The Pinned Prism+ is the latest rangefinder from Pinned – it comes in at $ 100-200 under a top-of-the-line Bushnell, so should you save some cash and grab this Pinned rangefinder? Or look elsewhere?
Accuracy
We test all rangefinders at a pre-measured golf range against a top-of-the-line competitor to assess accuracy. Here are the results:
| Target distance | Pinned Prism+ (3 readings) | Bushnell Tour V7 Shift (3 readings) |
|---|---|---|
| 99 yards | 99, 99, 99 | 99, 99, 99 |
| 147 yards | 147, 147, 147 | 147, 147, 147 |
| ~193 yards | 194, 194, 194 | 193, 193, 193 |
The Prism+ was tested against pre-measured range targets alongside a Bushnell Tour V7 Shift. At 99 and 147 yards, both units matched exactly across three readings each. At the longest target (~193 yards), the Prism+ read 194 yards on all three attempts against the Bushnell’s 193 — a consistent 1-yard offset rather than an inconsistent one.
The repeatability matters as much as the raw number; being 1 yard long at ~200 is not much of an issue if it is consistent. I’d prefer that over a rangefinder that measures: 192, 193, 194 to the same target.
Pin Lock
Pin lock is a feature that really divides high-quality and low-quality rangefinders. Low-quality rangefinders take more time to lock on and pick up the background more often. The Pinned Prism+ performs above average here.
It isn’t as sharp or quick as the Bushnell V7, and it struggles slightly to lock onto the flag from over 200 yards, but it performs really well at picking up the target from inside 200 yards, which is where we really want it to work well.
Usability
Most rangefinders look and work the same. Same buttons, functions and features, and that’s a good thing. The Pinned Prism+ differs in two ways:
- It has a rechargeable battery, which you charge via a port where you’d usually find the battery slot.
- The carry case has a snazzy fully magnetic seal on the pouch.
I’m not normally a fan of the rechargeable rangefinders, as standard batteries last so long they are often less faff. However, after having this rangefinder for 2 months and playing a good amount of golf, it is still fully charged, based on the battery icon – that is impressive!
I’ll report back if I find anything new, but the testing so far suggests battery life is excellent compared to other rechargeable rangefinders.
The case is cool, but the magnetic pouch is almost too strong. If, like me, you’ll be grabbing it from its carry pouch for every shot, it becomes a minor inconvenience. This is not a deal breaker, but I personally prefer the bungee cord method seen on other rangefinders.
Optics
There’s a really nice feel to the red visuals on the screen; they’re good, but I find the graphics and lens quality slightly sharper on the latest Bushnell rangefinders. This is a very small difference that you can notice when using both. However, I doubt I’d notice this difference if I wasn’t testing them side by side.
Build Quality
This rangefinder feels really solid. It’s got a lovely feel to the rangefinder and case – like an old, old leather chair. I’ve mentioned the magnetic case almost feeling too strong, but this goes with the sturdy build quality across the rangefinder and carry case – great work by Pinned.
Value
Coming in at $199/£199, the Pinned Prism+ is really a mid-range rangefinder. It offers almost identical accuracy vs the Bushnell, works and looks great. So close to top marks for value.
Pros
Accurate to within a yard at ~200 yards, and consistent across every reading — not just close on average
$200 cheaper than a top-tier Bushnell for near-identical accuracy
Rechargeable battery held a full charge across two months of regular play
Feels genuinely premium in the hand — solid build, quality case materials
Cons
Pin lock slows down and becomes less reliable from 200 yards and beyond
Lens and graphics are a step behind the latest Bushnell optics
Magnetic case seal is strong enough to feel fiddly if you’re pulling it out for every shot
Golf Insider verdict
At $199 you’re saving $200 on a top-of-the-line Bushnell, the trade-off is 2-3% less clarity from the lens and slightly worse pin-lock from outside of 200 yards. However, it’s accurate to within a yard, is built well and looks awesome.
I’m currently using the Bushnell Hybrid rangefinder ($200 more), and the Pinned Prism+ won’t be replacing it, but it’s a great buy if you’re in the market for a rangefinder at this price point.
I compared this against my Bushnell V7 Shift on the same pre-measured targets — 99, 147 and roughly 193 yards on my mat. It matched the Bushnell exactly at the two shorter distances and was a consistent single yard out at the longest one. That’s the kind of accuracy gap most golfers will never notice on course.
Is the Pinned Prism+ as accurate as a Bushnell rangefinder?
In our side-by-side testing against a Bushnell Tour V7 Shift, the Prism+ matched exactly at 99 and 147 yards, and was a consistent single yard out at around 193 yards.
Does the Pinned Prism+ have slope mode?
Yes, it gives slope-adjusted yardages. Like most slope-enabled rangefinders, it needs the slope function switched off to be tournament-legal — worth checking before competition rounds.
How long does the battery last on the Pinned Prism+?
It’s USB-C rechargeable. In our testing it held a full charge across two months and 5-6 rounds of golf, so battery life won’t be a concern for most golfers.
Is the Pinned Prism+ worth it compared to a Bushnell?
For most golfers, yes. You’re saving $200 versus a flagship Bushnell for accuracy that’s within a yard and just as consistent — the trade-offs are a slightly less sharp lens and softer pin lock beyond 200 yards, which won’t affect most rounds.
Happy golfing – Will @ Golf Insider UK