Golf GPS

[C-Rope1]

What GPS unit would you recommend under $300 and what do you like about it? I really want a GPS but can't spent more than $300 right now.

[clubchamp]

I think I've seen the upro for 299.00 I know it's pushing the budget but it's worth it. I got one for christmas and it's really nice plus there's an update coming soon that will add more features.

[chriskzoo]

uPro Go - there is a guy that sells them on ebay for $212.99 and you have the option of upgrading to the GoMode for $50 - which basically allows you to move a cursor around the green for exact distances.

Solid GPS, very light and no gimmicks.

[Nike Markiie]

if you can spare 19 more bucks pick up the SGX for 319 at GPP.com. Sports Authority did a big mix up and offered a promo code for the SGX when they werent suppose to. A lot of the GPP clients complained and they filed something with their sales rep and now they are honoring that price as well.

[soloredd]

I got the SkyCaddie SG2.5. It was $249, I believe I've seen it down to $229 now, especially with the SGX and it being monochrome. I love my SG2.5, have no intentions of making any upgrades.

The only thing I did do was purchase Golfshot for my iPhone 3GS because it has aerial photos of each hole on a course and the scorecard portion of the app is great. But you can keep score on the SG2.5 and upload it to the SkyGolf website to keep records as well. Battery is great, I've played 36 holes and still had a bit of charge left.

The only drawbacks that bug me are you have to sync with a computer the courses you want on the device (would be fantastic to get the courses via satellite download instead) and there is no replaceable battery, its rechargeable.

[Fourputt]

  soloredd said:

I got the SkyCaddie SG2.5. It was $249, (would be fantastic to get the courses via satellite download instead) and there is no replaceable battery, its rechargeable.

You do realize that the satellite has nothing to do with SkyCaddie, or with golf in general for that matter? The GPS satellites were put in orbit by the US Government, initially just for military purposes. The golf aplication is probably the newest use of them, but they don't broacast anything but a coded radio identification signal which the receiver can use to plot its location. The GPS receiver must receive a signal from at least 3 satellites in order to function at all, and 5 or 6 is preferred. No other information is transmitted, nor is it ever intended to be.

[ElWagonne]

If you don't need color, I got the SG4 back in February for $170 and it does everything I need.

[soloredd]

  Fourputt said:

You do realize that the satellite has nothing to do with SkyCaddie, or with golf in general for that matter? The GPS satellites were put in orbit by the US Government, initially just for military purposes. The golf aplication is probably the newest use of them, but they don't broacast anything but a coded radio identification signal which the receiver can use to plot its location. The GPS receiver must receive a signal from at least 3 satellites in order to function at all, and 5 or 6 is preferred. No other information is transmitted, nor is it ever intended to be.

So, how do I get downloaded updates from DirecTV even when it is not connected to the internet? SkyGolf could do it, they just don't have the infrastructure to do so, not to mention I'm sure they love everyone using their website.

(Notice I said via satellite download not GPS satellite download)

[Nike Markiie]

Just a heads up GPP now offers the SGX unit for 349.....

[clg82]

  Fourputt said:

You do realize that the satellite has nothing to do with SkyCaddie, or with golf in general for that matter? The GPS satellites were put in orbit by the US Government, initially just for military purposes. The golf aplication is probably the newest use of them, but they don't broacast anything but a coded radio identification signal which the receiver can use to plot its location. The GPS receiver must receive a signal from at least 3 satellites in order to function at all, and 5 or 6 is preferred. No other information is transmitted, nor is it ever intended to be.

  soloredd said:

So, how do I get downloaded updates from DirecTV even when it is not connected to the internet? SkyGolf could do it, they just don't have the infrastructure to do so, not to mention I'm sure they love everyone using their website.

I would like to know this as well, mr. Satellite expert....

[joshiemac25]

I am not a satellite expert, but here is a quick breakdown of GPS satellites vs information/entertainment satellites.

GPS satellites simply give off, as stated above, coded radio signals. The GPS chip in the device (whether it be Golf, Outdoors, Car) simply receives the signals and determines where it is and shows you that on a map, along with other pertinent information which is already pre-loaded into the unit. GPS satellites do not share any information, they don't even tell GPS units where they are, the GPS units triangulate their position using the signals received from the satellites (which is why they need to be able to receive 3 separate signals from the satellites). These GPS satellites were put into orbit by the military. Ever notice how you only get traffic info on your car GPS if it is connected in some other way (cell phone connection or a separate connection to some additional service, normally at an additional fee).

Satellites that you are speaking of for Direct TV (or any other satellite related to information sharing (TV, internet, etc...) are put into orbit by their own perspective companies. They control what technology goes into their satellites and what information it can share. You usually have to have your satellite dish pointed in a certain direction so it can receive the information being sent. They then need to have a box to decipher the information being sent which usually involves a large processor.

Not sure if that helps or not, but that is the little I have to contribute.

[Spike McTee]

I just bought the Callaway UPRO on E-Bay for 290 dollars. You can download and use basic mode courses right out of the box . To really enjoy all the great features of this unit you will have to buy credits to download pro mode courses. These are fantastic, they use actual sattelite aerial views of every hole with all yardages superimposed. I bought the 50 course package for 120 $ This GPS also has a feature called" anypoint" which allows you to take a yardage from your position to any point on the hole and from there the next yardage to the green. Great for plotting layups. I would suggest you buy this unit , they give you one "home course" pro download, use the basic mode for now until you can scrape together maybe 80$ to buy 20 pro courses. Good luck !

[leezer99]

If you have an Iphone or Blackberry there are free application downloads available all over the place. Try visiting www.golfgps.com .