Bushnell added some of the best features from the Pro XE (released in February 2019) to the Tour V4 Shift to give you their newest rangefinder, the Bushnell Tour V5 Shift (released in January 2020). The improvements to the Bushnell Tour V4 Shift gave the Tour V5 Shift a higher magnification and better range than its’ predecessor but its’ features are not to the level of the Pro XE.
Reasons to Buy the Bushnell Pro XE instead of the Tour V5 Shift
There are many similarities between the Bushnell XE and V5 Shift. For example, the XE and V5 Shift come with a magnetic cart mount, PinSeeker with Visual JOLT technology, giving you both vibration and visual confirmation after flag lock, the same 1300-yard range to large objects, and an accuracy of +/- 1 yard. However, there are several differences between the two that make the Pro XE a better purchase.
The Bushnell Pro XE is a better rangefinder than the Tour V5 Shift because only the Pro XE comes with an Elements feature that adjusts distance measurements for temperature and barometric pressure, and it also has brighter and clearer optics that will allow you to focus on your target more easily and quickly.
The biggest difference between the Bushnell Tour V5 Shift and Pro XE is that the XE can adjust distances for slope, temperature, and air pressure while the V5 Shift only adjusts for slope. Also the XE has a 7X magnification while the V5 Shift has 6X and the XE has a 500-yard range to flags while the V5 has a 400 yard range.
The only other rangefinder that can measure flags up to 500 yards away is the Nikon Coolshot Pro II Stabilized. However, the Bushnell Pro XE is better than the Nikon Coolshot Pro II Stabilized because the Nikon Coolshot Pro II cannot adjust distances for temperature and air pressure and it has a lower 6X magnification power.
The Bushnell XE has a much clearer display than the Tour V5 Shift because the V5 Shift has a 6X magnification while the XE has a higher 7x magnification and the XE has a wider LCD screen with a 26mm objective lens diameter while the V5 Shift has a smaller 24mm diameter.
Also only the Bushnell Pro XE comes with dual display technology, which means you can switch between the standard black display or a much clearer red LED display, and a waterproof metal housing.
The cheapest Bushnell golf rangefinder with slope adjustment, a built-in magnet, and Pinseeker with visual JOLT technology is the Bushnell Tour V5 Shift. The only features it is missing are distance adjustment for temperature and barometric pressure, a red LED display, and waterproof metal housing.
Comparison Chart – Bushnell Pro XE vs Tour V5 Shift
| Features | (Slope; Vibrates; Magnet; Visual JOLT)  Learn More | (Slope; Vibrates; Magnet; Visual JOLT)  Learn More | (No Slope; Vibrates; Magnet; Visual JOLT)  Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|
| Release Date | February 2019 | January 2020 | January 2020 |
| Slope Compensation | Yes | Yes | No |
| Temperature Compensation | Yes | No | No |
| Barometric Pressure Compensation | Yes | No | No |
| Built-In Magnetic Cart Mount | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Vibration Flag Lock Confirmation | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Visual Flag Lock Confirmation | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Disable Slope | Yes | Yes | No |
| Visible Slope Switch On/Off Indicator | Yes | Yes | No |
| Image Stabilization | No | No | No |
| Maximum Range to Highly Reflective Objects | 1,300 yards | 1,300 yards | 1,300 yards |
| Maximum Range to Most Large Objects | 1000+ yards | 1000+ yards | 1000+ yards |
| Maximum Range to Flags | 500+ yards | 400+ yards | 400+ yards |
| Ranging Accuracy up to 125 yards | +/- 1 yard | +/- 1 yard | +/- 1 yard |
| Ranging Accuracy up to 1000 yards | +/- 1 yard | +/- 1 yard | +/- 1 yard |
| Magnification | 7x | 6x | 6x |
| Red LED Display | Yes | No | No |
| Black Display | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Display Type | Black Mask LCD w/ Enhanced Backlight | LCD | LCD |
| Fast Focus System | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Extreme Speed Precision 2 | No | No | No |
| Water Resistant | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fog Resistant | No | No | No |
| Waterproof | Yes (IPX7) | No | No |
| Metal Housing | Yes | No | No |
| Tournament legal | Yes (if slope disabled) | Yes (if slope disabled) | Yes |
| Product Dimensions | 4.5 x 3.1 x 1.8 inches | 4.5 x 3.0 x 1.5 inches | 4.5 x 3.0 x 1.5 inches |
| Weight (in ounces) | 11 ounces | 8 ounces | 8 ounces |
| Objective Diameter | 26 mm | 24 mm | 24 mm |
| Extra Long Eye Relief | 16 mm | 16 mm | 16 mm |
| Exit Pupil | 3.5 mm | 3.5 mm | 3.5 mm |
| Field Of View | 300 ft. @ 1000 yards | 330 ft. @ 1000 yards | 330 ft. @ 1000 yards |
| Optical Coatings | Fully Multi-Coated | Fully Multi-Coated | Fully Multi-Coated |
| Included Items | Premium Carrying Case and CR2 Battery | Premium Carrying Case and CR2 Battery | Premium Carrying Case and CR2 Battery |
| Includes carrying case and strap | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 3-volt lithium CR2 battery | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Bushnell Pro XE vs Tour V5 Shift
Both the Bushnell Pro XE and Bushnell Tour V5 Shift have the same slope compensation and vibration and visual flag lock confirmation technology but only the Pro XE can compensate distances for temperature and barometric pressure.
