Bushnell Tour V6 Shift Golf Rangefinder Review
The Bushnell Tour V6 Shift is a 6X golf laser with slope, a 5 to 1,300 yard range and a magnet for cart bars. It suits golfers who want an external slope switch and a flag-lock cue they can see and feel.
On this page (16 sections)
- The Bushnell Tour V6 Shift at a glance
- What the Bushnell Tour V6 Shift does on the course
- How slope changes your club choice
- How flag lock helps when trees or bunkers crowd the pin
- How far the V6 Shift reaches and what 6X magnification does
- What comes in the Bushnell Tour V6 Shift box
- How big the V6 Shift is
- Setting up the V6 Shift before the first round
- Who the Bushnell Tour V6 Shift suits best
- Who should skip the V6 Shift
- How the V6 Shift compares with the V7 Shift and the A1-Slope
- How the V6 Shift compares with the Callaway 300 Pro
- The V6 Shift battery, warranty and weather
- Slope, the switch and the Rules of Golf
- Our score for the V6 Shift
- Verdict: the Bushnell Tour V6 Shift for cart golfers who want slope
The Bushnell Tour V6 Shift is a golf laser rangefinder with slope, 6X magnification and a measuring range of 5 to 1,300 yards. It's a good fit for golfers who want an external slope switch and a magnet that sticks to a cart bar.
We compared its specs with Bushnell's other slope lasers and with the Callaway 300 Pro. This review covers what it does, what comes in the box, who it suits and who should skip it.
The Bushnell Tour V6 Shift at a glance
The V6 Shift is a 6X slope laser that reads 5 to 1,300 yards in a 4.5 by 1.6 by 3.1 inch body. Here are the specs in one place.
| Spec | Bushnell Tour V6 Shift |
|---|---|
| Range | 5 to 1,300 yd |
| Magnification | 6X |
| Slope | Slope-adjusted distance, external on/off switch |
| Flag lock | Pinseeker with Visual Jolt (red ring and vibration) |
| Cart mount | BITE magnetic mount |
| Size | 4.5 x 1.6 x 3.1 in |
| Weather | Bushnell calls it waterproof |
| Warranty | 2 years, manufacturer |
| In the box | Premium carry case, microfiber cloth, quick-start guide, battery |
What the Bushnell Tour V6 Shift does on the course
The V6 Shift gives you the straight-line distance to a target and a slope-adjusted distance for uphill and downhill shots. Bushnell says the adjusted number helps you choose the right club for each shot.
Slope mode measures the angle of the incline or decline and changes the number you see. A plain laser reports only the straight line, so slope is the main step up from a basic unit.
The flag-lock feature is Bushnell's Pinseeker with Visual Jolt. Bushnell says the cue confirms you measured the flag and not the object behind it.
For the aiming steps, see our guide to using a Bushnell golf rangefinder on the course.
How slope changes your club choice
Slope usually makes an uphill shot play longer and a downhill shot play shorter. The V6 Shift shows the adjusted number so you don't have to estimate it.
Say the straight-line reading to a flag on a rise is 150 yards. With slope on, the adjusted number would be longer, and that longer number is the one to club for.
Treat the number as one input. Wind, your lie and your swing still change the shot.
How flag lock helps when trees or bunkers crowd the pin
Flag lock tells you which target the laser measured. That matters most when a flag sits in front of a tree line or a bunker face, where a plain reading could land on the wrong object.
On the V6 Shift, the red ring and the vibration arrive together. If you feel the buzz and see the ring, you can trust the number is for the flag.
If you don't, aim again. A steady hold helps the laser settle on the thin flagstick.
How far the V6 Shift reaches and what 6X magnification does
The V6 Shift measures from 5 to 1,300 yards, and 6X magnification makes the target look six times closer. The long end of the range is far more than any hole needs, so magnification matters more day to day.
A flag at 150 yards looks six times closer through the lens, which makes it easier to pick out against a tree line. The 5-yard minimum covers short targets too.
Ranges here are in yards. If a Bushnell unit is showing meters, our guide to switching a Bushnell from meters to yards covers the change.
What comes in the Bushnell Tour V6 Shift box
The box holds the rangefinder, a premium carry case, a microfiber cloth, a quick-start guide and a battery. Bushnell's BITE magnetic mount lets the unit stick to a cart or any metal surface.
The case protects the lens between shots, and the cloth handles smudges.
How big the V6 Shift is
The V6 Shift is a full-size laser at 4.5 by 1.6 by 3.1 inches. That's noticeably bigger than Bushnell's A1-Slope, which measures 3.75 by 1.42 by 2.36 inches.
A bigger body takes more room in a pocket, so walkers who want something small may prefer the A1-Slope. Cart golfers care less about size, because the magnet keeps the unit within reach.
Setting up the V6 Shift before the first round
Do three things before the first tee: set the slope switch, confirm the battery is seated and practice the flag lock. Each takes a minute or less.
Pick the slope setting you want for that round and leave it alone. Then aim at a few flags on the practice green so you recognize the ring and the vibration when they arrive.
Put the unit back in its case when you're done, and wipe the lens with the cloth first.
Who the Bushnell Tour V6 Shift suits best
The V6 Shift suits golfers who ride a cart, want slope they can switch off and like a unit that sticks to a metal bar. Those three needs match what Bushnell built it around.
Why the Tour V6 Shift magnet helps on a cart
Bushnell's BITE magnet sticks the unit to a cart bar or any metal surface. Bushnell says the one-handed grab makes it quick to reach between shots.
