GPS/Range Finder- Decision Tree

[dorfblee]

We should make a sticky on how to choose . . .

Hi all-

First off, I have already decided on a device, so my comments/judgements may be a little slanted, but it was what I used to determine which type of product fit me best. I walk. I play fast. I'll help you look for your ball as long as I have an idea of where mine is and I'll give you yardages off of sprinkler heads as I walk by. That is how I prefer to play.

I've been reading up and following the discussions on GPS v. Rangefinders. Now that GPS units have excellent course coverage (well for me at least, the course in NorCal that I play are mapped by several products) that part of the discussion is dead.

I think it'd be helpful if a Mod or a "super user" could put together a sticky or locked post about each types and the type of person who would use either one. Something more neutral and more detailed or have a product breakdown somewhere.

Maybe breakdown care/maintenance, ease of use, or just have a chart matching up equivalent features? Or just make an ever evolving GPS or Rangefinder product list post?

For me, the breakdown came down like this:

Care/Maintenance-
GPS- needs to be plugged into a computer to download courses (at least once) or updates (I consider this maintenance). Batteries- some model are rechargeable built ins, others are not.
Rangerfider- pop batteries in and take it to the course. Keep it clean- lenses, etc.

Ease of Use-
GPS- some systems are a little convoluted, but since I'm a computer guy I deal with stupid counter intuitive interfaces all the time. Once your courses are loaded onto the device, they all seem pretty straightforward. A few systems are very simple- scroll to the hole, front back center of the green. A few systems allow you to mark custom points or measure shot distance.
Rangefinder- I'm only 30 and don't have shaky hands and good vision, so it really is just point and shoot. Since I'm less inclined to be hitting from another fairway, scoping trees etc is less useful than maybe 6 months ago.

My Conclusions-
The Rangefinders are nice that you can get a distance to anything, as long as you have something to bounce off of. But for me, they are all a little big. The additional size helps with the aiming though. Initially, I thought this was it for me (soon after the USGA allowed these devices based on local rules, etc). Kind of expensive though, figured I'd wait to see how the GPS units worked out and if the prices would drop.

GPS units- there are a lot of choice and competing products in this arena. Initially, there weren't enough course mapped, etc. Now there are several products that have pretty much all the course I play and would like to play in my area. I am not a vacation golfer- I don't take golf trips . . . yet. The size of the unit is smaller too.

For me personally, the maintenance difference was negligible. Battery, as long as it was rechargeable I don't care if it's built in or not. I wanted something small, light, and quick to use (both device types are easy to use) . . . and cheap.

Again, I am the type of player who walks, plays my own ball quickly (usually try to help others find their ball and track tee shots, etc), and tends not to carry 14 clubs (keeping the bag light). If I could just have someone follow me around and yell out a yardage to the center of the green that would be perfect.

If you haven't guessed yet, I am about to buy an iGolf Neo. 100 downloads for $99 for one year and . . . I can download the 15 courses I rotate through, add in 15 other courses I would like to play and still have enough credits to download updates for all of them before my 1st year was up . . . and still have room to download random courses I happen upon during that first year.

It seems like I can just leave in a pocket and pop it out when I need it . . . all I really want is a yardage to the center of the green as quickly as possible. I absolutely hate walking over to a sprinkler head only to have it not be marked.

$250 for what I need (yardages to the green) for all the courses I play and then some . . . tough to beat value wise. Plus it's small and there are a few holes that I would like to mark custom lay up points or forced carries/bail out areas.

Sorry for the infomercial like sale pitch, but my year long look at picking up a device has finally been completed.

[darwin69]

I just went thru the same process and also decided on the iGolf Neo. There are alot of devices available now to choose from and probably more will appear shortly. For me, the price was the deciding factor.

 

I got mine last week on Amazon for $135 with free shipping. Looks like that special deal is closed now, but will most likely will return. Keep looking. Also, I paid only $39 for the 100 course credits, so I wonder if that has changed?

 

Anyhoo, I played a round this week-end with a guy carrying the SkyCaddie 3, and he was having trouble picking up the satellites all day (lots of trees, maybe). The Neo had no trouble and was within 1 yard of the yardage markers. I'm happy with decision, so far.

[Wait_What]

Anyhoo, I played a round this week-end with a guy carrying the SkyCaddie 3, and he was having trouble picking up the satellites all day (lots of trees, maybe). The Neo had no trouble and was within 1 yard of the yardage markers. I'm happy with decision, so far.

 

yeah, the sg3 and sg4 suck compared to the sg2.5 and the sg5. i would select the iGolf neo over either the 3 or the 4 anyday.