Garmin Launches Approach S1, First Golf GPS Watch, With Preloaded Courses

[jjarrett79]

[quote name='happyh' timestamp='1293012268' post='2853575']
I reset the device as instructed and tried again.Stood next to our 18th green got a yardage of 55yds.
Garmin support say they have logged a mapping fault which "should" cure this, unfortunatley they are unable to even suggest when this might happen.
So now I have a choice of 2 options. Send it back for a refund or just wait until an update might appear.This really is pisspoor from a major name in the GPS world.
I'm off to Spain for a golf trip next month and was hoping to use this but....I cant trust it!
[/quote]

I used Garmins website to request that a course be added. I wanted to make sure the main courses I played were available before I purchased the item. They emailed me the very next day and said the course was scheduled to be added on the next update... but like you said, they didn't bother to state when that update would occur. From the little research I've done, people have seemed to be happy overall with their customer support. Keep us informed on how it goes and what you decide to do. You should still wear it on your trip. I'm sure your problem is a course isolated mapping issue and not an equipment one.

[jjarrett79]

Did anybody get one of these beauties for Christmas????

[timatraw]

I just got one for Christmas! I hope it lives up to its billing.
I too have the bushnell 1600.I would like the convenience of looking at a watch rather than another item.
I hope it works!

[keb]

[quote name='timatraw' timestamp='1293369302' post='2859279']
I just got one for Christmas! I hope it lives up to its billing.
I too have the bushnell 1600.I would like the convenience of looking at a watch rather than another item.
I hope it works!
[/quote]



I am anxious to hear your review you lucky guy!

[jjarrett79]

[url="http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/37433/garmin-approach-s1-hands-on"]Heres a pretty good hands on review of the watch with several pictures.[/url]

[happyh]

[quote name='jjarrett79' timestamp='1293030927' post='2853832']
[quote name='happyh' timestamp='1293012268' post='2853575']
I reset the device as instructed and tried again.Stood next to our 18th green got a yardage of 55yds.
Garmin support say they have logged a mapping fault which "should" cure this, unfortunatley they are unable to even suggest when this might happen.
So now I have a choice of 2 options. Send it back for a refund or just wait until an update might appear.This really is pisspoor from a major name in the GPS world.
I'm off to Spain for a golf trip next month and was hoping to use this but....I cant trust it!
[/quote]

I used Garmins website to request that a course be added. I wanted to make sure the main courses I played were available before I purchased the item. They emailed me the very next day and said the course was scheduled to be added on the next update... but like you said, they didn't bother to state when that update would occur. From the little research I've done, people have seemed to be happy overall with their customer support. Keep us informed on how it goes and what you decide to do. You should still wear it on your trip. I'm sure your problem is a course isolated mapping issue and not an equipment one.
[/quote]


Latest update, and it's not good news!
I'm going to Spain golfing this Saturday so thought I'd check for any updates etc with Garmin website.The S1 has been connected to my pc via USB for the last few days.(charged itself up then powered down)
It now refuses to power up. Another call to customer support concludes that it is faulty.
They are happy to exchange for another one but wont try and swap them by Saturday, 4 days away.So now I can't use it in Spain either.
It is now packed up in a returns bag, I'm getting a full refund.
This item is a piece of carp! Avoid it.

[jjarrett79]

Sorry you've had a bad experience but I don't plan on writing it off because you got a lemon. There are some favorable reviews on Amazon now. A certain percentage of all electronics are going to be faulty, that doesn't mean the item isn't worthwhile. With that being said, a course i requested was suppose to be on the last update... and it wasn't. Maybe the customer service with this company isn't up to snuff.

[happyh]

True, true.But I can only tell it as it happened, I haven't embellished the tale at all.When it worked it was wildy inaccurate on my home course.Then it stopped altogether.
Interestingly,I queried the mapping accuracy in 1st week December and today,6 weeks later, there are no updates available.Customer Support tell me that they have no control over this, it's farmed out to a "specialist company"


[quote name='jjarrett79' timestamp='1294763659' post='2888898']
Sorry you've had a bad experience but I don't plan on writing it off because you got a lemon. There are some favorable reviews on Amazon now. A certain percentage of all electronics are going to be faulty, that doesn't mean the item isn't worthwhile. With that being said, a course i requested was suppose to be on the last update... and it wasn't. Maybe the customer service with this company isn't up to snuff.
[/quote]

[dcmidnight]

I am definitely interested in checking this product out. I have worn the Garmin Forerunner 305 for the last 3 seasons of marathon/triathlon training and I am VERY impressed with their watch products. This thing takes a beating and works like the day I bought it. If it was under $200 I would probably be sold.

Also I have been using a very basic but good golf GPS application for my phone for the last year or so and I have gotten really used to being able to map your own courses online and having them update to the program. I could probably live without this though.

Interested to see more reviews as the S1 gets out there a little more.

[keb]

Here is link to AP review.

[url="http://www.inforum.com/?event=apArticle&id=D9KN1PB00"]http://www.inforum.com/?event=apArticle&id=D9KN1PB00[/url]

[JasonrMorrow]

That was a pretty basic review. Aimed at someone who doesn't know golf GPS exists.

I have a few months of winter to get through still but I've been wearing my 2 g-shocks at the indoor range to prepare for this watch.

My reason for a watch over a handheld is how I envision my shot sequence. And I'm much more likely to glance at my watch than reach in my bag and pull out a handheld unit. But that may change...3 months is a long time to think about it.

