Shot Scope Pro L5 Review: Course Tested & Unbiased
Does the new Shot Scope Pro L5 make the cut as one of the best budget rangefinders of the year?
For the second time in 2025, Shot Scope has released a new rangefinder. The new Shot Scope Pro L5 delivers the first OLED display in Shot Scope’s prestigious lineup, and comes in at a budget-adjacent price of $229.
I took the Pro L5 to the course over multiple rounds for testing, so let’s find out how it differs from Shot Scope’s other new rangefinder and whether it’s a good option for you.
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.
Features & Performance
SHOP SHOT SCOPE
15% OFF: GOLFLINK15
Power: CR2-3v battery (replaceable)
Slope: Yes
Tournament Legal: Yes (when slope is switched off)
Magnetic Mount: Yes
Pros:
- OLED screen is crisp and clear
- Strong magnet for mounting to cart
- Fast, accurate readings
- Slope switch on top of unit is easy to use
- 7x zoom is quite powerful
- 1300-yard range is well above industry standards
- Competitive price at $229
- Straightforward, easy-to-use unit that’s not too techy
Cons:
- Uses replaceable batteries (not rechargeable)
- Battery door can be tricky to open
- Red display can be hard to read against bright sky
The biggest highlight of the new Pro L5 is the OLED display, and it’s Shot Scope’s first rangefinder to feature this technology.
Beyond that, it’s got all the features you need, and nothing that you don’t. The slope switch on top toggles on and off easily so you can choose whether you want slope-adjusted distances or to play in tournament-legal mode.
The strong cart magnet keeps the rangefinder secure to any magnetic surface. It’s stronger than others I’ve tested this year.
Because the Pro L5 has scan mode, you can either shoot the flag directly or scan from one side of the flag to the other, and the unit will actually alert you via a vibration when you’ve shot the flag.
As with any Shot Scope product, you get access to the Shot Scope app, which complements the laser rangefinder with GPS distances and offers the ability to plan out your rounds and track your statistics.
Shot Scope Pro X Review: The New Customizable Rangefinder
Shot Scope Pro L5 Complete Scorecard
Shot Scope Pro L5
Total Score: 94/100
Best For: Precise accuracy, easy-to-read optics, tournament-ready
Price: $229 | CHECK TODAY’S PRICE
Discount Code: GOLFLINK15 (15% off at shotscope.com)
| Accuracy | 10/10 |
| Optics | 9/10 |
| Ease of Use | 10/10 |
| Features | 9/10 |
| Speed | 9/10 |
| Magnet | 10/10 |
| Triangulation Bonus | NA |
| Performance Score | 96 |
| Value Score | 8.2 |
| Total Score | 94/100 |
The Shot Scope Pro L5 stands out for its crystal-clear OLED optics and bulletproof accuracy. It’s an easy-to-use point-and-shoot unit that is perfect for the discerning player who wants a premium, reliable rangefinder under $250.
Best Golf Rangefinders (Tested & Ranked)
Shot Scope Pro L5 On-Course Review
I tested the Shot Scope Pro L5 on the course over multiple rounds, and used course markings, GPS readings (not to mention course knowledge from playing the same track countless times) to verify its accuracy.
My two biggest takeaways from testing the Pro L5 are: first, the OLED display is legitimately next-level. That deserves its own section, so I’ll cover that in a minute.
Second, the more rangefinders I test, the more of a less-is-more preference I develop, and the Pro L5 nails the exact right features a rangefinder should have, without adding any that it shouldn’t.
Specifically, the magnet is a non-negotiable. For me, a slope on-off switch on the outside of the unit instead of having to scroll through a digital menu, is also a non-negotiable.
Scan mode is also really nice to have because it’s easier than shooting a flagstick that’s maybe a half-inch wide from 200 yards away.
Aside from that and a brilliant display, this unit doesn’t bog you down with any confusing features. Even the “Mode” button only does one thing: switch from yards to meters. That’s what I’m talking about.
