GPS vs Rangefinder

[txsouthpaw]

Hey guys i got a question. I just got into golf and was thinking about getting a gps unit to help me judge distance, it would really help with club selection. The only problem is that i dont wanna spend 400 on something that i dont need. What are the pros and cons of of GPS and rangefinders. Should i just get a rangefinder

[Big_M]

I prefer GPS, but both work pretty well, just depends what you want.

GPS benefits...
-don't need line of sight
-no aiming
-don't have to have an object to aim at
-easier to get quick yardage

Rangefinder...
-yardage to almost infinite things
-no membership or subsciption or downloading
-better battery life (longer)

Also... no need to spend $300... get a CaddieII or Neo from iGolf
http://www.igolf.com/

[golf_junkie27]

I would go with a GPS. Like Big stated, you don't have to aim and shoot. I played with two guys with Rangefinders and the round was at least 45 minutes, longer. Why? With the wind, they could not get an accurate reading.

It drove me, nuts.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by txsouthpaw

Hey guys i got a question. I just got into golf and was thinking about getting a gps unit to help me judge distance, it would really help with club selection. The only problem is that i dont wanna spend 400 on something that i dont need. What are the pros and cons of of GPS and rangefinders. Should i just get a rangefinder

Rangefinders are usually a bit more expensive.

I greatly prefer rangefinders over GPS.

I think a search of these forums would do you well - this topic's been discussed several times.

Originally Posted by golf_junkie27

I would go with a GPS. Like Big stated, you don't have to aim and shoot. I played with two guys with Rangefinders and the round was at least 45 minutes, longer. Why? With the wind, they could not get an accurate reading.

I have a REALLY hard time believing this. Did they all have Tourette Syndrome or something? I can get a yardage inside of five seconds, regardless of wind. Perhaps that's the "Pinseeker" technology, but I've never had a problem nor has anyone else I've loaned it to.

I play FASTER because I have a range finder.

[golf_junkie27]

Originally Posted by iacas

I have a REALLY hard time believing this. Did they all have Tourette Syndrome or something? I can get a yardage inside of five seconds, regardless of wind. Perhaps that's the "Pinseeker" technology, but I've never had a problem nor has anyone else I've loaned it to.

I play FASTER because I have a range finder.

I wished I was lying. However, it's true. At one point, I asked one of the guys if he was getting the pin reading or peeping through someone's window. My brother has the Sky Caddie and it was nothing like this.

[iacas]

Originally Posted by golf_junkie27

I wished I was lying. However, it's true. At one point, I asked one of the guys if he was getting the pin reading or peeping through someone's window. My brother has the Sky Caddie and it was nothing like this.

Your experience has to be the worst example of "the exception, not the rule" I've ever heard. I can't imagine being that unsteady. In any weather.

[Finn07]

I would go with GPS. Ive never had a rangefinder, nor used one but I definitely know that I wouldnt want to point and stare through a scope to get yardage. Thats my preference.

[alcomey]

I use the iGolf GPS Caddie I.

It is very quick and easy to use and shows very accurate information on distance. You can also put in custom distances to certain hazards or landmarks.

There is also a function that will allow you to measure the distance of an individual shot or you can just subtract from the known distance and see how far you have left to the pin. You can see the distance to the front, center, back of the green in a matter of seconds.

The only downside is that it goes through batteries very quickly. I'm lucky to get a round out of a set of 2 AAs.

AL

[ctmurrray]

Originally Posted by golf_junkie27

I would go with a GPS. Like Big stated, you don't have to aim and shoot. I played with two guys with Rangefinders and the round was at least 45 minutes, longer. Why? With the wind, they could not get an accurate reading.

It drove me, nuts.

I use an older bushnell range finder. I can spot and get a distance easily from the flat. My buddies have a newer bushnell models that have higher magnification. Neither they nor I can use these to sight the flag. It is because the humans are not steady enough at the higher mag.

I like range finders because I can get the distance to the edge of hazards and bunkers (how many yards to carry the edge of the bunker). GPS doesn't have that (unless you can program in the bunkers?).