Rangefinder or iPhone app

[Sats4eva]

Hi guys, I was looking for some advice and suggestions from you all. I currently own an iPhone and wanted to know if you are aware of any apps that act as a decent rangefinder?

 

Alterternatively if that's a no go can you suggest any good inexpensive range finders? I'm not too intune with the technology behind them so is there something I should be looking out for when considering purchasing one?

 

Thx

[Ping33]

Check out the Golf Buddy Voice. It is about the size of a pack of matches and will clip to your hat, belt, etc. Just push the button and it will tell you how far to the pin (front, back and center of green) and also how many yards you hit your ball with its built in odometer.

And, I have the iphone, just too darn annoying on the course, and my battery drains very fast with all of the GPS functions running. That is why I went with the GB Voice, tiny and I don't have to fumble around with gadgets on the course. Just push the button and go.

[rouski12]

swingbyswing golf app on the iphone. it's 100 percent free and honestly doesn't do that much to my battery. maybe lose 25%-35% depending on how many holes i play. you can pay like $20 or something like that to upgrade and get a bunch of features as well.

[Sats4eva]

[quote name='Ping33' timestamp='1340363663' post='5147734']
Check out the Golf Buddy Voice. It is about the size of a pack of matches and will clip to your hat, belt, etc. Just push the button and it will tell you how far to the pin (front, back and center of green) and also how many yards you hit your ball with its built in odometer.

And, I have the iphone, just too darn annoying on the course, and my battery drains very fast with all of the GPS functions running. That is why I went with the GB Voice, tiny and I don't have to fumble around with gadgets on the course. Just push the button and go.
[/quote]

It looks like a neat device. Can I uploadadditional courses if I find it's missing one?i

[Ping33]

Sat4,

Yes, you can download additional courses, for free. I am downloading the latest firmware on mine right now. It has 35,000 courses on it. My local muni in Sidney MT is in there, I am impressed. You can go to this link to find the courses you are interested in... [url="http://www.golfbuddyglobal.com/courseLibrary/"]http://www.golfbuddy.../courseLibrary/[/url]

[Sats4eva]

[quote name='Ping33' timestamp='1340365361' post='5147798']
Sat4,

Yes, you can download additional courses, for free. I am downloading the latest firmware on mine right now. It has 35,000 courses on it. My local muni in Sidney MT is in there, I am impressed. You can go to this link to find the courses you are interested in... [url="http://www.golfbuddyglobal.com/courseLibrary/"]http://www.golfbuddy.../courseLibrary/[/url]
[/quote]

That's pretty neat

[Sats4eva]

[quote name='rouski12' timestamp='1340363993' post='5147750']
swingbyswing golf app on the iphone. it's 100 percent free and honestly doesn't do that much to my battery. maybe lose 25%-35% depending on how many holes i play. you can pay like $20 or something like that to upgrade and get a bunch of features as well.
[/quote]

How accurate have you found it to be?

[chas521]

[quote name='Sats4eva' timestamp='1340365687' post='5147816']
[quote name='rouski12' timestamp='1340363993' post='5147750']
swingbyswing golf app on the iphone. it's 100 percent free and honestly doesn't do that much to my battery. maybe lose 25%-35% depending on how many holes i play. you can pay like $20 or something like that to upgrade and get a bunch of features as well.
[/quote]

How accurate have you found it to be?
[/quote]

I have a Garmin dedicated golf GPS device and my friend has an iPhone app on his. He is always asking me for the correct yardage because his iPhone app is always changing when he stands over his shot and he doesn't trust what he sees.

[sheldonjhacker]

golfshot gps...best $29 dollars ever spent, and extremely accurate. and if you follow the easy instructions...battery life is fine after 18 holes.

[DrCRHop]

I think the GPS versus iPhone app GPS has been beaten to death. There are stories that they are within 0.00001 yards of each other and other stories where they are not even on the same golf course. Personally, I use GolfShot and it works very well.

As far as a rangefinder app, there is PinRanger - see this forum for a thread on the app. I find it to be very difficult to use on the course, but I do like to use it on the driving range.

[Swisstrader98]

Yet another vote for Golfshot...the dang thing just works and has some neat features for tracking stats if that turns you on. Does not drain my battery all that much either. I love having one device vs carrying around a bunch of other stuff and having to point and shoot every few mins. Just turn the dang thing on and you have VERY accurate data right there...no muss, no fuss. Oh, and try to find a range finder for $29!!

[jholl2277]

I had the Golfshot app on my iphone for 2 years. It very accurate. Plus it cals your handicap and give all kinds of stats. It can also track your shots to give you an average length per club. There is like 38,000+ golf courses available. I love it!

[Sats4eva]

Has anybody tried an app called mobitee premium? I've heard it's similar to golfshot....it's 24.99. I don't mind spending the 25 or 30 bucks but I want something that works well.

In golfshot does it recommend which club to use?

[MrHack]

I have golflogix and it works just fine!!!

[phillypete]

I have both golfshot and a rangefinder. They both have their strengths and weaknesses.

Rangefinders are great if you have a yardage book, pin chart, and a little experience on the course. For courses that I know, I find the rangefinder to be easier to work with.

The app has its advantage on courses that are new to you. With a rangefinder it can be difficult to shoot water crossings and bunker locations. The app handles these much better.

I always enter my rounds into golfshot, either during or after, for the stat tracking.

[smellysell]

I got the upgraded swingbyswing and I love it. It tracks all kinds of stats, including club distances, is very accurate, and doen't drain my battery. I added a cycling mount to my speed cart for it an I couldn't be happier.