[emo]

decided to pull the trigger on an s1 today had some credits laying around that i wanted to use at golf smith. the s1 is not listed on there site however if you call cust service they will have an item number. im not big on gadgets but this appear as it will work good with my lazer.

[jjarrett79]

[quote name='emo' timestamp='1295472157' post='2908742']
decided to pull the trigger on an s1 today had some credits laying around that i wanted to use at golf smith. the s1 is not listed on there site however if you call cust service they will have an item number. im not big on gadgets but this appear as it will work good with my lazer.
[/quote]


I didn't see it at their store either. Was it $250? Let us know how it goes. There are several favorable reviews popping up on Amazon. I'll have one, its just a matter of when.

[jjarrett79]

Well, I pulled the trigger today. Golfsmith sent me an email with a $50 off $250 plus free shipping promotion.... couldn't pass it up. $200 was the price point I was looking for although I did have to pay tax. Oh well, I'm really looking forward to playing with it this year. I'll let you know my thoughts later this spring.

[emo]

[quote name='jjarrett79' timestamp='1295622288' post='2912551']
Well, I pulled the trigger today. Golfsmith sent me an email with a $50 off $250 plus free shipping promotion.... couldn't pass it up. $200 was the price point I was looking for although I did have to pay tax. Oh well, I'm really looking forward to playing with it this year. I'll let you know my thoughts later this spring.
[/quote]


order mine also for the same price im looking forward as well to go with lazer

[emo]

i think im going to like this watch alot its very simple looks nice and can be worn everyday. just got mine in the mail cant wait to use it on course needed something to back up my lazer when there are blind shots. plus now if i can trust it with distance i want have to use my lazer all the time and i can measure my shots.

[jjarrett79]

Still waiting on mine. First order with Golfsmith online and am definitely NOT impressed. Ordered at 10am on the 21st and it still hasn't even shipped.

[jjarrett79]

Finally received my watch today. I was doubtful that I would wear it off the golf course, but after having it on today... man, I love this thing. This is really how a sports watch should be designed. I can't wait to get it on the course and test it. Too bad it will probably be a couple more months.

[emo]

[quote name='jjarrett79' timestamp='1296237266' post='2932522']
Finally received my watch today. I was doubtful that I would wear it off the golf course, but after having it on today... man, I love this thing. This is really how a sports watch should be designed. I can't wait to get it on the course and test it. Too bad it will probably be a couple more months.
[/quote]


its really a nice looking watch havent taking mine off yet

[Sean25rp]

I'm definitely interested in this product after my pro showed it to me like a month ago. Again just waiting for the price to come down a little. For those complaining that they don't like wearing watches when they play why not just attach it to your bag so you can still get your yardage at a glance? Just a thought.

[mozgolf]

Great idea, I am all over one of those. Golf GPS and odometer for running!! Only problem I see is having to recharge it even if only used in watch mode. Would have thought they might have managed to squeeze in a standard watch battery to run the watch function.

[Spumoni]

I got one last week and used it for the first time Saturday. Very easy to use! I like it...

[mozgolf]

Those that have one, do you know if you can register a course yourself (ie. save the coords for for tee, box, front back and centre of the greens to make up your own course) if its not in the database, as you can with many of the handhelds?

I doubt our little goat track in Mozambique will get registered anytime soon. Also- are there any South African courses registered?

[brucestats]

the idea of just glancing at a watch to get distances is brilliant - nothing to grab from the bag or pocket..painless - the only question is whether you like wearing a watch during a round

[Spumoni]

[quote name='mozgolf' timestamp='1296551023' post='2942193']
Those that have one, do you know if you can register a course yourself (ie. save the coords for for tee, box, front back and centre of the greens to make up your own course) if its not in the database, as you can with many of the handhelds?

I doubt our little goat track in Mozambique will get registered anytime soon. Also- are there any South African courses registered?
[/quote]

No, you can't mark the course yourself. Sorry, I don't even see the Approach S1 GPS Golf watch listed on the South Africa Garmin webpage.....

[mozgolf]

[quote name='Spumoni' timestamp='1297372282' post='2966523']
[quote name='mozgolf' timestamp='1296551023' post='2942193']
Those that have one, do you know if you can register a course yourself (ie. save the coords for for tee, box, front back and centre of the greens to make up your own course) if its not in the database, as you can with many of the handhelds?

I doubt our little goat track in Mozambique will get registered anytime soon. Also- are there any South African courses registered?
[/quote]

No, you can't mark the course yourself. Sorry, I don't even see the Approach S1 GPS Golf watch listed on the South Africa Garmin webpage.....
[/quote]

thanks, I will scratch the S1 from my shopping list

[jjarrett79]

Got to test out my s1 on the course today for the first time.... I don't know how I ever golfed without it. It is absolutely my favorite golf purchase ever. Lug around a handheld Gps or rangefinder if you want to, as for me, I'll never be without a GPS watch.

[hectex]

[quote name='jjarrett79' timestamp='1298174041' post='2993865']
Got to test out my s1 on the course today for the first time.... I don't know how I ever golfed without it. It is absolutely my favorite golf purchase ever. Lug around a handheld Gps or rangefinder if you want to, as for me, I'll never be without a GPS watch.
[/quote]


Ditto

[oliversax]

For those who own the S1, how's the "backlit display" on the watch, can you read the time at night or in the dark? I just ordered one and was hoping I could use it as my everyday watch.

[jjarrett79]

Backlight is super bright but it isn't always on. You just press the button when needed.