When I heard that Cigman had released a new golf laser rangefinder, the Cigman CT-1200, I was genuinely looking forward to getting my hands on it and testing it out on the golf course. Probably better known for their self-levelling lasers than golf rangefinders, Cigman has previous for selling high-quality golf lasers at very affordable prices. For example, the CT-1200’s predecessor, the CT-1000, is hands down one of the best laser rangefinders I’ve ever tested, so the thought of Cigman making this model even better really excited me.
However, after spending a few rounds with the CT-1200, I’ve got to be honest with you – it hasn’t quite lived up to the hype I’d built up for it, particularly when compared to the CT-1000. It’s pitched as a super-affordable budget laser, and it certainly delivers on price, but I’m just not as convinced as some other reviewers seem to be.
Allow me to explain why.
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First Impressions & Design – The Good, the Bad, and the Plastic
Let’s get the obvious out of the way first: at less than £60 with my code ‘AGB15’, the CT-1200 is really affordable. For that kind of money, nobody is expecting a device that can go toe-to-toe with the latest premium Bushnell model, but you do hope for a solid performer.
From a purely aesthetic point of view, I actually quite like the look of it. The orange accents against the white casing give it a bit of a modern, sporty look. However, I can only imagine that its white casing is going to be a nightmare to keep clean, especially if you’re prone to dropping things or if you’re playing in muddy conditions (which, let’s be honest, is most of the time here in Scotland!).
My immediate impression, taking it out of the box, was that it felt very, very cheap. It’s entirely plastic, and while it’s lightweight, small, and incredibly compact, which are positives for those who carry their clubs, it lacks the nice premium feel. Perhaps my expectations were set too high by the CT-1000, which not only looked great but felt great too.
Firstly, there’s no rubber grip, which is a real shame and might be a bit of an issue when it gets wet. Secondly, it feels almost too wide in the hand and just generally lacks any ergonomic shaping. This, coupled with the fact that there is no rubber grip, just means it’s not very comfortable to hold.
On-Course Performance: Where It Shines (Mostly)
Despite my criticism of its build quality, when it comes to zapping those pins on the golf course, the CT-1200 is actually surprisingly good. It’s fast-firing and accurate. I tested both the continuous scan mode and the flag lock, and consistently found the readings to be within two yards of my Shot Scope PRO X laser and the expected yardage from my Shot Scope V5 golf watch. In my experience, that’s more than accurate enough for most amateur golfers.
Despite it being lightweight, it’s easy to keep still, which is important for quick, accurate readings, especially for those lengthier approach shots. The display is crystal clear, it’s easy to focus, and the numbers are easy to read whether you’re playing in bright sunshine or under cloudier conditions.
In truth, I didn’t put its 1200-yard range to the test, but I did measure to bushes, trees and on-course hazards around 2-400 yards, and it returned yardages no problem. From 220 yards and in, it did well to lock onto pins, giving a nice solid vibration as confirmation. Even with busy backgrounds, like trees directly behind the flag, it generally locked onto pins without issue.
As is pretty much the case for all golf laser rangefinders these days, the CT-1200 has slope mode, which is accurate, providing an adjusted distance for those uphill or downhill shots.
Finally, the distance is displayed on a small LCD display built into the side of the screen, which is handy if you happen to forget the distance when looking through the laser (something that happens to me all the time). Whilst this feature is useful, it is also perhaps a little gimmicky, and the resolution of the display is a little poor. Also, it would be helpful if it displayed the standard and slope-adjusted values, rather than just the standard distance. The screen is certainly big enough to display both.
Where the Cigman CT-1200 loses strokes
So far, aside from a few minor issues, the CT-1200 has done fairly well. But, there are bigger issues that I’d like to address.
My biggest bugbear, and something that is also an issue with the CT-1000, is the multitude of non-golf modes found on the CT-1200. Speed, horizontal, and vertical distance measuring modes are confusing and just unnecessary for a golf rangefinder. During my testing, I genuinely found it difficult to figure out which mode I was in most of the time, especially if I pressed the wrong button and ended up cycling through them. Rather than including modes on golf laser rangefinders that golfers won’t ever use, I really wish manufacturers would just keep it simple and leave them off.
Then there’s the cart magnet. Yes, at least it has one, which is great for those who ride buggies; however, it’s very small and significantly less powerful than the magnets on other lasers I’ve tested. Whilst it will probably work okay on a smooth path, I’m genuinely not convinced it would hold securely if you’re bouncing over rough terrain in a buggy or facing a strong headwind. I can’t say I was overly convinced by the magnet’s strength when I tested it against a metal pole on the golf course, though I haven’t yet had the chance to put it through its paces on an actual cart..
As is pretty much the case for all golf laser rangefinders these days, the CT-1200 has slope mode, which is accurate, providing an adjusted distance for those uphill or downhill shots.
Another concern is around the all-plastic construction, which doesn’t fill me with confidence regarding durability. It doesn’t feel like it would withstand being dropped or bashed around particularly well, which can sometimes happen with golf laser rangefinders being used on the golf course.
As is pretty much the case for all golf laser rangefinders these days, the CT-1200 has slope mode, which is accurate, providing an adjusted distance for those uphill or downhill shots.
Finally, the slope mode switch, or rather, the lack of a proper physical one. The CT-1200 allows you to disable slope mode for tournament play by pressing and holding the two buttons on the top of the device simultaneously. Whilst this works, it means there’s no visible indication for playing partners to confirm that slope mode is not active during competitive rounds. A simple, obvious physical switch, like the one found on the side of the Shot Scope PRO L2 rangefinder, is a much more convenient and transparent method.
It’s not all bad, though. There are some other positives that can be found on the CT-1200.
It has a built-in battery that is charged using a standard USB-C cable, meaning there’s no faffing with proprietary cables or buying replacement batteries, and the port has a high-quality rubber seal, which does a great job of keeping dirt and moisture out.
Unusually for a budget laser, the carry case is also surprisingly good quality, and should do a good job of keeping any rain out.
As is pretty much the case for all golf laser rangefinders these days, the CT-1200 has slope mode, which is accurate, providing an adjusted distance for those uphill or downhill shots.
Final thoughts on the Cigman CT-1200
So, is the Cigman CT-1200 the best budget laser rangefinder on the market? In my opinion, no.
There’s no denying that nails the basics: it’s fast, accurate, and very affordable. If you’re on a tight budget and just need a reliable rangefinder, then you’ll probably be happy with the Cigman CT-1200. The clear display, effective flag lock, 1200-yard range and accuracy are all positives, and, in fairness, it does have most if not all of the features the average golfer will be looking for.
However, the build quality feels a little inadequate, and the ergonomics aren’t great. The inclusion of the unnecessary modes and the weak cart magnet are genuine frustrations, which detract from the positives. While some might find its minimalist plastic design fine for the price, I’d personally rather pay the extra £30/40 for the Shot Scope PRO L2, which I think is a much better budget option.
That being said, it is important to remember that this laser rangefinder only costs around £60, which is very reasonable for what you actually get. Whilst it may not be perfect, it certainly will do the job for golfers just looking to get a little assistance on the golf course without breaking the bank.
Order the Cigman CT-1200
If, after reading this review, you’d like to order the Cigman CT-1200, be sure to head to the official Cigman store and enter the code ‘AGB15’ to save 15% on your order. If it’s not available on the Cigman site, check Amazon using my special discounted link below.
If you have any questions about the CT-1200, be sure to drop them below, and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. If you’re looking for an alternative to the CIgman CT-1200, check out my 10 top laser rangefinders available on Amazon under £150 list.
