35 replies to this topic

[odshot68]

I have been using a Bushnell 1500 with slope for over 5 years and like it.  I am going to begin playing tournament golf next season and my device is illegal (even though I can shut the slope feature off) and don't want to be accused of cheating.  The two downfalls I have with it is: I don't know the exact distance to the front and back of the green from my ball ( green contours would be a huge plus on the approach shot) and the exact distance to the front and back edge of a hazard.  The third is when I have a blind shot I don't know the distance to the pin (this I knew prior to my purchasing my Bushnell).  I need a reliable device that is going to work.  The major concern is not knowing exact distance I would have to the pin.  I need to be able to trust the distance as well.  Perks would be a stat feature built in, but not necessary.  My buddy has the Bushnell hybrid but I wasn't impressed with the GPS feature of it.  What do you recommend, or is there something new I should wait for?

[jnradioactive]

SC SGX or Golfbuddy Platinum

[wrmiller]

+1 on the SGX. I also have a laser, but have not used in years. Once SC started adding driving range yardages, the laser started collecting serious dust.

[crazygolfnut]

I would like to here some answers on this.  

[leonmot]

Garmin Approach G6. Ok I normally don't post but here is my two cents. I have been playing for a long time and currently I am a 12 handicap, 58 years old. Clubs: Ping BECU eye2 + irons, G5 driver, 3 wood Tour Edge CB2, Tour Edge Trilogy Hybrids 3 & 4. Here was my problem. I kept thinking that I was still in my late 20’s. Back then I had a nickname of “Short Knocker” because I could only here the ball about 280-290. My friends could hit it about 290+. Heck, I was only 5’7” and 140 lbs. I would literally grunt when I hit the ball. So what’s the point? Well I went out yesterday, the first time I used the Garmin, and one of the best features of the Garmin is the ability to find and enter distances for each club. So, I did that. The course was empty so I hit three or four shots with each club. What a revelation! I am friggin’ old. My average drive is now about 240. Other clubs were equally as short. No wonder I kept coming up short! Now to actually play a couple of holes. On one hole I checked the distance to the pin, 122 yards. I looked up the club that I hit approximately that distance which is my 9 iron, average 124 yards. I hit three shots, one pin high left, the other two within three feet of the pin. WOW! I have struggled with distances for a long time, This is great!! The Garmin is easy to use too! You can go to the Green screen and pull the pin to any location on the green. Distances to hazards, etc. Many nice features too! I have owned a Golf buddy and still have a Leopold rangefinder. The G6 is da bomb!!
PS: I bought the Tour Edge Trilogy Hybrids online for about 54 bucks new and I crush them.

[golfjuice]

odshot68, on 28 October 2012 - 12:22 PM, said:

I have been using a Bushnell 1500 with slope for over 5 years and like it.  I am going to begin playing tournament golf next season and my device is illegal (even though I can shut the slope feature off) and don't want to be accused of cheating.  The two downfalls I have with it is: I don't know the exact distance to the front and back of the green from my ball ( green contours would be a huge plus on the approach shot) and the exact distance to the front and back edge of a hazard.  The third is when I have a blind shot I don't know the distance to the pin (this I knew prior to my purchasing my Bushnell).  I need a reliable device that is going to work.  The major concern is not knowing exact distance I would have to the pin.  I need to be able to trust the distance as well.  Perks would be a stat feature built in, but not necessary.  My buddy has the Bushnell hybrid but I wasn't impressed with the GPS feature of it.  What do you recommend, or is there something new I should wait for?

what did you not like about the hybrid's gps? Mine works great. Still trips me out to have the best of both worlds with GPS and laser.

[sompin2do]

Another vote for the SGX.

Bought a laser with my tournament winnings and enjoy using both.  With the SGX I like being able to quickly view a list of distances to various points without having to scan with the laser.

With the laser I like knowing the exact distance to the pin.

Both have their place but if I had to give one up it would be the laser since it doesn't display the layout of a hole.

