What GPS !!!

Following of from the numerous GPS threads can you current owners advise me on which is best or the pros and cons of your current modal?

I recently got the Expresso AG1, which is a fairly new entry into the field.  So far I like it.  It seems accurate to me and has matched when I've been able to compare it to known distances.  It is very easy to track shot distance (so unfortunately I know how just how short I really hit it, lol), which was a major reason I wanted one.  You can get a subscription to igolf ($35 a year) to get full hole views with an interactive feature, and I did, but I really just use the basic mode which doesn't require any subscription as something like 25,000 courses come built-in.

As an added bonus, it can also be used for navigation in your car, and it has a built in MP3 player and video player.

It might not suit the "serious" golfer, but it suits me just fine, and since I was going to be getting a navigation GPS for an upcoming trip, at about $200 it was a great value for me.

I have the Garman G3 and love it. easy to use, gives me all the distances I want, and small and light, which is what I wanted. I have been getting 7-8 rounds on a set of lithium batteries

I use the Izzo Swami.

Pro's

• Very inexpensive (Unit is $89) and annual Subscription is $9.99
• Once you load your 10 courses, if you don't need other courses, you do not have to re-up your subscription after a year and the unit still works.
• Basic (some would consider this a con, but all I wanted was something to give me yardage)
• Yardage to front/center/back of green.  Very easy to toggle between
• Excellent battery life.  I have gone 3 rounds and the battery still shows full.
• After researching many units, Izzo seemed to have the most courses in their library.  I wanted the Callaway unit but many of the courses I needed were not on there.  Requests were made months ago and the courses were still not mapped.
• Website (loading courses) is easy.  You search the course you need.  If available, click on it and hit sync.
• Comes with belt clip

Con's

• Only a 10 course memory
• Can't mark shots
• No yardage to layup feature
• No overhead map of hole
• Wish the wall charger was included and not an accessory

Overall Summary

I got this unit free, but would have gladly paid money for it.  I attached it to my golf bag using velcro.  So nice to get out of the cart, look at the unit, see your yardage, pick a club and rip it.

If you don't want to spend alot of cash, want an easy to use unit, and don't need all the frills of a high end unit by all means this is the one you want.

I use the Skycaddie SG5

Pro's

Con's

Overall Summary

I got this unit because I wanted a color screen and liked the fact that course are walked and mapped, not mapped from a satelite image.  Not sure it is the best one available, the SGX looks pretty cool, and has some additional features.

I second the Sky Caddie SG5.  Good unit.

Another plus to add is the online SG Club website - place to add/edit/store your scores, with a myriad of graphs and tracking stats to analyze your game.

I have the SkyCaddie SG3.5. I love it but I really have my eye on the Callaway U-Pro; I love how it's pre-loaded and it does aerial fly overs. I think I'll renew for one more year (my sub is up in June) and then make the switch. What I like about mine is it is lightweight, minimal (just gives yardages to various POI, no graphics), and the battery gets me through at least 2 rounds before charging.

What about the bushnell neo?   It appears to be about the least expensive gps on the market, ive seen it on ebay for well under $100.  Looks to be a very basic unit but thats all i would really want, just a unit that knows what course im at, what hole im on and give me front, middle and back yardage.   I hadnt even thought about purchasing a gps unit as I dont want to spend $300 or more for some of the higher end units but id be willing to spend 1/4 that for a reliable, basic unit.   I think its very similar to the izzo swami as was mentioned earlier on this thread as it only stores 10 courses at a time as well but that sounds like enough for me most of the time.   Either of these units look like good entry level models for those not wanting to spend a lot.   Also a smaller unit would be preferred as well as id be carrying it in my pocket most likely.

I use the BUSHNELL NEO.  It is the only one I have used so I don't have anything to compare it to.  It is basic.  It tells me how far - distance to front, middle, and back but nothing else like course features etc.  The distances match closely those shown on the cart gps.  I started using the shot distance function but have not mapped any courses.

I use the golfguru -- original black and white model.  ( www.gpsgolfguru.com )

In general, the gps is really great for determining position on the course. It eliminates those bad estimates.

I recall playing a course for the first time. Stood next to the 100 yard marker. GPS said 75 yards to the center. My partner tied to hit 100 and flew the green. My 75 yd shot was pin high. Obviously, the marker was wrong.

