Golf GPS

[Trek3]

Its my birthday on Friday and I'm gonna get a golf gps. SkyCaddie seems to be the #1 thing around but the good one is like $400. I guess if I'm gonna buy one, I wanna get a good one. I just wanted to check if anyone had experience with any alternative brands that I should check out. Let me know your experience with golf gps and any recommnedations that you might have.

Thanks.

[colin007]

it seems like every one out there has its benefits and drawbacks. some have yearly fees but more courses, some have no fee but less features, some have flyover views but only at an extra cost, its never ending...

[Trek3]

I've noticed that each one has pros/cons. I'm also looking at the Callaway uPro, anyone have experience with this?

[shades9323]

I have the bushnell neo and it works great for me. I like the simplicty. You have front,center,back and 4 customizable points per hole. It carries a $35 yearly fee, but you can dl 100 courses in a year. So I will download a bunch of courses around my house and my families and ones I would like to play. I just won't re-up the next year.

[te3point5]

All I wanted was a yardage to the front, center and back and a shot measure tool. I went with the golf buddy plus, which is inexpensive, no yearly fee, unlimited downloads, and all the courses I play. This also has additional customizable points.

They also make a golf buddy Pro and Tour model that have more functions like hazard measurements, hole overviews, score keeping.

Very good customer service as well. A course I play changed its configuration a few years back so all the holes were moved around. I emailed them, and they got back in a week with a few follow-up questions, then re-mapped it and uploaded it for me.

These units also store a ton of courses on the internal memory. i'm happy with it and the greatest thing about it (to me) is the no yearly fees. I know, 40 bucks isn't alot, but it's the principle :)

Here's their website:
http://golfbuddyglobal.com/index.asp

[Wadess]

I would definitely recommend staying away from the OnPar. Spec wise it is fantastic. The execution is severely flawed. My unit locked up constantly and the interface was way too awkward for me. I almost bought a uPro, but decided to hold off for a bit. The SkyCaddy units look nice but I refuse to pay a hefty sum for the overpriced unit and then pay an annual fee. It just doesn't seem like there's a good unit out there that does shot tracking, scorekeeping and hazard distances. I know the uPro is supposed to be adding a scorekeeping function.

When the new iPhone comes out, I plan to upgrade and try a couple of the apps to see how they work. I currently use GolfShot for scorekeeping, but I have an original iPhone with no GPS.

[Keg0brew]

GolfShot with GPS is greatness.

I personlly just went through a similar connundrum. I ended up spending the money to upgrade to an iPhone and buy GolfShot instead of getting a dedicated golf GPS.

Golfshot is usually within 1 yard of the markers on the course. For me, much more useful to have an iphone and app instead of golf only gps.

[tatertot]

Depends on how much info you want/need. If you're looking for front/middle/bac, highly recommend the Bushnell Neo.

[JBellanca]

If you have a smartphone with GPS...I suggest to try GolfLogix. They offer a 24hr free trail. It is a $35 annual fee if you decide to go with it, but I have yet to find a flaw. I especially like the aerial views that allow me to determine the distance to any feature on the hole. The round summary is awesome as well...very comprehensive!

[rwfastrax]

+1 for Golfshot. I haven't tried any of the other smart phone apps...but I've been very satisfied with Golfshot. Can't tell you how great it is to hit your shot without wondering if I have too much/not enough club in the middle of takeaway.

[majorhack]

I have the Skycaddie SG5 and I am very happy with it. The best selling point when I was buying last year was the availability of course maps in my area. The skycaddie had far more of my local courses available than any other unit. Each manufacturer's website will show you the courses available in your area. I really liked the Callaway Upro, but out the 12-15 local courses I frequent, it only had a coulple available. I have had my SG5 for a year now and I have no complaints. It is nice to know that anytime I travel out of state to new courses knowing that the maps are most always available. I really think any of the namebrand units will do an excellent job, just make sure the units fits your needs. It is my understanding however, that the apps for the smartphones are not as accurate as most standalone units (see other posts on this site).

[rudygu]

  JBellanca said:

If you have a smartphone with GPS...I suggest to try GolfLogix. They offer a 24hr free trail. It is a $35 annual fee if you decide to go with it, but I have yet to find a flaw. I especially like the aerial views that allow me to determine the distance to any feature on the hole. The round summary is awesome as well...very comprehensive!

I second this. If you have a compatible device, it really is a good solution.

[Trek3]

  rudygu said:

I second this. If you have a compatible device, it really is a good solution.

There was an article in golf digest this month about smartphone vs. stand alone gps systems. The big gripe with smartphones was that they didn't last an entire round before the battery would die. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna go with a stand alone device. Both the skycaddie and the upro look good. The upro does have a $100 instant rebate (or mail in) depending on where I buy but I'm leaning toward that.

