to dial in the focus perfectly for your eyes.

Now, Pinned makes a cheaper model called the standard Prism that goes for $229. It's got an HD LCD screen instead of OLED, and trust me, the difference is night and day. That extra 30 bucks for the Prism+ gets you a display that's worth every penny.

When you start comparing prices across the board, this thing becomes even more appealing. Look at something like Bushnell's Pro X3+LINK - that beast costs $599.99. Sure, it's packed with features the Prism+ doesn't have, like reading wind conditions and calculating adjusted distances based on elevation. But one of the big reasons people shell out for that Bushnell? The 7x magnification. Getting that same zoom power for $350 less makes the Prism+ a serious contender for anyone watching their budget.

You know what bugs me about the Prism+ rangefinder? They stuck their Pinned brand logo right in the middle of the viewfinder where you're trying to line up your shot. It's like those annoying dealer decals on your car's back window that you can never quite scrape off.

Every single time you peer through that lens to check your distance, there it sits - the logo floating above your crosshairs, yardage numbers, and battery indicator. Sure, it doesn't actually block your view of anything important, but come on! When I'm trying to figure out if I need a 7-iron or an 8-iron, I don't need your company name burned into my retinas.

Here's what really gets me though - while Pinned's forcing you to stare at their logo, they're skimping on useful info. You'll see your straight-line distance, the slope-adjusted number if you've got that feature turned on, and how much juice is left in the battery. That's it.

Meanwhile, the Shot Scope Pro ZR (which costs about the same) actually tells you the exact degree of slope you're dealing with. The Voice Caddie Laser Fit does something similar - it'll show you exactly how many yards that uphill or downhill is adding or subtracting from your shot. And get this - the Laser Fit costs 60 bucks less than the Prism+.

Look, I'll be honest - knowing you're hitting 3 yards downhill when the rangefinder already shows 147 instead of 150 isn't exactly rocket science. You can probably do that math in your head between practice swings. But when other companies are giving you more information for the same price (or less), it makes you wonder what Pinned's priorities are.

The Voice Caddie even has this triangulation feature that lets you measure between multiple points. Pretty handy when you're trying to figure out carry distances over hazards.

But here's the thing - neither the Voice Caddie nor the Shot Scope comes close to matching how crisp and clear everything looks through the Prism+ lens. The display quality really is spectacular, which makes that logo situation even more frustrating.

Look, if you're the type who prefers traditional gear and gets annoyed by flashy golf attire, the Pinned Prism+ might make you cringe at first glance. You know those golfers who rock electric pink polos and patterns that could blind you? Yeah, this rangefinder's color scheme falls into that same bold category.

Here's the thing though - once you actually use this bad boy, you'll probably forget all about the loud aesthetics. The display quality is seriously impressive, especially when you consider what you're paying. We're talking crystal-clear readings that pop even in bright sunlight, making it super easy to grab your distance and pick the right club.

The mid-range rangefinder space is packed with options right now, but the Prism+ holds its own against pricier competitors. You're getting tour-level accuracy (within a yard) at a price that won't have your spouse questioning your sanity. The optics deliver 6x magnification, which means you can lock onto flags from way out - even those tucked behind bunkers that usually give you trouble.

What really sets it apart is how fast it acquires targets. You press the button, and boom - instant feedback with a vibration pulse that confirms you've locked onto the flag, not the tree behind it. That's huge when you're trying to speed up play or dealing with shaky hands after too much coffee at the turn.

Some traditionalists are definitely buying this purely for how well it performs, completely ignoring the funky color options. Can't blame them - when something helps you stick approach shots closer and avoid those dreaded three-putts, who cares if it looks like it belongs at a rave?

Bottom line: The Prism+ delivers where it counts, even if the style isn't everyone's cup of tea. At this price point, you're getting performance that rivals rangefinders costing twice as much.

You know how most rangefinder cases have those annoying clasps or zippers that take forever to open? Well, the Prism+ does something totally different – it's got this magnetic closure that honestly blew my mind.

Let me paint you the picture. The Bushnell case feels rock-solid, like it could survive being run over by a cart. The Prism+ isn't quite at that level – it's more like those Shot Scope cases you've probably seen. Good enough plastic, but nothing fancy.

