Golf Buddy wt5 review

[Unteachable]

I was able to get one round in with the new golf buddy wt5 and here are my impressions:

 

I have previously had a sky caddie sg5, garmin g6, and for a brief time the garmin approach s3. I took the s3 back because I did not like the lack of hazards and play many different courses so I did not want to have to program in my own.

 

The wt5 performed well. I was within a yard of the course yardage markers and very accurate compared to my friends rangefinder. The course I played did not have a ton of hazards but having the information on it helped.

 

The dynamic green view worked well. It has 9 preset pin locations on each green that you can scroll through to estimate the pin location for the day. I found this to be much easier than trying to move the pin location with the finger on the garmin s3.

 

It is not as wide as the s3 and slightly thinner but a little bigger top to bottom but overall very close.

 

To put it best, it combines the best features of the garmin (dynamic green view) and the bushnells (hazards) in one watch. It also has more than 4 hazards and layups/hole.

 

For those who are interested, sports authority is doing 25% off a single item today only which makes the price $150. Also, golf buddy has a $25 mail in rebate going on right now so you can get this for $125 plus tax with free shipping. Easily the best value for the features in the gps watch category.

 

I will update after more rounds

[gardemyr]

Thanks for the review!

I had the Garmin s3 for two years before selling it couple of weeks ago and instead bought the WT5. The lack hazards were the reason for me selling the s3.

IA have had 4 rounds with the wt5 so far. I have compared with my dad's s3 and his rangefinder. Compared with the rangefinder it was very close and sometimes spot-on. Compared to the s3 there were some differences sometimes. Mostly with yardages to front and back. To the middle it often were around the same or within 3 yards. However on holes with doglegs there were significant differences from tee to green between our watches. Could differ with 40 yards. Anyone know if they measure different, maybe s3 measure to a point in fairway and then to the hole?

I also like the dynamic green function. Haven't used it very much but it's a nice touch and very simple to maneuver.

Couple other thoughts I have.

Compared to the s3 the total diatance measured for 18 holes could be up to 600-1200 yards. No idea how but pretty weird, have you had the same "problem"?

The sound the buttons make every time you push them are very annoying and there's nothing you can do about it. Have talked to the support at Golfbuddy.

But I really like the hazard function so for now it will stay with me.

Edit: Another thought. Played at couple of clubs that have more than 1 course. But there seems not to be any way to choose which course
you are playing. Instead the watch makes that for you but how do you know it chooses the right one all the time if its close between the courses?

[jrheydt]

[quote name='gardemyr' timestamp='1433270040' post='11675884']
Thanks for the review!

I had the Garmin s3 for two years before selling it couple of weeks ago and instead bought the WT5. The lack hazards were the reason for me selling the s3.

IA have had 4 rounds with the wt5 so far. I have compared with my dad's s3 and his rangefinder. Compared with the rangefinder it was very close and sometimes spot-on. Compared to the s3 there were some differences sometimes. Mostly with yardages to front and back. To the middle it often were around the same or within 3 yards. However on holes with doglegs there were significant differences from tee to green between our watches. Could differ with 40 yards. Anyone know if they measure different, maybe s3 measure to a point in fairway and then to the hole?

I also like the dynamic green function. Haven't used it very much but it's a nice touch and very simple to maneuver.

Couple other thoughts I have.

Compared to the s3 the total diatance measured for 18 holes could be up to 600-1200 yards. No idea how but pretty weird, have you had the same "problem"?

The sound the buttons make every time you push them are very annoying and there's nothing you can do about it. Have talked to the support at Golfbuddy.

But I really like the hazard function so for now it will stay with me.

Edit: Another thought. Played at couple of clubs that have more than 1 course. But there seems not to be any way to choose which course
you are playing. Instead the watch makes that for you but how do you know it chooses the right one all the time if its close between the courses?
[/quote]

I have a WT3 and sometimes when courses are close by it picks the wrong course. What I do is turn it off and then turn it back on when I get to hole 2. It works that way fine.

John

[ppl4golf]

Got a WT4 this season. First one was a lemon and got it replaced.
Watch is fairly big and band is not as comfy as the S1 and Neo XS I tried. It is stylish however.
Functionality is excellent and battery good for 2 rounds no problem.
The display is nothing fancy but nice and clear under any condition.

[GTA SOL]

Question for WT5 users.

For the hazard distances, does it only show 'reach' distances or does it also give you carry distance for relevant hazds - e.g. To carry a fairway bunker or a water hazard?

Thanks

[a_gorilla]

[quote name='GTA SOL' timestamp='1440959683' post='12234924']
Question for WT5 users.

For the hazard distances, does it only show 'reach' distances or does it also give you carry distance for relevant hazds - e.g. To carry a fairway bunker or a water hazard?

Thanks
[/quote]

Yes (I think), I've played two rounds with my watch and it'll give yardage to the front and end of a hazard that's displayed on the watch via an arrow pointing (I don't have my watch with me, but i think it points downward, but for this example I will use the carrot symbol)

ie the watch will show in this order:
R^ fwy bunker 246
R fwy bunker 220

The above would read to the watch wearer, "it's 246 to the end of the right side fairway bunker, and 220 to the front of the right side fwy bunker."

The dynamic green view was also pretty helpful in approximating pins that are tucked to say, the back right or middle far-left of the green, by letting you re-adjust the distance displayed on the watch to the selected pin (rather than just knowing general front/center/back distances).