Nikon COOLSHOT 20i GII Rangefinder
The rangefinder market is a tough and expensive area to navigate. There are so many factors to consider. Is it legal for competition? Do I care if it’s legal? What technology does it have? Is it fast and easy to use? It costs HOW MUCH?! Most importantly, is it accurate? The Nikon COOLSHOT 20i GII rangefinder is a great answer to all of those questions. With great foundational technology like continuous measurement and first target priority, the COOLSHOT 20i GII is already a solid rangefinder at a good price. Mix in Nikon’s renowned optics and the addition of slope-adjusting “ID Technology,” you have one of the best values in the rangefinder market.
Out of the Box
I’ve had some rangefinders that are an absolute nightmare to get setup out of the box but the Nikon COOLSHOT 20i GII is as easy as it gets. The hardest part is throwing the battery in and threading the little wrist strap through the hole. Now you’re powered up and can start shooting distances! The COOLSHOT 20i GII comes set to “slope” mode but a simple press of the “Mode” button fixes that. You can also easily adjust the distance to meters from yards if you prefer. Setup and adjusting is pretty easy to follow in the manual but, honestly, you probably don’t even need it.
Features
Nikon is a leader in the world of optics whether it’s a pair of binoculars for bird watching or a high-end rangefinder for golfing. You can rest assured that Nikon uses a high-quality glass in all of their products and the COOLSHOT 20i GII is no exception. The COOLSHOT 20i GII’s lens is easy on the eyes with 6x zooming power and an adjustable “diopter” to sharpen the focus to your eye.
One of the struggles with rangefinders is measuring your intended target and not all the noise behind it. Nikon once again utilized “First Target Priority” to give you accurate distance for the target you’re measuring and not all the distractions in the background. This is especially useful when paired with the 8-second continuous measurement when you want to measure multiple targets. For instance, you may want to measure distance to the pin, but also get a number on how far it is to clear the bunker in front of it. By holding down the power button and scanning targets, you can measure all of these distances in one shot.
Last, but certainly not least, is the ID Technology in the COOLSHOT 20i GII. This is the most exciting addition to this unit. Nikon’s ID Technology measures the slope-adjusted distance which is the approximate distance taking height into account. This is exciting because it’s not often you find a rangefinder of this quality with a slope feature at this price range. Don’t worry, you can put the 20i GII into “Actual mode” and stay legal for competitive play.
On-Course Performance
From a basic use perspective, the Nikon COOLSHOT 20i GII gets the job done and is worth every penny. If you’re looking for accurate distances, both actual and slope adjusted, the COOLSHOT 20i GII will deliver. The continuous measurement works quickly and smoothly allowing you to quickly check multiple distances to different features. I can’t speak for everyone, but this is crucial for me with a rangefinder. Often times you need to know many more numbers when planning your next shot and the 20i GII allows you to collect them quickly.
There is one area where the COOLSHOT 20i GII shows it’s more on the value side and that’s the display. My more expensive Nikon has a very bright and vivid display with multiple colors whereas the COOLSHOT 20i GII has a straight black output with a very basic look. Is this a big deal? Absolutely not, and especially at such a strong price point, but it’s worth pointing out.
I’m not sure how much this is a performance comment, but I still can’t get over how nice it is having slope in a rangefinder that costs under $250. In my “day-to-day” golf, I count on slope a lot. Listen, I’m not playing in tournaments and I just want to know what yardage I need to play to. The COOLSHOT 20i GII gives me that on the course, and knowing I didn’t have to break the bank to have that added performance just flat out feels good.
Final Thoughts – Nikon COOLSHOT 20i GII
The Nikon COOLSHOT 20i GII’s distances are accurate, optics are pristine, and the versatility is fantastic at this price range. I say “at this price range” for a reason, however. While the 20i GII is a great rangefinder you have to remember, it’s more of a value rangefinder. I reviewed the COOLSHOT Pro Stabilized around this time last year and it has been in my bag ever since. It’s amazing. That rangefinder does everything faster and sharper with more bells and whistles than the 20i GII…but it’s also $220 more expensive than the 20i GII. It better deliver more for that kind of money! At a more budget-friendly price point, the COOLSHOT 20i GII gives you strong performance and slope measurements that are tough to beat at this level.
