Best GPS device

CaptainPendulum

With so many on the market, can anyone recommend a good gps device? Ideally one with free downloads and no annual sub. I've heard about the Golf Buddy and there's the Sky Caddy too I think...

The_Architect

CaptainPendulum wrote: »

With so many on the market, can anyone recommend a good gps device? Ideally one with free downloads and no annual sub. I've heard about the Golf Buddy and there's the Sky Caddy too I think...

Why do you need a GPS device?

In fact, why do you even need yardage markers?

Kace

The_Architect wrote: »

Why do you need a GPS device?

In fact, why do you even need yardage markers?

Very helpful :-/

________

Personally I bought a GPS that just does the real basics for the courses I play regularly - and to show me exactly how far I hit my shots.

Bushnell / iGolf Neo was my device of choice (bought from the US). It only cost about €90, has no annual sub and courses can either be mapped by yourself or downloaded from the company's site.

Only downside is that there are a lot of courses unmapped for Ireland. However if you're looking for cheap and basic - I couldn't fault it.

It's also about 1/3 the size of most of the others and can be carried easily in your pocket.

neckedit

CaptainPendulum wrote: »

With so many on the market, can anyone recommend a good gps device? Ideally one with free downloads and no annual sub. I've heard about the Golf Buddy and there's the Sky Caddy too I think...

Hey Pendulum, I have a Golf Budddy unit which we let people trail them before they buy them, if your interested PM me.

The_Architect

Kace wrote: »

Very helpful :-/

________

I am trying to be helpful by asking him to question himself. I can ask the same question to you? What benefit does it bring you to your enjoyment of the game?

thegen

I have not got a DMD yet but from playing with guys who have either a Bushnell or a GPS device it really does give them an advantage. As for the comment on not needing yardage markers, no reply required.

PhilipMarlowe

It's Pat Ruddy himself!

Kace

The_Architect wrote: »

I am trying to be helpful by asking him to question himself. I can ask the same question to you? What benefit does it bring you to your enjoyment of the game?

Yes I could do without it and have done for 30 odd years, but since I purchased one, the following make golf more enjoyable for me :

- Not having to pace out yardages from a yardage marker, especially from under 100 yards
- Being able to provide yardages to my playing partners and therefore preventing them from wasting time pacing yardages
- Knowing that the pin at the back of the green is actually 180 yards and a couple more clubs further away, when the front of the green is only 150 away according to the yardage marker
- Knowing how far me and my playing partners 'actually' hit my shots. Unfortunately I don't have the time nor facilities to go and work all of these out at a practice facility.

But that's just me....

stockdam

The_Architect wrote: »

Why do you need a GPS device?

In fact, why do you even need yardage markers?

I don't see any need for a GPS device - I pace out the yardage as I pass a marker so it doesn't waste any time. However it's a nice thing to be able to get this using GPS - but not a big advantage.

Yardage markers........well these are essential especially on a course you haven't played before. Stroke savers can also be useful.

aster99

are GPS legal in competitions?

The_Architect

Gents,

I would like to think that GPS devices aren't legal in competitions although I do not know. They are a curse on the game and another step in the wrong direction.

As for yardage markers, Kace et al: If you are in competition, then I understand why you should use them. I would (and do) as well. Unfortunately they do help to a small degree and there is no point self-imposing a disadvantage on yourself.

However, yardage markers are a relatively new invention... First, we got the strokesaver and then we got the 150 yard stake and then we got every sprinkler head marked to the front, middle and back. Not only do they take away the element of judgement that used to be an integral part of the game, they also eradicate the architect's impact in trying to deceive the golfer when he designs the course... We used to rely on our eyes... It is still more fun to do so and is worth trying when not in competition... Many of the older generation have never used yardage markers in their life... and continue not to do so...

Kace, you do not know "actually" how far you hit the ball... You are not a pro... Add the wind in to the equation and yardages become irrelevant... Play the shot as you see it... Throw away the scorecard... It makes for a more enjoyable round

soundsham

aster99 wrote: »

are GPS legal in competitions?

check 1st before teeing off every club can differ.

Mister Sifter

The_Architect wrote: »

Gents,

I would like to think that GPS devices aren't legal in competitions although I do not know. They are a curse on the game and another step in the wrong direction.

As for yardage markers, Kace et al: If you are in competition, then I understand why you should use them. I would (and do) as well. Unfortunately they do help to a small degree and there is no point self-imposing a disadvantage on yourself.

