Garmin Approach S-1 and/or S-3 GPS watches...

[sheldonjhacker]

Looking at a GPS watch for 2013. How do you owners of these like 'em ? Thanks

[ruckus10]

Got the s-3. It's a nice GPS watch. Charge will probably hold you for about 2 rounds. I like the layup function for the par 5s if its too far to get in 2. Very convenient to just look down at your wrist instead of fumbling with a separate unit. Only thing, I don't like watches when I played and even though its light, it did bother me at times. But if you don't care, convenience is the best feature.

[BlackDiamondPar5]

[quote name='sheldonjhacker' timestamp='1353207173' post='5948503']
Looking at a GPS watch for 2013. How do you owners of these like 'em ? Thanks
[/quote]

If you search this site there are plenty of threads about the garmin s1 (and more recent s3). Also go check out the customer reviews on Amazon. The reviews are very, very positive.

[BraveAnthony]

I returned the S3 for S1. The whole point of me getting the watch was to make my game simple but all the additional features of the s3 made it as hectic as using Golshot on my iphone. Had to constantly swipe my watch to go into th greenview and after a couple of rounds i realized that i dont need the green view because I almost always play at about 7 courses where i know how their greens look like.
So I returned the S3 for the s1 and 910 d2 driver. The best move i have ever made in my golf hobby!
I was going to use golfshot when i go to a new course and use laser in a very very important shot into the green. Played 3 rounds so far and S1 is all that i needed. Used laser and s1 side by side in my first round and s1 was within a yard or two of my laser. And my laser has +-1 yard discrepancy so its more than good enough. S1 seems faster than s3 and is slighly thinner. I would think it should consume less energy thus longer battery life.

[Imp]

I love the simplicty of my S1. Front/Middle/Back. That's it. If I need distances to doglegs/hazards/traps on courses I'm not familiar with, I'll ask if there's no course book.

It really has helped me become a lot more consistant with my game knowing how far things are and what club I need to use.

I can get about 27 holes in a day before it dies.

ruckus10... I don't wear watches at all, so it's either looped on my push cart handle when walking or if riding in a cart, on one of my belt loops for my pants. Quick glance down, and done.

--kC

[chas521]

[quote name='Imp' timestamp='1354021386' post='5984021']

ruckus10... I don't wear watches at all, so it's either looped on my push cart handle when walking or if riding in a cart, on one of my belt loops for my pants. Quick glance down, and done.

--kC
[/quote]

I have to ask. Why would you take a watch device and attach it to the cart thus making it the same as any other portable GPS golf device?

[Imp]

Simplicity. Form factor. Cost. Ease of use. Speed of use. Readability. Durability... to name a few.

--kC

[jshel]

I just picked up a S1 on Black Friday. In Arizona now and will use it for the first time tomorrow.

I got it because I wanted something that I didn't have to pay a membership for or load courses on like I have had to with my SkyCaddie.

[bdirty]

S1 is the best golf related purchase I have made in the last two years! If you don't need all the bells and whistles other gps units have... it will pay for itself in just a few rounds. Lighter than most of the watches I own so I don't have any issues wearing during the round. I have used it on about 20 courses in Florida and Missouri and the yardages have been within a yard or two on every course. At around $170 these days it is very affordable for all...i have spent more than that too many times at the 19th hole! Very satisfied with mine!!!

[Imp]

[quote name='jshel' timestamp='1354165969' post='5993709']
I just picked up a S1 on Black Friday. In Arizona now and will use it for the first time tomorrow.

I got it because I wanted something that I didn't have to pay a membership for or load courses on like I have had to with my SkyCaddie.
[/quote]I 'update' mine every few months. It had the courses I play already pre-loaded, but they update the firmware occasionally too.

I found one course that I play that has the 3rd hole and 7th hole parallel to each other, but the approach yardages were always 'off'. I play this course occasionally and always chalked it up to satellite/gps issues. It just hit me last month standing on the 3rd green looking at the watch it said '65 yds'. Hmm, that's about how far away the 7th green is. I switched the watch to 7th hole, it read '3 yds'.

On the 7th, I did the same thing... same results. 5yds to 3rd, 67ish to 7th. Bingo. Garmin had the holes reversed (standing on 3rd fwy would give distance to 7th and vice versa). I opened a ticket last month and don't know if they updated it yet.

--kC

[Hakko]

I picked up a "like new" S3 on eBay. Very glad I did. I had been using Golfshot, which I liked, but found the constant fumbling with my phone somewhat annoying and possibly affecting my pace of play. Before that I had a SkyCaddie SG5 (since sold on eBay). On my home course the yardage is spot on. I like being able to customize locations to my game. Switching to green view is actually pretty quick and easy. I find it useful on short shots when I want to target my landing area, rather than the pin itself. Scoring takes mere seconds. I've never liked to wear a watch while playing -- my watches are pretty chunky -- but I'm not overly bothered by the S3 on my wrist.

This is definitely my favorite GPS to date. I had wondered whether the lower amount of course data would hurt me, but so far less is more.

Assuming the S1 is as accurate as the S3 it's a very good choice if you don't want the hazard/layup info.

[golfjam]

I've a S3. Very easy to use and fairly accurate. I got as a gift and would choose a S1 if given a choice. The touchscreen is nice but I rather use my Bushnell V2 for a more precise yardage.