The Bushnell A1-Slope rangefinder is the brand’s smallest ever laser, joining the Tour Hybrid and Pro X3+Link as new models in their range for 2025.
Bushnell have been the number one brand in golf for a number of years when it comes to rangefinders. They’re trying to keep their position at the top with options that cater for different types of golfers.
My colleague Ben recently tested the Tour Hybrid and was very impressed with the combination of laser and GPS yardages. The one big drawback was the price.
I was keen to see if the A1-Slope is the perfect compact laser for golfers on a budget.
Who Is It Aimed At?
With an RRP of £299, the A1-Slope is the lowest priced option in Bushnell’s range. It’s still not ‘cheap’ but it’s definitely more affordable than the likes of the Tour Hybrid, which is over £500.
It’s extremely compact, which is great for golfers who might want to carry the laser in their pocket whilst they are playing.
There’s slope technology, but it doesn’t have all of the added features like GPS distances and wind like some of Bushnell’s offerings. It keeps things simple, for golfers who just want quick and easy yardages.
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The Tech
The standout feature of the new A1-Slope is just how small it is. It weighs less than 150g, and is less than 4 inches in length. This makes it one of the smallest lasers on the market.
As with pretty much all modern rangefinders, you get the option of Slope technology. This adjusts yardages based on elevation changes, and can be switched on and off through the ‘Mode’ button.
The laser features a Bite Magnetic Skin. This almost works like a phone case, helping to protect the device as well as allowing you to attach it to a metal surface like a buggy or trolley.
Like most Bushnell lasers, you get PinSeeker with Jolt technology. This provides feedback via jolt vibrations, telling the user when they have locked on to the flag.
Instead of using a battery, the A1-Slope is rechargeable thanks to a USB-C cable. The laser is expected to last for an impressive 50+ rounds.
The laser offers 6x magnification, is water resistant, and accurate to within 1 yard from up to 350 yards to the flag.
Bushnell A1-Slope Rangefinder Review
Looks and Feel
The A1-Slope features a pretty simple blue, white and black design. It looks modern and smart, and pairs up nicely with the grey and blue case.
Despite the compact size it still looks pretty premium as you’d expect from Bushnell. This is thanks to features like the chrome badges and good quality carry case.
As soon as I took it out of the box, I was shocked by how small the laser was. I compared it to my own Bushnell Pro XE, and it was about half the size!
The addition of the Bite magnetic skin is pretty clever, although it’s a bit fiddly to get remove once it’s on.
This laser is so small that I probably wouldn’t be trying to attach it to a buggy or trolley. This may be why they didn’t just put the magnet on the device itself.
The A1-Slope fits and feels so comfortable in the hands. There are small grips at the top and bottom making it a little easier to hold. It feels extremely lightweight too, at less than 150 grams.
I actually thought that this made it feel less premium in my opinion, whilst also making it a little harder to control. The Pro XE is relatively heavy, and I actually prefer this as I found it was easier to hold steady.
Performance
Overall the A1-Slope is a really neat device. It shows just how far Bushnell’s technology has come that they are able to fit it into such a compact model.
This is perfect for golfers who want to stick the laser in their pocket between shots rather than having to get it out of the case every time.
Testing the laser on the course, I actually found the compact size meant that it was a little tricky to hold still. Most golfers tend to use two hands when zapping yardages, but you can only really use one, so it takes a bit of getting used to.
The graphics displaying yardages on the screen look pretty smart, but the actual viewfinder and screen are small aswell. If you’re someone who can struggle to hold your hand steady, or your eyesight isn’t the strongest, then this might not be the easiest to use.
You can switch slope off within the settings by pressing the mode button and then toggling the switch. To be honest, I think it would be much easier and quicker to just have a switch or button on the side of the unit, especially as it’s impossible to know whether somebody has slope mode on or off for competitions.
The laser comes with a rechargeable battery, which I something that I actually quite like. As long as you get into the habit of charging the battery every few weeks it should avoid the issue of the battery running out and not having a replacement at the worst possible moment -we’ve all been there.
Bushnell A1-Slope Rangefinder Verdict
The A1-Slope is a great value laser which still manages to give you all of Bushnell’s market-leading performance, in such a compact size.
It might not be for everyone, as I found it a little fiddly to use and see at times. However I was impressed by how quick it seemed to pick up the pin, which helped to offset some of those usability concerns.
But if you want something small that you can stick in your pocket between shots, with the added bonus of slope mode, it could be a great option.
It will allow more golfers to gain entry into the world of Bushnell lasers too, with a competitive price tag of less than £300.
Would I Use It?
Whilst it is good value for money, it’s a little too small and lightweight for me.
