gps vs laser range finder

[keyser]

which and why?

I was all set on buying a pinseeker range finder on my trip to the usa, but just now someone told me a gps thing would be much better, you can have it on the outside of your bag and see the distance, no hassle of aming with a scope.

Which are the pro´s and con´s of each?

[NicholasP]

Laser range finder for the following reasons:

 

1. One time fee, no annual payments

2. Works on every golf course, and you can shoot anything

3. No downloads

4. 100% accurate

5. Get the Bushnell Pinseeker 1500

[buggyman]

do a search there is tons of info on this. many threads already.

[m5power]

in a vacuum, i would prefer the GPS over the range finder. it's more user friendly w/ more features. but for the reasons the previous poster mentioned, i would go w/ the range finder.

[smithjohnjr]

In my mind, one simple reason, exact yardages with laser. Pins arent always where the sheet says they are

[Canuck]

Laser range finder for the following reasons:

 

1. One time fee, no annual payments

2. Works on every golf course, and you can shoot anything

3. No downloads

4. 100% accurate

5. Get the Bushnell Pinseeker 1500

 

:cheesy: :cheesy:

[golf9596]

Here's one vote for GPS. I had a range finder and found it difficult to use when finding the pin...sometimes it would take 2 or 3 reads(you need a steady hand). They don't work on blind shots, or through the trees. LOL.

[nickpoz]

on my course there are a few holes where it is IMPOSSIBLE to tell where the flag is by looking at it. GPS is useless in cases like that. Get the Bushnell, I just did

[HoosierGolfer]

I played course's several times last year that were NOT marked for GPS therefore rendering it useless.

With a range finder you can use it anywhere anytime. You can also use it for things other than golf.

[scotchblade]

I'm outnumbered here big time, but I find the GPS a better choice for me. 29 bucks a year is no big deal. I've never played a course that is not marked in my region (SF Bay Area). I don't need to fumble around dialing in on a target, and if the target is blind, the range finder is useless. I just look down at the cup holder of my speed cart where my Sky Caddie resides and I have front middle and back yardages instantly, hands free. If I want to fine tune, I can adjust the cross hairs relative to the pin. For my skill level, I don't need to know the flag is 133 yards away. 125 to the front and 140 to the center is good enough for me. Unless you are a highly skilled player with precise distance control, it's probably good enough for you too.

 

I'm thinking about adding one for practice, but I don't expect it to become my primary source for yardage.

[LionLinks16]

wow i was going to start a topic like this, but figured that there are probably alot already out there. my brother has a rangefinder, and yes i do findd it a bit hard to keep it steady, but like it because its cheaper, in terms of annual payments and more exact. i'm thinking of getting the bushnell 1500 tourney edition with slope.... just my two cents..

[Big Bri]

well.. there are some things u have to consider

money, your playing pace, and preference

 

money: are u r rich enough to support yourself with monthly payment of gps?

or range finder's one cool price?

 

playing pace: trust me.. if u have laser range finder, one round will 100% be longer

for example, my 4.5 hours became 5 hours ( little exaggeration but it is true)

if u like to play slow and take ur time seriously, go for laser

but if u like to know the around yardage and quick stuff, gps

 

preference: as it says.. YOUR preference haha

 

my opinion: i like range finder becuz i do haha

just like it and dont like to pay monthly haha

[stp]

I have used both the skycaddie for about two years and a bushnell pinseeker 1500 te for the last year. Overall I find the laser to be a better tool than the gps. WIth the laser you get exact distance to the pin which is super helpful for dialing in distances with your irons. While gps is great for measuring drives it falls short on distance to the pin. You have to guesstimate where on the green the pin is based upon flag color and prior knowledge. Hopefully the genius maintenance guys have put in the correct colors or you guesstimate will be off that much more.

 

My biggest problem with the skycaddie was the occasional or sometimes frequent slow linkup times. There were rounds where i went two or three holes before i was linked. the laser works every time. Oh yeah, no fees with the bushnell. That reminds me, skycaddy needs to find an ebay home.

