Looking for a Basic GPS!

[Wess]

I don't need a bunch of bells and whistles. Pretty much looking for Front Center and Back. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

[Typhoon1992]

Bushnell Phantom 2 clip on or the Bushnell Ion Edge watch.  Personally I like the watch, much more convenient to look at your wrist.  Also since I work in a pro shop, I can't tell you how many Rangefinders, Bluetooth speakers and GPS units we collect for either inside the carts, or the magnetic mount on the golf cart roof supports or ones that clip onto bags and just fall off or get caught on something and ripped off the bag and gone forever.

 

Magnetic mounts are the best thing Bushnell ever came up with... so many people forget their Rangefinders and Wingman speakers on the carts... Now they have to go buy another one!!

[parforme]

There are a lot of great options out there from various companies like Garmin, Golf Buddy and Bushnell.  I just have a personal preference for Garmin and still use a 3+ year old Garmin S20 which has been accurate, reliable and like all Garmins, has free updates.

[Binson]

If you already have a smartwatch or just want to use your phone, I like the GolfPad app.  It's a very affordable annual subscription and can be just a basic GPS and Map or more advanced with Arcos-like tracking (without needing the sensors) and Score keeping all in one.  

 

 

[jordan2240]

Recently got the Bushnell Phantom 2 mentioned above, and really like it.  It's my first GPS though, so I have nothing to compare it to.  Numbers are nice and big, and it has operated well the 3 times I used it.  One of the nice options is that it gives distances to hazards, but you can leave it on the Front/Center/Back screen all day long if you want.  Pricewise, some guy selling them on ebay was significantly cheaper than elsewhere, but I think he only has orange (which is what I wanted).  I actually thought I'd gotten scammed initially because tracking info was strange at best, but I got the thing in good time.  I walk almost exclusively, so don't worry much about leaving it on a cart, but I can certainly see where that might happen.  I'd probably throw it in whatever slot I put my keys or wallet in rather than sticking it to the cart to avoid such a mishap.

[nitram]

Garmin S2 Approach. Gives you Front, Center, and Back, and < $100. I've had one strapped to my golf bag for the past 9 years and it's performed flawlessly. Battery still lasts for 36 holes before needing a charge.

[bal704]

I use the swingxswing app on my iphone.  It's free for the basic package, and seems accurate according to my laser finder.

 

[596]

I've gone through so many Garmin's I lost count.  The first bunch just gave up charging.  They wouldn't charge after about 2 years. The last 1 wouldn't charge because the charger would no longer connect.  It's a weird system.  

 

I just bought the Bushnell Ion Edge. Great price (149). Love the size of the screen.  Easy to read in white background with black numbers.  Not a bunch of bells and whistles if you don't want to use them.  1 button for on/off. No other buttons.  It's touch screen.  

 

Oh, and it includes the phone app which is really nice too, if that's something you'd want to use!

Edited March 5, 2022 by 596

[parforme]

On 3/5/2022 at 2:38 PM, 596 said:

I've gone through so many Garmin's I lost count.  The first bunch just gave up charging.  They wouldn't charge after about 2 years. The last 1 wouldn't charge because the charger would no longer connect.  It's a weird system.  

 

Some of the entry level Garmins had a terrible design for charging and will literally drive you crazy.  I have found the one on my S20 that has 4 tiny posts on the back where the charger clamps down on it, to be very reliable.  

 

In addition, most of the guys I play with use a GPS and have rangefinders when needed, I have observed the readings between the various GPS devices can vary for upwards of 10 yards or even more, however when lasered the Garmin is very accurate.

[dubbelbogey]

Have you considered any number of the free (or nearly free) phone apps?

 

They work pretty well these days, and are not huge drains on battery life like they were when they first came out.

 

Sure, not as convenient as a wrist mounted gps, but once you get in the habit bringing up the app as you approach your next shot, they work great.

 

For me, it's one less device to worry about . Since most of us already have a phone with us anyway, it's sort of a no-brainer to at least give it a try.

[bal704]

I just bought one of these off ebay for less than $50.  I'm a basic GPS guy, so we'll see how it works out.

 

https://izzo.com/swami_kiss_gps_rangefinder.html