[prsgtrman]

skycaddie sgx all the way. saves me shots every round. just knowing the right distance to bunkers, tree lines, pins, front of green and back makes the price worth it. really cool device and worth the money

[Cwing]

Still using a upro. I may be looking to change. Anyone using the "watch" type?

[ProjectX]

I pay $20 for an entire year with the golf logix app on my phone. I will put it up against any golf specific device and from a return on investment perspective it 100% cannot be beat. Skycaddy SGX is $350. I would get 17 years out of my golf logix app to equal the money spent on an SGX. Not to mention you are 100% going to get rid of the Skycaddy long before that 17 years is up and upgrade to the next thing while GolfLogix is always updating their system/software and updated your phone for free. If you purchase of golf specific GPS device you may as well go to the bank get $300 in cash and throw it in the fire place.

[iH83Putting]

I have a SkyCaddie SG3.5 and a Motorola MotoActv.  I hate that you have to buy or mark your own courses with SkyCaddie.  Motoactv's courses are free and you can map your own online and then download at no charge.

[TM_HOYER]

First do not use a phone app as this would get you DQed from the tournament.

Fot tournament use, especially if you are going to play courses you have never or infrequently play, the Skycaddie SGX or SGXw would be your best bet. You will get the most complete information in the way of yardages to hazards, traps, landmarks, and target landing areas. Also if you go with the SGXw, you get PinPoint where you can enter the pin locations if they supply you with a pin sheet.

Edited by TM_HOYER, 17 November 2012 - 10:22 PM.

[buriedlie]

Can someone recommend a good GPS for a senior? My father is 70, 20 handicap, not very techy, and has trouble seeing small text. Is there anything out there that will be very simple to use that has an easy to view screen? I doubt he needs much more than to know the distance to the middle of the green. The watch seemed simple to use, but I think it would be difficult for him to see.

He mainly plays 1 course in the US and plays several different ones in Ireland. He also has a Mac if that is relevant and does not have a smartphone.

Thanks for your help

[Hakko]

buriedlie, on 29 November 2012 - 11:46 AM, said:

Can someone recommend a good GPS for a senior? My father is 70, 20 handicap, not very techy, and has trouble seeing small text. Is there anything out there that will be very simple to use that has an easy to view screen? I doubt he needs much more than to know the distance to the middle of the green. The watch seemed simple to use, but I think it would be difficult for him to see.

He mainly plays 1 course in the US and plays several different ones in Ireland. He also has a Mac if that is relevant and does not have a smartphone.

Thanks for your help

I have a Garmin S3. I'm 49 and had lasik about 5 years ago, and now have real trouble with small print, especially in dim light. I have no problems reading the display on the S3 without readers.

I know that the Garmin has GB & I courses available, but I don't know if you can have them and the US courses on the unit at the same time.

[PZero]

buriedlie, on 29 November 2012 - 11:46 AM, said:

Can someone recommend a good GPS for a senior? My father is 70, 20 handicap, not very techy, and has trouble seeing small text. Is there anything out there that will be very simple to use that has an easy to view screen? I doubt he needs much more than to know the distance to the middle of the green. The watch seemed simple to use, but I think it would be difficult for him to see.

He mainly plays 1 course in the US and plays several different ones in Ireland. He also has a Mac if that is relevant and does not have a smartphone.

Thanks for your help

Skycaddie SG5 might be a good fit for him. My dad has one and has no issues with seeing any of the print or using it.

[Andy L]

buriedlie, on 29 November 2012 - 11:46 AM, said:

Can someone recommend a good GPS for a senior? My father is 70, 20 handicap, not very techy, and has trouble seeing small text. Is there anything out there that will be very simple to use that has an easy to view screen? I doubt he needs much more than to know the distance to the middle of the green. The watch seemed simple to use, but I think it would be difficult for him to see.

He mainly plays 1 course in the US and plays several different ones in Ireland. He also has a Mac if that is relevant and does not have a smartphone.

