Vortex Optics has been a dominant force in the hunting and outdoor optics industry, specializing in high-end scopes, sights, binoculars and rangefinders. In 2024, they launched a line of rangefinders specifically designed for the golfer. Featuring three models with varying price points and features, paired with their unconditional lifetime warranty, have they established themselves as a major player in another sporting category?
Their golf rangefinder line consists of three models: Blade, Blade Slope and Anarch. The Blade is the base version and includes a cart magnet and pin-spotter mode. The Blade Slope builds on those features by adding a slope function. The Anarch, their premium model, adds a red display and image stabilization. All models are tournament legal, shockproof and waterproof.
Four members of the MyGolfSpy Forum were selected to put the Vortex line of rangefinders through rigorous testing. Read on to see what they have to say and if Vortex deserves consideration when you’re shopping for an upgrade.
Vortex rangefinder testing highlights
- Optics Quality: Testers raved about the crystal-clear optics throughout the line of rangefinders. 6X zoom made it easy to locate targets and Anarch testers noted that the image-stabilization feature made it easy to lock on to both pins and hazards on-course.
- Build and Durability: Testers noted how well-constructed the full line of rangefinders were, saying they felt heavy in terms of build quality, not excessively bulky. They fit well in hand, had a premium feel and the “Magnesium Chassis with Comfort Guard” helped with keeping a secure grip in all conditions.
- A Personal Touch: Testers all received a hand-written letter from the Vortex team along with Vortex’s “Flight Pack” accessory kit, including tees, ball markers, branded golf balls, a hat and towel. They loved the personal touch this brought to their testing experience.
- Accurate Yardage: When it comes to club selection, accuracy cannot be compromised. All Vortex models were second-to-none with all testers comparing these rangefinders to other major competitors. Differences as large as eight yards were noted, which can lead to pulling the wrong club.
Initial thoughts and impressions
Our testers were eager to get underway with the testing of Vortex’s line of rangefinders, with two testers putting the Anarch through its paces and one tester working with the Blade and Blade Slope, respectively. Initial impressions were overwhelmingly positive.
Hosel_Rockets was impressed with the lengths Vortex went to, saying, “they went above and beyond to make me feel like part of the Vortex team. Along with the rangefinder, they also sent over an extra box filled with goodies, including a hat, divot tools, tees, golf balls, a towel, and two separate hand-written notes.”
Aethstetics
Within the rangefinder landscape, you’ll see all types of designs. From bright and bold to subtle and somewhat underwhelming, the landscape is crowded with looks. In the eyes of our testers, Vortex hit the nail on the head. It is worth noting that the Anarch and Blade/Blade Slope feature different colors.
Sirchunksalot summed it up well with the Anarch, stating, “It’s not trying to stand out from the crowd with bright colors yelling “look at me!” but instead is wrapped in a nice, subtle camo pattern that acknowledges their hunting heritage.”
The Blade and Blade Slope received equally high praise. PrismFlopper summed it up well, saying of the Blade Slope, “It keeps the design super simple with the clean colorway coyote greenish gray with the black upper. The neon green button for the measuring keeps the button easy to locate. The tournament legal lights on the front make it fantastic for the ability to use it in tournament or out without any question of slope usage.”
Build quality and durability
Vortex is known for their prowess in the hunting industry with high-quality, rugged and durable optics, so it should be no surprise that testers came away impressed with the build of the Anarch, Blade Slope and Blade.
Vortex also boasts one of the best warranties across any business: unconditional and lifetime. They cover anything and everything outside of loss, theft, deliberate damage or cosmetic damage that does not impact the performance of the product. Testers were eager to put the durability of these rangefinders to the test and they did not hold back. Drops, water submerging and shock tests were all performed.
(Spoiler Alert: All models excelled.)
Sirchunksalot had early first-hand proof in the build quality when his Anarch took a tumble on a cart path. “I’ve had it fall off the cart twice and the second time it rolled aggressively down a paved cart path suffering only cosmetic damage and nothing that affected performance.”
After submerging his unit in water AND tossing his Anarch across his lawn, Shrek74 found “The numbers never wavered. What I hit before the test from one spot to a target was the exact same number I was given from the same spot to the same target.”
Comments made in relation to the strength of the magnet were that, while it was strong, it was prone to some slipping on the post of a golf cart. If testers had an area to nitpick, it was this. While significant damage was not suffered in falls, there is a risk of losing the rangefinder if it fell off without you noticing.
Accuracy
A rangefinder that works the way it should the first time and every use after is all we can hope for. If you’re like me, you’ve had one that gives you three different measurements in a row or flat-out won’t pick up your target, instead giving you the tree line behind the flagstick. With no surprises here, Vortex once again excelled.
PrismFlopper tested his Blade Slope against his Bushnell rangefinder and a popular phone app. “On a par three in a straight line measurement, respectively, the Vortex Blade Slope read 119yds without slope and the competitor read 124. For some, that’s not a huge comparison; but when I placed it in slope mode I got a measurement of 96yds. That is a MASSIVE difference where I would possibly have to guess the yardage with the competitor. With slope, I can really pick my shot.”
Closing thoughts – A strong newcomer to the rangefinder ranks
The Vortex Blade, Blade Slope and Anarch (winner of the Editors Choice award in 2024 testing) all performed exceptionally well in our testing, validated by an average score of 95.75/100.
The durability and solid build, paired with excellent optical clarity and repeatedly accurate numbers, make it an appealing option in a crowded rangefinder category. Testers also loved the personal touch provided by Vortex, with hand-written notes and inspection cards, a testament to the person-to-person care you’re provided with when buying from them. Paired with a lifetime unconditional warranty, you have a product designed to last absolutely as long as you need it to. To take a deep dive into our member testing, view their full reviews and insights here: Vortex Optics Rangefinders – 2024 Forum Member Review.
