Suggestions for a new GPS unit?

[Shindig]

Many years ago, I bought a Callaway uPro GPS system. It worked well for a while, but Callaway has stopped supporting it. This means that if I want to use it at a course that isn't already loaded (it didn't come pre-loaded, so it's only those I put on manually), I can't. It also means that if a course changes layout, I can't use it anymore (at least at any changed holes). So, while it will continue to work well for my home course, as well as a few dozen others, I've played a handful of courses in the past month or two where I can't use it. Some of these also didn't have GPS in the cart, and one of those wasn't very well marked for distance (a 150 plate on some holes was about it) I'm mostly looking for the ability to get the following distances quickly: [LIST] [*] middle of the green (this is my typical target distance on approach shots) [*] TO a hazard (e.g., to stay short of a bunker/water) [*] OVER a hazard (carry distance to get past bunker/water) [/LIST] The Bushnell Neo Ghost looks good for this, but with only four hazards per hole, I worry that this may be difficult for some resort courses with plenty of water and sand. I also looked at a Golf Buddy Voice system, but I don't want a system that makes noise on the course. I adamantly don't want a smart phone app for my GPS. I'm open to the idea of a laser rangefinder, if it will achieve my goals better. I'm also adamantly against subscription fees unless they're accompanied by a sharp discount in the product price and a guarantee that the subscription cost won't increase. I would prefer if I can disable "auto hole advance," as the Callaway unit tends to do that when I'm within 40 yards of a green, and if I have a long pitch upcoming, I want to know the distance. I don't need features like stat tracking -- one of these days I'll buy a Game Golf system for that purpose. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

[Golfingdad]

I'm mostly looking for the ability to get the following distances quickly:

middle of the green (this is my typical target distance on approach shots)

TO a hazard (e.g., to stay short of a bunker/water)

OVER a hazard (carry distance to get past bunker/water)

I love having a laser (Leupold Gx-1i) but if the above are your criteria, then I think you're on the right track looking at GPS.  To get the above information, I'm usually having to guesstimate based on laser readings, or supplement with a cart gps or yardage book.

So, that said, I don't have an answer for you because I'm not terribly familiar with the GPS systems.  Although considering the convenience, I'd probably look hard into one of the watches that are all the rage now.

[Shindig]

[QUOTE name="Shindig" url="/t/82288/suggestions-for-a-new-gps-unit/0_30#post_1147906"] I'm mostly looking for the ability to get the following distances quickly: [LIST] [*] middle of the green (this is my typical target distance on approach shots) [*] TO a hazard (e.g., to stay short of a bunker/water) [*] OVER a hazard (carry distance to get past bunker/water) [/LIST] [/QUOTE] I love having a laser (Leupold Gx-1i) but if the above are your criteria, then I think you're on the right track looking at GPS.  To get the above information, I'm usually having to guesstimate based on laser readings, or supplement with a cart gps or yardage book. So, that said, I don't have an answer for you because I'm not terribly familiar with the GPS systems.  Although considering the convenience, I'd probably look hard into one of the watches that are all the rage now.

Maybe part of it is that I'm not all that familiar with what I can do with a laser other than hitting the pin, or hitting a tree to estimate over a hazard (if there's a convenient tree). Thanks for the feedback though.

[Golfingdad]

Maybe part of it is that I'm not all that familiar with what I can do with a laser other than hitting the pin, or hitting a tree to estimate over a hazard (if there's a convenient tree).

Thanks for the feedback though.

You can shoot anything and everything with a laser.  It's very convenient and after a little practice in having steady hands, its very easy.  The problems arise, though, when you don't have much in the way of "verticality" to aim at.

So, for example: http://course.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/course/course/oakcreekgc/aerial.htm#  That is the course I played yesterday.  Look at hole 11.  The target is basically the right edge of the fairway bunkers.  If you were standing on the tee, you could easily see that the far face of the bunkers sticks up and gives you an easy target to shoot.  It reads 240.  I know I can carry that, however, if I don't have a yardage book or a GPS and it's a course I've not played before, then I have no idea what's behind it because everything drops after that bunker lip.  So I'd be guessing if all I had was the laser.  Also, if I thought that I couldn't carry the bunker, then the next thing I'd want to know is how far is it to reach the bunker.  Well, I'm SOL there with a laser because there isn't anything to shoot - I can't see the bunker.