Here's where it gets interesting though. That magnetic seal? It's brilliant. You just bring the flap near the case and – snap! – it seals itself completely. No gaps, no fumbling with zippers when you're trying to get to the next tee box.

The magnet's strong enough that your rangefinder isn't going anywhere, even if you toss your bag around. Opening it takes about half a second versus the three or four seconds you'd waste with traditional closures. Doesn't sound like much, but when you're trying to keep pace of play moving, every second counts, right?

My only gripe? They could've added a better pull tab. Sometimes when you're wearing your golf glove, that magnetic seal is actually tough to break open because there's not much to grab onto. You end up doing this weird fingernail thing to pry it apart.

Still, I'm convinced this magnetic design is the future. Once you use it, going back to zippers feels like going back to persimmon drivers. If other manufacturers are smart, they'll start copying this approach ASAP.

So Pinned decided to bump up their game with the Prism+ rangefinder, and you're looking at just 30 bucks more than their basic Prism. Not bad when you see what they've done here.

Remember how rangefinders usually have those two buttons sitting on top? Well, the old Prism had one that was basically useless - it just switched between yards and meters. You'd touch that thing maybe once in your life, right? The folks at Pinned finally got smart and tucked that switch inside the charging compartment where it belongs. Now you've got cleaner controls up top without that button taking up prime real estate.

Let's talk about the screen upgrade because this is where your extra money really shows up. They swapped out the regular HD display for a 4K OLED screen, and man, it's like going from your old tube TV to a brand new flatscreen. You'll actually see your target clearly even when the sun's trying to blind you out there.

They've slapped their logo on both sides now - it's this cursive font that's pretty understated. Inside the viewfinder though? Yeah, you'll see it there too, which might bug you a bit when you're trying to lock onto that flag.

The color game got serious with this model. They're offering some wild options now, and the red one I've been testing is straight-up bold. Here's something weird though - when you're standing in bright sunlight, that red starts looking more like a hunter's orange. Doesn't affect how it works, but if you're picky about your gear matching your bag, just know it's got some chameleon tendencies.

You know how rangefinders used to be hit-or-miss? Well, these days, unless you're buying the bargain-basement stuff, you're gonna get solid yardages. Sure, some of 'em get a bit confused when you're trying to zap something way out there, but when I've tested the decent ones - the kind you'd actually want in your bag - they're all pretty much on the money. Maybe a yard or two difference at most.

Here's the thing though - getting accurate distances is just table stakes now. What separates the okay ones from the great ones? It's the little stuff that matters when you're out there playing. How well they're built, what extra features they pack in, and whether you can actually see the numbers clearly when the sun's beating down on you.

Bushnell's been the big dog forever because they nail all that stuff. But man, they make you pay for it. The good news? There's a whole bunch of solid options now that won't require you to take out a second mortgage.

Enter Pinned, and they're doing something pretty cool. Instead of just making another boring black box, they went with these eye-catching colors that actually look good clipped to your bag. Smart move, honestly - why shouldn't your rangefinder look as good as your driver?

Their Prism+ model? At $260, it's sitting pretty in that sweet spot. The display is seriously crisp - like, you'll actually be able to read it without squinting, even with sweat dripping in your eyes on the back nine. And here's something wild - they threw in 7x magnification. Most rangefinders at this price point stick with 6x, so you're getting more zoom for your buck. Makes it way easier to lock onto that flag when you're 180 out.

Now, I'm not gonna tell you it's built like a tank or loaded with every bell and whistle out there. It's more middle-of-the-pack in those departments. But honestly? That's perfectly fine. You don't need a rangefinder that can survive a nuclear blast - you need one that gives you accurate numbers and doesn't frustrate you when you're trying to play fast.

If you're tired of guessing whether you're hitting 7-iron or 6-iron, this thing'll sort you out without breaking the bank. Just don't blame me when your buddies start asking to borrow it because theirs looks boring next to yours.

Let's talk about rangefinders for a minute. You know how the market's flooded with those sketchy $50 models that promise everything but deliver nothing? Yeah, those cheap knockoffs that die after three rounds and couldn't accurately measure your driveway, let alone a flagstick.

