Cigman CT-1200 Pro Budget Golf Rangefinder Review
I tested this sub-$100 rangefinder for accuracy, speed, and on-course performance.
On paper, the Cigman CT-1200 Pro could be a game-changing rangefinder. We all know rangefinders speed up play by eliminating the need to hunt for yardage markers and pace off distances. They also remove the frustrating right-swing-wrong-club miss from your game.
So why doesn’t every player use one? Price. Tour-level units start around $300 and climb past $600. Even “budget” options hover around $200.
But Cigman is taking that hurdle out of the equation. I’ve tested several sub-$100 Cigman rangefinders, and when I heard about the new Cigman CT-1200 Pro with an HD screen, I couldn’t wait to put it through its paces.
After a few rounds and plenty of side-by-side testing, here’s what I found.
How We Test Rangefinders
Every rangefinder we review is tested both on the course and in a controlled environment with precisely measured distances. This testing verifies accuracy within inches and compares performance across key categories like speed, optics, and ease of use. Learn more about how we test rangefinders.
Cigman CT-1200 Pro Specs, Pros & Cons
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Specs:
- Slope: Yes
- Magnet: No
- Battery: USB-C rechargeable (20,000 measurements per charge)
- Range: 1,312-yard range
Pros:
- Accurarate within 1-2 yards
- Lightweight and compact
- USB-C rechargeable
- Easy slope on/off toggle
- Convenient HD screen
- Case included
- Exceptional value
- IP54 protection
Cons:
- No magnet for mounting
- Optics are average
At first glance, the only thing the CT-1200 Pro is missing is a magnetic mount, which until now, I thought was standard on every new rangefinder these days. Even though the optics are average, I really only notice the optics if they’re exceptionally good or exceptionally bad, and the CT-1200 Pro falls into neither of those categories.
But rangefinders prove themselves on the course. In addition to relying on the CT-1200 for multiple rounds on the course, I compared it head-to-head to my trusty Shot Scope Pro X rangefinder to test its speed, accuracy, and playability.
The number of rangefinders I’ve tested in the last 18 months is now somewhere in the double-digits, although certainly closer to 10 than 99, I have still gained a strong sense of how a rangefinder should perform to standout at every price point. Here’s how the Cigman CT-1200 Pro performed on the golf course.
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Cigman CT-1200 Pro Complete Scorecard
Cigman CT-1200 Pro
Total Score: 76/100
Best For: Value & easy-to-read optics
Price: $89 | CHECK TODAY'S PRICE
| Accuracy | 7/10 |
| Optics | 7/10 |
| Ease of Use | 9/10 |
| Features | 8/10 |
| Speed | 9/10 |
| Magnet | 1/10 |
| Triangulation Bonus | NA |
| Performance Score | 75 |
| Value Score | 8.5 |
| Total Score | 77/100 |
The easy-to-read external display screen makes this rangefinder great for players who prefer larger fonts. The lack of a magnet makes this both lightweight and less convenient for riders, positioning the Cigmant CT-1200 Pro as an ideal unit for walkers, particularly those seeking a rangefinder under $100.
Accuracy: 7/10
Before I compared the Cigman CT-1200 Pro to the Shot Scope Pro X for an accuracy test, I took it straight to the course. And I have to admit, mid-way through that round, I was questioning the accuracy.
On one hole after shooting the flag, I pulled a 6-iron thinking that a perfect strike would get me to the back hole location, and anything less would still reach the green. I hit it good, although short of perfect, and flew the green. Two holes later I hit a 9-iron somewhat off the toe, and was begging it to cover the false front, only to see it finish hole-high on the back third of the green.
That’s when the skepticism set in. I figured the measurements must be a little longer than the true distance.
But I was wrong. I got home and compared it head-to-head with the Shot Scope unit that I know is accurate, and every measurment I got from the two devices were within one yard of each other from 200 yards away. That goes for both slope-adjusted distances and straight measurements.
That confirmed the issue was my distance control, not the CT-1200 Pro’s accuracy.
When we took the CT-1200 Pro to a controlled, pre-measured environment, it was accurate to within 1-2 yards and scored a 7 out of 10 in our accuracy test.
