What GPS is right for you?(rankmark staff)
There are so many GPS devices on the market now, we decided to take a general overview of the various types.
We took a Bushnell Hybrid, SkyCaddie SGX and iPhone (using Golfshot GPS) out for a couple rounds. Each has it's own good points. Now, what you have to remember is that this test is subjective to our point of view. Both of us play a lot of golf, Paul is around a 6 handicap, I'm a little higher.
What we found is that all the devices GPS were within three or four yards of each other; accuracy to the pin was determined using the Bushnell Hybrid laser option where possible.
The Bushnell Hybrid has a simple, no frills, easy to use GPS rangefinder added to the side of the laser rangefinder. It gives you distance to the front, center and back of the green. I liked it because it was simple and easy to use. I also found that I used the laser several times each round. My partner did not use the laser as much. So it comes down to your ability to judge distances as to whether or not you will use the laser. We also use the laser rangefinder in our club testing.
Long Term Update
The Bushnell Hybrid remains one of the simpler GPS devices to use, it has proven to be pretty accurate and I find myself using the laser a couple times a round. It comes in handy as my game has been somewhat suspect of late. Another use that I have found is on the driving range. Too often the distances listed are inaccurate and using the laser, I was able to find the correct distance to the target. We also use the Hybrid in our product tests and clinics for the same reason. So, Bushnell Hybrid remains a good contender, and very useful for my purposes, in the GPS/Laser product category.
The SkyCaddie SGX has many more features vs. the limited GPS on the Hybrid. It has and can hold thousands of courses so you are bound to find the course you are going to play. The hole layouts are dedicated maps, not Google images, which we liked. The screen is bright and easy to read even in bright light. Since SkyCaddie maps each hole, the distances and layout are accurate.
The SGX has a multitude of features that you may or may not use - scoring, tracking your stats, distance to the green rotate based on your location, and more. It is subscription based, but our feeling was if you will use all the features and want a dedicated device, this is one of the best choices. As with all the dedicated GPS on devices, there is a learning curve to the SkyCaddie.
Long Term Update
After numerous rounds, and finally learning that it did not have a touch screen, I find myself more comfortable with this product. I still do not use all the features but have found the ability to move the marker to where I am to be very useful. And, if it was a touch screen, it would be harder to do this accurately which I have found to be the case with several of the iPhone GPS apps. The latest model includes Wi-Fi which takes care of one of my major problems, you can know download courses without a computer.
After going through numerous smartPhone programs, the one I settled on is Golfshot. And I did not get it for all the features, what I like was in standard view, it gives you distance to the hole in big, easy to read letters at the top of the screen. The hole view, a satellite map, allows you to move a cursor to find a layup location. I had a problem with it, my finger kept hiding the cursor. It also has other features - scoring, stats, etc. Also, I have to bring a backup battery, I can only make it through 9 holes with the iPhone battery. It does have a power saving mode.
Long Term Update
As I always carry my phone, this app is my go to rangefinder when I forget the others or am on a course that I have not downloaded. Problem still is that I will wind up with a dead battery before the end of the round so I tend to use it judicially on the course.
So, there's quick outline of the three major types of golf rangefinders. Which one you choose will be up to your needs and what you are willing to or want to add, track, etc. during your round of golf. The questions you need to answer are:
What's in my bag? The Bushnell Hybrid, I like simple and use the laser.
Paul likes the smartPhone app, he always has to carry a phone for work.
Another in our foursome is stopping on the way home for a SkyCaddie.
The last player in our group could not make up his mind. He wants to try them all again.
As you can see, there is a device for every need...
We took a Bushnell Hybrid, SkyCaddie SGX and iPhone (using Golfshot GPS) out for a couple rounds. Each has it's own good points. Now, what you have to remember is that this test is subjective to our point of view. Both of us play a lot of golf, Paul is around a 6 handicap, I'm a little higher.
What we found is that all the devices GPS were within three or four yards of each other; accuracy to the pin was determined using the Bushnell Hybrid laser option where possible.
The Bushnell Hybrid has a simple, no frills, easy to use GPS rangefinder added to the side of the laser rangefinder. It gives you distance to the front, center and back of the green. I liked it because it was simple and easy to use. I also found that I used the laser several times each round. My partner did not use the laser as much. So it comes down to your ability to judge distances as to whether or not you will use the laser. We also use the laser rangefinder in our club testing.Long Term Update
The Bushnell Hybrid remains one of the simpler GPS devices to use, it has proven to be pretty accurate and I find myself using the laser a couple times a round. It comes in handy as my game has been somewhat suspect of late. Another use that I have found is on the driving range. Too often the distances listed are inaccurate and using the laser, I was able to find the correct distance to the target. We also use the Hybrid in our product tests and clinics for the same reason. So, Bushnell Hybrid remains a good contender, and very useful for my purposes, in the GPS/Laser product category.
The SkyCaddie SGX has many more features vs. the limited GPS on the Hybrid. It has and can hold thousands of courses so you are bound to find the course you are going to play. The hole layouts are dedicated maps, not Google images, which we liked. The screen is bright and easy to read even in bright light. Since SkyCaddie maps each hole, the distances and layout are accurate.
The SGX has a multitude of features that you may or may not use - scoring, tracking your stats, distance to the green rotate based on your location, and more. It is subscription based, but our feeling was if you will use all the features and want a dedicated device, this is one of the best choices. As with all the dedicated GPS on devices, there is a learning curve to the SkyCaddie.
Long Term Update
After numerous rounds, and finally learning that it did not have a touch screen, I find myself more comfortable with this product. I still do not use all the features but have found the ability to move the marker to where I am to be very useful. And, if it was a touch screen, it would be harder to do this accurately which I have found to be the case with several of the iPhone GPS apps. The latest model includes Wi-Fi which takes care of one of my major problems, you can know download courses without a computer.
After going through numerous smartPhone programs, the one I settled on is Golfshot. And I did not get it for all the features, what I like was in standard view, it gives you distance to the hole in big, easy to read letters at the top of the screen. The hole view, a satellite map, allows you to move a cursor to find a layup location. I had a problem with it, my finger kept hiding the cursor. It also has other features - scoring, stats, etc. Also, I have to bring a backup battery, I can only make it through 9 holes with the iPhone battery. It does have a power saving mode.Long Term Update
As I always carry my phone, this app is my go to rangefinder when I forget the others or am on a course that I have not downloaded. Problem still is that I will wind up with a dead battery before the end of the round so I tend to use it judicially on the course.
So, there's quick outline of the three major types of golf rangefinders. Which one you choose will be up to your needs and what you are willing to or want to add, track, etc. during your round of golf. The questions you need to answer are:
- The first question is what do I really want the unit to do?
- Will I really use all the features?
- How important is price?
- Do I want to pay an annual fee?
- You are going to have to carry something, what do you want to carry?
- Do I want to change screens while playing?
What's in my bag? The Bushnell Hybrid, I like simple and use the laser.
Paul likes the smartPhone app, he always has to carry a phone for work.
Another in our foursome is stopping on the way home for a SkyCaddie.
The last player in our group could not make up his mind. He wants to try them all again.
As you can see, there is a device for every need...