Bushnell Neo XS review (GPS Watch)

[Bob Cat]

Ordered from Amazon as a "used", "open box" product. I could not tell it had been used. It did have an Amazon "INSPECTED" sticker over the box top which was reassuring.

 

Out of the box...

 

Likes:

• Styling (black)
  
• "Tee Time" function: Can set a tee time up to one week in advance and the watch automatically goes to "golf mode" seven minutes before set tee time and finds the course you're on (if you're there) so you're ready to go at the first hole w/o any fiddling with the watch. A solid feature.
  
• Time is automatically set by GPS.
  
• Shows a max of 4 hazards.
  
• Auto hole advance while playing.
  
• "Auto Off": To save battery life, you can set watch to exit golf mode at a predetermined time span. I set mine at 4.5 hours.
  

Not so much:

• I will get better at this but I found the recharging clip to be a little difficult to attach. There are two very small pins in the clip to help align it to a series of brass contacts. It's a patience thing.
  

I'm playing today and will post an inaugural round review tonight.

 

Hope this was helpful. By the way, I'm coming from a SkyCaddie 2.5 (no longer willing to pay $30/yr for the subscription).

[Bob Cat]

OP here...

Jumped onto first tee today at a course I hadn't played in a couple years. Watch automatically queued the course and a couple others. I selected the first one and away we went. Commenced to tie the best score of my life. Probably a coincidence... however I had a swell of confidence in the yardages available to me at a glance.

I did have to manually advance to the next hole once and am not sure why (accidentally hit a button?). Other than that, no issues.

We'll see what tomorrows round brings.

[RSinSG]

I have been using the NeoX for over a year and like it. It's pretty basic but since I also use a laser rangefinder I mostly use it for Par 5 second shot distances or hazards. The price was much better than the other name brands, but yes the charging clip is goofy. Why they didn't just use the standard USB mini interface is beyond me.

[BlackDiamondPar5]

[quote name='RSinSG' timestamp='1432349122' post='11611748']
I have been using the NeoX for over a year and like it. It's pretty basic but since I also use a laser rangefinder I mostly use it for Par 5 second shot distances or hazards. The price was much better than the other name brands, but yes the charging clip is goofy. [b]Why they didn't just use the standard USB mini interface is beyond me.[/b]
[/quote]

The clip with external contacts allows th the watch to remain sealed and waterproof. It takes a little getting used to but it's actually very easy.

[RSinSG]

Makes sense I guess, but I live in St George and the watch is never subjected to water.

I don't find it hard to connect - just annoying that it takes up another USB port.

[Bob Cat]

Your OP here again...

I've charged it twice now and, yes, the clipping procedure is getting easier.

Not a great round today but the watch performed flawlessly. I'm still happy with the purchase.

[Wedge]

I've used the Neo-X for two years, played over 15 different courses and it has performed flawlessly every time. It is so convenient to take a quick glance and get a yardage. Battery life is outstanding too. Love mine.

[Bob Cat]

Played 27 holes yesterday and 18 today on the same charge. I'm not sure how much battery was left but it's good to know it's enough to cover 45 holes.
Buddy's Garmin would not pick up the Ross Course at French Lick... but mine did. Even with GPS in the cart it's sometimes nice to double check when you're in the fairway or by your bag behind the cart.

[the dentman]

Playing member guest at new course and glad I have my neo xs. Been using my lazer alot more recently but that's only too focus more on pin hunting and getting my 150yd in game dialed in. Watch us great for hitting middle of the greens and par 5 shots

[EdMan63]

Just ordered one today after years of using a SkyCaddie and Bushnell Z6. I still love my Z6 but after playing with a couple of people using the watch I kind of like the convenience factor of being able to glance for a quick yardage and having one less thing to keep up with. I always have a fear of leaving my Z6 on the cart or on the ground if I take it with me out of the cart. I basically quit using the SkyCaddie after having to pay for the subscription every year.

[Fozcycle]

Used the Neo for about 5 years.......on my 2nd one......replaced it last year with a Garmin G6..........am now interested in the XS watch....

[Bob Cat]

OP here, again... I read somewhere that a guy was having trouble with his wrist hitting buttons and inadvertently advancing holes sometimes when he swung.
Since I've owned this watch it's happened to me once... but I'm not convinced it was my wrist. In other words, this has not been a reoccurring problem for me.
Still love the watch and would be lost without it. I know this sounds like hyperbole but I would genuinely miss not having this convenience.

I'm now a pro at connecting the power cord quickly and accurately the first time.

Now, if it would just dry up around here...

[WildcatGolfer]

I've had this watch for about a year and for the most part really like it. only problem has been that sometimes, with a full charge, will shut itself off and wont turn back on unless it's plugged in. I keep a mobile battery pack in my bag now to "restart" the watch when this happens which is a little bit of a nuisance but a minimal one.

Having the yardage to front back middle at all times is extremely convenient.

[mpm1960]

I've got this watch and really like it ... FYI, it replaced a Garmin S1 that I had for several years. Great battery, comfortable to wear and easy to charge, although I'm still learning the abbreviations for the hazards-per-hole on the watch. One question I have: on the course last week, someone asked me what time it was and I didn't know how to pull up the time while on the course ... can anyone here tell me how to do that? Thanks in advance ...

