Bushnell Golf Rangefinder Battery: Type and How to Swap

On this page (8 sections)

1. Which battery do Bushnell golf rangefinders use?
2. What does the cell label tell you?
3. How do you tell the battery is running low?
4. How do you swap a Bushnell rangefinder battery step by step?
5. How do you charge the rechargeable Bushnell models?
6. Which CR2 brand should you buy for a spare?
7. How should you store spare cells and dispose of old ones?
8. Which Bushnell rangefinder battery should you carry?

The Bushnell rangefinder battery is a 3-volt CR2 lithium cell on many models, so a CR2 is the usual spare to carry. A few models use something else, so confirm yours first.

A CR2 and a CR123A are not interchangeable, even though both are 3-volt lithium cells. Start with the type, and the swap itself takes about a minute.

Once the battery is sorted, how to use a Bushnell golf rangefinder on the course covers the routine. The golf rangefinders buying guide covers other brands.

Which battery do Bushnell golf rangefinders use?

Many Bushnell laser models take a 3-volt CR2 lithium cell, and a few use something else. Bushnell ships the Pro X3+, the Tour V7 Shift and the Tour V5 Patriot Pack with a CR2.

A battery comes in the box with those models, so a new unit works on day one. You only need to buy the spare.

Bushnell models with a different battery

The A1-Slope has a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, so there's no cell to buy. Bushnell says it lasts 50-plus rounds, and the box includes a USB-C charging cord.

The Tour Hybrid ships with a CR2032, a much smaller coin cell. Don't swap one for the other, even if a cell seems to fit.

The Phantom 3 Slope is a GPS unit with a rechargeable battery, so it charges instead of taking a cell. Keep the charger with the unit.

For the Tour V6 Shift, read the label inside the battery door or check the manual before you buy a spare.

If the label and the manual still leave you unsure, Bushnell Golf is the place to confirm the cell for your model. The Tour V6 Shift review covers the rest of that model.

What does the cell label tell you?

The label shows the cell code, the voltage and the chemistry, so read it before you buy a replacement. A few letters and numbers separate one cell from another.

Both CR2 and CR123A cells carry 3 volts, which is why they're easy to mix up at a store counter. The size tells them apart: the Amazon Basics CR2 measures 0.6 inches across and 1.05 inches tall, so you can check a new cell against the old one.

How do you tell the battery is running low?

A faint display, slow readings or a unit that won't power on can all point to a weak cell. Swap it before your next round, not during one.

Check the display first. If it looks dim or the unit takes a long time to show a number, replace the cell before you head out.

Slow readings can also come from a dirty lens or poor aim, so rule those out too. If the unit still won't work with a fresh cell, the not working guide walks through the other causes.

Your manual shows any low-battery sign your model has. A dated note of when you last changed the cell helps you swap before the season, not during it.

How do you swap a Bushnell rangefinder battery step by step?

Turn the unit off, open the cover, match the + end to the mark in the compartment, then close the cover and test a reading. The steps are similar across CR2 models, but your manual's diagram shows where the cover sits.

Step 1: Turn the unit off and find the cover

Power the rangefinder off first, so it isn't drawing power while you work. The cover's position varies by model, so the manual's diagram is the fastest guide.

Step 2: Note the + side

Look at the compartment before you lift out the old cell. The + end is usually marked, and the new cell goes in the same way.

Step 3: Insert the new cell and close

Slide the new cell in with the + end matching, then press the cover back into place. If the cover won't close, the cell is probably backwards or not seated, so don't force it.

Step 4: Test the reading

Power on and check that the display lights and shows a reading. If the number looks odd, check the units first, since switching from meters to yards covers that setting.

How do you charge the rechargeable Bushnell models?

Charge the A1-Slope with the USB-C cord from the box, and charge the Phantom 3 Slope with its included charger. Top either one up at home between rounds, not on the first tee.

Bushnell says the A1-Slope battery lasts 50-plus rounds on a charge, so it rarely needs attention. Keep the cord with the unit so you can charge it on a trip.

There's no cell to swap on either model, so you can skip the CR2 spares.

Which CR2 brand should you buy for a spare?

Match the cell type first, then compare pack size and storage promises. The brand matters less than a clear CR2 on the label.

CR2 packs are sold for cameras and flashlights as well as rangefinders, so a pack from the camera aisle works if the label says CR2. Skip anything labeled CR123A.

Amazon Basics sells a 4-pack of 3-volt CR2 cells. It says the cells are not rechargeable and are not interchangeable with CR123A cells.

Duracell says its CR2 cells are guaranteed for 10 years in storage, and it names laser rangefinders among the devices they power.

For a single round, one spare is usually enough. Buy the larger pack if you play often, and use the oldest cells first.

How should you store spare cells and dispose of old ones?

Keep spares in their packaging, away from keys and coins, until you need them. A loose cell rolling around with metal can short out, so the packaging does real work.

Amazon Basics says its CR2 cells have a low self-discharge rate, and Energizer says its CR2 cells hold power for up to 10 years in storage at room temperature. Keep spares somewhere cool and dry, not in a hot car.

Used lithium cells belong at a battery recycling drop-off, not in household trash. Until you drop them off, tape over the ends of any loose cell so it can't touch metal.

Between rounds, keep the unit in a hard case and clip it to the cart during play. The best golf rangefinder cases and magnetic holders compares the cases, and putting a rangefinder on a golf bag or cart covers the mounts.

Which Bushnell rangefinder battery should you carry?

Carry one spare that matches your model's label, and check the unit's battery before every round.

Pick a CR2 spare if your model takes one, and pick the 4-pack if you play often. If you own the A1-Slope, keep its USB-C cord handy instead, since it has no cell to replace.

If you're still choosing a model, the best Bushnell golf rangefinders, model by model compares the lineup.

Frequently asked questions

What battery does a Bushnell golf rangefinder use?

Many Bushnell laser models use a 3-volt CR2 lithium cell, but the A1-Slope recharges over USB-C and the Tour Hybrid ships with a CR2032. Check the battery door or your manual before you buy a spare, since the cell type depends on the model.

Can I use a CR123 in place of a CR2?

Don't assume so, since Amazon Basics says its CR2 cells are not interchangeable with CR123A cells, even though both are 3-volt lithium. Use the cell type named in your manual or on the battery compartment label, and never force a cell that doesn't fit.

How long does a Bushnell rangefinder battery last?

It depends on how often you use the unit and on the model. Energizer says its CR2 cells hold power for up to 10 years in storage, which is shelf life, not runtime, and Bushnell says the A1-Slope battery lasts 50-plus rounds on a charge.

How do I dispose of an old lithium battery?

Don't put used lithium cells in household trash. Take them to a battery recycling drop-off, such as a store bin or a city collection site, and tape over the ends of any loose cell so it can't touch metal on the way.