Garmin watch

[theshow]

I owned a couple of GPS units, and currently own the Garmin watch. I am having issues with it, and it has broken down.

 

Has anybody else had any issues w/the Garmin or Bushnell GPS watch? What about any other GPS unit?

 

If this keeps happening, I might switch to a laser rangefinder.

 

Thanks!

[Hakko]

So far, my only problem with the Garmin S3 has been forgetting to put it on before I leave for my round.

[Big Ben]

I've really wanted to buy a GPS watch but haven't specifically for this reason, I believe they will dramatically improve these devices over time and want to hold out for a superior product. I did the same with hand helds as well, I finally decided on my Garmin G5 based on quality improvements over time...BB

[offapex]

Have a Garmin G3. About 8 months in, stopped working. Complained about locked maps, can't unlock maps. Worked w/ customer support, couldn't fix over phone. Sent the unit back to Garmin, they sent me a new one. Cost me about $5 to box and ship. Also have a Bushnell laser. No problems so far. Knock on wood.

[Sean25rp]

No issues with my Garmin s1 at all and have pretty much had it since they were released. I use it weekly for my round and the rest of the time it sits on charge.

[Stuart_G]

No issues with my G3 after 4 months. I did update the firmware right away after I got it since there was a known issue of the unit locking up when adding custom points.

[Dan Drake]

I am looking for a small (wearable) GPS unit. I would like one that offers front, middle, and back yardages as well as the ability to create 1 custom point per hole. Is the Garmin S3 the only current device that fits this description? Thank you.

[Stuart_G]

In addition to the g3, the neo also has the ability to add custom points. Not sure about the other watch options out there

[Dan Drake]

[quote name='Stuart G.' timestamp='1356258177' post='6107291']
In addition to the g3, the neo also has the ability to add custom points. Not sure about the other watch options out there
[/quote]

Does the Neo+ watch have custom points? I know the Neo+ handheld unit does, but I didn't think the watch did.

[Big Ben]

I do not believe that the NEO watch has the ability to add custom points, could be wrong but I haven't seen any information regarding this in my paperwork...BB

[Sean25rp]

[quote name='Big Ben' timestamp='1357175939' post='6156503']
I do not believe that the NEO watch has the ability to add custom points, could be wrong but I haven't seen any information regarding this in my paperwork...BB
[/quote]

Pretty sure you're right Ben.

[Big Ben]

It's funny but the simplicity of front/center/back is exactly what appealed to me about the NEO watch, if I'm still not confident I will utilize my laser for fine tuning distance. As golfers (intelligent humans I hope) we have sold ourselves a little short with so much distance technology, common sense should allow you to get pretty darn close (at least for my 3 cap game) to the actual distance. I might take this a step further and say we should continue to at least make an effort to "see" the course through our own eyes as well...BB

[Sean25rp]

[quote name='Big Ben' timestamp='1357178093' post='6156767']
It's funny but the simplicity of front/center/back is exactly what appealed to me about the NEO watch, if I'm still not confident I will utilize my laser for fine tuning distance. As golfers (intelligent humans I hope) we have sold ourselves a little short with so much distance technology, common sense should allow you to get pretty darn close (at least for my 3 cap game) to the actual distance. I might take this a step further and say we should continue to at least make an effort to "see" the course through our own eyes as well...BB
[/quote]

Could not agree more BB.

[Stuart_G]

[quote name='duckjr78' timestamp='1357175400' post='6156451']
[quote name='Stuart G.' timestamp='1356258177' post='6107291']
In addition to the g3, the neo also has the ability to add custom points. Not sure about the other watch options out there
[/quote]

Does the Neo+ watch have custom points? I know the Neo+ handheld unit does, but I didn't think the watch did.
[/quote]

Sorry, I thought I read somewhere in the promotional material that the watch had exactly the same functionality as the handheld unit but it sounds like I was wrong. Glad I went for the s3 instead :-)

[Sean25rp]

[quote name='Stuart G.' timestamp='1357218451' post='6159035']
[quote name='duckjr78' timestamp='1357175400' post='6156451']
[quote name='Stuart G.' timestamp='1356258177' post='6107291']
In addition to the g3, the neo also has the ability to add custom points. Not sure about the other watch options out there
[/quote]

Does the Neo+ watch have custom points? I know the Neo+ handheld unit does, but I didn't think the watch did.
[/quote]

Sorry, I thought I read somewhere in the promotional material that the watch had exactly the same functionality as the handheld unit but it sounds like I was wrong. Glad I went for the s3 instead :-)
[/quote]

S3 looks great. Bit slimmer and lighter than the S1. Can't justify the upgrade right now.

[That Bob Guy]

I currently have the SkyCaddie SGX-W, but have been looking at the Garmin S3 watch lately. It's very comfortable and the numbers are easy to see.
The Skycaddie has all kinds on things you can do with it, but with my failing eyesight, I can't see anything without glasses.
Don't laugh! Some day it'll get you too!!
I'll ask for it for my birthday next month.

[BraveAnthony]

My father in law loves Golfbuddy voice because he cant read the numbers on Garmin watch.

[Richatvillage]

I have used the Bushnell NEO watch for a complete season & contiunue to use it as an everyday watch. More than once I was able to get in unexpected rounds in & simply turned it to golf mode as I walked from the car to the clubhouse. This unit offers front-center-back distance, which is perfect for me. I had a hand held & became too "screen concious". Good for a full day-gets about 45 holes before re-charge needed. No fumbling with hand held as you walk from cartpath to ball. No walking away from it on a par 3 tee box. No forgetting hand held in cart,(which I've done a couple of times), rainproof. Friends have wonderd why I always check the time before I hit! The watch has almost eliminated me being the "distance caddy" for the whole group as I am not seen carrying the hand held around. It would take a special unit to get me to move from the "watch style" gps.