[smellysell]

[quote name='Ping33' timestamp='1340365361' post='5147798']
Sat4,

Yes, you can download additional courses, for free. I am downloading the latest firmware on mine right now. It has 35,000 courses on it. My local muni in Sidney MT is in there, I am impressed. You can go to this link to find the courses you are interested in... [url="http://www.golfbuddyglobal.com/courseLibrary/"]http://www.golfbuddy.../courseLibrary/[/url]
[/quote]

Sidney huh? I grew up in Colstrip.

[dberry90210]

I rarely post but thought it might be worth it here...

I use golflogix (paid version) and it is exactly the same as a range finder 95-99% of the time. The times it has been off, it was off less than 3 yds 99% of the time. As far as the battery is concerned, just "lock" the screen after every shot. I never have had any lag time other than a second or two so I'm kind of confused about those complaints. Maybe it has just been my particular location provides a very good signal but considering I have one of, if not the worst network (spring 3g) I am doubtful. For someone that uses it 30+ times a round to fill in their score, edit club distance, ect. I maybe could see how the battery would be an issue. But for the "normal" user, who uses it once per hole or so, I find it hard to believe that a fully charged Iphone battery would drain more than 50% over 18 holes.

[KILLEDBYASHANKEDWEDGE]

No I-Phone for tournament use, against the rules.

[Tyrone Tyger]

[quote name='dberry90210' timestamp='1341697723' post='5233756']
I rarely post but thought it might be worth it here...

I use golflogix (paid version) and it is exactly the same as a range finder 95-99% of the time. The times it has been off, it was off less than 3 yds 99% of the time. As far as the battery is concerned, just "lock" the screen after every shot. I never have had any lag time other than a second or two so I'm kind of confused about those complaints. Maybe it has just been my particular location provides a very good signal but considering I have one of, if not the worst network (spring 3g) I am doubtful. For someone that uses it 30+ times a round to fill in their score, edit club distance, ect. I maybe could see how the battery would be an issue. But for the "normal" user, who uses it once per hole or so, I find it hard to believe that a fully charged Iphone battery would drain more than 50% over 18 holes.
[/quote]

The GPS for the phone's don't use your cell signal, they use a GPS Satellite signal, runs completely seperate. You can be in the boonies with no signal and the GPS should still work.

I use GolfLogix too, and I've had one instance where it had problems, but everyone with a gps was having problems. Turns out, being less than a mile from an airport, the radar dish was causing us interference! Other than that, it's awesome.

[brucejun444]

[quote name='KILLEDBYASHANKEDWEDGE' timestamp='1341698348' post='5233798']
No I-Phone for tournament use, against the rules.
[/quote]

Most smartphones do have built in compass and it is against the USGA rules if you were to use it during a tournament round.

[tyro]

i'm a mid/low handicapper and either one really works fine as long as you know the iPhone app typically gives middle of the green numbers, at least the one I use. I use a Bushnell Z6 and love it.

[govols]

[quote name='tyro' timestamp='1342202164' post='5269428']
i'm a mid/low handicapper and either one really works fine as long as you know the iPhone app typically gives middle of the green numbers, at least the one I use. I use a Bushnell Z6 and love it.
[/quote]


The Golfshot app gives a lot more info & that.

[MaxBuck]

[quote name='KILLEDBYASHANKEDWEDGE' timestamp='1341698348' post='5233798']
No I-Phone for tournament use, against the rules.
[/quote]True. Technically, having a smartphone on you when playing a tournament would disqualify you per the Rules of Golf. It would be interesting to know how many Tour pros violate this rule routinely.

[esketores]

The iphone "GolfShot" app is... Well I have come to the conclusion I simply do not like using the iphone as a GPS device on the course.
Have to turn it on. The swipe.
It does not change holes automatically.
In the sun the screen is difficult to read. And if you've gotten older and need cheaters to read that only makes matters worse.
After six holes today it got banned to the bag. And this is a permanent ban.
My laser works just fine for my skill level.

[mcgrath22]

I have used Golflogix for at least 3 years and it seems to be pretty accurate. I try to compare it to the markers on the course and it is usually within 2-3 yards. Although, during those 3 years my handicap dropped from an 8 to a 1 and I like the 'exactness' of a laser. I purchased a laser but still use Golflogix to keep my stats.

[Willie Malay]

See my post on the Garmin Approach S1. Might work for you. Might not.

[Fourmyle of Ceres]

How will you post on GolfWRX during your round if your iPhone is tied up with a GPS app? You can't get your post count up by just posting when you're watching TV at home or sitting around at work!

[cbehan]

Here's the reality of GPS: The best standalone GPS devices can do +-1 yard accuracy, and iPhones/Android apps are only accurate to +- 5 yards with good reception. Of course, this is only worth anything if there is accurate and current course mapping (which despite most app manufacturer's claims, you can't really do with a mouse and google maps). Even then, you don't get accurate distances to pin placements without an very detailed yardage book and a very good eye for estimating depth and width of a pin location.

If you want to be more accurate than that, a laser rangefinder is the only way to go.

[Mystic Elder]

[quote name='cbehan' timestamp='1343337045' post='5360174']
Here's the reality of GPS: The best standalone GPS devices can do +-1 yard accuracy, and iPhones/Android apps are only accurate to +- 5 yards with good reception. Of course, this is only worth anything if there is accurate and current course mapping (which despite most app manufacturer's claims, you can't really do with a mouse and google maps). Even then, you don't get accurate distances to pin placements without an very detailed yardage book and a very good eye for estimating depth and width of a pin location.

If you want to be more accurate than that, a laser rangefinder is the only way to go.
[/quote]

How do you explain my app being within 3 yards of course markers and laser measurments on multiple courses if the limitation is 5 yards as you claim? You make an erroneous assumption that apps use Google Earth exlusively to map courses. There are many orthorectified geo-referenced sources that are well within 5 yards accuracy for vector tracing etc. Laser is more accurate...no doubt on that.