Sure, you can pony up for a hybrid rangefinder that pairs via Bluetooth to pull in GPS distances and show even more distances around the course. Or one that pulls in your launch monitor data to provide personalized club recommendations. Those are certainly cool and tech-forward devices, but sometimes, simpler is better.
Everybody has their own tech-tolerance, and the Pro L5 strikes mine perfectly. Plus, at $229, it’s on the fringe of what we’d consider a budget rangefinder, where we typically draw the line at $200.
With our 15% off code (GOLFLINK15), you can get this rangefinder for just under $200, which makes it one of the best value laser rangefinders of the year.
Shot Scope V5 GPS Golf Watch Life-Tested Review
Display & Optics
I’ve tested plenty of rangefinders in the last couple of years, from budget units that cost less than $100 to premium, $400 devices. Some claim to stand out for a crystal clear display, some use the most budget-friendly parts available.
Yet, I’ve always found the display to be serviceable. Never particularly great or particularly disappointing.
The Pro L5, however, is the first rangefinder I’ve tested that impressed me with its optics. The OLED display is the real deal. Coupled with the 7x zoom (most models I’ve tested this year are 6x zoom), the display is the best of any rangefinder I’ve tested.
The optics display in red instead of the traditional black, which creates a better contrast against green backgrounds, but can be harder to read against a bright sky. Given the terrain surrounding most of the holes I’ve played using the Pro L5, this is a net gain, with only a rare flag here or there popping up above the horizon.
The Pro L5 has a range of up to 1300 yards. I don’t have that kind of range and I’ve only used it to measure targets inside of 350 yards, but that capability still significantly exceeds most of the competition.
Design & Build Quality
The Shot Scope Pro L5 comes in two color options, black or white. Both feature minimal branding with just Pro L5 logo on one side and a monochromatic Shot Scope logo on the magnet on the other side.
As far as the shape, size, and weight go, it’s a middle-of-the-road unit. I’ve tested both bigger and smaller units, as well as lighter and heavier ones.
The textured outer casing is solid with a hint of grippiness to it if you really feel for it. The water resistance is rated as shower proof, and I interpret that to mean that if you’re playing in rain showers, it’s OK to pull it out, shoot your distance, then put it back where it’s protected from the rain.
Shot Scope backs up the Pro L5 with a two-year warranty, which provides added confidence in the unit.
Power & Battery
The Pro L5 uses a CR2-3v battery which Shot Scope estimates to last 5,800 measurements. I personally prefer a USB-C rechargeable battery, but I’m doing the mental math on how long it will take me to drain a battery that lasts 5,800 measurements, and the answer is measured in seasons, not rounds.
Let’s say you take 50 measurements per round and play 50 rounds per year. For the record, both of those estimates are way more than I’ll ever hit. You’d still be looking at more than two years before the first battery runs out of juice, and somewhere close to five years to go through both batteries that come with the unit.
All things considered, we’ll give the Pro L5 a pass for not having a rechargeable battery.
The Best Budget Rangefinders Under $200 (2025)
Shot Scope Pro L5 Final Verdict
The Shot Scope Pro L5 is an excellent rangefinder. Not only that, but it’s one of the best value rangefinders of the year, considering you can snag it for less than $200. But, who is it best for? There are plenty of great rangefinders out there, and even some great options that you can get for under $100. With that in mind, here’s who I think would appreciate the Pro L5 the most:
- Players who seek quality: I’ve liked some budget rangefinders that cost less than $100, but I’m not sure I’d have the confidence that they’ll last five years or more. Considering Shot Scope’s two-year warranty, players who want premium quality and value will appreciate this unit.
- Players who prioritize optics: It seems like almost every rangefinder claims “crystal clear optics” but this is the first one I’ve tested that actually impressed me with down-right superior optics.
- Players who prefer ease of use over tech-forward devices: The Pro L5 comes with a user guide, but it’s just a formality. It has every feature you need, nothing that you don’t, and there’s no learning curve. Just point, shoot, and play.
There are a million rangefinders you can choose from these days. If you want a quality unit at an affordable price that you can have confidence in for the long run, the Shot Scope Pro L5 is an excellent option.