Thanks for your help

Given your dad isn't a techie, you're best off getting him something that already has all the courses pre-loaded so he doesn't have to sync it up on a computer ahead of time. The Garmin G6 has them all loaded, but font size may be an issue for hazards.  There is also the Golf Buddy World line.  Also as another poster suggested the Garmin S1 or S3 watch are highly rated and easy to read.  I just don't know if the watch can support both US and global courses without updating.  Whatever you buy, get it someplace where he can exchange it.

[spuds]

Hakko, on 30 November 2012 - 03:34 PM, said:

buriedlie, on 29 November 2012 - 11:46 AM, said:

Can someone recommend a good GPS for a senior? My father is 70, 20 handicap, not very techy, and has trouble seeing small text.

I have a Garmin S3. I'm 49 and had lasik about 5 years ago, and now have real trouble with small print, especially in dim light. I have no problems reading the display on the S3 without readers.

I'm 50, nearsighted, and wear contacts for golf, rather than my progressive eyeglasses.  I can't read the text on DH's Garmin S3 and still use an old Golflogix 7 unit, but don't recommend it for a non-tech person due to the course downloading.  Would love to find a current offering like the Golflogix that has large text and distances to hazards and courses preloaded - something like the Bushnell Neo+, Izzo Swami, various watches, etc., but with hazards as well (I always forget to check for water....)

Michelle

[Hakko]

spuds, on 30 November 2012 - 10:07 PM, said:

Hakko, on 30 November 2012 - 03:34 PM, said:

buriedlie, on 29 November 2012 - 11:46 AM, said:

Can someone recommend a good GPS for a senior? My father is 70, 20 handicap, not very techy, and has trouble seeing small text.

I have a Garmin S3. I'm 49 and had lasik about 5 years ago, and now have real trouble with small print, especially in dim light. I have no problems reading the display on the S3 without readers.

I'm 50, nearsighted, and wear contacts for golf, rather than my progressive eyeglasses.  I can't read the text on DH's Garmin S3 and still use an old Golflogix 7 unit, but don't recommend it for a non-tech person due to the course downloading.  Would love to find a current offering like the Golflogix that has large text and distances to hazards and courses preloaded - something like the Bushnell Neo+, Izzo Swami, various watches, etc., but with hazards as well (I always forget to check for water....)

Michelle

So I'm guessing your contacts correct for distance vision at the expense of close-in vision. If you wanted to try another watch, you might want to take a look at the Bushnell offering; the text looks a bit bigger and bolder than the Garmin. Courses are preloaded, but I don't know if they have hazard info.

[rbrb]

buriedlie, on 29 November 2012 - 11:46 AM, said:

Can someone recommend a good GPS for a senior? My father is 70, 20 handicap, not very techy, and has trouble seeing small text. Is there anything out there that will be very simple to use that has an easy to view screen? I doubt he needs much more than to know the distance to the middle of the green. The watch seemed simple to use, but I think it would be difficult for him to see.

He mainly plays 1 course in the US and plays several different ones in Ireland. He also has a Mac if that is relevant and does not have a smartphone.

Thanks for your help

Golf Buddy Voice--it talks to you. Front, middle, and back. No hazard info though. Great reviews here on WRX.

[avgjoe]

forget watches.  golfbuddy voice... push the button and it tells you the yardarge.  literally.  it speaks.  no downloading, but no hazards either

[Truman]

Skycaddie SG5.  Simple and the best battery life of their recent models.

[Buzzkill]

Cwing, on 16 November 2012 - 10:33 PM, said:

Still using a upro. I may be looking to change. Anyone using the "watch" type?

I am.  I had the Garmin S1 but replaced it with a Motoactv Golf watch.  There was nothing wrong with the S1 - I just wanted more information like hazards and such which I get with the Moto.  Of course, now they have the Garmin S3 which would work too.  I'm a watch wearing when I play golf so this style GPS works great for me.  The Motoactv has software issues which haven't been fixed like scoring and downloading courses but I've been able to live with it.

