What They Have in Common
Both rangefinders deliver ±1 yard accuracy, 6x magnification, slope with a legal switch, and CR2 battery power. They're both designed for golfers who want slope on casual rounds and the ability to flip it off for competition. For everyday purposes — dialing in a 150-yard approach or checking the carry to a front bunker — either one will give you the same number.
Where They Differ
Optics and Display
This is the real fork in the road. The Nikon ships with multilayer lens coating, which genuinely helps in low-contrast conditions — overcast mornings, shadowed tree lines, that kind of thing. Nikon has been making glass longer than most rangefinder brands have existed, and it shows.
The Precision Pro counters with an HD LCD display, which gives you a brighter, higher-contrast readout inside the unit. That's a different advantage: it's less about acquiring the target and more about reading the number once you have it. Both matter, but they solve different problems. If you squint at your current rangefinder's display more than you squint at the target, the NX10 wins this one. If your issue is picking out the flag against a busy background, the Nikon's coated optics have the edge.
Range and Water Resistance
The Precision Pro is rated to 999 yards; the Nikon tops out at 800. Honest truth: you're not ranging 900-yard targets on a golf course. But the IP54 water resistance rating on the NX10 is real and meaningful — it'll handle a genuine downpour, not just a light mist. The Nikon is rainproof, which in practice means it'll survive a drizzle but you'd probably want to pocket it if the skies open up.
If you play in the Pacific Northwest or routinely tee off in shoulder-season weather when conditions are genuinely wet, IP54 is worth thinking about. Otherwise, both units will handle normal rain just fine.
Size, Weight, and Feel
The Nikon COOLSHOT 20i GIII publishes its dimensions: 91 × 73 × 37 mm and 4.6 oz. That's legitimately small — it fits in a shorts pocket without the rectangular lump that bigger units create. Precision Pro doesn't publish weight or dimensions for the NX10, which probably means it's not the compact story. Call it a hunch — brands tend to lead with lightweight specs when they have them.
The Nikon's Locked-On Quake feature gives you haptic vibration on target lock. The Precision Pro has pulse vibration as well, so both confirm acquisition without you having to stare at the display.
Battery and Long-Term Cost
Here's where the Precision Pro does something genuinely clever: it includes free lifetime battery replacements. CR2 lithium cells cost around $5–10 each depending on where you find them, and they're everywhere — any pharmacy, most gas stations — but they do add up over three or four years of regular play. Precision Pro's program removes that cost entirely. The Nikon covers you with a five-year warranty on the hardware, which is strong, but you're buying your own CR2s.
Who Should Buy Which
Get the Nikon COOLSHOT 20i GIII if:
- You want a genuinely pocketable rangefinder — the kind that lives in your front pocket all round without being annoying
- You're the golfer who plays mostly in dry or mild conditions and doesn't need certified waterproofing
- You value Nikon's optical heritage and the multilayer coating for low-light or high-glare situations
- You'd rather have a five-year hardware warranty and pay for batteries yourself
Get the Precision Pro NX10 Slope if:
- You're the golfer who plays early morning rounds on wet courses from April through October and wants IP54 protection without babying your rangefinder
- You plan to own this thing for five-plus years and the lifetime battery program actually changes the total cost equation
- The HD LCD display matters to you — your eyes catch the number faster when the screen contrast is sharp
- You're fine spending $59 more now in exchange for never buying a CR2 again
The Bottom Line
These are legitimately close for everyday use, and you won't be leaving shots on the table with either one. But the Precision Pro NX10 Slope has a clear functional edge in wet conditions and wins on long-term battery cost. The Nikon wins on size, weight, and optics pedigree — and it's $59 cheaper. For most golfers who play in normal conditions and want a light, compact unit they can forget about, the Nikon COOLSHOT 20i GIII is the smarter buy. If you live somewhere it rains and you're counting on this rangefinder for years, the Precision Pro earns its price.
Get the Nikon COOLSHOT 20i GIII.
See Also