When looking for a rangefinder, there are quite a few names that will pop up.
One of the top brands that you’ll find is Nikon.
Nikon is a world leader in the optics universe and they are revolutionizing laser rangefinder technology.
Their products are of the highest quality and perform great which makes them a preferred choice by many.
While you can find many Nikon rangefinders on the market, today we pay special attention to the Nikon Coolshot 40.
The Nikon Coolshot 40 was designed for the green with great range and accurate distance measurement.
It comes fully loaded with some advanced features that will put you ahead of your competitors every single time.
Let’s take a closer look at the Nikon Coolshot 40 rangefinder and see what it brings to the table in this Nikon Coolshot 40 review.
Rangefinder
Features
Price
- Nikon Coolshot 40 review
- Pros: Nikon Coolshot 40
- Cons: Nikon Coolshot 40
- Nikon Coolshot 40 rangefinders vs other Nikon Rangefinders
- FAQ’s: Nikon Coolshot 40
- 1. How fast is the Nikon Coolshot 40 laser rangefinder?
- 2. How accurate is the Nikon Coolshot 40 rangefinder?
- 3. Is the Coolshot 40 rangefinder tournament legal?
- Final thoughts: Nikon Coolshot 40 rangefinder
Nikon Coolshot 40 review
- Range: 650 yards
- Magnification: 6x
- Weight: 5.6 oz
The Nikon Coolshot 40 rangefinder offers amazing features such as first target priority, high speed among others.
This compact rangefinder is tournament legal and has a crystal clear display so there is no difficulty in reading the results in different lighting situations.
It is quicker and more accurate than its predecessor, the Nikon Coolshot 20.
Continue reading as we list the awesome features of this golf rangefinder.
Best features of the Nikon Coolshot 40 laser rangefinder
Hyper Read Technology
For faster and more accurate readings, the Nikon Coolshot 40 laser rangefinder uses Hyper Read Technology.
This technology measures distances at a fast rate and gives you results in just 0.5 seconds, regardless of the distance to the target.
The built-in calculator calculates the time it takes for the laser to reach the target and return.
It then divides the speed and gives you the distance.
First Target Priority
If you have ever ranged flagsticks against a background of trees or other objects, you know how frustrating it gets.
Sometimes the rangefinder will lock on to an object that you aren’t ranging but with this rangefinder, you don’t have to worry.
With the use of First Target Priority technology, the Nikon Coolshot 40 rangefinder gives you the distance to the closest object among all the targets.
Regardless of the hazards around, the rangefinder will range to exactly what you want and nothing else.
This ensures precision and gives the user a better chance of sinking his shot.
Continuous Measurement
The Nikon Coolshot 40 rangefinder has an intuitive and easy to use Continuous Scan Mode.
It has the ability to range for 8 seconds continuously.
This feature is activated by pushing the Power button which then lets the rangefinder find measurements to multiple objects.
This way you get distances to pins, trees, and hazards without ranging to them one by one.
Range
This Nikon rangefinder can range objects anywhere from 8-650 yards which is suitable for golf.
The range distance is pretty impressive when compared to others that fall in the same price range.
Measurements are reported in ½ yard increments with an accuracy of +/- 2 ¼ feet.
Display
Nikon, as I’ve said before, is known for its optics and they placed special emphasis on the display of the Nikon Coolshot 40 rangefinder.
The rangefinder has a LED display integrated into it which offers a whole lot more benefits than the analog CRT models LCD’s with a black display.
The LED display is crystal clear and provides reticle and distance readings in red.
This means you can even read the results while wearing sunglasses, in the rain, and varying lighting situations.
Measurements can be set to either yards or meters depending on your preference.
Lens
Nikon did not disappoint with the lenses of the Coolshot 40.
The same technology used in their DSLR products was also used here.
Multilayer castings on the lenses provide higher light transmittance.
They minimize the loss of light to give you a clear view of the target.
The lenses offer clear and sharp images of objects in the distance with an eye relief of 18.3 mm for those who wear glasses or those with less than 20/20 vision.
Together with the magnification power of 6x, you can view objects closer and ensure you are ranging to the correct object.
The magnification is not that much to reduce the field of view by very much.
In terms of lenses, I don’t think any other rangefinder comes close to the Nikon rangefinders.
Laser Technology
The Nikon Coolshot 40 rangefinder uses an invisible Class 1 laser beam.
The laser beam works at a fast rate and can hit the target and return to the rangefinder in less than a second.
The laser is highly accurate and you are guaranteed accurate measurements of your exact target.