[myronm]

ProjectX, on 17 November 2012 - 08:22 PM, said:

I pay $20 for an entire year with the golf logix app on my phone. I will put it up against any golf specific device and from a return on investment perspective it 100% cannot be beat. Skycaddy SGX is $350. I would get 17 years out of my golf logix app to equal the money spent on an SGX. Not to mention you are 100% going to get rid of the Skycaddy long before that 17 years is up and upgrade to the next thing while GolfLogix is always updating their system/software and updated your phone for free. If you purchase of golf specific GPS device you may as well go to the bank get $300 in cash and throw it in the fire place.

But you didn't read his basic requirement.  Must be legal for tournament usage.  And the GolfLogix is NOT!  No phone app is.  End of discussion.  I'm not saying the Golf Logix app isn't a great deal, but you can't use it for tournament play unless you want to be DQ'd.

[odshot68]

OP here.  Update, so I sold my Bushnell 1500 with slope.  I picked up a Leupold GX-3i.  I decided I need the exact distance to the pin and needed something legal.

[player12]

Andy L, on 30 November 2012 - 07:12 PM, said:

buriedlie, on 29 November 2012 - 11:46 AM, said:

Can someone recommend a good GPS for a senior? My father is 70, 20 handicap, not very techy, and has trouble seeing small text. Is there anything out there that will be very simple to use that has an easy to view screen? I doubt he needs much more than to know the distance to the middle of the green. The watch seemed simple to use, but I think it would be difficult for him to see.

He mainly plays 1 course in the US and plays several different ones in Ireland. He also has a Mac if that is relevant and does not have a smartphone.

Thanks for your help

Given your dad isn't a techie, you're best off getting him something that already has all the courses pre-loaded so he doesn't have to sync it up on a computer ahead of time. The Garmin G6 has them all loaded, but font size may be an issue for hazards.  There is also the Golf Buddy World line.  Also as another poster suggested the Garmin S1 or S3 watch are highly rated and easy to read.  I just don't know if the watch can support both US and global courses without updating.  Whatever you buy, get it someplace where he can exchange it.

what about the Garmon G5..golfsmith has them for 179 right now

[sheppy335]

SGX or Golf Buddy!

[dirtyboy]

odshot68, on 04 December 2012 - 12:59 PM, said:

OP here.  Update, so I sold my Bushnell 1500 with slope.  I picked up a Leupold GX-3i.  I decided I need the exact distance to the pin and needed something legal.

How do the 2 compare, mainly on aquisition of flags?  I'm wanting to do the same, my 1500 with slope is gettting pretty old and the smaller leupold looks sweet, would not want it to function less than the 1500.

[crazygolfnut]

sheppy335, on 17 December 2012 - 01:37 PM, said:

SGX or Golf Buddy!

Good question. Looking forward to a few responses.

[dirtyboy]

Golfbuddy has no annual fee.  Wife likes hers, I use the bushnell 1500, glance at the GPS when I can get a clear shot at the flag and to make sure the laser hit the pin.

[OPIE98LMB]

I've used the skycaddie 2.5 for the past 3 years and have never had a problem with it.....ever.....I love the intelligreen feature also that gives you exact distance f/m/b depending on where you are on the course (if you are 30 yards to the right down a hill the green rotates to match where you are at)...I can always get 2 rounds out of the battery life on it and really the only downfalls are the $40 annual fee and having to download the courses to the skycaddie....In reality though it does hold 20 courses on it so really the only time you have to load new courses are if you go on vacation or play out of state etc ( most people probably play the same 10-15 courses in their area) and the subscription fee that everyone cries about is the price of a dozen balls, come on people give me a break....for the ease of use and accuracy of the unit, it is worth it....

Edited by OPIE98LMB, 17 December 2012 - 08:44 PM.