A GPS would work better in a situation like that because you'd know that it's 225 to reach those bunkers, and you could factor in that knowledge to your decision.  Laser adds precision to certain shots, especially when its a course you are familiar with.  On new courses, I need a yardage book or a cart GPS to help me out.  Or in tournaments, when a pin sheet is provided, that is the most helpful.

[buckshot4227]

I have a garmin approach G6.  Couldnt be happier with it.  I am yet to find a course that I have played that isnt on this thing.  I get about 54 holes before I have to recharge it.  You can move the pin on the green to where you think it is.  I usually get within 2 yards from my buddies that have lasers.  2 yds is plenty good for the game that I have.

[Elrey Desol]

glad to see this thread today. i was looking at rangefinders, but the price point for highly rated ones seem to be on the steep side ($250+).

i then saw a review for the Bushnell Neo Ghost, and that's where i'm leaning. i don't need much more than distance to front, middle, and back, and 4 hazards/hole seems like plenty.

the ******** near me has it on sale for $99. assuming their 90 Return Policy applies to electronics, i will pick this up and give it a run this weekend.

[Shindig]

I have a garmin approach G6.  Couldnt be happier with it.  I am yet to find a course that I have played that isnt on this thing.  I get about 54 holes before I have to recharge it.  You can move the pin on the green to where you think it is.  I usually get within 2 yards from my buddies that have lasers.  2 yds is plenty good for the game that I have.

How is it for measuring hazards? Do you know if it will continue to be supported now that the G7 and G8 are out? Also, do you find the touchscreen to be problematic during golf? That's one thing that worries me on those. [quote name="Elrey Desol" url="/t/82288/suggestions-for-a-new-gps-unit#post_1148001"]glad to see this thread today. i was looking at rangefinders, but the price point for highly rated ones seem to be on the steep side ($250+). i then saw a review for the Bushnell Neo Ghost, and that's where i'm leaning. i don't need much more than distance to front, middle, and back, and 4 hazards/hole seems like plenty. the ******** near me has it on sale for $99. assuming their 90 Return Policy applies to electronics, i will pick this up and give it a run this weekend. [/quote] Yeah, the RD near me has one for $99 and I'm considering it too. Very interested in your thoughts if you go that route.

[No Mulligans]

Where I like to use my rangefinder the most is for short distances.  I use my LW a lot and my distances for these swings are: 1/4-20, 1/2-30, 3/4-40. full 55.  It has been useful for me to know whether the distance to the pin is 15 or 25 yards, for instance, as it does affect how I swing the club.  For this purpose, rangefinders are more accurate than the GPS I previously used on my phone.  Can't speak for the Neo Ghost though.

The group I often play with will sometimes say that my LW is my best weapon.

[Judah Ben-Hur]

I'm mostly looking for the ability to get the following distances quickly:

middle of the green (this is my typical target distance on approach shots)

TO a hazard (e.g., to stay short of a bunker/water)

OVER a hazard (carry distance to get past bunker/water)

The Bushnell Neo Ghost looks good for this, but with only four hazards per hole, I worry that this may be difficult for some resort courses with plenty of water and sand. I also looked at a Golf Buddy Voice system, but I don't want a system that makes noise on the course.

I adamantly don't want a smart phone app for my GPS. I'm open to the idea of a laser rangefinder, if it will achieve my goals better.

I'm also adamantly against subscription fees unless they're accompanied by a sharp discount in the product price and a guarantee that the subscription cost won't increase.

I would prefer if I can disable "auto hole advance," as the Callaway unit tends to do that when I'm within 40 yards of a green, and if I have a long pitch upcoming, I want to know the distance.