The biggest difference between the Bushnell Pro XE and Bushnell Tour V5 Shift is that Bushnell did not add the Elements feature to the V5 which means the Pro XE will have more accurate readings because it can adjust distances for slope, temperature and barometric pressure while the Tour V5 can only adjust for slope. Also the Bushnell Pro XE has a 500 yard range to flags while the Tour V5 has a 400 yard range and the Pro XE features 7X magnification while the Tour V5 has a lower 6X. More information about the differences and similarities between the Pro XE and Tour V5 Shift is listed below:
Differences between the Bushnell Pro XE and Tour V5 Shift
1. The Bushnell Pro XE will give you more accurate yardage measurements than the V5 Shift because while both the XE and V5 Shift can adjust distances for slope (elevation change), only the XE can compensate distances for temperature and air pressure.
The Bushnell Pro XE can compensate distances for slope and elements (temperature and barometric pressure) while the Tour V5 Shift can only compensate distances for slope. You can enable the elements (temperature and barometric pressure) calculations by pressing the mode button on top of the device. The slope is the elevation change for uphill and downhill shots.
2. The Pro XE comes with a 7X magnification power while the Tour V5 Shift has a lower 6X magnification.
3. The XE can calculate the distance to flags up to 500 yards away while the Tour V5 Shift has a shorter range of 400 yards.
4. The Pro XE enables you to either use an easy-to-read red LED display or a crispy black display whereas the Tour V5 Shift only comes with a sharp black display.
5. The Pro XE has a waterproof metal housing whereas the Tour V5 Shift only comes with a water resistant plastic housing. This means that you can submerge the XE underwater without damaging the device while the V5 can only withstand a light shower during your round. The metal housing also makes the XE much more durable than the plastic housing of the V5.
6. There is a huge price difference between the Bushnell Pro XE and Tour V5 Shift with the XE having a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $549.99 while the V5 Shift has a lower manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $399.99. The V5 Shift is the better purchase for people on a budget who just want slope compensation, magnetic mount, and a clearer display than the V4 Shift.
Common features found in both the Bushnell Pro XE and Tour V5 Shift
1. Both have the same maximum range to highly reflective objects of 1300 yards
2. Both are accurate to within +/- 1 yard.
3. Both will vibrate and a red ring will flash on the viewfinder after the rangefinder locks onto the flag
4. Both come with the same BITE magnetic mount that allows you to easily attach either to the metal bar of your golf cart.
LCD Screen Comparison between the Pro XE and Tour V5 Shift
| Visual JOLT and Red LED Display – Available for the Bushnell Pro XE | Visual JOLT and Black Display – Available for the Bushnell Tour V5 Shift |
|---|---|
 |
 |
| The Bushnell Pro XE comes with Visual JOLT and both Red LED and Black Displays. The Visual JOLT is a red ring that flashes on your viewfinder as JOLT vibrates after the rangefinder locks onto the flagstick to give the golfer even greater feedback and confidence. Only the Pro XE comes with Dual Display Technology which allows you to switch between a Red LED or Black display. Pressing the Mode button will allow you to toggle between the sharp black display or bright red vivid LED display, which is great for low lighting conditions. | Bushnell Tour V5 Shift comes with Visual JOLT and only a Black Display. The LCD screen shown above comes with an Visual JOLT indicator ring, aiming circle, battery level indicator, distance units (yards/meters), line of sight (straight line) distance, ‘Play As’distance (based on slope), and slope (% grade). The distance in the middle of the LCD screen with the bigger font is the straight line or standard distance. The information in the second row consists of the grade percentage of the slope and the slope compensated distance, which is displayed with a smaller font than the standard distance. A ‘+’ indicator tells you that it will be an uphill shot while a ‘-‘ indicator tells you that the shot will be downhill. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are their ranging capabilities?
Both the Pro XE and Tour V5 Shift have the same maximum measuring distance to highly reflective objects of 1300 yards.
