Have you ever been on the verge of taking a crucial golf shot only to discover that your rangefinder's battery has died? You're not the only golfer who's experienced this annoyance. Plenty of players are surprised by how quickly their rangefinder's battery depletes. But don't worry—resolving this issue is much easier than it seems. Here’s how to extend your rangefinder’s battery life and avoid mid-round frustration.
Why Does Your Golf Rangefinder Battery Die So Fast?
Common causes of power consumption
1. The device is turned on for a long time & used frequently
If the rangefinder is frequently used on the golf course to measure the distances of different targets, the internal measurement circuits, display screen and other components will continue to work, which will cause the battery power to be consumed quickly. For example, in a golf match, players who use the rangefinder multiple times per hole will consume significantly more battery power than players who use it less frequently.
Even if the rangefinder is not frequently measured, if it is turned on for a long time, the internal electronic components will still consume power to maintain system operation and display, which will also gradually reduce the battery power.
2. Display brightness
Most golf rangefinders have an adjustable display brightness feature. The higher the brightness, the more power the backlight behind the screen will use. Outdoors in bright sunlight, if you turn the display brightness up to full to see the data clearly, the battery will drain much faster than if you use a lower brightness setting.
3. Continue to use the Slope function
When the slope compensation function is turned on, this calculation process requires additional power support, which usually increases power consumption by more than 30% compared to the function of only measuring straight-line distance.
4. Environmental impact
Extreme temperature conditions can affect battery performance. In low temperature environments, the chemical reaction rate inside the battery will slow down, the internal resistance of the battery will increase, resulting in a decrease in the amount of power the battery can provide, and the battery power consumption will also increase.
For example, in the cold winter, the battery life of a golf rangefinder may be significantly reduced. In high temperature environments, the battery's self-discharge rate will accelerate, which will also cause the battery power to be consumed faster.
5. Battery quality and life
Different brands and qualities of batteries have different characteristics such as energy density and internal resistance. Using inferior batteries, the internal resistance is larger, and more heat will be generated during the discharge process, thus consuming more electricity.
And as the number of times the battery is used increases and time passes, the performance of the battery will gradually decline, and the battery capacity will decrease, which means that the battery can store less power and may run out of power faster during use.
6 Tips to Extend Your Glof Rangefinder’s Battery Life
1. Choose high-quality batteries and charge them correctly
Most high-end rangefinders use CR2 lithium batteries. High-quality batteries have longer service life and more stable voltage output. Suggestion: pay attention to the production date when purchasing batteries. Fresh batteries perform better.
If it is a rechargeable battery, follow the correct charging method. Do not overcharge or over-discharge, try to charge the battery when the power is low but not completely exhausted, and unplug the charger in time after it is fully charged.
2. Proper use of equipment
Turn off the power in time: After completing a measurement, turn off the rangefinder in time. Do not leave the device on for a long time, especially when you are not playing or taking a break, so as to avoid unnecessary battery consumption when the battery is idle.
Although the slope compensation function is practical, it will greatly increase power consumption.
It is recommended to turn off this function in the following situations：
- When participating in an official competition (this feature is disabled in most competitions)
- When using on a flat court
- When the battery is low
3. Enable the Auto-Shutdown feature
Most modern rangefinders have an auto-off feature, but it needs to be set manually.
For example:
Bushnell: usually 8-30 seconds
Nikon: default 15 seconds auto-off
Gogogo Sprot Vpro GS91: default 8 seconds auto-off when not in use
4. Proper storage in winter
Low temperatures are the number one enemy of batteries. When using in winter:
- Put the device in your underwear pocket to keep warm
- Remove the battery when not in use
- Avoid prolonged exposure to low temperatures
5. Carry spare batteries or power bank
Even with proper care, batteries will eventually wear out. We recommend:
- Carry 1-2 new batteries each time you go
- Store spare batteries in a small sealed bag to protect them from moisture
- Pay attention to the battery expiration date
If it is a rechargeable battery, you can charge it at any time. You need to carry a charging cable and a mobile power bank
6. Clean the battery contacts regularly
Dust or oxide accumulation will affect current transmission and cause additional power consumption. Clean the battery compartment contacts with a cotton swab dipped in a small amount of alcohol every month to maintain optimal conductivity.
When to Replace Your Battery
Display prompts: Most modern golf rangefinders will have a specific prompt symbol on the display when the battery is low. When you see such a prompt, you should prepare to replace the battery to avoid a sudden power failure during use.
Degraded measurement performance: If you find that the rangefinder's measurement accuracy has decreased, the measurement distance has become shorter, or it takes longer than usual to give a measurement result, this may be caused by low battery. At this time, you can consider replacing the battery even if there is no display prompt.
The usage time is significantly shortened: If under normal use, the battery life of the rangefinder is significantly shorter than before, for example, it could be used for multiple golf games after a single charge or battery replacement, but now it can only be used once or a few times before it runs out of power, this indicates that the battery life has decreased and the battery needs to be replaced.
The device frequently shuts down automatically: When the battery power is too low, it may not be able to provide a stable power supply to the rangefinder, causing the device to frequently freeze, restart or other abnormal phenomena. If these situations occur, after eliminating other possible causes of the fault, the battery should be replaced in time.
Frequently asked questions
Q: How long does a rangefinder battery usually last?
A: Under normal use, a good quality CR2 battery will last 6-12 months, depending on frequency of use and ambient temperature.
Q: Why do new batteries not last long?
A: It may be a counterfeit battery or a faulty device. It is recommended to purchase from regular channels and check the device.
Q: Will the golf rangefinder shut down automatically?
A: Most high-end models will shut down automatically, but check your settings.
Q: What is the battery life of the gogogo sport vpro golf rangefinder?
A: For battery-powered golf rangefinders, we will give you a CR2 battery (e.g. Gogogo Sport Vpro GS06CA), which usually lasts for 6-12 months. If you use the rangefinder frequently, the battery life may be shortened to 3-6 months.
For rechargeable golf rangefinders, such as Gogogo Sport Vpro GS19, a single charge may support 5-10 rounds (about 2-4 weeks) under normal use. If you use the rangefinder frequently, the battery life may be reduced to 2-5 rounds (or 1-2 weeks).
