Nikon 440 ProStaff Laser Range Finder
Posted by GolfReviews on September 30, 2009 · 3 Comments
Product Description
Nikon is a precision optical company with worldwide manufacturing, research and marketing capabilities. The Nikon name is equated with extraordinary photographic performance, innovation, precision and optical quality.PRODUCT FEATURES: Incredible yard accuracy; Original Digital Processor; 8 power Multicoated optics; Ranges distances from 11- 440 yards; Focusing Diopter; Scanning Capability; Water Resistant; Lightweight 7oz; Battery Included.
I don’t understand people talking bad about this rangefinder who are using it for golf.
Do you use a fork to eat soup?
The difference between a hunting rangefinder and golfing rangefinder is a hunting is made to look for the farthest object instead of shrubs, trees, thicket that may be in the way of your target. (You are usually hunting in the woods and don’t need the range for the closest tree)
Golfing rangefinders are programmed to find the distance of the closest object since objects shouldn’t be obtructing your view of the tee.
This is a very simple to use rangefinder and great for hunting game.
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Only buttons are power/scan button and mode button.
Hold mode while finder is on to change between yards or meters.
Press the power button to turn on. Acquire your target and press again for reading or hold it to scan objects in the distance.
Unit powers down in 8 seconds if no action is taken.
*Pros
Simple
Accurate
WORKS
*Cons
Eye relief could be larger for those who wear glasses (if you don’t…not a problem)
Conclusion: Great rangefinder at a great price (comes with nice belt carry bag too!) If you are looking for a golf rangefinder….look elsewhere because this is NOT one.
Not to happy with product wanted it for golf to find the distance to the flag stick but this range finder can not pick out the stick and always picks up a bigger object behind the flag.the only way it works is if there are people on the green and then i can scope the person on the green and get my yardage.I would not have gotten it if i knew this would happen
I have compared the Nikon ProStaff Laser Rangefinder 440 to a Nikon Prostaff 550 and a Bushnell Yardage Pro Sport 450, using all three on the same targets.
Note: I have NOT tried these units on a golf course. All three units are made in China.
The Nikon 550 is a very capable laser range finder, and is very similar in ability to the Nikon 440.
The main differences between the two are the slightly greater range of the 550 model.
Despite the understatement of the advertising, I have ranged out to 706 yards with the Nikon 550, and 545 yards with the Nikon 440.
Dark trees can be ranged up to about 400 yards with the Nikon 550, and 330 yards with the Nikon 440. Deer can be ranged to 300 yards reliably with both. The 550 model has a magnification of 6X and the 440 unit is 8X and I greatly prefer the 8X view of the Nikon 440.
Both have a diopter adjustment which is adequate for my eyeglass correction of +5 diopters with and without my glasses.
I also find the long rubber eyepiece of the 550 unit difficult to use if I change to and from eyeglasses, as I do not like to keep folding the rubber down, and I know from experience that you can fold these type of eyepieces only so many times before the rubber (or vinyl) cracks.
Ranging Performance is:
Dark trees: Nikon 550 400 yards, Nikon 440 330 yards
Telephone poles: Nikon 550 430 yards, Nikon 440 360 yards
Deer: unobstructed medium deer, both 300 yards
Dark shrubs: Nikon 550: 400 yards, Nikon 440 350 yards
Light colored buildings: Nikon 550 535 yards, Nikon 440 453 yards
Very reflective targets: trucks, Nikon 550 706 yards, Nikon 440 535 yards
They both acquire targets well and range accurately when compared to other units.
I am biased toward the Nikon 440 unit, because:
1. it is smaller and handier
2. It has 8X magnification which I really like and use (and need)
2. It is adequate for anything out to 300 yards and often 400 yards
3 It costs about 60 dollars less than the Nikon 550
5. The battery compartment screws down 3 turns and seems better sealed than the 1/4 turn compartment of the Nikon 550
6. The optics are virtually the same on both except for magnification. Both are clear and bright.
7. Generally, the range is perhaps 15 or 20 percent more for the Nikon 550 unit due to the higher laser power (15 watts pulse vs the 8.5 watts pulse of the 440 unit).
Other Notes;
The Bushnell Yardage Pro Sport 450 is not anywhere in the same league as the other two, despite the price (I paid 179). The Bushnell will not read beyond 230 yards on any but the most reflective target, despite what the advertising says. The longest range I could measure with it was 330 yards and that on a reflective sign. This unit is supposed to range up to 800 yards (732 meters)! It will range a tree up to 200 yards as claimed, but the best it will do on medium deer is 140 yards. It is a 4 power monocular, and will range down to 6 yards, the others will range as close as 11 yards (M). This Bushnell is by far the lowest quality of any unit I have seen. Bushnell claims water resistance, but there are various entry points for water, and if the unsealed battery compartment is opened, green circuit board is visible. If the rubber eyepiece protector is removed (all too easily) the optics are exposed and vulnerable. There is absolutely nothing to protect the electronics and optics from water and moisture. That along with very poor ranging capabilities make this Bushnell Yardage Pro Sport 450 nothing more than a child’s toy, albeit an expensive one.