Left SGX, leaving Golfshot...just received new Garmin S3

Fabian43 · October 18, 2012

Like many of you over the years I've used different GPS systems. Years ago it was Golflogix on my Android. Then I went all out and got the SGX falling victim to Skycaddy's marketing and thinking they were the best...boy was I wrong. Ditched them for Golfshot on my IPhone 4S. I've been happiest with the Golfshot but have grown tired of not being able to finish a full round due to a dead battery and/or leaving the course with only 10% juice left.

I've always worn a watch while golfing and after much research decided to try the S3. There are so many good reviews of the S1 that I was confident I'd love the S3. Just got it yesterday, gonna use it this weekend. I'll post my thoughts after.

golfjam · October 18, 2012

I've got one and like a lot. Don't forget to update firmware to get better readings.

NostraDEIMOS · October 19, 2012

I've used the Garmin G5 and currently use the G6, I've never tried the watch though. Can't wait to hear your review on the S3.

Stuart_G · October 19, 2012

I got the G3 to replace my old (original) neo and like it a lot. The only downside is the battery life isn't great compared with most hand-held gps units. You might squeeze out two rounds w/o needing to recharge that that's it. With the neo, I could get 4+ rounds in between charges.

Fabian43 · October 19, 2012

Gonna tee off in a few hours. In terms of battery life I did take that into consideration that its difficult to get in 2 rounds but in my 4 years of golfing I've only played 2 rounds in one day twice so I don't foresee that being a problem. On the other hand I will have to remember to charge the watch after every round and in that sense I can see the drawback. Here's a tip: my car has a USB port so I can plug in my iPod so I tried plugging in the watch into that port with the included cables the watch came with. Lo and behold it began charging the watch. Now charging the watch via USB is pain stakingly slow compared to AC but if you are trying to get out o the house and grab your gps unit only to realize you forgot to charge it just grab the USB cable and charge on the drive over. You won't get a full charge but probably enough to get a round in...or you could pay $25 for the Garmin vehicle charger but I'd rather not.

hyolee · October 19, 2012

I've used my Garmin G5 for last 2 and1/2years until last fall. The screen cracked (heavy load during golf trip) so contact Garmin and they said send in $100 with Garmin G5 and they'll fix it. I decided to just buy new GPS. After long research and try outs. Decided to go with S1. G6 was second, upro third and sgxw fourth. I do miss G5/G6 when we go to new courses. 90%of the time S1 is great; simple, direct and always with you. Me and the guys play 36 to 54 holes per day on Saturday and Sunday. S1 is good for about 8-9hours of GPS which equates to about 45 holes and lunch in between for us. I wish I have waited and got S3. ... I love technology.

Fabian43 · October 20, 2012

So was able to get out on the course today and try out the new Approach S3. The things I like: because I am used to playing with a watch having a GPS watch made it convenient. It was so much faster to look down at my wrist and get the yardage instead of having to grab my iPhone, unlock it, and look up yardage. Was able to keep basic stroke score on the watch as well. Things I didn't like was that since I had never played today's course before I was missing the ability to look at the hole layout from my Golfshot. There were bunkers that I had no distances for. As well, for today's round I downloaded Golfshot Lite to simultaneously keep a detailed scorecard. I'm not sure whether in time I will just forgo keeping detailed stats or if it will be something I continue to do. 2 things I would like Garmin to add to S5 would be adding bunkers and other hazards (w/o us having to do it ourselves) and adding ability to keep stats like how many putts, sand, penalty and whether tee shot was in fairway. I guess I want these stats because I've gotten use to them on Golfshot. All things said, I love the convenience the S3 brings, no more iPhone battery dying on me on the 17th hole! Once the S5 comes out I'll sell my S3 and get the new one…gotta have the latest and greatest.

Rock Chalk Jayhawk · October 26, 2012

Garmin recently released a new course update. To download the update for free for an Approach device, visit this link: www.garmin.com/courseviewupdater

buttuh · October 27, 2012

Have you thought about getting a case with an extended battery for your iPhone? I got one from amazon for around $10 and it more than doubled the battery life in my wife's iPhone.

Fabian43 · November 8, 2012

So I've got about 5 rounds in with the S3 and i love it. So much quicker to get the yardage from the watch then compared to grabbing the iPhone or sky caddie from the cart. CONVENIENT! And my iPhone's battery isn't dead anymore because it doesn't get used during the round. Anyone considering getting the S3 I would highly recommend it. For me it was between the G6 and S3 and I decided convenience was worth more to me than tracking in-depth stats, YMMV. For the S5 I really hope, though, that they would add the ability to track putts. I don't need to track GIR and other stats but knowing putts per round is helpful. As well I wish they input hazard distances instead of us having to do it manually.