Mike
MPM1960
Ft. Mitchell, KY

[Bob Cat]

[quote name='mpm1960' timestamp='1434814440' post='11793034']
I've got this watch and really like it ... FYI, it replaced a Garmin S1 that I had for several years. Great battery, comfortable to wear and easy to charge, although I'm still learning the abbreviations for the hazards-per-hole on the watch. One question I have: on the course last week, someone asked me what time it was and I didn't know how to pull up the time while on the course ... can anyone here tell me how to do that? Thanks in advance ...

Mike
MPM1960
Ft. Mitchell, KY
[/quote]

Hit "Enter" once to display hazards, hit "Enter" again to display time of day and elapsed time of round.

[warkman]

Have had a NeoX watch for about 18 months and like it very much -- however, recently it is getting 'stuck' on yardages and not updating the yardage readout for sometimes 200+ yards. Also the readout sometimes goes to all '--------"'s for several minutes, then pops back on to a good readout. Anyone else4 had this issue and any ideas to repair?

[Bob Cat]

No issues here. Out of warranty I suppose? I'd still contact Bushnell and see what they'll do for you. Interested in hearing how this get's resolved.

[seniorgolfer1947]

Does the neo xs give lay up yardage? Thanks

[Bob Cat]

Technically, no. But it will give you yardages to bunkers, creeks, carry creek, etc.

[seniorgolfer1947]

Thanks Bob Cat

[specialtony]

Has anyone had trouble with the band? I was comparing a Neo XS to my Garmin and noticed how much softer the Neo band is and it seems like it would be more comfortable. I also thought it might seem a little less durable.

[Bob Cat]

I've used it only 15-20 rounds so far and no problems. I really like how flexible the band is so it doesn't bind when hinging my wrist.
This is my first GPS watch so I cant really speak to others bands.

[Wedge]

Another plus for the Neo-X is the odometer. I'm recovering from open heart surgery and have been using the odometer for my walks. Picks you up very quickly and gives speed, time, and distance. It was a surprising feature that has been very useful and accurate.

[cristphoto]

[quote name='Wedge' timestamp='1438470325' post='12061330']
Another plus for the Neo-X is the odometer. I'm recovering from open heart surgery and have been using the odometer for my walks. Picks you up very quickly and gives speed, time, and distance. It was a surprising feature that has been very useful and accurate.
[/quote]

Do you have to be on a course in golf mode to use the odometer? I'd like to go on walks in my neighborhood and see the distance walked. Thanks.

[BlackDiamondPar5]

[quote name='cristphoto' timestamp='1438806392' post='12084882'][quote name='Wedge' timestamp='1438470325' post='12061330']
Another plus for the Neo-X is the odometer. I'm recovering from open heart surgery and have been using the odometer for my walks. Picks you up very quickly and gives speed, time, and distance. It was a surprising feature that has been very useful and accurate.
[/quote]

Do you have to be on a course in golf mode to use the odometer? I'd like to go on walks in my neighborhood and see the distance walked. Thanks.[/quote]
it works great for walks anywhere.

[marks21]

[quote name='Andy L' timestamp='1438812594' post='12085404']
[quote name='cristphoto' timestamp='1438806392' post='12084882'][quote name='Wedge' timestamp='1438470325' post='12061330']
Another plus for the Neo-X is the odometer. I'm recovering from open heart surgery and have been using the odometer for my walks. Picks you up very quickly and gives speed, time, and distance. It was a surprising feature that has been very useful and accurate.
[/quote]

Do you have to be on a course in golf mode to use the odometer? I'd like to go on walks in my neighborhood and see the distance walked. Thanks.[/quote]
it works great for walks anywhere.
[/quote]

How's the odometer work when using a push cart? I had a fitbit and found it wouldn't accurately count my steps when pushing my clic gear cart

[BlackDiamondPar5]

Unlike fit bit it's using GPS to track distance traveled, so no impact if using a push cart. It's not a step counter.

[Buzzkill]

Picked up a Neo XS a few days ago and it's working great. Replaced my 2 year old Skycaddie watch which had a broken band (can't repair). Enjoying the additional hazard information without having to pay for it and the battery life is crazy. Played 3 nine hole rounds (4.5 hours, 1.5 per nine) and used the odometer twice (2.5 hours) and still have 2 out of 4 bars on the battery. Supposedly, each bar is good for a full round so we'll see - I'm already impressed with the battery compared to the Skycaddie though.

[daverain1]

I've got the Bushnell Neo X, it's worked consistently very well over the last 3 years and 150 rounds or so. The battery still lasts 12+ hours, and I don't have any issues with the clip. On a couple courses, it hasn't advanced to the next hole on every hole. I gave my partner a bad yardage and he birdied the hole in this years member guest.


Anyway, I love it - the elapsed time and odometer is a great feature. I also use a leupold laser rangefinder because my home course (Yale) doesn't have red/white/blue or other pin location indicators. The Bushnell is usually right on the laser when circumstances match - center pin for example.

The only course it didn't have was the new Trump course at Ferry Point NY. It just opened in May and I haven't updated the watch in over a year.

[cristphoto]

Does the neo XS have improved hazard info? I have the original neo X and hazard info isn't always logical. For instance if I'm on the tee box on a 400 yard par four it will give me the distance to the left and right green side bunkers (?) but not give me a distance to the fairway bunker. Dumb.