Cigman CT-1200 Review: Full-Featured Rangefinder Under $90
Speed & Feedback: 9/10
To briefly expand on my head-to-head comparison with my trusted Shot Scope Pro X rangefinder, the Cigman CT-1200 Pro was just as fast at cranking out measurements, and has the added bonus of a satisfying vibration when each measurement is secured.
The CT-1200 Pro returns measurements within about a half-second, which is consistent with the best units we've tested and worth a 9/10 in our speed scoring.
User Experience & Ease of Use: 9/10
The HD screen might sound like a luxury, but it won’t be long until you appreciate it.
It’s a feature I’ve never wanted for with any other rangefinders I’ve tested, but I have to admit it came in handy often with the Cigman CT-1200 Pro. Sometimes I’ll shoot a target then completely forget the number (or confuse the adjusted and straight distances) by the time I’m grabbing a club. Other times I’ll shoot a target and grab a club, then forget the number before a partner asks for it. Either way, it’s convenient having both adjusted and straight distances display on the HD screen of the CT-1200 Pro.
That screen also comes in handy for players who find it easier to read numbers on a bright, digital display than through a scope.
I mentioned earlier that the optics are unspectacular. I never had an issue focusing or locking a target with the CT-1200 Pro, but now that I’ve seen my share of rangefinders, including some with super-premium optics, it’s clear that the optics here are merely average. Nothing better, nothing worse.
At the end of the day, the CT-1200 Pro is a super-convenient rangefinder. It’s accurate, super quick, has a handy screen, passable optics, and is a walker’s friend.
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A Walker's Friend
I think the Cigman CT-1200 Pro is a great option for players who primarily walk, and there are a few reasons for this.
First, I was surprised at how much I didn’t miss having a magnetic mount with this unit. I primarily walk the course, so I don’t need to slap the rangefinder on a cart. When I used a push cart, the CT-1200 Pro easily fit into the console. When I carried my bag, it easily fit into my convenient rangefinder pocket which also kept it easily accessible.
For walkers, that magnet really isn’t necessary. If you usually use a cart, then it’s a factor you’ll want to consider.
The second piece of the puzzle that makes this a great unit for walkers is the size and weight. It might not sound like a big deal, but the CT-1200 Pro only weighs 141 grams. That’s more than 100 grams lighter than the Shot Scope unit I compared it to, which checked in at 243 grams.
If you like to walk, shedding extra weight adds up, and 100 grams is noticeable.
This unit is almost making me rethink my stance that all modern rangefinders should come standard with a magnetic mount.
The profile is compact without feeling too small. It’s about 3.5 inches long and just over 2 inches tall. It still fits comfortably in your hands, but it also stores easy in a small rangefinder pocket of a golf bag or the console of a push cart. For comparison sake, it’s about a half-inch smaller on both measurements than the footprint of a standard unit.
Who Should Consider the Cigman CT-1200 Pro?
There’s a lot to like about the Cigman CT-1200 Pro. On paper, it has a lot to offer, and my testing backed up that it does what it says it does. However, it’s not ideal for every player.
Here’s who I think this rangefinder is the best fit for:
- Players who primarily walk or don’t need a magnetic cart mount
- Players who want the benefits of a rangefinder without spending over $100
- Players who have a hard time reading numbers through a traditional scope
- Players who priortizie value and convenience over premium optics
On the other hand, players who typically use a cart and prioritize the convenience of a strong magnet to mount the rangefinder on the cart bar, and those who prefer the sharpest optics, should consider options like the Shot Scope Pro L5, which has a strong magnet, the best optics of any rangefinder I’ve tested, and still checks in around $200.
Shot Scope Pro L5 Review: Course Tested & Unbiased
Set Your Sights
Truth be told, there’s not much you have to sacrifice to score a good deal on a good rangefinder. If you can live without a magnetic mount – and if you’re a walker, I suspect that’s no issue – then a compact, lightweight, and reliable rangefinder like the Cigman CT-1200 Pro is an excellent option, and you can get it for less than $80 after discounts.
The verdict is in, the Cigman CT-1200 Pro is not just a great rangefinder on paper, it lives up to the expectations on the golf course as well.