Battery
The Nikon Coolshot 40 laser rangefinder is powered by a rechargeable 3V CR2 Lithium Battery.
This battery can last a fairly long time once fully charged.
Battery life will depend on how many rounds of golf you play each session.
The rangefinder consumes less than 1 watt for every reading which makes it one of the best on the market.
There is also an automatic shut off function that also preserves battery life.
The Nikon Coolshot 40 will automatically shut off after 8 seconds of inactivity.
The battery level indicator will tell you when it needs to charge.
Design
The Nikon Coolshot 40 laser rangefinder design is a combination of excellent color, a nice finish, and a soft grip.
With a body made from metallic fiber covered in plastic coating, it looks and feels sturdy enough to survive a few falls perhaps.
However, try your best not to drop the rangefinder.
The look of the entire rangefinder is very cool and pleasing to the eye.
Aside from its looks, the Coolshot 40 is compact and small enough to fit comfortably in your hand, in your pocket, or golf bag when not in use.
Water resistance
The Nikon Coolshot 40 rangefinder is water-resistant and is rated IPX4 on the IP scale.
This means it is suitable for use in different weather conditions.
The rangefinder has excellent temperature tolerance and can be used in light rain or snow without worrying about damaging any of its internal components.
If you do use it in the rain, thoroughly dry the unit and store it in a cool dark place to eliminate Water condensation or mold on the lens surface due to high humidity levels.
It is important to remember that it is water-resistant and not waterproof so do not put it under running water or submerge the unit.
Warranty
The Nikon Coolshot 40 laser rangefinder comes backed by a 2-year warranty.
The company states that in the event of any defects in workmanship or material, they will replace or repair the unit at no cost to you.
This warranty is valid for 2 years from the date of purchase.
- HYPER READ provides quick and stable measurement response, in approx. 0.5 second, regardless of...
- Incredible ranging capability (8-650 yards), reported in ½ yard increments, with an accuracy or +/-...
- First Target Priority technology quickly and accurately identifies the flagstick from the...
Pros: Nikon Coolshot 40
Accurate
With Hyper Read Technology, First Target Priority technology, and a Continuous Scan Mode, the Nikon Coolshot 40 rangefinder is highly accurate.
Fast
The Nikon Coolshot 40 is a very fast little rangefinder that provides results in just 0.5 seconds.
Ease of Use
This rangefinder compromises of just 2 buttons so it is easy to understand and operate
Water-resistant
The Coolshot 40 can be used in the rain and is rated IPX4.
World-class Optics
Clean and clear lenses ensure that you always have sharp and vivid images every time you look through the lenses.
The LED display offers readability under varying weather conditions with its red display.
Cons: Nikon Coolshot 40
Not waterproof
The Nikon Coolshot 40 rangefinder is water-resistant but not fully waterproof so it can only be used in light rain.
No slope functions
If you are looking for a rangefinder for slope, then the Nikon Coolshot 40 is not the rangefinder for you.
Nikon Coolshot 40 rangefinders vs other Nikon Rangefinders
In this section, we’ll see how the Nikon Coolshot 40 laser rangefinder matches up against other Nikon rangefinders.
Nikon Golf- Coolshot 20 Laser Rangefinder
- Range: 550 yds
- Magnification: 6x
- Weight: 4.4 oz
The Nikon Coolshot 20 rangefinder precedes the Nikon Coolshot 40.
It is a powerful little tool that delivers world-class performance with clean and clear optics that you would expect from Nikon.
The Coolshot 20 and the Coolshot 40 both come with a First Target Priority Mode and a Continuous Scan Mode.
They both are compact, lightweight, versatile, and water-resistant for use anywhere at any time.
The difference in the yardage sees the Coolshot only ranging out to 550 yards with measurements in 1-yard increments.
Meanwhile, the Coolshot 40 ranges object up to 650 yards in ½ yard increments
Unlike the Nikon Coolshot 40 rangefinder, the Nikon Coolshot 20 does not come with the Hyper Read Technology.
Hyper Read technology enables the Coolshot 40 to display distance measurements faster than the Coolshoot 20.
While they share some similarities, putting them up against each other clearly saw the Nikon Coolshot 40 coming out on top.
- Measurement Range- 6-550 yds. Increment Reading- 1 yds. Angular Field of View (Real)- 6 °
- Size (L x W x H): 3.6″ x 1.5″ x 2.9″ Weight w/o Batteries: 4.4 oz
- Objective Diameter: 20mm
Nikon COOLSHOT 40i Golf Laser Rangefinder
- Range: 650 yards
- Magnification: 6x
- Weight: 5.6 oz
The Nikon Coolshot 40i is the upgraded version of the Coolshot 40 rangefinder although they share many similarities.
