I'll admit it – when I initially heard about another "revolutionary" rangefinder hitting the market, I rolled my eyes. After testing dozens of these devices over the years, from the Bushnell Tour V6 to the Voice Caddie TL1, I thought I'd seen it all. But then I powered on the Pinned Prism+ for the initial time, and that 4K OLED screen stopped me in my tracks.
Look, I'm not usually one to get excited about display technology in golf equipment. It's a rangefinder, not a smartphone, right? Wrong. The moment I looked through that viewfinder on a bright Florida morning, everything changed. The clarity was unlike anything I'd experienced before – crisp, lively, and so clear it almost felt like cheating. Those little yellow flags that usually blur together at 150+ yards? Crystal clear. The subtle contours of bunkers and water hazards? Visible in detail I didn't know I was missing. After years of squinting through traditional LCD displays (and yes, even some of the premium ones), this felt like switching from standard definition to 4K television for the initial time.
Master your golf game with the Pinned Prism+ golf rangefinder, delivering precise distance readings and effortless targeting for every shot.
Here's where most rechargeable rangefinders lose me – they promise the world but die after 30 rounds. I've been burned before (looking at you, unnamed budget brands that shall remain nameless), so when Pinned claimed their Prism+ would last 65-70 rounds per charge, I was skeptical. Time for some real-world testing.
I deliberately didn't charge this thing for two months. That's eight Saturday rounds, six Thursday league nights, and countless range sessions where I'm constantly zapping targets to dial in my distances. The Prism+ kept going like the Energizer bunny. Around round 62, I ultimately saw the low battery indicator, and even then, it pushed through three more rounds before I plugged it in. The USB-C charging is a godsend too – 45 minutes from dead to full. Compare that to my old laser that needed overnight charging with a proprietary cable I'd constantly lose, and you'll understand why this matters.
But here's the kicker – the auto-shutoff feature actually works without being annoying. It knows when you're between shots and powers down, then instantly springs back to life when you pick it up. No waiting, no lag, just instant readiness when you need it. This isn't just convenient; it's why the battery lasts so long in the initial place.
Let me illustrate a scene. You're standing on the 12th tee at your local track, the one with the massive oak tree hanging over the right side of the green. With my old rangefinder, I'd spend 30 seconds trying to get it to ignore that tree and lock onto the flag. The Prism+'s Initial Target Acquisition technology? Point, click, pulse, done. Every single time.
Now, I need to be honest here – it's not the absolute fastest lock-on I've tested. The Bushnell Pro XE still edges it out by maybe half a second. But what the Prism+ lacks in pure speed, it makes up for in consistency. I never have to second-guess whether I hit the flag or the trees behind it. That vibration pulse (which is surprisingly strong) confirms the lock immediately, and the yardage matches my Voice Caddie TL1 within a yard or two every time I've cross-checked. The PinnedLock vibration feature provides tactile confirmation that you've locked onto your target, eliminating any doubt about your distance reading.
The 7x magnification is the sweet spot too. Some rangefinders go crazy with 8x or even 10x magnification, but unless you have surgeon-steady hands, that extra zoom just amplifies every tiny movement. At 7x, I can clearly see the flag at 200+ yards without feeling like I'm trying to hold a telescope steady during an earthquake. It's these little details that show Pinned actually tested this thing with real golfers, not just in a lab.
I used to be the guy frantically patting down his pockets on the tee box, trying to remember where I stashed my rangefinder. The built-in magnet on the Prism+ has completely eliminated this annoying ritual from my golf routine. Approach shot? Click it to the cart frame. Walking the course? It sticks right to my 7-iron shaft while I'm putting.
Here's where I need to level with you, though – the magnet isn't quite as strong as the one on the Precision Pro NX10. On bumpy cart paths, I've had the Prism+ fall off once or twice. But for 95% of situations, it holds firm and keeps the rangefinder exactly where I need it. The real genius is how they integrated the magnet without adding bulk. This thing still slides into your pocket easily when needed (unlike some magnetic models that feel like carrying a brick). The BITE magnet technology found in premium models like the Bushnell Pro X3+ has set a high bar, but Pinned's implementation comes remarkably close at a fraction of the price.