I don't need features like stat tracking -- one of these days I'll buy a Game Golf system for that purpose.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

I recently let my SkyCaddie subscription run out. Before it did, I bought the Bushnell NEO XS watch to try out. The first few times I tried it it kept jumping around on hole locations. These were not adjacent holes either with some probably over 1/2 mile away. I wish this watch had the ability to turn the auto hole feature off if needed. I then contacted support through an email and was told to do a reset of the watch. Holding all four buttons down and then a bunch of screwy numbers shows up. It works so much better after doing that and only occasionally jumps to something not real close. It still will jump to adjacent holes when you are hitting from the wrong fairway. I make sure I am on the correct hole now as far as the watch is concerned. I think this area is spotty for gps because my Game Golf unit sometimes gets a case of the heebie jeebies and throws weird stuff out. Anyhow, I only use the big display of middle of the green along with front and back. I have yet to look for hazards on the watch but they seem to find my ball. The watch would not help for my errant shots. I only need those three things for now and it keeps things simple. It locks on target really quick when firing up the golf button. Your course will be displayed and I'm assuming any others in the immediate area. It also has a tee time alarm and odometer but I've yet to use either feature. I can't give you a good read on the battery life because I usually play/walk nine holes and then head home. I put it on the computer to charge then head back over later in the day and play another nine. My watch is the black model with black face greenish characters. I have no problem seeing it in the shade or bright areas. I still have not gone through all the bells and whistles as far a hazards and such. It does have a feature to measure a shot but I don't need that with the Game Golf unit. The watch is hardly noticeable as far as its weight is concerned. Not bulky at all. Another thing I will stress with this watch is the software program is downright horrible . You will be bitching and moaning trying to load courses onto the watch. A quick search on Google will make you want to pull your hair out. I don't know if the programmers were flunkies from the Obamacare website or vice versa. I finally got mine to sync but I cannot say what was the fix. I tried XP, Windows 8.1, and Java downloads going back a few patches, Chrome, and Firefox. So much stuff was done but when I downloaded Firefox is when it finally came through but who knows for sure if that was it. The setup program from the Bushnell website to connect was like chasing your tail. I also was on iGolf.com trying the same stuff. It seems like these two sites are somewhat connected but not fully supported with one another. I could see that part of the equation pissing people off and never coming back. It sure is the weak link and that is what leaves the lasting impression with a product. They need to shore up the interface. Some people have no problem with the interface and it goes without a hitch. I never seem to be in that crowd. Also, two of the courses in my area are not supported. One is a par 3 and the other is a 9 hole regulation sized course that does not see much traffic. Good for practice but not for electronic gizmos. My SkyCaddie had them both in their listings with was nice. I have not sent an email to the Bushnell Support Staff to have them added. Something tells me with all this pre-loaded stuff added in will leave that part neglected. I'm almost afraid to even go near that sync program again. One little thing that probably doesn't mean much but I noticed it while playing a ton of golf the last 10 days. Wearing a gps watch leaves awful tan lines. lol Mine was so bad from the watch and glove that I quit playing with a glove for a few days while on the courses that NEO XS did not recognize. All is better now.

[arturo28mx]

I own both watches Bushnell Neo XS and SkyCaddie. On my home course the SkyCaddie is considerably more accurate than the Bushnell.

[Judah Ben-Hur]

I probably should clarify that my SkyCaddie is a SG5 handheld unit.

[Shindig]

Another thing I will stress with this watch is the software program is downright horrible . You will be bitching and moaning trying to load courses onto the watch. A quick search on Google will make you want to pull your hair out. I don't know if the programmers were flunkies from the Obamacare website or vice versa. I finally got mine to sync but I cannot say what was the fix. I tried XP, Windows 8.1, and Java downloads going back a few patches, Chrome, and Firefox. So much stuff was done but when I downloaded Firefox is when it finally came through but who knows for sure if that was it. The setup program from the Bushnell website to connect was like chasing your tail. I also was on iGolf.com trying the same stuff. It seems like these two sites are somewhat connected but not fully supported with one another. I could see that part of the equation pissing people off and never coming back. It sure is the weak link and that is what leaves the lasting impression with a product. They need to shore up the interface. Some people have no problem with the interface and it goes without a hitch. I never seem to be in that crowd.