The Prism+ sits in completely different territory. This thing actually delivers on what it promises - imagine that in today's world of golf gadgets.

Here's what caught my attention right away: you're getting 65-70 rounds on a single charge. That's nuts compared to most rechargeable units that tap out around 40 rounds. Even Bushnell's bragging about their fancy new model hitting 50+ rounds, so the Prism+ putting up 65-70 is like your buddy who somehow always has gas money when everyone else is running on fumes.

You'll need about 45 minutes to juice it back up through the USB-C port. Pretty standard stuff there.

Now, I've always been the guy who swears by traditional battery-powered rangefinders. When those coin batteries last multiple seasons, why bother with charging cables, right? But man, getting 65-70 rounds between charges has me rethinking that stance. That's basically your entire summer without plugging in.

The lock-on speed sits right around average, maybe slightly quicker. Nothing that'll blow your mind, but it won't leave you standing there like an idiot pointing at the flag while your playing partners wait.

Here's my biggest gripe though - the vibration feedback when you nail your target feels like someone's whispering when they should be shouting. It's pathetically weak. Bushnell's units practically shake your hand off when they lock on, but even smaller rangefinders like the Laser Fit pack more punch than the Prism+. It's like getting a fist bump from a toddler.

You've got magnets built into both sides, which makes slapping this thing onto your cart a breeze. Pretty much everybody includes this feature now, but hey, it works.

There's a slope toggle switch on the side that makes it tournament-legal when you need it to be. The red version I tested doesn't make it super clear whether slope's engaged or not - you might squint at it wondering which mode you're in.

Weather-wise, they've given it an IP54 rating. In regular-person speak, that means dust won't mess with the guts and you're fine in light rain or if you accidentally splash it grabbing a beverage from the cooler.

The unit powers down automatically after 10 seconds of sitting idle. One quick button press wakes it right back up when you need your next distance.

But here's where the Prism+ really shines - two things make this rangefinder special.

First, the aesthetics. If you're tired of boring black boxes, these come in bright, bold colors that'll add some personality to your setup. It's like wearing loud golf shoes - sometimes you want your gear to make a statement.

Second, and way more important for your game, is that 4K OLED display with 7x magnification. Looking through this thing feels premium. The clarity makes picking out flags against busy backgrounds so much easier. Despite that weak vibration and the logo plastered in the viewfinder, I genuinely enjoyed pulling distances with the Prism+. The display quality alone makes those morning rounds when everything's covered in dew way less frustrating.

Bottom line? If you're shopping for a reliable rangefinder that won't crap out on you mid-season, the Prism+ delivers. The battery life crushes the competition, the display clarity helps you confidently pick targets, and it looks good doing it. Sure, the vibration feedback sucks and the logo in the display gets old, but for improving your distance control and speeding up play, this thing gets the job done without the headaches of those bargain-bin alternatives.

Absolutely, while the Pinned Prism+ Rangefinder is a great product, there are a few pros and cons that you need to be aware of:

Pros:

• Crystal-clear 4K OLED display with 7x magnification - Way better than most rangefinders under $300, making it easy to spot flags even in bright sun

• Insane 65-70 round battery life - Crushes the competition and means you won't be searching for charging cables mid-season

• Bold color options that stand out - Finally a rangefinder that doesn't look like every other boring black box on the course

Cons: 

• Weak vibration feedback - When it locks onto the flag, you'll barely feel it compared to other brands

• Annoying logo in the viewfinder - Pinned's branding sits right where you're trying to focus on your target

• Limited display information - Doesn't show slope degrees like similarly-priced competitors

Look, the Pinned Prism+ isn't perfect - that weak vibration and logo in the viewfinder might bug you at first. But here's the deal: for $260, you're getting a rangefinder with display quality that rivals units costing twice as much, battery life that'll last your entire season, and accuracy that's spot-on every time. Sure, it's got some bold styling that traditionalists might hate, but who cares when you're sticking approach shots closer and actually enjoying using your rangefinder? If you want premium performance without the premium price tag and don't mind a little personality in your golf bag, the Prism+ delivers where it counts. Just be ready for your playing partners to ask where you got that sweet-looking rangefinder.