A magnet only holds on metal, so a plastic rail or a cloth bag strap won't work. Our guide to attaching a rangefinder to a golf bag or cart covers other ways to carry it.
Who gets the most from the external slope switch
Golfers who play some rounds with slope and some without get the most from it. The switch sits on the outside of the unit, so you change slope mode without a menu.
If slope is the main reason you're shopping, our best golf rangefinders with slope roundup compares more units.
Who should skip the V6 Shift
Skip the V6 Shift if you want course maps on a screen or the smallest body you can get. It's a laser that measures the target you aim at, and it doesn't show hole layouts.
The A1-Slope is the smaller Bushnell, and a GPS unit is the better tool for maps. Our Bushnell Phantom 3 Slope review covers a handheld GPS with slope.
How the V6 Shift compares with the V7 Shift and the A1-Slope
The V7 Shift is the newer sibling, and the A1-Slope is the smaller one. All three are Bushnell slope lasers, so the choice comes down to features and size.
The V7 Shift shares the V6's range and magnification. It adds yardage range recall, a dual color display that shows the slope-adjusted yardage in green and the actual distance in red, and pairing with launch monitors.
Our V6 Shift vs V7 Shift comparison lines up every difference.
The A1-Slope is the one to look at for a smaller body. It turns slope on and off with its mode button instead of an external switch, and Bushnell says its rechargeable battery lasts 50-plus rounds.
For every Bushnell laser side by side, see our model-by-model look at Bushnell golf rangefinders.
How the V6 Shift compares with the Callaway 300 Pro
The V6 Shift reaches 1,300 yards to the Callaway 300 Pro's 1,000, and Bushnell adds a red ring to the vibration cue. Both have 6X magnification and an external slope switch.
Callaway's flag lock works on the pin up to 300 yards away, and it confirms the lock with a vibrating pulse alone. The 300 Pro also comes with a hard case, where the V6 Shift comes with a premium carry case.
Our Callaway 300 Pro review covers that unit in full. The range gap rarely matters, so the choice often comes down to the visual cue and the mount.
The V6 Shift battery, warranty and weather
The V6 Shift comes with a battery and a 2-year manufacturer warranty from Bushnell. Bushnell's own material names two different battery types for this model, so check the label inside the battery door before you buy a spare.
Our guide to Bushnell rangefinder batteries covers the swap steps. Bushnell also calls the unit waterproof, which helps when it sits on a cart bar through a wet round.
Slope, the switch and the Rules of Golf
Slope readings are allowed in a round only if the committee permits them, so the switch is useful but it doesn't settle the question. The Rules of Golf allow distance-measuring devices by default, and a committee can ban them with a local rule.
Ask the committee or check the local rule before a round that counts. The USGA publishes the Rules of Golf.
Our score for the V6 Shift
Our score weighs specs and features against what cart golfers want. The V6 Shift earns 8.4 for its external slope switch, flag-lock cue, 1,300-yard range and magnetic mount.
It gives up points for a larger body than the A1-Slope, an unclear battery type and no course maps.
Bushnell Tour V6 Shift Golf Rangefinder
- Slope compensation with an external on/off switch
- 5 to 1,300 yd range at 6X magnification
- BITE magnetic mount for cart bars
- Pinseeker with a red Visual Jolt ring and vibration
A 6X slope laser with an external switch and a magnet for cart bars. It's a full-size body, bigger than Bushnell's compact A1-Slope.
Pros
- External switch turns slope on or off without a menu
- Red ring and vibration confirm the flag lock
- BITE magnet sticks to a cart bar or any metal surface
- 2-year manufacturer warranty from Bushnell
Cons
- Bigger body than the A1-Slope
- Bushnell's own material names two different battery types
- A laser only, so no course maps
Verdict: the Bushnell Tour V6 Shift for cart golfers who want slope
Pick the Bushnell Tour V6 Shift if you ride a cart, want an external slope switch and like a magnet that sticks to a cart bar. Pick the A1-Slope if you walk and want a smaller body, and pick the V7 Shift if yardage range recall or the dual color display matters.
Pick a GPS unit if you want course maps. If you're still deciding between types of unit, start with our golf rangefinder buying guide.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Bushnell Tour V6 Shift have slope?
Yes, it measures the incline or decline and gives a slope-adjusted distance, and an external switch turns slope on or off. Slope readings are only allowed in a round if the committee permits them, so check the local rule before a round that counts.
How far does the Bushnell Tour V6 Shift measure?
It measures from 5 to 1,300 yards with 6X magnification. A flashing red ring and a short vibration confirm the laser has locked onto the flag, which helps when a tree or bunker sits close to the pin and could pull the reading.
Is the Bushnell Tour V6 Shift waterproof?
Bushnell calls it waterproof and backs it with a 2-year manufacturer warranty. After a wet round, dry the lens with the microfiber cloth from the box and keep the unit in its case whenever it isn't on the cart or in your bag.
What battery does the Bushnell Tour V6 Shift use?
Bushnell includes a battery in the box, but its own material names two different cell types for this model. Read the label inside the battery door before you buy a spare, and see our Bushnell battery guide for the swap steps.
Should I buy the V6 Shift or the V7 Shift?
Pick the V6 Shift for slope, flag lock and the magnetic mount in a simpler package. Pick the V7 Shift if you want yardage range recall and a dual color display, since both share the 1,300-yard range and 6X magnification.