Thanks for the review and especially the warning. The software thing might be a deal-breaker for me for that unit, actually -- I had such trouble with the Callaway uPro GPS (among other things, despite the Callaway rep promising me it'd work with my OS -- it was based on the same kernel ffs -- not only did it not, but their support's answer was along the lines of "oh well, good luck, here's the FAQ page [with the same answer that didn't work last time.]") that if I need to use software, I need it to be at least decent. [quote name="Judah Ben-Hur" url="/t/82288/suggestions-for-a-new-gps-unit#post_1148134"] One little thing that probably doesn't mean much but I noticed it while playing a ton of golf the last 10 days. Wearing a gps watch leaves awful tan lines. lol Mine was so bad from the watch and glove that I quit playing with a glove for a few days while on the courses that NEO XS did not recognize. All is better now.[/quote] Yeah. If I get a watch of any sort, it's likely going to be attached to something or otherwise used as a handheld and not actually worn.

[Judah Ben-Hur]

Thanks for the review and especially the warning. The software thing might be a deal-breaker for me for that unit, actually -- I had such trouble with the Callaway uPro GPS (among other things, despite the Callaway rep promising me it'd work with my OS -- it was based on the same kernel ffs -- not only did it not, but their support's answer was along the lines of "oh well, good luck, here's the FAQ page [with the same answer that didn't work last time.]") that if I need to use software, I need it to be at least decent.

Yeah. If I get a watch of any sort, it's likely going to be attached to something or otherwise used as a handheld and not actually worn.

I can't tell you how many times I went through loading and unloading of drivers, roboots, and downloads.  I hate going through all that just to get a damn watch to get some course info.  If you could only take your laptop into the store and say, "Here, load it on and show me how it works!"

My mountain bike has one of the those foam pieces that allows a watch to fasten too.  It would work good for a push cart.  We cannot wear watches at work but a lot of people have them around there belt loop.  That would work also for golf and could easily be seen in an instant.

I bought my Bushnell on a whim at the pro shop because I did not want to pay for the SkyCaddie membership again.  They have sold a bunch of them so I went for it.  I also got a nice discount that ended up being a few dollars less than the chain stores.  I knew joining the local club would pretty much lock me in to playing there 99% of the time so I did not need something with all the bells and whistles of graphics and touch screens.  There are no fairway bunkers so just a few numbers displayed is all that is needed.  I did not even check out the SkyCaddie watches and I do not know if you have to pay a yearly fee.  I have no complaints with how the SG5 displayed the info and liked the scoring for each hole.  The interface worked without any problems and I'm sure their watches probably use a close variation of it.  I do know that the SkyCaddie app that I downloaded for my Android phone was not one of the better golf apps out.  It was one of the perks of signing up last year.  Talk about a POS program that was not ready for Primetime.   I hope they cleaned that thing up in a major way.

[meenman]

Skycaddie has some good products - just stay away from the latest Touch model. Without getting into all the shenanigans with its release and initial product, even with the updates, it is still slow when you switch screens. I was not smart when I gave my SG5 to a friend when I received my touch. I love the concept of the whole thing but the whole reason for buying it was to sync through bluetooth and that seems to only work when it wants to.

[Elrey Desol]

Neo Ghost update 1:

- picked up the last one at the Local Retailer on Saturday night. $99 (after rebate) plus tax.

- Ghost comes with instructions, USB cable, and belt clip

- unit was 85% charged out of the box

- i'm fairly interwebz literate, so the setup wasn't too arduous. had to create an account at iGolf.com to register the unit and sync it up (about 15 minutes).

- i was able to do a few things with the Ghost sitting on the couch, like set the date and timezone, but unless you live on the course there's not much you can at home do as far as getting a feel for how it works.

as to how it works: i got to the local course on Sunday afternoon and turned the unit on. it took about two minutes of "searching" to find the course i was playing, and once found it synched right up and produced 1st hole yardage. hooray! we had a little time waiting to tee off, so i started playing around with the Ghost and hit the "menu" button, which took me back to the home screen. i tried to go back to the course, but the unit started "searching" again. after 20 (now on hole #2) minutes it was still searching for the course, so i turned the unit off, waited a minute, and turned it back on. it THEN was able to locate the course. this was kinda frustrating.

