There is a fierce battle brewing in the world. News outlets and social media would have you think it’s somewhere overseas with ships, planes, drones and cruise missiles. This battle is just as fierce, but the weapons are considerably less explosive. Instead, manufacturers are waging war over who can build the smartest, fastest and most capable laser rangefinder on the market.
SHOT Show proved that point in a hurry. Handheld LRFs, binoculars and even gun-mounted units were everywhere. But one product kept pulling us back for another look…the Garmin Xero L60i. Garmin continues diving deeper into the shooting sports world with fresh ideas that challenge products many assumed had already reached their peak. The result is a handheld rangefinder that feels like it skipped a generation.
Xero L60i — Premium Glass Meets Augmented Reality
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The Garmin L60i is classified as a premium laser rangefinder—and rightfully so. It represents a huge technological leap forward with an unprecedented amount of usable features, many of which have never appeared in a handheld LRF.
Before diving into the technology, the optics deserve recognition. Garmin equipped the L60i with premium glass that delivers exceptional clarity. The company proudly showcased it at SHOT Show, and after spending time behind it, it’s easy to understand why.
The 7x magnification paired with the 32mm objective produces a remarkably sharp image from edge to edge. It feels much closer to looking through quality binoculars than a traditional handheld rangefinder.
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What truly separates the L60i from the competition, however, is its integrated high-resolution full-color graphic display overlay. The augmented reality interface is immersive, intuitive after a brief learning curve, and capable of presenting an impressive amount of navigational and ballistic information without feeling cluttered.
Technology That Actually Makes Sense
The L60i is packed with technology, and that’s often where products become complicated. More features usually mean more menus, more frustration and more time spent reading the manual than actually using the gear.
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Thankfully, Garmin avoided that trap.
Three primary controls, a Power/Back button, a four-way directional pad and a Range/Select button, handle virtually every function. At first glance it seems almost too simple, but after a few sessions everything becomes surprisingly intuitive.
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Fast, Reliable Ranging
The L60i can range animals to a claimed 1,500 yards and trees to 2,000 yards. During testing, ranging rocks beyond 2,000 yards proved entirely possible.
While some competing units advertise 3,000-yard-plus capabilities, Garmin brings another trick to the fight. Sensor Locate combines onboard GPS and mapping to estimate distances beyond standard laser range using integrated sensors. It won’t work under every condition, but inside practical hunting distances, the L60i is consistently quick and dependable.
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Realistically, few hunters need 3,000-yard ranging capability. Most simply want confidence that whatever distance presents itself, the rangefinder can handle it. The Garmin accomplishes that without hesitation.
Far More Than a Rangefinder
Calling the XERO L60i a laser rangefinder almost undersells it.
This is also a fully functional Garmin GPS unit complete with mapping, navigation and waypoint management.
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Open the map screen and you’ll find detailed mapping with roads and terrain. Range a distant location, save it and navigate directly to it. Build routes using multiple ranged points, complete with elevation data so you know exactly what you’re walking into.
Sensor Locate works alongside the onboard GPS, compass, inclinometer and mapping software to estimate distances beyond laser range while displaying directional indicators that help keep you moving toward the correct location.
You can save locations, assign custom icons and even mark your current position for easy return later.
It’s honestly difficult to communicate just how capable the L60i is because navigation alone could warrant its own review.
Applied Ballistics Inside
As impressive as the GPS functions are, the Applied Ballistics integration is arguably the star of the show.
Much like Garmin’s premium smartwatch line-up, the L60i incorporates Applied Ballistics software directly into the unit, simplifying long-range shooting.
Users can manually enter rifle profiles or synchronize everything through AB Quantum, allowing quick switching between multiple rifles and ballistic profiles. The Quantum app also keeps profiles consistent across other Applied Ballistics-compatible devices.
Target cards and range cards can be displayed directly within the L60i.
Once a rifle profile is complete, pressing the range button instantly provides critical shooting information including range, wind speed and direction, elevation correction, wind holds, incline and direction of fire. Environmental data—including pressure, latitude and temperature—can either be entered manually or gathered from onboard sensors.
At that point, the process becomes refreshingly simple: range, dial, shoot.
Garmin even includes an archery mode for bowhunters.
Final Thoughts
Garmin has done it again.
A technology company has taken a product category many considered mature and completely reimagined what it can do. The XERO L60i isn’t simply a better rangefinder, it becomes a navigation tool, ballistic computer and field companion rolled into one.
If you’re willing to invest the time learning everything it offers, you’ll likely find yourself wondering how you ever hunted or shot without it. Hunters, precision rifle shooters and even hikers will appreciate just how much capability Garmin managed to pack into one handheld device.
Sometimes a product raises the bar.
The Garmin XERO L60i picks it up and carries it several hundred yards farther.
Garmin XERO L60i Specifications
- Dimensions: 4.94″ x 3.53″ x 1.99″ (125.41 mm x 89.66 mm x 50.59 mm)
- Weight: 0.80 lbs (362.88 g) without battery; 0.849 lbs (385.1 g) with battery
- Waterproof Rating: IPX7
- Magnification: 7x
- Objective Lens: 32mm
- Display Type: DLP augmented reality
- Display Resolution: 960 x 540 pixels
- Maximum Range: 2,000 yards (trees), 1,500 yards (animals), 7,500 yards (retroreflective)
- Ballistic Solver: Applied Ballistics
- Ballistic Modes: Rifle / Archery
- Battery: Two AAA lithium batteries (included)
- Battery Life: Approximately 1,400 ranges (1-second ranging, 10-second display)
- MSRP: $2,499