[Aztecs1]

I have them both (since I don't have kids) :cheesy:. Here is what I think about them:

 

GPS (SkyCaddie SG4)

Pros

• Ease of use
  
• IntelliGreen feature is pretty cool (for courses that have it)
  
• Target distances to bunkers, water, layup distances, end of fairway etc (for courses that have them mapped). No need to spend time shooting with your range finder
  

Cons

• Not as accurate as the Range Finder
  
• Yearly fee
  
• can't use it at most driving ranges
  
• I find myself resetting the unit occasionally after failing to pick up a signal
  
• can take up to 15 minutes to lock onto satellites after it is turned on (occasionally I don't have it for the first hole of play)
  
• sometimes you have to wait a few extra seconds for it to decide on a yardage
  
• occasionally it will give me the wrong yardage. Not very often but it happens
  
• If you forget to download the course than you are screwed (this has never happened to me)
  
• If you forget to charge your batteries (or don't have an extra battery) you are screwed (this has happened more than a couple of times)
  

Range Finder (Bushnell 1500 TE)

Pros

• No monthly fee
  
• can use it at any range (although you can use the SkyCaddie @ ranges of 4 star courses where targets have been marked and hopefully not changed)
  
• exact yardages
  
• no wait time to pick up a signal
  
• no yearly fee
  
• 9V battery lasts a long time
  
• can use on any course
  

 

Cons

• Not as easy as looking down at your GPS and getting the yardage
  
• There is a bit of a "dork factor" with a range finder
  
• No help on blind shots
  
• need to have a somewhat steady hand. If you don't it might take a little longer to lock onto the pin
  

Summary

 

If I couldn't have both I would slightly favor the Pinseeker. It's more versatile. It's more accurate. Doesn't matter which course I go to. Doesn't matter if I have downloaded the course. Battery is less of an issue. That being said since I have both I use the GPS most of the time (when I have remembered to charge it), and the rangefinder when I want to know the exact distance.

[nickpoz]

well.. there are some things u have to consider

money, your playing pace, and preference

 

money: are u r rich enough to support yourself with monthly payment of gps?

or range finder's one cool price?

 

playing pace: trust me.. if u have laser range finder, one round will 100% be longer

for example, my 4.5 hours became 5 hours ( little exaggeration but it is true)

if u like to play slow and take ur time seriously, go for laser

but if u like to know the around yardage and quick stuff, gps

 

preference: as it says.. YOUR preference haha

 

my opinion: i like range finder becuz i do haha

just like it and dont like to pay monthly haha

how does a laser make the round longer?

[TeeTime907]

well.. there are some things u have to consider

money, your playing pace, and preference

 

money: are u r rich enough to support yourself with monthly payment of gps?

or range finder's one cool price?

 

playing pace: trust me.. if u have laser range finder, one round will 100% be longer

for example, my 4.5 hours became 5 hours ( little exaggeration but it is true)

if u like to play slow and take ur time seriously, go for laser

but if u like to know the around yardage and quick stuff, gps

 

preference: as it says.. YOUR preference haha

 

my opinion: i like range finder becuz i do haha

just like it and dont like to pay monthly haha

how does a laser make the round longer?

 

I would agree that during the round with the laser is not as fast as a GPS, however, the point needs to be made they ARE both faster then looking for sprinkler heads!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Big Bri]

well.. there are some things u have to consider

money, your playing pace, and preference

 

money: are u r rich enough to support yourself with monthly payment of gps?

or range finder's one cool price?

 

playing pace: trust me.. if u have laser range finder, one round will 100% be longer

for example, my 4.5 hours became 5 hours ( little exaggeration but it is true)

if u like to play slow and take ur time seriously, go for laser

but if u like to know the around yardage and quick stuff, gps

 

preference: as it says.. YOUR preference haha

 

my opinion: i like range finder becuz i do haha

just like it and dont like to pay monthly haha

how does a laser make the round longer?

 

I would agree that during the round with the laser is not as fast as a GPS, however, the point needs to be made they ARE both faster then looking for sprinkler heads!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

so...to defend my opinion haha

for me, it took longer to play golf with finder becuz i wanted to check at least twice

and when im considering course conditions such as wind and stuff, i checked again

well.... if i am the only one who had this experience... forget about finder delaying ur play :cheesy:

[daughterscameron]

I just spent 5 days south in the Gulf Shores. I had my Bushnell

with me, using it for the first time. I LOVE it. I also agree with

EVERYTHING that has been said. (good and bad). Getting pins

can be sometimes tough. But, then a lot of times, knowing the

front of the green is better anyway.

I did play one course that had the little mirrors on the flags. :cheesy: .

That was DYNAMITE!! Anyways, i'm very happy. And, as far as

the GPS goes. A buddy of mine has one of those also. I like that

too, i'm just to lazy for that. ;) . JMO. :cheesy: