Pocketable GPS

[first tee]

I have an iGolf NEO that I purchased about three years ago. It is getting pretty beat up and needs to be replaced.

 

I walk and carry my clubs. I need a GPS unit that fits comfortably in my pocket. I have an iphone and have tried a couple of the free GPS apps. They are OK, but with the touchscreen it seems that every time I take the phone out of my pocket, I have touched something and it's on the wrong screen. Worst case, it means restarting the app, which is really in pain.

 

So, can anyone recommend a GPS unit that (1) fits in my pocket and (2) isn't subject to changing screens every time it goes in and out of my pocket? If the best answer is to buy another NEO, that's OK too!

[timehoc]

Garmin Approach S2? You could take the bands off if you wanted and it would really be pocket sized.

[theebdk]

Have you considered hanging the GPS on your bag? I exclusively walk and have a Skycaddie SG4 with a case that uses a carbiner to hang from my bag. It stays out of my way but is right there when I select my clubs, very handy.

[first tee]

[quote]Have you considered hanging the GPS on your bag?[/quote]

I use a carry bag with no stand so the GPS unit would need to be really waterproof. I also play early when there is lots of dew. I guess the Garmin qualifies?

[Solutions Etcetera]

The uPro is quite comfy in a pocket. About the size and weight of a candy bar.

Be aware that carrying in your pocket will provide less accuracy than it is capable of when you first whip it out. It will settle after a few moments once it has a clear view of the sky.

[avgjoe]

if you're not looking for more functionality than the neo, get a neo+

[BlackDiamondPar5]

If you liked the basic functionality of the Neo then why not stay with it? I have a golf guru 2 and I love the fact that I don't have to interact with it during a round. I just glance at the yardage and go. It sounds like you also prefer that simplicity.

[first tee]

[quote]If you liked the basic functionality of the Neo then why not stay with it? I have a golf guru 2 and I love the fact that I don't have to interact with it during a round.[/quote]

I like the Neo a lot. I was just thinking that maybe there was a unit that did a little more. Sometimes the limit of four custom points per hole is limiting. The problem is that all the new ones seem to have touch screens and that just isn't the best when you are taking it in and out of your pocket.

I play the same two courses 95% of the time. But when I go elsewhere it's nice to be able to use GPS without having to download.

[Solutions Etcetera]

[quote name='first tee' timestamp='1306285031' post='3259963']The problem is that all the new ones seem to have touch screens and that just isn't the best when you are taking it in and out of your pocket. [/quote]

I am currently using the G5… and while it has a 'lock screen' function, I never use it. The touch screen is rarely activated when it is in my pocket (and the G5's screen is resistive - a gloved finger will still trigger it).

I hear the uPro mx screen is capacitive, meaning it is less likely to be triggered by anything other than your skin. I am 'guessing' that if you transfer it to and from your pocket with your gloved hand you should have no worries.

[TJCDAS]

If my G5 was in my pocket my pants would end up on the grass. Love this GPS but not in the pocket.

[Solutions Etcetera]

[quote name='TJCDAS' timestamp='1306335093' post='3261451']
If my G5 was in my pocket my pants would end up on the grass.[/quote]
You just need to get one of these new [url="http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11196243&sizeID=9508594&cid=CSE:GooglePLAs"]high-tech anti-grav devices[/url].

[boggyman]

Neo +.For the money,hard to beat!!!!!!

[golfdad907]

Buddy of mine brought his Cally MX out for a test drive today...it's sweet. Now if they'd only get the website so can get some Pro Mode courses...I thought the screen would be a tad small, but not really. Very visiable in the sunlight, and nice a tiny, very pocketable.

[stekoppite]

i have an iPhone 4, and have the GolfShot GPS for it. its absolutely brilliant, and only 17.99 (in the UK)

[Dasenergi]

I have the mx also and the size is perfect ..now if they ever get the site up we will see if it can take out the sgx

[D_Dogg]

I'd also suggest Golfshot for iPhone. It's $30 in the US. You can lock the screen through the app when not in use. When you slide to unlock it opens right to the app. Worth a try before purchasing a new gps device. Just a thought.

[Houstonhacker]

I recently got a Garmin Approach G3, and although it seems a little bulky for a pocket, it does have a belt clip like the old Nokia cellphones. It works well and does not get in the way when I have it on (I mostly walk).

[first tee]

Thanks for all of the feedback. I am now up to 4 GPS apps on my iPhone - iGolf, Swing by Swing, Golf Logix and SkyDroid. I think SkyDroid was the only one I paid for and that was $1.99! I am not really in love with any of them. I probably need to spend the $30 and try Golfshot. I really struggle with the fact that my phone isn't very visible in the sunlight and it makes it tough to use an app that has a lot of info. I just can't see the details.

[BlackDiamondPar5]

[quote name='first tee' timestamp='1306958099' post='3278005']
Thanks for all of the feedback. I am now up to 4 GPS apps on my iPhone - iGolf, Swing by Swing, Golf Logix and SkyDroid. I think SkyDroid was the only one I paid for and that was $1.99! I am not really in love with any of them. I probably need to spend the $30 and try Golfshot. I really struggle with the fact that my phone isn't very visible in the sunlight and it makes it tough to use an app that has a lot of info. I just can't see the details.
[/quote]

I hear ya. I have a droid and even though I have and love my golf guru g002, I wanted to experiment with a couple of golf apps on my phone.

I liked the graphics on the iGolf app, but the demo version stops after a few holes requiring an upgrade. Similarly the graphics on the sonocaddie app were equally great, but at least they limit you to one entire course so you can use it for a full round. There were a few apps that used actual pictures, but were even harder to see in bright sun than the high contrast graphics on the igolf and sonnocaddie apps.

Also with a phone app, I find myself messing around with the phone too much. In my opinion you're better off with a dedicated device.

[first tee]

[quote]There were a few apps that used actual pictures, but were even harder to see in bright sun than the high contrast graphics on the igolf and sonnocaddie apps. [/quote]

I agree completely. Using an overhead picture of the hole is probably cheaper than doing artwork but it is nearly impossible to see the detail in the sunlight. When I tried the SkyDroid it gave me really odd angles on many of the holes. I have played my course over 1000 times and I often struggled to tell which green was which and which fairway went to which green. I abandoned it after about 9 holes. I am not patient enough to try to solve a puzzle every time I pull it out.

I like the iGolf graphics but you really need to do custom points on every hole. Even in their demo they show yardages to the middle of bunkers. What good is that? I need to know either the lay up or the carry yardage, not the yardage to the middle of the bunker.