Nikon COOLSHOT 50i Nikon - Review 🏆

The Nikon COOLSHOT 50i is a compact golf rangefinder designed for measuring distances quickly and accurately on the course. As Nikon's newest rangefinder model, it succeeds the popular COOLSHOT 20i and 40i with some upgraded features.

The COOLSHOT 50i has an ergonomic and lightweight body that easily fits in your hand or pocket. It provides 6x monocular magnification with a bright, multilayer coated 21mm objective lens for clear viewing. Ranging distances from 5-800 yards, it displays measurements in 0.5 yard or 1 meter increments.

Key features of this rangefinder include Nikon's ID Technology that provides slope adjusted distances along with actual line-of-sight distances. There is also First Target Priority mode which displays the distance of the closest subject, useful for measuring hazards or flags without background clutter. The 50i is legal for tournament play when slope and First Target Priority modes are turned off.

With its compact size, intuitive controls, and ranging accuracy, the COOLSHOT 50i is designed to provide golfers with a high performance rangefinder in a portable form factor. This review will take a closer look at the features and real world performance of this rangefinder.

Design and Build Quality

The Nikon COOLSHOT 50i has a sleek and compact design that makes it easy to carry in your pocket or golf bag. The body is made of lightweight magnesium alloy which provides durability without adding unnecessary weight. Despite its small size, it feels sturdy and well-built in the hand.

At just 125g, the COOLSHOT 50i is one of the lightest laser rangefinders on the market. The dimensions are 36 x 71 x 128mm, so it can fit into the palm of your hand or a pocket. The textured rubber provides a secure grip so you can comfortably hold it steady to get an accurate reading.

The optics are fully protected inside the durable body so they can withstand some bumps or drops without damage. The weather-sealed construction also makes this rangefinder waterproof and fogproof. You don't have to worry about using it in light rain or humid conditions on the course.

Overall, the materials and compact build make the COOLSHOT 50i easy to carry while still maintaining a high level of durability. The lightweight magnesium body can withstand regular use and stands up well to the rigors of being tossed in your golf bag.

In addition to the Nikon COOLSHOT 50i, the Nikon COOLPIX L27 is another excellent offering from Nikon. The COOLPIX L27 is a user-friendly digital camera with a 16.1-megapixel sensor, 5x optical zoom, and 720p video recording capabilities. It's designed to be straightforward and easy to use, making it ideal for casual photographers. For more details, visit the Nikon COOLPIX L27 page.

Ease of Use

The Coolshot 50i is very easy to use thanks to its simple and intuitive button layout. There are only a few buttons which control the major functions like power, mode, and measurements.

The power button turns the rangefinder on and off. The mode button cycles between the different modes - actual distance, horizontal distance, angle, and height. The measurement button switches between yards and meters.

The menus are basic but allow you to customize some settings like turning off slope function or changing the display brightness. Navigating the menus is straightforward with the arrow keys.

There are no complicated settings or features to learn. Just turn it on, select your mode, take aim, and get the measurement. The large OLED display clearly shows the measurements in large text and numbers.

Overall, the Coolshot 50i delivers impressive rangefinder performance without complexity. Both beginners and experienced golfers will find it very simple and intuitive to use.

In addition to golfing equipment, Nikon offers high-quality cameras like the Nikon D500 Body. This DSLR is known for its durable build, exceptional image quality, and rapid shooting speed, making it suitable for both professional photographers and enthusiasts. With its advanced autofocus system and 4K UHD video capability, the Nikon D500 Body stands out as a top choice for versatile and reliable photography.

Optics and Rangefinder Performance

The Nikon COOLSHOT 50i features high-quality 6x magnification optics with multilayer coatings that deliver a bright, clear view through the rangefinder. The field of view is wide at 7.5 degrees, providing a good perspective on the target area.

The maximum rangefinding distance is an impressive 650 yards, allowing you to accurately measure long distances on the golf course. Even at the maximum distance, the COOLSHOT 50i maintains +/- 1 yard accuracy, ensuring your distance readings are highly precise.

The unique ID Technology calculates inclines/declines by measuring the shift in the target object’s center of gravity. This results in slope adjusted distances that account for elevation changes and improves accuracy even further. Overall, the COOLSHOT 50i delivers excellent optics and top-tier rangefinding performance.

Features

The Nikon COOLSHOT 50i has several useful features for golfers.

• Slope Compensation: This rangefinder accounts for elevation changes and calculates adjusted distances to provide you with the true playing distance. It features ID Technology that allows the slope function to be turned off for tournament play where slope features are often banned.

• Scan Mode: The scan mode allows you to pan across a landscape while the rangefinder continuously measures ranges. This helps you quickly pick out targets like flags or hazards without needing to take individual measurements.