[Wadess]

  Trek3 said:

There was an article in golf digest this month about smartphone vs. stand alone gps systems. The big gripe with smartphones was that they didn't last an entire round before the battery would die. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna go with a stand alone device. Both the skycaddie and the upro look good. The upro does have a $100 instant rebate (or mail in) depending on where I buy but I'm leaning toward that.

My brother-in-law had the battery situation, so he just bought one of the $20 battery boosters and makes sure to charge it before he goes out.

[k14]

  Trek3 said:

There was an article in golf digest this month about smartphone vs. stand alone gps systems. The big gripe with smartphones was that they didn't last an entire round before the battery would die. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna go with a stand alone device. Both the skycaddie and the upro look good. The upro does have a $100 instant rebate (or mail in) depending on where I buy but I'm leaning toward that.

Any way to read that article on the web? I've been looking lately to get an app for my iphone. If that was the only stumbling point then I don't know why anyone would buy a stand alone gps. As Wadess said you can buy booster batteries for very cheap. Wish I could try golflogix but they have no courses near me (only a very small number in the whole of NZ) so golf shot looks like the only choice for me.

[shades9323]

  Trek3 said:

There was an article in golf digest this month about smartphone vs. stand alone gps systems. The big gripe with smartphones was that they didn't last an entire round before the battery would die. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna go with a stand alone device. Both the skycaddie and the upro look good. The upro does have a $100 instant rebate (or mail in) depending on where I buy but I'm leaning toward that.

Good choice. Plus if you play in any GAM sanctioned events you can't use the cell phone anyway:

GAM Clarifies Measuring Device Stance Written By: cmills@gam.org GAM CLARIFIES POLICY ON DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICES RELATING TO DOWNLOADABLE SMART PHONE APPLICATIONS Rule 14-3 states that during a stipulated round, a player must not use any artificial device or unusual equipment, or use any equipment in an unusual manner: a. That might assist him in making a stroke or in his play; or b. For the purpose of gauging or measuring distance or conditions that might affect his play; or c. That might assist him in gripping the club, except that: (i) plain gloves may be worn (ii) resin, powder and drying or moisturizing agents may be used; and (iii) a towel or handkerchief may be wrapped around the grip However, in 2006, the GAM adopted the Local Rule, per Decision 14-3/0.5, allowing players to use devices that measure or gauge distance ONLY. The use of a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect a player’s play (e.g., gradient, wind speed, temperature, etc.) is not permitted regardless of whether such an additional function is used. In other words, the mere presence of additional functionality (whether used, not used or disabled) renders the device prohibited. The penalty for breach of this Local Rule is disqualification. At this time, the GAM wishes to clarify this Local Rule and the definition of prohibited device: A PROHIBITED DEVICE SHALL INCLUDE ANY CELL PHONE OR SMART PHONE (E.G., I-PHONE, BLACKBERRY, ETC.) CAPABLE OF OPERATING AN APPLICATION FOR YARDAGE OR OTHER CONDITIONS OF GOLF INFORMATION. The penalty for breach of this Local Rule is disqualification

[Crey23]

  JBellanca said:

If you have a smartphone with GPS...I suggest to try GolfLogix. They offer a 24hr free trail. It is a $35 annual fee if you decide to go with it, but I have yet to find a flaw. I especially like the aerial views that allow me to determine the distance to any feature on the hole. The round summary is awesome as well...very comprehensive!

I second this.....I'm assuming that JBellanca is using the iPhone....for Blackberry's you do not get aerial views, at least not yet, but the battery

does last a long time....I have used my BB for 27 holes, while using e-mail and received a few phone calls.....I still had about 30% battery by the end of the day. And that is the main difference between iPhone and BB in terms of GPS. But bottom line I went through this same situation during Christmas...I decided to spend the $40 for GolfLogix, and the rest of my golf budget elsewhere. I am very satisfied with my decision, I have scorecard, stats, and enough points to make sound decisions on the course. Most GPS units you still have to spend an annual fee, so $40 a year for Golflogix was fine. If you are hard set on a GPS unit, check out sonnocaddie. This was the company that I was really looking at. They have several models, but the v100 starts at $150, and provides a lot of info.

[martytilma]

  shades9323 said:

I have the bushnell neo and it works great for me. I like the simplicty. You have front,center,back and 4 customizable points per hole. It carries a $35 yearly fee, but you can dl 100 courses in a year. So I will download a bunch of courses around my house and my families and ones I would like to play. I just won't re-up the next year.

That's exactly what I did but with Bushnell Triton. Not super fancy but gets the job done!!!