GPS advice please?

[Hardballs]

Hi all, Christmas is on the way and so I'm thinking of asking her indoors for a GPS watch! Now there's the garmin S1 S2 & S3, but there are other cheaper alternatives, could anyone explain the difference between the 1,2&3 ??? Could anyone explain why garmin appear to be the leading brand ?? Could anyone recommend an alternative to garmin??? I don't need an all singing and dancing model, just distance to the front of green and a shot measuring feature would do me! Also, do you come to rely on these devices? I think part of the skill in golf was judging your distances, these seem to do away with that but I like to okay new courses and I think it would make the game slightly easier?

[bkuehn1952]

I selected a Garmin because they provide data on virtually every course in the USA and there is no monthly or annual fee.  Once you purchase the unit there is no further cost.  Some other GPS providers also have no fees but many require an annual fee (like Sky Caddie does for some of their units).

I happen to have a very basic G3.  Paid $149.  I really only wanted distance to the green (front, back, middle) and some measurements to hazards.  It uses basic AA batteries and I use rechargeable ones but if I ever needed replacement and did not have a charger, any store will have AA batteries.

S1-3 are all watches.  I don't wear a watch when I play and I figured I would just end up attaching it to my bag.  The G3 seemed to work just as well with a bit more info (course map. touch screen distance measurements).

Many players like the Garmon G6 so check that out too.  I went with the lower cost and more basic data.

[ponyboy]

Cheapest will be a free mobile app like shotly, or mscorecard on IOS, Android and Windows. They are pretty accurate to tell you the distance from the green and have all courses in europe and US

[Fourputt]

Hi all, Christmas is on the way and so I'm thinking of asking her indoors for a GPS watch! Now there's the garmin S1 S2 & S3, but there are other cheaper alternatives, could anyone explain the difference between the 1,2&3 ???

Could anyone explain why garmin appear to be the leading brand ??

Could anyone recommend an alternative to garmin???

I don't need an all singing and dancing model, just distance to the front of green and a shot measuring feature would do me!

Also, do you come to rely on these devices?

I think part of the skill in golf was judging your distances, these seem to do away with that but I like to okay new courses and I think it would make the game slightly easier?

Garmin is the world leader in consumer GPS, and they have the best reputation for customer satisfaction.  That is reason enough for me to use a Garmin (I have the Approach G5, not a watch).  I have Garmin in my car, I have a Garmin E-Trex for hiking, and I have the G5 for golf.  I've been nothing but happy with all of them.

[plum]

ive had a few GPS units and i really prefer my swing by swing app

[BuckeyeNut]

I live in the Kansas City area and a good engineer friend of mine works for Garmin at their Suburban KC headquarters(Olathe KS).......I so recommend the garmin.  If I buy GPS anything.....I buy Garmin..... I still use a garmin in my car.  I'm not into that phone AP BS.........

To be honest, I prefer a Laser when it comes to golf!!    Ouch.....

[Hardballs]

Thanks for replies, yeah I thought about a laser, and I have never worn a watch, but I kind of like the idea of strolling up to the ball, quick glance at the wrist and know exactly what club to hit, plus I can measure my distances of each club more accurately! Might go for the garmin s2