garmin s3 review

[tawarmbrod]

I have just bought this watch and have downloaded the local hazards on my course to it twice....I live on the course...I have had nothing but trouble with this device, having never played one hole with it....I tried to register it online and now it is locked up and will not even turn on...will call garmin tuesday to see if they can get it going....so as of now my review is this is a complete POS and total waste of money...glad I do have a bushnell lazer...

[Sean25rp]

Could just be a faulty unit. Several people posted that they had trouble with the s1 units when they first came out. I'm sure you can get a replacement.

[tawarmbrod]

I called pga superstore where I bought the unit and they told me they had none in stock and would not get until the middle or late june....I did get to a screen where it asked if I wanted to erase user data...in other words the marking I put in on the course....I did this and it now works, so the problem is if you put any data in the device it locks up....and without the local data, such as to water over water, etc it is worthless to me....will still talk to garmin tomorrow, but really wish I had never gotten....

[Sean25rp]

So you have to manually input data in order to have layup distances and distances to hazards etc?

[tawarmbrod]

the unit has the yardages to the 250,on par fives, 200,150, and 100 yards. but you can manually enter up to 5 spots on each hole, you have to name them what the unit has which I believe are, bunker, water, hazard, tree, and fairway

[Sean25rp]

[quote name='tawarmbrod' timestamp='1338254496' post='4991568']
the unit has the yardages to the 250,on par fives, 200,150, and 100 yards. but you can manually enter up to 5 spots on each hole, you have to name them what the unit has which I believe are, bunker, water, hazard, tree, and fairway
[/quote]


Ok that's interesting. Thanks.

[B_Rod]

My S3 arrives tomorrow! I hope it works.

[Sean25rp]

[quote name='B_Rod' timestamp='1338878607' post='5032738']
My S3 arrives tomorrow! I hope it works.
[/quote]

Let us know how it goes.

[B_Rod]

Got my watch and it seems to be working fine. Will play my first round with it on Friday. My initial impressions are positive. Watch feels solid, nice big side buttons, and the watch band is made from a soft plastic which feels comfortable.

The screen appears to be resistive, not capacitive like most smart phones. It requires a firmer press than I am used to but it registers a touch well with a firm press of your finger. I don't think this will be much of an issue since the watch switches holes automatically and after reading the manual does not seem to require much interaction, with regard to having to touch the screen, at all. I'll see how automatic it is on Friday, how easy or hard it is to move the pin position, and also keep score on the watch.

I generally like to keep score on a scorecard since I also track basic stats on there as well.

[Sean25rp]

[quote name='B_Rod' timestamp='1338967210' post='5039518']
Got my watch and it seems to be working fine. Will play my first round with it on Friday. My initial impressions are positive. Watch feels solid, nice big side buttons, and the watch band is made from a soft plastic which feels comfortable.

The screen appears to be resistive, not capacitive like most smart phones. It requires a firmer press than I am used to but it registers a touch well with a firm press of your finger. I don't think this will be much of an issue since the watch switches holes automatically and after reading the manual does not seem to require much interaction, with regard to having to touch the screen, at all. I'll see how automatic it is on Friday, how easy or hard it is to move the pin position, and also keep score on the watch.

I generally like to keep score on a scorecard since I also track basic stats on there as well.
[/quote]

Sounds good. Look forward to the update after Friday's round.

[TAG617]

I've had the S3 for a few weeks now and I love it. Really convinient and easy to use and so far has been accurate and several different courses. The touch screen does take a firmer push but i like since you cant hit it or move it forward by accident. I have mapped custom yardages and have had no issues with it freezing either. Much better than my old Neo.

[B_Rod]

I have played two rounds with the S3. Best thing about it is the convenience it provides. No fumbling around with the GPS in and out of pocket or case on cart path only holes. Nice to always have distance readily available, especially on short game shots where you are typically not near your cart unless you walk. I have an original uPro and did not miss any of its graphical features.

The S3 changes holes perfectly, something the uPro could not do well at all. My only improvement suggestions would be in locating the pin on the green they should offset the pin from being right underneath your finger. They add cross hair lines so you can get a sense for where you are dropping the pin on the green but I would prefer an offset feature or Up/Down, Left/Right touch control areas off to the side to position the pin. They can have this as a setup option in the preferences. Only other thing is for future versions to keep getting thinner. Overall the S3 just gets out of your way and lets you play with minimal distraction.

[Stuart_G]

B_Rod - thanks for the update. I've been waiting for that - almost posted a reminder

[quote]
[i]Much better than my old Neo.[/i]
[/quote]

Is the tracking better? I have the old Neo as well and found it can be a little slow to update - especially if kept in a pocket. Of course, being in central NH, the hills can affect satallite reception, so it might not have been the pocket.

[Jlg100]

Hi All

I bought my S3 in the UK and have moved to asia and the maps are NOT preloaded on it. The americas, europe, middle east, africa NZ and austrailia are there but i canot find/download the asia maps for it, can any one help please, i'm going for a round in 2 hrs!!

[Stuart_G]

If they are available at all, it would be through garmin's map update functionality for the watch.

[dlai]

[quote name='Jlg100' timestamp='1375852506' post='7621632']
Hi All

I bought my S3 in the UK and have moved to asia and the maps are NOT preloaded on it. The americas, europe, middle east, africa NZ and austrailia are there but i canot find/download the asia maps for it, can any one help please, i'm going for a round in 2 hrs!!
[/quote]

Garmin states that the s3 can be used worldwide so why would the Asia maps not be loaded on it? Anybody has an answer for this?