Recommendations for value Range finder or GPS

[NRGolfClubEMM]

I've always been a purist of sorts and looked at the markers and paced it off. I am now a bit better and 2 yards can make all the difference in my happiness for a day. I am in need of some sort of course management tool, be it GPS or Range finder. I don't want to spend a ton but I am prepared to dish for more accurate measurements. I figured I throw it to big dogs of WRX.

[golf1974]

The igolf neo. small GPS unit gives you everything you needs and mine has always been spot on accurate. F/C/B and custom points. $149.99

[Swingtheclub]

which is better the range finders or the GPS

 

and do all GPS systems have to be programmed?

[GoToTheJoe]

Personally I like the GPS, just walk to your ball and look at the screen. Too many false readings because I didn't have the laser in the right spot. So I ended up lasering everything 5 times to be sure. Just took me too much time.

 

GPS systems do not need to be programmed but they do need courses downloaded to them. Some systems have free downloads while others can charge up to $50 a year to download. There are a lot of good threads within this forum that talk about the positives and negatives of each unit. I don't think any of them are perfect but it just depends on what you are looking for specifically in a unit.

[cliff1675]

FreeCaddie (freecaddie.com) can't cost less, but does require a gps enabled phone like the Blackjack II.

[dfegolfer]

FreeCaddie (freecaddie.com) can't cost less, but does require a gps enabled phone like the Blackjack II.

 

Or if you have a WM Blue tooth phone without GPS, you can have a basic GPS system with Freecaddie up and running in less than $50.

[Calif_Mulligan]

If you are purist as you stated...you might enjoy a laser a tad more as you can 'scan' multiple targets and visually see what you are measuring to.

 

GPS are good also...my reservation is that you never know what the yardage is measured to...which spot it is giving yardage to.

 

Also the neat thing about a laser...is that you have the magnification through the viewfinder...so you can get more visual feedback so you can visualize the landing area and potentially identify additional hazards...and better identify where 'pin high' is.

[xan_user]

IMO

If you want accuracy down to 2 yards a gps will not cut it.

 

Arange finder will give accurate distance to anything you can paint with the laser.

[mcputter]

Bushnell Scout 100 rangefinder available at Overstock.com for $239.99 or lower less $50 mfg. rebate.

 

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=165917

[rocgolfr]

I just recently purchased a SkyCaddie SG5 and have played with it about 5 times and have really seen the value of the GPS targets. Always knowing front, center, and back as well as distances to trouble makes picking a club a whole lot easier.

[scs1070]

If you want an accurate distance to pins, laser is the only way to go. GPS is only good if you are playing a higher end club that is going to issue pin sheets everyday. Other than that, it is just a crap-shoot as to what the real number is.

 

I picked up the Scout 1000 mentioned above recently, have used it for 2 rounds and have had no problem picking up any pins.

[Licec]

I have the iGolf Neo and love it because it works perfect for what i need it to do. It gives the distances i need quickly so i can choose the right club and hope i hit it towards my target. If you're hitting the ball well enough where two yards can make a difference (I'm jealous) then I think a laser range finder would probably suit you better.

[aaronsnow]

I recently got a used bushnell laser rangefinder for $95 on ebay and it's been AWESOME. It doesn't have the pinseeker function, so it can be difficult to get readings on flags over 120 yards or so, but I honestly don't know how I survived without it.

[cristphoto]

I had the SkyCaddy and sold it to a friend. I replaced it with the Callaway/Nikon 550 rangefinder. The reason being another friend had the same SkyCaddy and when we would walk out to a location both of us would get different readings often 10 yards difference or more. We would then pace off to a sprinkler and get another reading. Plus I was paying for a membership (wasn't too much - $40 a year if I recall). What I didn't like was often I'd download a course and it wouldn't have all the details of the hole - only front, middle, back distance on greens. With my rangefinder I can measure to the front or back of any fairway trap, water hazard, etc. I just leave it in my bag and it's ready to go without the worry of downloading courses (which is convenient when on vacation and you're not sure what course you might be playing).