However, yardage markers are a relatively new invention... First, we got the strokesaver and then we got the 150 yard stake and then we got every sprinkler head marked to the front, middle and back. Not only do they take away the element of judgement that used to be an integral part of the game, they also eradicate the architect's impact in trying to deceive the golfer when he designs the course... We used to rely on our eyes... It is still more fun to do so and is worth trying when not in competition... Many of the older generation have never used yardage markers in their life... and continue not to do so...

Kace, you do not know "actually" how far you hit the ball... You are not a pro... Add the wind in to the equation and yardages become irrelevant... Play the shot as you see it... Throw away the scorecard... It makes for a more enjoyable round

I bet you're great craic at a party.:rolleyes:

aster99

which unit would have the most Irish courses ready to download?

CaptainPendulum

stockdam wrote: »

I don't see any need for a GPS device - I pace out the yardage as I pass a marker so it doesn't waste any time.

I played at my course recently with someone who had a GPS and I asked him several times for the yardage. The main benefits I found were:

1. I found it more re-assuring to see the yardage in black and white. I appreciate some people may find pacing more re-assuring but seeing it on the screen does it for me

2. As a typical amateur I tend to hit to the middle of the green and more often that not come up short. With the GPS info I specifically went with the club that I could reach the back of the green with (knowing the yardage to the back of the green).

3. Lastly and probably most importantly...I LOVE gadgets!

Kace

The_Architect wrote: »

Gents,

Kace, you do not know "actually" how far you hit the ball... You are not a pro... Add the wind in to the equation and yardages become irrelevant... Play the shot as you see it... Throw away the scorecard... It makes for a more enjoyable round

Yes Architect, you are correct. I am not a pro and I'm so far away from it that my GPS is often used to tell me how far I am from the centre of the green when I'm two fairways away after my drive. When I knock it stiff with my second from there - 'that' makes for a more enjoyable round IMHO.

bridestream

The club committee must pass a local rule allowing DMD's. See Note to Rule 14/3. Of course a 'stroke saver' even though it is an 'artificial device' is allowed without requiring the committee making a local rule! Such are the ways of the R&A.
However the English Golfing Union is IMO very progressive because it has allowed DMD's in all its Championships since 2009.
The Irish GUI still does not allow use of DMD's in any of its competitons - very backward IMO!
I recall in my local club in North Kildare when 150 yard markers were not allowed until the early 1990's. Trying to eyeball the flag in those days did NOT make playing golf more enjoyable.
I use a DMD and as a single handicap player it very definately speeds up play and also it eliminates any doubt I may have as to the accuracy of distance markers some of which are 'off' by up to 10/15 yards - this is based on my experience.
One club in the Clonsilla area - the one which is part of a huge sports complex - only allows GPS; they do not allow the line of sight laser version!
Incidentally when getting one make sure it only measures distance because in competition, where allowed, DMD's that measure slope and or wind are NOT allowed at all, at all.
The one I got is made by Leopold and I bought it for USD249 on Amazon.
Enjoy.

The_Architect

bridestream wrote: »

I recall in my local club in North Kildare when 150 yard markers were not allowed until the early 1990's. Trying to eyeball the flag in those days did NOT make playing golf more enjoyable.
I use a DMD and as a single handicap player it very definately speeds up play and also it eliminates any doubt I may have as to the accuracy of distance markers some of which are 'off' by up to 10/15 yards - this is based on my experience.

Interesting points.

Regarding eyeballing the flag at your club, can I suggest that it probably didn't make scoring any easier but that is not the same as whether the golf was enjoyable? You may disagree.... Good courses rely on trying to deceive the golfer and asking the golfer to use his mind as well as his swing. Distance aids take away part of the decision process. With regards to yardage markers, as you state, they are often wrong. They don't take in to account wind or elevation change. And none of us hit our clubs consistently enough anyway.... So in a way, they are pointless and a crutch we rely on.... A few rounds without and we'd be back using our heads...

As for speed of play, any artificial device that is not needed slows down play. You can argue whether using these GPS devices takes more or less time than pacing out yards. But both take more time than just walking up to your ball, deciding which club to hit... and then hitting it...

Just some observations...

soundsham

was talking to someone yesterday that uses one and says the markers in his club and quite a few others are easily off 7 or 8 yds on a couple off par 3 tee's........thats a big margin of error

some clubs yardage markers havent been re-calculated in yonks.......

Mister Sifter

I use a laser myself and find it really good. Definitely saves me time as opposed to pacing out yards etc. Came into a GUI comp recently and was a little bit lost without it.