• Target Lock: Once you locate your target, the Nikon locks on with excellent precision thanks to its superior optics and rangefinding technology. Even at long range, it provides a vibration to confirm you're locked onto the correct target.

Battery Life

The Nikon COOLSHOT 50i utilizes a standard 3V CR2 lithium battery. This provides enough power for around 1,400 shots per charge, which is quite impressive for a laser rangefinder. The battery is inserted into the bottom of the unit and is easy to swap out when needed.

One battery should last most golfers an entire season or more of regular rangefinding. Even high volume users will likely get several months from a single battery. This is a huge advantage over rangefinders that use proprietary battery types that are harder to find and more expensive to replace.

Overall, the COOLSHOT 50i battery life is outstanding. The use of a standard CR2 battery keeps replacement costs down. Paired with the highly efficient power consumption, golfers can expect to worry far less about keeping this rangefinder charged compared to many competing models.

Connectivity

The Nikon Coolshot 50i has good connectivity features to integrate with your other golf gear. It is compatible with the Nikon Golf app, allowing you to sync the rangefinder wirelessly with your smartphone. Once connected to the app, it provides shot tracking, 3D course mapping, scorekeeping and statistics.

The Coolshot 50i has built-in Bluetooth technology to enable the wireless syncing. The pairing process is quick and easy. Nikon claims the Bluetooth range can reach up to 10 meters.

In terms of data transfer, the rangefinder stores the distance measurement data for each shot. You can then sync this data to the app after your round. The app keeps track of shot distances and locations for post-round analysis.

Overall, the connectivity of the Coolshot 50i is a handy feature for golfers who want to track detailed statistics and performance. The integration with the Nikon Golf app provides a lot of useful information that can help improve your game over time.

Accessories

The Nikon COOLSHOT 50i comes with some useful accessories included in the box. It includes a carrying case to protect the rangefinder when not in use and a strap for easy carrying. The case has a magnetic closure to keep it securely shut.

For optional extras, Nikon offers a few accessories to enhance the COOLSHOT 50i:

• Extra battery packs are available, which can be useful for competitions or long days on the course to ensure you don't run out of power.

• A USB cable is available to connect the COOLSHOT 50i to a computer and utilize the Nikon Golf app. This allows you to analyze shot data and mapping of each hole's distances.

• Silicone protection skins can be added in different colors for aesthetic preferences and extra impact protection.

• External battery packs that attach to the bottom can extend battery life when needed.

• A hard case for more heavy-duty protection during travel is also offered.

The rangefinder comes well equipped out of the box, but Nikon has a few nice extras available for those who need them. The app connectivity and shot tracking ability add helpful technology when used with the optional USB cable.

Pros and Cons

The Nikon Coolshot 50i offers a number of pros that make it a great laser rangefinder for golf.

Pros:

• Compact and lightweight design makes it easy to carry in your pocket
• Simple one-button operation is intuitive and easy to use
• First Target Priority acquisition rapidly locks onto the flagstick
• Id (Slope) Technology provides compensated distance based on elevation changes
• 6-550 yard range covers most golfing situations
• Bright, uncluttered display is easy to read
• Waterproof and rainproof construction

However, there are some limitations to consider as well.

Cons:

• No ability to disable slope function for tournament play
• Shorter maximum range compared to some competitors
• Battery life could be better
• No Jolt vibration confirmation
• Price is on the higher end

Overall, the Coolshot 50i provides excellent optics and ranging accuracy in a highly portable form factor. For golfers wanting a lightweight laser rangefinder with slope compensation, it's a great choice. But the lack of a tournament legal mode and shorter ranging limits may be cons for some users.

Conclusion

The Nikon Coolshot 50i is an excellent laser rangefinder that lives up to Nikon's reputation for high-quality optics and rangefinding performance. It is easy to use and provides fast, accurate distance measurements out to 650 yards. The compact and lightweight body is comfortable to hold and carry.

The 50i is best suited for golfers looking for a reliable, high-performance rangefinder. It has slope compensation to account for elevation changes and provide adjusted distances, a useful feature for golf. The First Target Priority mode ensures you get the distance to the flagstick, not background objects. While expensive, the 50i provides superb optics, accuracy, and features tailored to golfers.

Overall, the Nikon Coolshot 50i is highly recommended for golfers wanting the best laser rangefinder technology in a compact form factor. Its excellent optics, rangefinding capabilities, and special golf modes make it a top choice. Less experienced golfers may find cheaper models suitable, but low handicappers and pros will appreciate the 50i's superb quality and performance. It delivers impressive distance measurements you can trust on the course.