Just wondering if anyone has tried/is using a GPS like GolfGuru? or Skycaddie?

I realise they probably dont have any courses loaded (not myone at least) but the Guru has a great self mapping feature so I wouldnt mind seeing if it works.

They have even said they will map it for me from Google earth and then I can just add any extra hazards as needed.

how do you find them... I read somewhere that the GPS for tramping dont work quite so well because alot of the satellites miss NZ because they are predominatly for the Northern Hemi??? Im no expert?

Just wondering if anyone over there is using one?

Thanks

WOW, i saw the NEW ZEALANDERS in the heading and just about fainted! Someone calling out lil ol NZ!

Jim,

I have used one for a few holes in Christchurch and it was fine- what model it was i am not sure. They are now selling in a few golf shops- we have one here. They work fine on course- aslong as the course is loaded i presume!

Where in NZ do you call home?

There aren't many New Zealand threads, so I must interject. Just as aside, this is the best show on US television...
Click to view attachment

Huh? What the heck is that pic of?

Good old Brett, Jermaine and Murray from Flight of the concords!!! A couple of whacky NZers that live in NYC. Its a funny show, Its on Sky 1 I think in NZ??? But without being a NZer living in America I dont think it would ever be as funny.

some classic quotes: For us New Zealandees
"there are vikings there right"?
"Murray, Present"
"Brett, like, as in Britney"?
"Rhymenoserous"
"there aint no Tea party like my grans Tea party"


I LOVE that show!!!

Thanks for the GPS info I think I will grab one.

Wellington is sort of home for me. I spend 1 month there and 3/4 in the States.

Maybe it is a stupid question, but does it still use GPS or would you switch to GLONASS or GNSS?

Im not sure??

I have used some of the Hiking units in NZ before, but it doesnt say what system they are using...

I was concerned that the satelites may miss NZ as they are mapped to spend as much time over "strategic" spots in the northern hemisphere.

Ill take one and see how it goes...

You might look here for a brief explanation of what is likely available "underneath"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GPS#Simplifie...od_of_operation

You'll see that there will be satellites available (at least the 3 necessary) to determine coordinates.

GLONASS is incomplete (still, as far as I know), GALILEO is still in planning (if I recall correctly) as well as one planned by China and India.

You'll be using GPS (Navstar) most everywhere.

Another thing to consider is that you might be using a Wide Area Augmentation System in the USA which can narrow differentials down to less than a meter. Otherwise, you could be +/- 2.5 meters, which may or may not make a difference to you.

Wow, I guess I was paying attention while getting my aviation degree...

Brett, how can you not know "flight of the concords"?????

My experience with GPS here is that they arent quite as accurate as id like, you stand on the front of the green and it should say zero but says you are between 0 and 5 meters from the front of the green and sometimes more than that. I can work it out from sprinkler heads to be within 5 meters myself, are they better than that in the US?

Yeh, the one I used just before christmas was impressive. I was easily within a yard. I could stand at the tea and walk to the front of the box and it would change. and if I stood on a marked sprinkler it was always within a yard or two. I could walk up to the green and it would flick to the green as I stepped onto it.

I have used some bad ones though... I think the unit itself plays a BIG part in it.

The one I tried was a sureshot