I've played with a few lads recently who have GPS, but i much prefer the laser. The GPS is generally fairly rough in its distances and is always a good few yards out. That may not be a problem for some, but if i'm gonna pay a few hundred quid for something like that then i want it to be as exact as possible.

Only downside to the Laser is that it can make me a little too aggressive. Unless i catch myself i can get sucked in to going straight at the flag all the time and forget about course strategy etc.

DonkeyPokerTour

I dont own either a laser or a GPS but the one thing I can really see an advantage for is the high handicapper like myself when we go way off target. In my home course the 10th, 8th and 6th fairways run parallel with some trees to seperate them. Its not uncommon to see someone playing the 8th (the middle fairway of the 3) on the 6th or 10th fairway. So if say your playing the 8th and you end up on the left hand side of the 10th fairway, with enough room to get over the trees, having a gps to give you a better idea of the distance to the green is very useful, and speeds up the game compaired to finding a distance marker and trying to guage the distance from their.

The_Architect you may find scoring irrelevant, and to a certin extent on some nice courses I can agree but for the vast majority of players (and most of the time if I'm playing my home course) scoring is the most important thing in golf. After all as Dr Bob says, "Golf is a game of Scoring"

Also just because I know the distance to the front middle and back of the green does not mean that I can necessarily hit the ball there. I might know thats its 135 to the front, 150 to middle and 165 to the back, but i might have to adjust for a bad lie, a strong wind, an elevated green or fairway. Knowing the distance is only 1 of the things needed to consider when selecting a club.

Regards
Ian

The_Architect

DonkeyPokerTour wrote: »

The_Architect you may find scoring irrelevant, and to a certin extent on some nice courses I can agree but for the vast majority of players (and most of the time if I'm playing my home course) scoring is the most important thing in golf. After all as Dr Bob says, "Golf is a game of Scoring"

Also just because I know the distance to the front middle and back of the green does not mean that I can necessarily hit the ball there. I might know thats its 135 to the front, 150 to middle and 165 to the back, but i might have to adjust for a bad lie, a strong wind, an elevated green or fairway. Knowing the distance is only 1 of the things needed to consider when selecting a club.

Regards
Ian

Ian,

I wouldn't listen to Dr. Bob poisoning your mind. If scoring is the most important thing in golf, then we are all in trouble. What happened to fun being the most important thing?

I do understand - even when outside competition, we like to gauge our performance with a scorecard and pencil. It's natural. But if we suddenly had no laser, no GPS and no yardage markers (i.e. if we were all on the same level playing field), would we worry about it?... We'd adjust again and there would be more call for mental skill...

We only started introducing yardage markers in the late 80's and 90's. They were an American invention. The nature of the game should be man versus course (strokeplay) and man versus opponent (matchplay). Gimmicks and aids just take away from that.

soundsham

CaptainPendulum wrote: »

With so many on the market, can anyone recommend a good gps device? Ideally one with free downloads and no annual sub. I've heard about the Golf Buddy and there's the Sky Caddy too I think...

Back on topic if possible,this was the original question


Ian,

I wouldn't listen to Dr. Bob poisoning your mind. If scoring is the most important thing in golf, then we are all in trouble. What happened to fun being the most important thing?

start a different thread on your own ideals of golf elsewhere if you like please


I too would be interested in purchasing and would like to know which gps device you guys favour and why ?........prices and extra features would be handy too,

sound.

DonkeyPokerTour

The_Architect wrote: »

Gimmicks and aids just take away from that.

Cant disagree with you more, and you won't change my mind on that and based on your replys no one will change your mind either so better to just agree to disagree.

Edit to Add: Sorry, we really have gone way off topic. Appologies to the OP!

The_Architect

DonkeyPokerTour wrote: »

Cant disagree with you more, and you won't change my mind on that and based on your replys no one will change your mind either so better to just agree to disagree.

Edit to Add: Sorry, we really have gone way off topic. Appologies to the OP!

If I'm "off-topic", I apologise. After all, I did spend some time trying to explain my point.

If it's even made one person think about it, then job done. But I'm not sure it has which is a little depressing.

I will sign out of this thread.

Snakey

I have a Sureshot 8850 GPS.

Pros -

lots of Irish courses are mapped,
it's easy to use,
seems to be pretty accurate.