[RouteBurner]

I second Golf Buddy Voice. I bought it back in April, and used it about 6 months (approx 24-30 rounds with no problem) and wear it on my cap (or belt buckle) and it has been within 0-2 yards of the fairway markers whenever I'm near one.

[BNich0622]

[quote name='theshow' timestamp='1354574976' post='6013845']
I owned a couple of GPS units, and currently own the Garmin watch. I am having issues with it, and it has broken down.

Has anybody else had any issues w/the Garmin or Bushnell GPS watch? What about any other GPS unit?

If this keeps happening, I might switch to a laser rangefinder.

Thanks!
[/quote]

What do you mean it has broken down? We sell these in our shop. Just started carrying them near the end of summer. We've had mainly older members who aren't all that tech savvy purchasing them. The more information the better, just incase we have members that have the same issues.

[Blade Junkie]

Only thing that annoys me about the Garmin S1 watch is that it won't quite get to 36 holes on the course I play (which is difficult to get round in less than 4.5 hours).

Other than that it is a top product.

Front, middle, back is all I really need to know. The bonus is that it tells the time as well

[Stuart_G]

[quote name='Blade Junkie' timestamp='1357554462' post='6182349']
Only thing that annoys me about the Garmin S1 watch is that it won't quite get to 36 holes on the course I play (which is difficult to get round in less than 4.5 hours).

Other than that it is a top product.

Front, middle, back is all I really need to know. The bonus is that it tells the time as well
[/quote]

I have to agree, I really like my garmin s3 but the battery life is horrible compared to the other choices. Still no regrets as I almost never play more than 27 holes in a day.

[Sean25rp]

[quote name='Stuart G.' timestamp='1357563329' post='6182525']
[quote name='Blade Junkie' timestamp='1357554462' post='6182349']
Only thing that annoys me about the Garmin S1 watch is that it won't quite get to 36 holes on the course I play (which is difficult to get round in less than 4.5 hours).

Other than that it is a top product.

Front, middle, back is all I really need to know. The bonus is that it tells the time as well
[/quote]

I have to agree, I really like my garmin s3 but the battery life is horrible compared to the other choices. Still no regrets as I almost never play more than 27 holes in a day.
[/quote]

Disappointed to hear the s3 isn't much of an improvement over the s1. That would probably be the only thing that would tempt me to upgrade. The bushnell sounds like a good option if it can manage 36 holes.

[Stuart_G]

[quote name='Sean25rp' timestamp='1357590076' post='6184917']
[quote name='Stuart G.' timestamp='1357563329' post='6182525']
[quote name='Blade Junkie' timestamp='1357554462' post='6182349']
Only thing that annoys me about the Garmin S1 watch is that it won't quite get to 36 holes on the course I play (which is difficult to get round in less than 4.5 hours).

Other than that it is a top product.

Front, middle, back is all I really need to know. The bonus is that it tells the time as well
[/quote]

I have to agree, I really like my garmin s3 but the battery life is horrible compared to the other choices. Still no regrets as I almost never play more than 27 holes in a day.
[/quote]

Disappointed to hear the s3 isn't much of an improvement over the s1. That would probably be the only thing that would tempt me to upgrade. The bushnell sounds like a good option if it can manage 36 holes.
[/quote]

Based on what I've read, the s3 is pretty similar to the s1 in battery life. My old hand-held neo could handle 4 18 hole rounds but the update wasn't as 'fast' as the garmin. I've no idea if the update rate got better with the neo+ or watch version but it also could have been a problem specific to the terrain/sat coverage up here in the hills.

[SteveL1]

Used my S3 for the first time today as we walked 14 holes. Funny how I never looked for a sprinkler head or yardage marker all day. Walk up to the ball, glance at the watch and pick out a club. Stupid easy! I checked the accuracy against a Leupold G1 a few times and we were within a yard or two every time. Only thing I miss is not having some info on hazards and lay up points. Instructions say you can add them but I didn't take the time to figure out how. All in all I'm pretty happy with it.

[Ozsouthpaw]

Have had an S1 since may last year with no complaints except perhaps battery life . Two weeks ago the menu button came off so I sent it back to Garmin . Within 3 days I received a reponse that a new one was on the way. Thats what I call after sales service

[tawarmbrod]

[quote name='Ozsouthpaw' timestamp='1357985618' post='6214329']
Have had an S1 since may last year with no complaints except perhaps battery life . Two weeks ago the menu button came off so I sent it back to Garmin . Within 3 days I received a reponse that a new one was on the way. Thats what I call after sales service
[/quote]
Have a s3 and have had nothing but trouble with it. Is hung up now and will do nothing. Will finally call garmin in the morning and return and either have them fix or send new one.

[Stuart_G]

[quote name='tawarmbrod' timestamp='1359603403' post='6334309']
[quote name='Ozsouthpaw' timestamp='1357985618' post='6214329']
Have had an S1 since may last year with no complaints except perhaps battery life . Two weeks ago the menu button came off so I sent it back to Garmin . Within 3 days I received a reponse that a new one was on the way. Thats what I call after sales service
[/quote]
Have a s3 and have had nothing but trouble with it. Is hung up now and will do nothing. Will finally call garmin in the morning and return and either have them fix or send new one.
[/quote]

Did you go online after you got it to check for software updates (not just an update of the courses)? There was a known issue with hanging after adding custom points but a fix has been out for a while.

[Coca Cola]

Been using the bushnell v2 and ended u stopped using cos it's simply too bulky

Considering the Harmon s3...

[Coca Cola]

And yes, u need to update the software first...