The Quick Verdict
Get the Nikon COOLSHOT 50i GII. At $70 more, it's lighter, is rated for about 10,000 measures per CR2 against the PRO L5's 5,800, carries a five-year warranty against the PRO L5's two, and has an IPX4 rating where Shot Scope publishes none. The Shot Scope PRO L5 is worth a look only if you specifically want 7x magnification and can live with shorter battery life — but for most golfers, the Nikon is the better buy at that price gap. Check price at Amazon →
What They Have in Common
Both are slope-enabled rangefinders with a legal slope-switch for tournament play, ±1 yard accuracy, an OLED display, and CR2 battery. Both have cart magnets and are water-resistant to some degree. On the core job — point at the flag, get a number — neither has a published edge.
Where They Differ
Weight and Feel in Hand
This one matters more than people give it credit for. The Nikon comes in at 7.2 oz. The Shot Scope PRO L5 is 12 oz — nearly 5 oz heavier, which is a meaningful difference when it's in your shirt pocket for four hours. Over 18 holes that extra weight is noticeable, especially in a cart bag or a carry situation. In size they're close: 4.5 × 3.1 × 1.6 in for the Nikon, 4.6 × 1.6 × 2.8 in for the PRO L5.
Battery Life
The Nikon is rated for roughly 10,000 measurements. The PRO L5 is rated for about 5,800. Both use a CR2 — which is good, since CR2 batteries are at every pharmacy in the country if you need one mid-round. But the Nikon is rated for roughly 70% more measures per battery, which means you'll rarely think about it. With the Shot Scope, you might find yourself doing the math after a few months of regular play.
Optics
The PRO L5 wins this one on paper: 7x magnification versus the Nikon's 6x. More magnification means a larger image and, in theory, easier flag acquisition at distance. Whether you'll notice the difference at typical approach distances — 100 to 200 yards — is another question. Probably not. At 250+ yards to a distant flag on a long par-5, the extra power is more meaningful. The Nikon's internal OLED reads in red; Shot Scope doesn't publish a colour for the PRO L5's OLED. Honestly, it's a minor distinction.
Warranty
Five years from Nikon versus two years from Shot Scope. That's not a trivial gap. Rangefinders take a beating — dropped on cart paths, left in hot cars, caught in the rain. Three extra years of coverage is a real backstop for that kind of life. Two years is fine; five is better.
Water Resistance
The Nikon is IPX4 rated, which means splash-resistant from any direction. The Shot Scope lists "water-resistant" without publishing a specific IPX rating. That's not automatically a red flag, but it means you're taking the brand's word for it rather than a tested standard.
Who Should Buy Which
Get the Nikon COOLSHOT 50i GII if:
- You play year-round and want a rangefinder that will still be under warranty in four years when your buddy knocks it off the cart
- You carry your bag and notice what's in your pockets — 5 fewer ounces adds up across 18 holes
- You want the higher-rated water resistance for those early morning rounds where the dew is coming in sideways
- You're the golfer who replaces batteries once a season and never wants to think about it again
Get the Shot Scope PRO L5 if:
- You play a lot of long, open courses where you're regularly ranging targets at 300+ yards and the 7x magnification actually earns its keep
- You find the $70 difference genuinely meaningful right now and the two-year warranty feels sufficient for how you treat your gear
- You'd rather have the extra heft — I'd guess a heavier unit is easier to hold still on a flag, but that's a hunch, not a spec
The Bottom Line
For the $70 gap between these two, the Nikon gives you a lighter unit, roughly 70% more measures per battery, an IPX4 rating, and a warranty that covers you for five years. The Shot Scope has a real magnification advantage at 7x and a 1,300-yard range against the Nikon's 1,200, but that's where its edge ends. For most golfers playing most courses, the Nikon is the more practical, better-supported purchase.