Pro:

• Small, light weight. Slightly bigger than most cell phones.
• Very clean, readable screen --
• Fast gps satellite acquisition
• Never lost the signal on the course (in 5 years) -- even when in the woods.
• Battery last over 2 rounds.
• Good lifetime -- over 5 yrs for me.
• Free course downloads for all courses
• I believe courses are mapped via satellite images. No positive. I have found the courses to be extremely accurate.
• Measures distance all the way up onto the green -- useful for chipping and pitching over greenside bunkers.
• Gives distance from your location to across the perimeter of the green thru the hole. So, you get a better measure of the distances to the green, no matter the angle from the hole.
• Has ability to map any course. Useful if the course is reworked. For example, I used the existing course and modified 3 holes that were changed.
• Tracks shots -- tracks distance, club and lie. Once you "mark" your position, it continuously displays the distance traveled. Really great for walking the fairway to about where you think you should be.
• Has score tracking
• Auto advance, etc.

Cons:

• satellite mapping -- the maps have been very accurate.
• Need to walk course in advance to create layup positions. Can be done, quick on the gps, a lot of walking and planning over the course. The golfguru's most advanced gps has this feature.
• Button and screen positioning takes some getting used to.

Can you use it right out of the box or do you have to download your courses and/or pay some subscription to use it.  I think Its supposed to be able to work right out of the box, supposedly will recognize what course you're at and what hole you're on without even telling it just wondering if it really does.

I just use an android application. If you already have a smartphone there is not many reasons that you should also get a separate gps. Smartphones are known to be just as accurate, filled with more features, and a HUGE amount cheaper. I've not had trouble with using my Droid for distances. It is accurate and many apps have scorecards and stat tracking. And looking toward the future apps are only going to improve as phones improve, and I don't see dedicated GPSs keeping up.

The only reason you may want to avoid the smartphone thing is if you are playing lots of tournaments. USGA says a local rule must be in place to allow use of smartphones as gps, and even then if the smartphone has capabilities to do anything other than just give distances it is illegal (which means all smartphones). I personally think they just meant the application can't do anything but distance, and really the whole statement on it is confusing and contradicting itself (ex. you can still use your phone that has the illegal capabilities to call wife, check stocks, or anything else non golf related... ). I personally think the rules will change for the better soon, I think the current statement regarding smartphones is outdated, or maybe the USGA doesn't or didn't really understand smartphones at the time. If they aren't going to allow GPS when your phone can do other things, then logically they should also not allow you to use it for non golf related things.

Anyways... smartphones pwn. I've never owned one but i've heard a lot of people complain about the accuracy of the dedicated gpss. Many smarphone apps allow you to map the course if you find out something is inaccurate. The dedicated GPS companies take weeks to months if not more to fix problems.

I have a uPro and really like it.  I had been using a GPS program on my Blackberry from www.bbgpsgolf.com and it works great, but ran the battery down to quickly.

My wife got me the uPro Go for Christmas, which was nice, but I really wanted the uPro to be able to see the entire course.  I ended up swapping the uPro Go for a demo uPro at Dick's for no extra cost.  Basic info for each course is free, but if you want actual photographic views of each hole with video flyovers, that costs.  But it's pretty reasonable.  I have a couple dozen courses loaded on it know, and about half of them are the full video/photographic view.

I just bought a skycaddie sg3 used off ebay for $35, hope to have it by wed or thurs, just got shipped today.   I guess ill still have to buy a subscription unless the previous owner already had purchased one and its still active which is quite possible.  I guess for $30 a year since I got such a great deal on it is still not too much to pay, id still have to have bought one even if I had paid full price new retail, which was probably $200 or more.  A year or 2 ago I thought I would never have purchased a gps but with all the new models coming out if you dont buy the latest version they can be found for a very reasonable price.   Even in my very rural area it has pretty much all of the courses I play.

I have the SG5, before that the SG3. I've always liked the Skycaddie, upgraded to get the color and the green contour information.

No complaints with either unit.

I have the Garmin S1 watch and absolutely love it.  It is very accurate and provides me with the information which I reallly need at a glance.  Battery life is good and it is simple to recharge.  On arriving at course all I have to do is push a button and it finds the course I am on.  In addition to telling you distances to front, middle and back of the green, it can also measure distance of shots.  The overiding feature for me is the abilility to look at your wrist and get the distance information you need.  I did not wear a watch before purchasing the S1, but have had no trouble getting use to it.  The watch is relatively light and comfortable.