the other downside: that the unit would turn off completely if it wasn't being used, i.e. yardage checked consistently. there were a few holes where i didn't check the yardage on every shot (or about 5 minutes of non-use) and that when i noticed the unit off. had to restart and then wait for the "search" to commence again. not a deal-breaker by any means, but definitely annoying.

the pluses: yardage is dead-on. was riding in a cart with GPS and the numbers were identical to the Ghost, including front, middle, back and to the hazards. took a couple of times to figure out the acronyms, i.e. LGB = Left Greenside Bunker, etc. this thing is light, to the point of not noticing it in my pocket. this is a big plus for me, as i don't like to have anything other than tees and divot tool on my person while playing. i didn't/won't use the belt clip, but instead will hook it to a carabiner on my bag.

i'm playing another course today and won't have a cart/GPS. this will be a better test to how the Ghost works and how it aligns with standard course yardage markers. will report back later.

[Shindig]

Thanks for the update Elrey. Please let me know how it goes at the next course; and I hope you enjoy the round, too!

[Elrey Desol]

Neo Ghost Update 2:

- played a different, though, adjacent course to the one on Sunday.

- Ghost found the course w/in about 5 minutes of "searching," which was fine given our tee time and wait to go off

- comparing yardage from Tee to hazards, as well as from fairway markers - i.e. 150, 125, 100, 75 - was w/in a yard or two (at most) to what the Ghost provided

- did not run into any issues with the unit turning off automatically like on the previous round, though i (and my playing partner) was checking distance on almost every shot

- started the 3.5 hour round with 85% charge, and finished at 70%.

Overall Rating: this is my first venture into a GPS unit, and i'm really happy....especially for the price. the yardage to Front, Middle, and Back was right on (compared to the cart in Round 1, and walking Round 2), and the hazards were correct as well. further, on a couple of holes where there's water that crosses the fairway, the Ghost provided both yardage to, and to carry, the hazard. i would recommend this unit to anyone looking for a basic, and accurate, tool to get yardage on any hole. combined with walking distances from on-course markers, the Ghost is worth the price of admission. as a mid-high handicapper, who plays a lot on the same course(s) it's perfect.

for low-handicappers who are looking for exact distances to pins, it may not be as specific as necessary.

[i should note that the Ghost only gives four (max) yardages to hazards on any hole, and on a couple of holes today a bunker was not accounted for. that may be a deal-breaker for people playing courses not familiar on a regular basis.]

oh, and i shot 96 on Sunday (par 62) and shot 87 today (par 72) with 9 Fairways hit, 5 GIR, and 36 putts. gotta love this game. :)

[Shindig]

Even more decisions as I played a few courses in the past week without benefit of GPS... including one I thought I had put into my Callaway but evidently didn't. Fortunately, one of them was very well marked (frequent sprinklers, all marked with distance to center). Unfortunately, I can't rely on that, and sprinklers don't usually tell me about hazard distances. Bushnell Neo Ghost looks nice, especially after @Elrey Desol 's review (thanks again, by the way). I'd like more than four hazard notices, but there aren't too many holes with that many... unless it counts "to the bunker, carry the bunker" as two things. Garmin Approach G7 & G8 look nice, EXCEPT I see some advertised features I'd like to turn off (and keep off), or I won't be able to use it in a tournament! Text message alerts? Nope. Club advice? That's a big no! "Plays like distance"? No no no. I can't help but feel I'd be paying more money for features that I not only cannot use, but adamantly don't want. SkyCaddie Touch looks nice too, and has more hazard notifications (which I like) and what appears to be a view of the hole (great, especially for vacations). I'm a little hesitant to pay for a subscription, but maybe that's why they're still making this product while Callaway has stepped out of the GPS market and put me in this position in the first place. I'm a little worried that their "layup distances" would constitute advice, but if it's just things like distance to where the hole doglegs, I don't think that would be (it's the sort of distance I'd ask someone for, and would believe it to be public information). If it does something like remembering my PW distance and suggests a layup to there when I'm >X yards out, though, that'd be bad (both in the sense that I won't be able to use the device and bad in the sense that laying up to a full shot is often a poor idea anyway).