Cigman CT-1000 Golf Rangefinder Review

I’ve had the chance to put the Cigman CT-1000 Rangefinder through its paces, and this little unit has impressed me more than some golf lasers that cost four to five times the price. Here’s my full breakdown after testing it on the course.

Unboxing and First Impressions

I did an unboxing video (see below) and my first thought was that the CT-1000 looks and feels like a premium device. The build is solid, the display is crisp, and it comes with a handy case that clips right to the golf bag.

Range Testing

I tested the CT-1000 up to about 300 yards on the course. It locked on to targets quickly and accurately—whether it was a flag, a tree, a golfer, or a fairway bunker. For my needs, that’s more than enough distance coverage, and it performed as well as (if not better than) units in the $500+ range.

Elevation (Slope) Mode

One of the best features of this unit is the slope calculation. The CT-1000 will factor in elevation changes—whether you’re hitting uphill or downhill—and give you the “plays like” yardage. That’s the kind of feature usually reserved for higher-end rangefinders, and it’s hugely helpful when you’re playing hilly courses. Note: not legal in tournament or stipulated play!

Speed Mode

I’ll admit—I was excited when I saw the “speed” feature listed. My first thought was that it would track ball speed or swing speed, making it a poor man’s launch monitor. Sadly, that wasn’t the case. The best I could do was measure how fast a golf cart was driving (you’ll see that in my video). It’s a neat party trick, but not particularly useful for golfers who are looking for swing data. Still, as a bonus feature, it’s fun to have. I can sit on my porch and clock cars going by.

USB-C Charging (Goodbye CR2 Batteries)

This might be my favorite part: the CT-1000 charges via USB-C. No more messing with those annoying, expensive CR2 batteries that always seem impossible to find when you need them most. Just plug it in, charge it up, and you’re good to go for multiple rounds. Huge thumbs up here.

Other Features Worth Mentioning

• Flag Lock and Vibration: Confirms when you’ve locked onto the pin.
• Multiple Modes: Switch easily between slope and tournament-legal non-slope mode.
• Compact Design: Fits nicely in one hand, light enough not to be a burden.
• Price Point: Offers more features than many units costing $500 or more.
• Magnetic: Strong magnet for sticking the unit on a golf cart

On-Course Experience

On the course, the CT-1000 quickly became a go-to tool. I trusted the numbers, I liked the ease of toggling slope mode, and the fast target acquisition meant I wasn’t holding up play. It’s nice when a piece of tech just works without drama, and this one does exactly that.

Final Thoughts

The $94 Cigman CT-1000 Golf Rangefinder delivers high-end performance at a super low price. With features like slope adjustment, USB-C charging, and accurate yardages out to 300 yards, it’s punching well above its weight class. While the “speed” feature isn’t as useful as I hoped, the core performance is rock solid. If you’re in the market for a new rangefinder and don’t want to drop $500+, this one is absolutely worth a look. Pick one up and have an extra $400 to spend on your 23rd driver.