It includes Hyper-read technology as well as First Target Priority technology and 8-second Continuous Scan Mode just like the Nikon Coolshot 40.
The Coolshot 40i can also range objects from 8-to 650 yards with 6x magnification.
It is very much like the Coolshot 40 with just a few differences.
The Nikon Coolshot 40i comes with ID technology and a Distant Priority Mode which cannot be found on the Nikon Coolshot 40.
The ID technology is for slopes and helps the user to select the proper club for uphill and downhill shots.
The slope adjusted measurement takes out all the guesswork whether it is an uphill shot over water or a dogleg with a creek running through the middle.
The Distant Priority Mode provides distance reading of the furthest targeted objects when there is a group of objects in the distance.
This is extremely useful if you have to range a flagstick through branches.
In the end, the Nikon Coolshot 40i is very much like the Nikon Coolshot 40 except for the ability to calculate slope and ranging out to the furthest target object with the Distant Priority Mode.
Since it calculates slope, the Coolshot 40i is not tournament legal like the Coolshot 40.
- ID Technology displays slope-adjusted distance, as well as to-the-target distance, enabling you to…
- HYPER READ provides quick and stable measurement response, in approx. 0.5 second, regardless of…
- Incredible ranging capability (8-650 yards), reported in ½ yard increments, with an accuracy or +/-…
Nikon Coolshot Pro Stabilized Golf Rangefinder
- Range: 1200 yards
- Magnification: 6x
- Weight: 6 oz
The Nikon Coolshot Pro Stabilized Golf rangefinder copped the Best Rangefinder title in 2018 and it is well deserved.
The Nikon Coolshot Pro Stabilized comes with stabilizing technology as its name suggests.
Sometimes hands shake when using your rangefinder which can mess with your reading but with this rangefinder that is no longer an issue.
This particular rangefinder can calculate and adjust measurements based on the slopes so you can choose the right club.
The slope technology can be turned off which then makes the unit tournament legal.
It can range objects from 8-1200 yards and also comes with 6x magnification.
The Pro Stabilized rangefinder comes with an OLED display that has an auto or manual brightness setting so the user does not experience difficulties when reading the results.
Another advantage of this rangefinder is the use of next-gen HyperRead technology.
This makes the rangefinder deliver accurate readings in as little as 0.3 seconds which is faster than the Coolshot 40 at 0.5 seconds.
It is safe to say that the Coolshot Pro Stabilized rangefinder is much better than the Coolshot 40 in terms of features and technologies.
It is also waterproof and fog-proof unlike the Coolshot 40 which is simply water-resistant.
However, with the extra features, the Nikon Coolshot Pro Stabilized rangefinder costs a lot more than all of the Nikon rangefinders discussed in this Nikon Coolshot 40 review.
FAQ’s: Nikon Coolshot 40
1. How fast is the Nikon Coolshot 40 laser rangefinder?
The Coolshot 40 produces results in 0.5 seconds which is pretty fast.
This is due to the use of the Hyper Read Technology integrated into the rangefinder.
Hyper Read technology gets you instantaneous readings, regardless of the distance to the target.
2. How accurate is the Nikon Coolshot 40 rangefinder?
The Nikon 40 is capable of getting accurate distances within ½ yard which is about 2 ¼ feet.
That is as accurate you can get with a rangefinder.
This model may actually help to reduce the number of strokes you play to help improve your game.
3. Is the Coolshot 40 rangefinder tournament legal?
This rangefinder is tournament legal since it does not come with any slope function.
It cannot calculate and adjust measurement based on any inclines or declines in the course.
Final thoughts: Nikon Coolshot 40 rangefinder
The game of golf can be tricky and for that reason, you need a highly accurate laser rangefinder.
Even the slightest miss can make you lose and give your opponent the upper hand.
In this Nikon Coolshot 40 review, we found the Coolshot 40 to be a highly accurate unit.
It is also loaded with some advanced technologies which further help out on the green like Hyper Read Technology, First Target technology, Continuous Scan Mode, and more.
The world-class optics offers crystal clear images as well as easily visible readings with its LED display for readability in varying lighting conditions.
What is more is that this rangefinder is affordable, water-resistant, and comes with a 2 years warranty.
So if you are looking for an accurate golf rangefinder at an affordable price then grab the Nikon Coolshot 40.
For more golf rangefinders, read the best golf rangefinder and the best rangefinder under 150 post.
Rangefinder
Features
Price