New to the world of GPS... Options

[Seufari]

So my father has asked for a GPS for christmas and I am completely unexposed to the scene.

He is an older man that isn't very tech savy, but he mentioned that he really likes the idea behind the uPro flyover stuff.

He sees the most use for the device on courses he has never played and may only play for 1 weekend. NOT for his home course where he already knows every yardage.

I have no idea where to start looking for this, so let me know a few models that might work and I'll go to town with researching them.

Thanks!

[InTheHole]

Start here...

http://criticalgolf.com/golf-gps-reviews/

They have excellent reviews of all the current top models along with some basic tutorials on how they work.

There are also MANY threads here on GolfWRX in the GPS forum- get to work reading those.

Don't be too clouded by people's opinions... most of these units are good quality devices and work very well, along with the fact that they will all give you similar results. Some people buy a device and are so loyal to it they refuse to admit others work as well (that philosophy escapes me).

It really comes down to how much you want to spend (plus are annual memberships something you are willing to pay?), is your course covered by that device, and what features you want/don't want. They all pretty much tell you the yardage just fine.

For example, if the "flyover" feature is something you must have, that will narrow down your search.

[Seufari]

There are also MANY threads here on GolfWRX in the GPS forum- get to work reading those.

Thanks for the quick response. I will definitely check out that website.

As far as the info on GolfWRX, I find it to be a little overwhelming and would appreciate a suggestion on a few models that I can tailor my search towards.


So far on my list:

1. uPro
2. ???
3. ???

[MongooseDog]

I maybe alone here but i got to play with an OnPar and they are quite swooft. Touchscreen and easy to use. look nice and very easy to read even in the sun.

[InTheHole]

There are also MANY threads here on GolfWRX in the GPS forum- get to work reading those.

Thanks for the quick response. I will definitely check out that website.

As far as the info on GolfWRX, I find it to be a little overwhelming and would appreciate a suggestion on a few models that I can tailor my search towards.


So far on my list:

1. uPro
2. ???
3. ???

lol, in about 3 or 4 hours, this thread will be just as overwhelming!

[MongooseDog]

you may want to check all the models you are looking at for course coverage. None of my home courses are on most of them.

[granger]

you may want to check all the models you are looking at for course coverage. None of my home courses are on most of them.

Great suggestion and this is your starting point. I was between a couple of units and course selection eliminated one of my front runners.

For what it is worth, any of the units out there will get the job done and he will be happy with the choice. I went with a uPro. I am happy with my choice and have no regrets. My concern with

an older man that isn't very tech savy

would be: is the uPro screen too small and is he going to be comfortable searching and downloading courses via software? Also does he want to pay for the overview/flyovers? On the uPro the basic view is free but to get what he wants will require paying for it. (prices are here: http://www.uprogps.com/course-download/price-list )

If any of those things rule the uPro out there are a ton of good choices left. I really liked the Garmin but they still don't have my home course. Check their site and see if the courses he plays are offered. The big upsides with Garmin are the larger screen, waterproofing and no charge for course overviews. Downsides (assuming that is what he wanted) would be that it isn't the satellite imagery, but the overviews are very helpful and easy to read. And you will still have to download courses you want (though no charge). You can see their availability here: http://www8.garmin.com/intosports/golfcourse.html

As Inthehole suggested go here: http://criticalgolf.com/golf-gps-reviews/ to get some ideas on what each unit offers. I only covered the two units I had narrowed my choices down to but I have yet to see a "bad" golf gps.

Good luck,

Bryan

[phil75070]

If it is for an older man that perhaps uses reading glasses and needs something easier to read without resorting to them on the course I would suggest the Golf Guru 4. I am not crazy about the overall size and bulkiness of the unit but I guess it has to be to provide the larger fonts and increased functionality. Over 20,000 courses in their database now, perhaps second only to SkyGolf. And if it is not mapped, they can do a standard course by request within seven days.

http://www.gpsgolfguru.com/

[bartlettsj]

There was a Golf Smarter PODcast in early October wtih Marty Bladen of golfgpsdeals4u.com that provided reviews of difference GPS systems. You can also get a 15% discount with a coupon code. Visit http://smarterpodcasts.com/golfsmarter/.

[granger]

So my father has asked for a GPS for christmas and I am completely unexposed to the scene.

He is an older man that isn't very tech savy, but he mentioned that he really likes the idea behind the uPro flyover stuff.

He sees the most use for the device on courses he has never played and may only play for 1 weekend. NOT for his home course where he already knows every yardage.

I have no idea where to start looking for this, so let me know a few models that might work and I'll go to town with researching them.

Thanks!

Don't know if you have pulled the trigger yet, but rockbottomgolf.com has the uPro at a pretty good price now. $290 w/ free shipping