Arccos Smart Laser Review: Incredibly Accurate But With A Notable Cost

While its real expertise lies in the shot tracking market courtesy of its excellent smart sensors, smart grips and even the new Arccos Air, the Smart Laser is Arccos’ first move into the rangefinder category.

In what is already a crowded and ultra-competitive market, can Arccos incorporate the best parts from its shot-tracking abilities into a rangefinder to help it stand out from the competition?

The answer, in short, is yes. The Smart Laser fully integrates with the Arccos app and not only complements your shot tracking software (if you have it), but performs as a one of the best golf rangefinders even without these unique features.

I’ll get onto those in a moment, but I always begin my reviews talking about my first impressions of each rangefinder and this article is no different. There isn’t any ‘wow’ factor with the Smart Laser, but that isn’t a critique. Instead, you get a device that looks slick, has a solid build quality and appropriate weight alongside handy rubber grips on each side. It also comes with an unspectacular but seemingly robust carry case that features a nice pop of Arccos green around the zip.

Once you raise the device to your eye, you are met with a crisp red LED backlit display with 6.1x magnification, as good as anything I’ve tested this year. Beyond its smart features, it functions excellently as a standard rangefinder, producing quick and accurate distances and near automatic flag location, even against cluttered backgrounds.

It vibrates after each measurement, which is a feature I think should be reserved for when you have successfully shot the flag to ensure you haven’t got a yardage to the foliage behind the green. I also feel like a rangefinder this technologically advanced should have a ‘find my laser’ feature like we’re becoming accustomed to seeing on top-level models. Nit-picking aside, as a pick-up-and-shoot laser, it is very impressive.

Now for the good stuff: once you shoot your target, you are met with three different numbers. The first is the yardage as the crow flies, but the second is where it gets fun. The “Smart Distance” reading provides an exceptionally accurate "plays like" distance by pulling real-time data from the Arccos app it has been paired with that factors in slope, elevation, temperature, and wind, which proved highly reliable during testing. It's without doubt one of the best golf rangefinders with slope as a result.

I tested the Smart Laser at Royal County Down, a course where I fight against the elements all too often, making it an ideal place to test whether the “plays like” distances were reliable. The signature, downhill par-three 4th hole plays roughly 190 yards but typically turns into the prevailing wind - I’ve hit everything from 8 iron to fairway woods on that tee over the years.

I've played over a dozen rounds with the Smart Laser and the adjusted yardage was spot on each time. In fact, there were three rounds in a row with different winds and therefore different yardage recommendations and they were all accurate.

Alongside actual distance and "Smart Distance," the viewfinder displays a third number based on peak wind gusts; while it sounds redundant, it provides valuable confidence and club selection clarity when caught between clubs in windy conditions.

If you’re already a subscriber to Arccos, your Smart Laser will also automatically tag and set the precise pin location every time you shoot the flag, which drastically improves the accuracy of your approach and putting data without manual entry.

Now, for the controversial part. At $299/£279, it seems remarkable value for money when you factor in the unique features on offer. However, there is a catch - you need a subscription.

Maybe this shouldn’t be a surprise considering Arccos shot tracking also requires a subscription, but if you have Arccos Air or the Smart Sensors, you’ll need a separate subscription for those in addition to your Smart Laser subscription, both of which are $199.99 a year (the first year is free).

Your initial $299 payment for the device itself only gets you in the door, meaning once you’re inside the Arccos ecosystem, it’ll cost you extra a year to stay there and get the most out of your device. While I understand the reasoning behind why Arccos has done this with the Smart Laser, $199.99 a year in addition to your shot tracking subscription represents a serious financial commitment.

What's more is the Smart Laser will only work with an active subscription, which means you won't get as much as a simple yardage if you aren't subscribed. So to coin a phrase from the poker world, you're pot committed - and say you use it for three years, that will set you back the best part of $700.

That said, there is a bundle discount if you buy a game-tracking and Smart Laser subscription together. Combining the two together will set you back $299.99 per year, saving you $100 a year compared to buying the two separately. Still tough, not exactly cheap.

Buying the Arccos Smart Laser is therefore more than a simple distance measuring device purchase; it’s a commitment. If you pay the money, you get a tremendous device that has some of the most intuitive features and unprecedented accuracy I’ve seen on a rangefinder that also complements your shot tracking subscription if you’re already an Arccos golfer.

There is more on the way, too. Arccos is constantly working on software updates and improvements to the Smart Laser software are in the works, including improved weather data and personal club recommendations. No other rangefinder I've tried provides automatic weather and wind data displayed directly into the viewfinder, so I'm excited to see how that looks.

So there you have it. This is an amazing rangefinder, without question. The catch is this will cost you a pretty penny - whether that level of investment is worth it is completely dependent on what you want from your tech and how often you get on the course.