I’m not a brand loyalist when it comes to golf. I have a Ping driver and woods, Mizuno irons, TaylorMade wedges and a Scotty Cameron putter. However, when it comes to my rangefinder, I feel naturally drawn towards Bushnell. I view the likes of Titleist, TaylorMade and Callaway amongst others largely as equals when it comes to hardware, but I view Bushnell as the leaders of the laser rangefinder market.
They have plenty of competition to fend off in the battle to deliver the best golf rangefinders - Garmin are circling like sharks, Blue Tees have seriously upped their game with very exciting releases in the works for 2026, and those are just two of over a half dozen rival brands jostling for your custom. The Pro XM is Bushnell’s second laser release of the year and given how impressed by the Tour V7 Shift earlier this year, I was excited to take it out at Royal County Down to put it through its paces.
The Pro XM is a new member of the expansive Bushnell family, essentially acting as a mini-Pro X3+, the most premium and highest priced-ticket item in this ecosystem. It is not yet available in the United States, but sits just below the Tour Hybrid (£549) but £70 above the Tour V7 Shift (£399) - so what sets it apart from the best Bushnell rangefinders?
As mentioned, this is essentially a mini-Pro X3+, and when I say mini, I mean mini! This thing is tiny! A growing niche in the laser space is to make small, pocket-sized lasers that pack a punch and this is Bushnell’s second ‘mini’ laser after they released the A1-Slope last summer.
If I make a Star Wars reference, my first thought when I unboxed the Pro XM it reminded me of Baby Yoda - small and cute, but don’t let the looks fool you, under the hood this is a very strong performer in the same way Baby Yoda had full use of the force in The Mandalorian.
Enough of the Star Wars references, let’s chat performance. A hint of what lies ahead is how good this laser feels in your hand. It’s smaller than the average laser but the build-quality is top tier and notably better than the A1-Slope, the cheapest laser in the family. It weighs less than 200g so is both noticeably small and lighter than the Pro X3+. The build is similar to that of the Tour V7 Shift with the same IPX6 Waterproof shell and a very reliable Magnetic BITE that we’ve become accustomed to.
Bring it up to your eye and you are met with a crystal clear display that sets the standard for the laser industry. Bushnell’s new OLED screen that was debuted with the Tour V7 Shift features here, and it is brilliant - numbers are delivered in bright red so are very easy to consume, whilst the Pinseeker With Visual Jolt feature gives you a a red ring now that flashes as JOLT vibrates to give you even greater feedback and confidence when you’ve successfully locked the flag. Standing on the tee of a Par 3 and getting a number to the flag has never been easier.
In terms of features, Bushnell have taken their Slope Technology and essentially injected it with steroids - their new ‘Elements Compensation’ means temperature and altitude have been added for the most precise compensated distances you could ask for. All you need to do is download the app and link your phone and laser.
Also, thanks to Bushnell’s collaboration with Foresight Sports, the Pro XM can take your stock club yardages provided by your Bushnell launch monitor to give you personalized club recommendations right in your laser’s display.
As much as I try, I can’t find fault with this laser in terms of performance. However, I’m not a fan of the new landscape case, a change from the typical portrait case we’ve seen throughout the Bushnell family, including the A1-Slope. The laser doesn’t feel as easily accessible in this new case compared to the portrait case and I think it is a small step back, especially considering how good Bushnell’s protective cases have proved over the years.
If you value beautifully clear visuals, ease-of-use and reliable yardages, all packaged into a well-built laser that can fit in your pocket, the Pro XM is well worth considering.
