Decisions on gps

[JPG44]

Looking for something under 150.00. Looking at garmin g10 swammi 5000 and a bushnell neo. Anyone use these? Thought about a watch but not sure as I have a watch I wear all the time. Might go that route though.

[cristphoto]

This would be better in the GPS forum.

[chadly643]

Use your smartphone if you have one. No advantage to having a stand-alone unit in terms of accuracy or features. For that price range you can get a pretty decent laser rangefinder that will offer accuracy benefits.

[OldCuss]

I prefer relatively inexpensive, basic functioning course tools, thus only distance to hazard and green is sufficient for me for a GPS device, which the Neo and Garmin10 are and do very well. Have both, Neo first, but eventually tired of putting it in and taking it out of my pocket (note: tried other methods for usage, too) and subsequently went to the Garmin10 watch. Not that the other methods did not suffice, none were, however, for me as care-free as wearing a watch. Reckon then, my criteria are then care-free, relatively inexpensive, and basic functioning. Can't speak to phone apps given I religiously keep the phone in my bag and only listen for one ringtone, my wife's ringtone. Ignore all others, but not that one! Recall the criteria. ;)

- Norm

[LeoLeo99]

I'm with oldcuss. Love the gps watch. My laser rarely comes out of my bag.

[Number2]

Can't imagine having to trade my laser for a GPS. Laser tells me slope. GPS doesn't. Laser uses PHYSICAL LASER BEAMS. GPS makes distance "assumptions" based on satellites. Like. Who wouldn't use a laser beam?

[Number2]

> @Number2 said:

> Can't imagine having to trade my laser for a GPS. Laser tells me slope. GPS doesn't. Laser uses PHYSICAL LASER BEAMS. GPS makes distance "assumptions" based on satellites. Like. Who wouldn't use a laser beam?

 

Let me try being helpful; any laser rangefinder (tgw brand device is reasonable for anyone IMO) is better than asking satellites to tell your wrist or phone which club to hit as they soar overhead at 7,000mph.

[om18v]

I like the gps watch. Gives a quick distance to the green, bunker or hazard. Look at the watch, grab a club. Currently I'm using the S10 I got on sale for around $120. Still miss the old TomTom. It was quicker to pick up satellites and seemed to be more accurate. Sometimes to check accuracy while standing on a marker, the S10 matches and occasionally it may be off by 10 yards. If you wait for 30 to 60 seconds (while others are hitting their balls of course) it may correct. My buddies Bushnell watch always seemed to be pretty accurate but lately has been shutting down in the middle of a round.

[simonnd]

Bushnell Phantom. It is easy to use and small enough to be put in your pocket.

[jimb6golf]

Use a smart phone app (usually around $30) then buy an inexpensive laser rangefinder and you'll have both. Rangefinder is my fall back but use the gps when I can't see the pin or need to see the hole layout. Plus is tracks your score and handicap typically. I find having both pretty handy.

[brew4eagle]

> @simonnd said:

> Bushnell Phantom. It is easy to use and small enough to be put in your pocket.

 

Agree. I've had lasers and used phone apps. The Phantom is easy, accurate, and inexpensive. Front/middle/back yardages at a glance, and hazard yardages with the push of a button. No line of sight issues. It's perfect imo.

[BlackDiamondPar5]

My first choice is Garmin. I have the Vivoactive 3 watch and love it but it's above your price range but other Garmin in your price range. Bushnell is good also, the Excel watch is nice and only $150.

 

You can't beat the convenience of a watch. If you're not into golf watches then I still say Garmin and Bushnell.

 

Lastly a phone app, they are nice, lots of features, inexpensive and accurate. I'm just not into having my phone out while I play.

 

I have both laser and watch GPS and I use the GPS way more over the laser. However when I play courses with enormous greens the laser is used frequently since front, center, back distance isn't always adequate.

[blkjazz]

> @Number2 said:

> > @Number2 said:

> > Can't imagine having to trade my laser for a GPS. Laser tells me slope. GPS doesn't. Laser uses PHYSICAL LASER BEAMS. GPS makes distance "assumptions" based on satellites. Like. Who wouldn't use a laser beam?

>

> Let me try being helpful; any laser rangefinder (tgw brand device is reasonable for anyone IMO) is better than asking satellites to tell your wrist or phone which club to hit as they soar overhead at 7,000mph.

 

"Better" is relative. There is a role for GPS and rangefinders IMO. I use both. My SkyCaddie gives me information I can't get from my Bushnell and my Bushnell provides information I can't get from the SX500.

[Johnny_Fairway]

I use the GolfBuddy Voice 2, which you can get for $100 on Amazon. I wear it on my belt and tap the voice button as I get to my ball and slide my bag off. Accurate (enough for my game) and easy to use.

[JPG44]

Thanks for all the replies. I have a really good rangefinder I use for hunting but don't want to use one on the course. Probably end up getting the golf buddy voice.

[agood3putt]

Garmin Approach S20 can be had for under $150. I dabbled with a rangefinder for the last couple weeks but cannot get on with shaky hands and the GPS is just so easy to look down and see front back. Not to mention blind shots

[St Jimmy]

> @JPG44 said:

> Looking for something under 150.00. Looking at garmin g10 swammi 5000 and a bushnell neo. Anyone use these? Thought about a watch but not sure as I have a watch I wear all the time. Might go that route though.

 

 

Hang the watch from your bag.

 

[bigmoneyp]

> @brew4eagle said:

> > @simonnd said:

> > Bushnell Phantom. It is easy to use and small enough to be put in your pocket.

>

> Agree. I've had lasers and used phone apps. The Phantom is easy, accurate, and inexpensive. Front/middle/back yardages at a glance, and hazard yardages with the push of a button. No line of sight issues. It's perfect imo.

 

I also love my phantom. The nice thing is there is also a Bushnell app you can pair with your phantom and it will give you fly overs of the holes. I don't use the app often but it's great if you are playing somewhere new.

[swgolfer]

Take a look at the Golf Buddy Voice 2 at around $100, easy to use and no scrolling to find the course or hole in a Shotgun start like the Phantom requires. Also clips on your hat, belt or several other options!

[brew4eagle]

Forgot to mention how awesome the magnetic mount is for the Phantom when riding in a cart. Allows both riders to see the yardages at a glance.

[JPG44]

> @swgolfer said:

> Take a look at the Golf Buddy Voice 2 at around $100, easy to use and no scrolling to find the course or hole in a Shotgun start like the Phantom requires. Also clips on your hat, belt or several other options!

 

Ended up getting this!

[swgolfer]

Good choice, simple to use and they have great mapping!

 

[Pepperturbo]

Garmin has a few reasonably priced GPS Golf watches which include 40k courses but not sure of the price. They are accurate though. I never thought I'd wear a GPS watch but wear rely on my Fenix 5x 24/7. Unfortunately, it's not even near $150 but worth its price. Also, if the need for accuracy comes up I carry a Bushnell Tournament Rangefinder.

[Eng5ive]

I'm happy with the simplicity of my Garmin Approach X-10. Gives me front/middle/back and has moveable pin locations. Distance and location of hazards, doglegs and shot distance tracking. So far I've only used it for front/middle/back distance which is fine. I get that information at a quick glance. +/- 5 yards in either direction isn't going to make or break my game at this point.

 

I've also used my buddies Phantom and like that very much. I was on the fence but ultimately chose the Garmin since I'd use it as a watch at work.