[sumat]

I am thinking of purchasing a Garmin Approach G5. The older posts seem to indicate that the course availability is pretty slim, but website says it now has over 10,000 courses. Practically all of the courses I play are included. I like the complete hole view, yardages to the hazards, and being able to select a spot on the course for a specific yardage. Even if it is an estimate, it is better than trying to eyeball it. No yearly fee is also a plus. I don't care about the batteries - rechargeables will work.

Any comments?

Thanks

[sumat]

Does anyone have one that can give me some advice as to whether it is worth buying?

[tbowles411]

I have no complaints. VERY easy to use and very durable. I use the expensive batteries and they do the trick. Don't go cheap on the batteries. I owned the Sky Caddie SG3.5 and liked it, but the Garmin doesn't give me more than I need, but gives me the important stats. Distances are pretty accurate but it's a touch bulky. Very worth it now that the price is down from $500. No complaints.

[IndyIN]

http://www.golfwrx.c...h...=263871&hl=

Don't know if you saw this thread, I posted my opinion in it.

As far as the maps, it sounds like a big release is planned for winter/spring. My guess is that they will try to get a bunch of updated courses before the holidays.

[highhandicapper]

Their course coverage seems to be growing nicely - I've borrowed one for multiple rounds, and I really like it. Brightness of the screen is a big plus (there is an advantage to using pictures instead of actual photographs).

I'm thinking of getting one myself, now that the price is coming down.

There's a review of it on CriticalGolf.com, if you wanted to read some more - http://criticalgolf....lf-gps-reviews/

[pwrfade]

highhandicapper, on Oct 9 2009, 06:18 PM, said:

Their course coverage seems to be growing nicely - I've borrowed one for multiple rounds, and I really like it. Brightness of the screen is a big plus (there is an advantage to using pictures instead of actual photographs).

I'm thinking of getting one myself, now that the price is coming down.

There's a review of it on CriticalGolf.com, if you wanted to read some more - http://criticalgolf....lf-gps-reviews/

heard others complain the screen is hard to see in bright sun - is that not true - I have not seen one in person other than the dummy models at a shop - was looking for a new driver today - and the manager at the shop that I trust very much was saying he thought it was going to prove out to be a great unit - left my Skycaddie SG5 in a cart a couple of weeks ago and alas no one turned it in - so that was an EXPENSIVE round of golf for sure - so now deciding what to replace it with and taking some time to evaluate units that dont come with a perpetual annual cost

[highhandicapper]

I never experienced any problems with the brightness of the screen - I've had more difficulty with the uPro than with the Garmin, but I think that stems from the fact that the satellite images aren't always that vivid.

[x100]

I love my G5 and wouldn't trade it for anything. I had a Upro for awhile, the only thing I like about it better than the G5 was the size and weight. The screen is to small and way to dark. The only con on the G5 is the size. Although it is way more durable than the upro and totally waterproof. The screen is very bright and perfect size. I purchased some good recharge-ables and I made to the 16th hole on my 3rd round yesterday before they died. I was playing Bethpage Black and it was a 5hr and 15min round. So there is a chance to get 3 rounds out of one charge. Garmin is the leader in gps and with further updates this unit will only get better.

[HappyG]

The Garmin is a great unit. It is tough, durable, and accurate. It is easy to see in bright sunlight. Operation is very simple. And, I like the touch screen.