It’s been 5 1/2 years since I met the guys from SoCal – Drew Koehler, Chris Markham, and Brandon Francisco at the 2020 PGA Show. The trio created a start-up golf tech company known as Blue Tees. They began by disrupting the Laser Rangefinder market, and have since followed the same edict for re-innovating every genre of distance measuring devices that you can imagine (and some you could never have imagined). In 2026, they’ve taken the baton and bolted to another level – introducing a new line of laser devices, GPS speakers, and this summer, the much-anticipated Rainmaker launch monitor arrives with tons of data metrics and a blue-collar price point ($600).
As far as the new lasers go, Blue Tees has released two new models: the Captain Pro and Captain Air. We tested the Captain Air.
Captain Air features
Like the Captain Pro, the Captain Air, is also a ‘smart’ rangefinder. If you connect it to the Blue Tees app, you get a bunch of data aside from just locking onto your target distances in the viewfinder. Once paired, you get GPS yardages to the front, center, and back of greens in addition to your yardage to the flag. When paired, the app provides aerial views of the hole you’re on, and detailed heat maps of the green as well. The 6x LCD display provides top-shelf clarity only found on laser devices that cost nearly double. The optional Advanced Analytics Package subscription provides club recommendations, shot tracking, shot dispersion, and accuracy metrics.
In cases where the slope feature may be employed for elevation changes, Blue Tees has their own version with ‘True Distance Adjusted Yardages’. On the app, the measured distance is automatically adjusted factoring in several conditions including – wind, elevation, and even temperature to give you an adjusted distance that factors in all of the variables. The weather part of the equation can be baffling, but the Captain Air did a proper job of analyzing the conditions and coming up with an accurate number.
USB-C charging port removes the need to have costly CR2 batteries stored in your golf bag. Integrated cart magnet allows for instant device access when riding on the course.
In order to tap into these metrics, a subscription is required, but at $49 a year or $99 for three years, the cost is modest for what you get. Even with the subscription added to the price, the Captain Air laser rangefinder is a worthy value when compared to competitor models at the same price range ($250).
Testing
We tested the Captain Air at Bandon Dunes Resort (walking), at Riviera Country Club (riding) and Bel-Air (walking0 in Southern California recently. Lightning quick readings, clear and detailed visuals, and an interactive app that provides detailed shot data, club suggestions, hole by hole visuals, and comprehensive green reading diagrams for those who want it all. I don’t know about you, but when I’m walking in tough conditions like Bandon, I want a device that can handle the elements – locks in on my target with clear visuals, and gives me the number instantly. Smaller things like a Dual-colored HD display, USB-C charging port, and a best in class protective case are the icing on the cake, just the things to sway your purchase, and nudge this device as a top contender of the mid-priced laser rangefinders that we’ve tested. With its brilliant options, and ease of use, you can’t go wrong with this latest Blue Tees innovation. Captain Air… A++ on all fronts.
Stay tuned for our future review of the much-awaited Rainmaker launch monitor this summer.