The Bushnell XE has a longer maximum measuring distance to flags than the Bushnell V5 Shift. The Bushnell XE has the longest maximum measuring distance to flags of 500 yards of any Bushnell golf rangefinder whereas the Bushnell Tour V5 Shift has a maximum measuring distance of only 400 yards. Either of these Bushnell golf rangefinders will give you more precise distance measurements than any of the best budget golf rangefinders with slope technology that cost under $150 or any of the Garmin Approach golf watches, such as the Garmin Approach S60 (standard model) or Garmin Approach S20.
Do they both come with slope compensation?
Yes both the Tour V5 and Pro XE compensate distances for slope but only the XE compensates for temperature and air pressure.
Which Bushnell golf rangefinder will give you more accurate distance readings?
The Bushnell Pro XE has more accurate compensated distances because it takes into account the slope, temperature and adjusted altitude. But the Bushnell Tour V5 Shift rangefinder only takes into account the slope or elevation changes on the course and does not factor in the temperature or barometric pressure.
Do they come with visual JOLT technology?
Yes both the Pro XE and Tour V5 Shift come with PinSeeker with Visual JOLT. The visual JOLT is a red ring that flashes on the viewfinder as the JOLT technology causes the device to vibrate to signify that the device has locked onto the flag.
How accurate are they?
Both the Pro XE and V5 Shift have the same accuracy. Both the Bushnell XE and V5 Shift have a measuring accuracy of +/- 1 yard.
Do they come with an external slope on/off indicator to tell tournament organizers that your device is legal?
Both come with a visible slope switch on/off indicator on the side of the device that enables anyone to slide the switch left or right to turn on or off the slope function. When the slope function is turned off, the slope switch will reveal a red color which can be easily seen by tournament organizers so that your device becomes legal for tournament play.
Which Bushnell golf rangefinder has the better display?
Only the Bushnell Pro XE comes with Dual Display Technology (red LED and Black Displays). You can press the Mode button to switch between a bright red vivid LED display with readings in red color, which are very easy to read, or a crisp black display with readings in the typical black color. The Red Digital Display Technology is different from the traditional Transmission Display LCD screen. This device integrates the advanced technology of Emission Projection Display (EPD) which will solve the problem of not being able to see the readings in the viewfinder under low light conditions. It comes with excellent optics light transmittance which makes images much clearer and makes the data on the red display much easier to read.
Which Bushnell golf rangefinder is more durable?
Only the Bushnell Pro XE comes with a waterproof metal housing. In contrast, the Bushnell Tour V5 shift has a water resistant plastic housing which means you can use this device in rainy conditions but you cannot submerge it underwater.
What type of warranty do these Bushnell rangefinders come with?
Both the Pro XE and Tour V5 Shift come with a two year limited warranty. Both the Pro XE and Tour V5 Shift golf laser rangefinders are warranted to be free of defects in materials and workmanship for two years after the date of purchase. This warranty will not cover any damages caused by misuse or improper handling. If there is a problem with the device, a Bushnell Authorized Service Department will repair or replace the product if you return the product to them via prepaid postage.
Which Bushnell Golf Rangefinder is the best?
The Bushnell Pro XE is the best Bushnell golf rangefinder on the market because it will calculate the most accurate target distances since it is the only one that can compensate distances for slope, temperature and air pressure. It is also has the clearest and brightest display of any Bushnell golf rangefinder and it is also the most durable. Both the Bushnell Pro XE and Tour V5 Shift have slope but only the Pro XE has Elements compensation. The Pro XE has a range of 500 yards to flags while the Tour V5 has a range of 400 yards. The Pro XE has a 7X magnification while the Tour V5 has a 6X magnification. The Pro XE is IPX7 waterproof while the Tour V5 is IPX6.
What is the best rangefinder for the money?
The Bushnell V5 rangefinder is the best rangefinder for the money because it is affordable and has all of the most popular golf rangefinder features. This rangefinder is meant for people who are on a budget and just want an accurate rangefinder with a really clear display.
What is the best golf rangefinder on the market?
- Bushnell Pro XE – Best golf rangefinder on the market (most accurate; clearest display; 7x magnification; 500 yard range to flags)
- Bushnell Tour V5 – Best golf rangefinder for the money (cheaper than the Pro XE but has 6X magnification, 400 yard range to flags, and does not compensate for temperature and air pressure like the Pro XE does)
- Precision Golf NX9 Pro (Slope; 7x magnification)
- Nikon COOLSHOT Pro Stabilized (Slope; 6x magnification)
- TecTecTec ULT-X (Slope; 6x magnification)
- Bushnell Pro X2 (Slope; 6x magnification)
- Bushnell Tour V4 (Slope; 5x magnification)
