Help with GPS/Rangefinder

[teeituphigh]

So....

 

I have the option of purchasing a SkyCaddie SG5 or a Bushnell Tour V2 (with pinseeker)

 

Which would you chose and why?

Price isnt really an issue as im getting a great deal on either!

[phil75070]

I personally prefer a GPS and that is how I voted. However, if your choices are between the SG5 and the Bushnell, I say get the Bushnell. Yeah, compared to a round of golf these days it is not all that much but I just don't like the idea of the annual fee with SkyGolf and the limited number of courses the device can hold.

[Harry Longshanks]

I have both a GPS and a laser rangefinder (V2). I find myself using the GPS far more often just because it is more convenient. However, I think there are better GPSs available than the SkyCaddie models.

The V2 is a good rangefinder.

If exact distances (i.e., to the exact yard) are important to you, then you should get the V2. My distance control isn't good enough to worry about the 1-3 yard possible error of GPS. If you don't want to mess with course downloads or batteries, then get the V2 (note: Several GPSs now hold thousands of courses so downloading isn't an issue. The SG5 is not one of them.) If you don't want an annual fee, get the V2 (some GPSs don't charge an annual fee - SkyCaddie does, and they will disable your unit if you don't renew. Some GPSs allow you to keep the courses you've downloaded if you choose not to renew.)

If you want something that you can just glance at and that you don't need a line of sight, get the GPS. If you want distances to hazards, landmarks, and front/back/center of the green (which can sometimes be difficult to laser without a tree or pin to target), then get the GPS.

[retep]

gx 1 leupold.... look for a updated code from golfsmith for a discount on it. it rocks.

[rickpal14]

My vote is for the SG5. I've had mine for 2 months now and love it. It holds 20 courses at a time and if you need others it only takes a minute to update them. For all the people that complain about this, I wonder that if they could chose a 20 courses rota that they may play, how many times would they play a course outside of this list???

Also, there are MANY times when you cannot see the flag to get a rangefinder reading i.e. doglegs, etc not to mention the times you are in the woods, another fairway..... I can definitely attest for the SG5 in those cases!!!

Finally, I have no problem paying an annual fee for the service SkyCaddie provides!! If you search the forums on this issue (there are many) many of the same people complaining about the fees are also the same ones complaining about quality issues of the units with no fees..... Just think about it.... a company cannot stay in business and provide a quality service once the market matures and people stop buying the units. There has to be a way to pay for future upgrades, course updates, etc.

Sorry for the rant!!!!! Once I got started.......

Oh well, as I said my vote is for the GPS unit. Either way I sure you will be happy!!!

[teeituphigh]

Thanks rickpal14.....Im completely on the fence!
My problem is at the moment i am living in the UK and want to play lots of courses while im here so will have to pony up for a membership...BUT once I go home I play lots of tournaments around New Zealand (hopefully :P) but what consitutes a state? In the UK does KENT consitute a state? In New Zealand we have nothing like a state.....the country is smaller than any state in the US in itself!

What subscription package would I be paying for is more the worry for me regarding the SG5 unit.

Can you not pay any subscriptions and just map your own courses so there are no other added costs?

[tigergolfer22]

RANGE FINDER basically because it works everywhere includint the range if you change any of your setup ever have owned both and the range finder was much more versitale

[BParis]

I was a long time Skycaddie user, but once I used a Bushnell 1500 rangefinder, I sold the GPS. I take the rangefinder everywhere, including the driving range, and never have to worry about having the proper course downloaded.

My opinion is to get the rangefinder and if you have a smartphone, get a GPS download for it. I just downloaded the Golfshot application to my iPhone and will use it in conjunction with my Bushnell.

[golf_fanatik]

[quote name='lebanontngolfer' post='2054741' date='Nov 9 2009, 02:04 PM']I was a long time Skycaddie user, but once I used a Bushnell 1500 rangefinder, I sold the GPS. I take the rangefinder everywhere, including the driving range, and never have to worry about having the proper course downloaded.

My opinion is to get the rangefinder and if you have a smartphone, get a GPS download for it. I just downloaded the Golfshot application to my iPhone and will use it in conjunction with my Bushnell.[/quote]

+1 I think this is the best approach. I only use the Golfshot on new courses that I'm not familiar with. On my regular courses I only use my Leupold GX-1.

[BUZZMAN]

I'VE HAD A SKYCADDIE FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS......LOVE THE THING AND IT HOLDS 20 COURSES.....BUT, LIKE THE OTHERS HAVE SAID......THE BUSHNELL IS DEAD ACCURATE ESPECIALLY WHEN COURSES HAVE THE REFLECTORS ON THE FLAGTOPS (WHICH MOST DO NOW) I PLAY WITH A BUDDY THAT HAS THE BUSHNELL AND WE ARE ALWAYS COMPAIRING......AND I ALWAYS GO BY HIS WHEN I'M NOT SURE ABOUT PIN LOCATION
BUT FOR EASE OF USE AND A QUICK REFERENCE THE GPS IS GREAT......JUST REMEMBER TO RECHARGE AFTER 2 ROUNDS!!!!!!!

[Hateto3Putt]

[quote name='teeituphigh' post='2054695' date='Nov 9 2009, 04:35 PM']My problem is at the moment i am living in the UK and want to play lots of courses while im here so will have to pony up for a membership...BUT once I go home I play lots of tournaments around New Zealand (hopefully :P) but what consitutes a state? In the UK does KENT consitute a state? In New Zealand we have nothing like a state.....the country is smaller than any state in the US in itself!

What subscription package would I be paying for is more the worry for me regarding the SG5 unit.[/quote]


In that situation, a rangefinder makes much more sense.

(Actually, for me, a laser always makes more sense)