The MagClose case deserves a mention here too. That magnetic closure is so satisfying – like closing a luxury car door. It protects the lens perfectly and the whole package feels premium in a way that the price doesn't quite suggest. Small details, but they add up to an experience that feels more expensive than it is.
Every rangefinder has slope these days, but Pinned did something clever with the Prism+ that more companies should copy. There's a physical switch on the side that toggles slope on and off, and when it's off, you're 100% tournament legal. No red lights, no complicated button sequences – just flip the switch.
The slope calculations themselves are spot-on. Playing my home course last week, there's a par 3 that plays 165 yards according to the card but sits about 20 feet uphill. Every club in my bag has been thrown at this hole over the years, and I've ultimately learned it plays about 178. The Prism+ slope adjustment? 177 yards. That's the kind of accuracy that actually helps you score better, not just some marketing gimmick. What really impressed me was how the slope technology accounts for elevation not just on uphill and downhill shots, but also considers subtle lie angles that can affect your true playing distance.
My only gripe (and it's minor) is that the switch indicators could be clearer. In bright sunlight, it's hard to tell at a glance whether slope is on or off. A simple color change or more prominent marking would solve this. But honestly, after a few rounds, muscle memory takes over and you know which position is which.
Master your golf game with the Pinned Prism+ golf rangefinder, delivering precise distance readings and effortless targeting for every shot.
Yes, you can use the Pinned Prism+ Rangefinder in tournament play when you disable the slope mode. It's fully USGA tournament legal with slope turned off, providing only straight-line distances as required by official rules. You'll need to make sure the slope switch remains off throughout your tournament round. The device's vibration confirmation and accurate target acquisition make it ideal for competitive play. Always verify specific tournament rules before competing.
Your Pinned Prism+ rangefinder comes with a two-year warranty that covers defects in materials and workmanship. You'll need to keep your proof of purchase since the warranty only applies to original buyers. If you experience technical difficulties within those two years, you can submit a warranty claim through email with a description of the problem. The warranty doesn't cover cosmetic damage, normal wear and tear, or damage from misuse.
You'll find the Pinned Prism+ is water-resistant, not fully waterproof. It has an IPX54 rating, which means it's protected against water splashes from any direction but can't be submerged. You can confidently use it in rain and damp golf course conditions without worry. The sealed ports and sturdy casing protect the internal electronics from moisture, but you shouldn't expose it to heavy downpours or charge it when wet.
You'll get around 65 to 70 rounds on a single charge, which can last up to 18 months with regular play. That's exceptional compared to typical rechargeable rangefinders that only manage 40-50 rounds. The battery charges fully in just 45 minutes via USB-C, and you won't experience sudden power drops during extended sessions. The auto-shutdown feature when idle helps conserve battery life, ensuring you're always ready for your next round.
You can use the Pinned Prism+ with prescription glasses, though the manufacturer doesn't explicitly address glasses compatibility in their documentation. The 7x magnification and compact design should work for most glasses wearers, but there's no specified eye relief measurement or adjustable eyepieces. Since user reviews don't mention glasses-related problems, you'll likely find it comfortable for typical use. However, if you have particularly thick frames, you'll want to test the fit yourself.
At $249-260, the Pinned Prism+ sits in that sweet spot where you're not overpaying for a brand name, but you're getting genuinely premium features. After three months of testing, it's become my go-to rangefinder, even over models that cost twice as much.
This is perfect for the golfer who wants tour-level accuracy and features without the tour-level price tag. If you're someone who plays 2-3 times a week and values ease of use over having every possible bell and whistle, the Prism+ is a no-brainer. However, if you absolutely need scan mode for quick readings across multiple targets, or if you demand the strongest possible magnet for attachment, you might want to look at the Bushnell Pro XE or Precision Pro NX10 instead (though you'll pay considerably more). For everyone else? The Pinned Prism+ delivers where it counts – accurate distances, incredible visibility, and reliability that won't let you down when you need that essential yardage on 18.