Cons -

you have to pay an annual subscription if you want to have more than 3 courses downloaded (from memory about 30 USD per year gets you unlimited downloads, but a maximum of 10 courses stored on the device at any one time). More expensive options allow you store more courses on the device. It is so easy to change the ones on your device though I don't know why anyone would go for a pricier subscription.

not all courses allow them in competition

battery has failed to last 18 holes in hot weather

******************************************************

I also recently got a laser rangefinder (Leupold GX1, for anyone who is interested) and I would absolutely recommend this over teh GPS unit if I had to pick just one.

Pros:

Gives you distance to the pin, rather than just front, middle, back. Especially useful if you can't see the bottom of the pin when playing your approach and have no way of knowing if it is front, middle or back.

Can give you distance to anywhere you like - eg bunker, far edge of hazard, trees etc.

No downloading courses required.

Battery will last months rather than rounds. Because it does not need to be in contact with satellites it does not use nearly as much power. No need to recharge between rounds - just leave it in your bag.

Cons:

You need a line of sight to the target you want to measure. With a gps it will be able to tell you how far to the centre of the green even if you are blind to the green due to trees or a hill for example. Not the case with a laser rangefinder. This can be surmounted by a little walking and pacing and in my experience has not been an issue.

Does require a steady hand or it will take a few seconds to give you the reading, whereas the pgs devices are instant.

not all courses allow them in competition.



I wouldn't put anyone off the sureshot, but I would definitely recommend a laser rangefinder ahead of a gps device.

soundsham

thanks for that in-depth review
any idea of price,

brian076

IMO Skycaddie is out on it's own. They are one of the few companies who actually walk the course and take accurate measurements rather than just relying on sattellite images.
The annual subscription is only $29 to download any course in Ireland an I think the Uk, so that's hardly going to break the bank.

I played recently with 2 guys who were both using an Irish GPS device which cost €99, can't remember the name, but there was 15 yards difference between their devices at each hole. so basically you get what you pay for.

Snakey

The Sureshot GPS cost me around Eur220, the Leupold rangefinder around Eur250, both were from ebay (both brand new).

Expect to pay a little more from a physical shop / traditional online store, and if buying from the US beware of potential customs and VAT (usually avoided by ebay sellers marking the value of the goods on the package to be much lower than it really is so as to fall under the thresholds).

Actually since I got the rangefinder I might consider selling the GPS if anyone is interested, but that's off-topic.

soundsham

Try adverts.ie
would prefer the non subscrition type myself

thegen

Have been looking at either the Nikon 350 or the Bushnell v2. Has anyone any expierence of these units? I have heard good reports on the Bushnell.

Cheers,

TheGEN

snowy666

thegen wrote: »

Have been looking at either the Nikon 350 or the Bushnell v2. Has anyone any expierence of these units? I have heard good reports on the Bushnell.

Over the years, I've used top brand GPS and Laser Rangefinders but for the past year I've been using the Leupold Laser Rangefinder (also from Amazon), which although less high profile than the others, is the best performing one I've ever used. Also being small with a good feel in the hand.

I much prefer the ability to have exact measurements to specific targets and once you have a landing distance yardage for all your scoring clubs (through practice on still dry days and without kidding yourself:)), it does increase confidence and take negative worries over distances out of your shot.

Would just like to add my tuppence to The Architect's point. You start off in Golf enjoying the game by just going round. You next enjoy the game by improving ball striking and hitting quality shots. This in turn leads to enjoyment through shooting lower scores. It's at this stage that I think Laser Rangefinders are invaluable. If Tour players use them (albeit via a caddy's pre-tourny walk around), why should we be any different?

Snowy.

PGL

does anyone have one of these? if so what do they think? are there many Irish courses mapped?

http://golfgpsireland.ie/?gclid=CLep4-njs6ICFYdh4wodYRlg4g

€139 sounds cheap, which may mean its not very accurate, but i would be very happy to be proved wrong....

Kace

PGL wrote: »

does anyone have one of these? if so what do they think? are there many Irish courses mapped?

http://golfgpsireland.ie/?gclid=CLep4-njs6ICFYdh4wodYRlg4g

€139 sounds cheap, which may mean its not very accurate, but i would be very happy to be proved wrong....

Looks good. It's cheap because it's simple and does what it says on the tin, not because of accuracy I would imagine.

Each course has to be purchased individually for a small amount - a good model in my view.

idmig

I have the Skycaddie SG5 and it is quite simply superb. Fast accurate and user friendly. €34 annual sub for all courses mapped in Europe. Very hard to find a course not mapped and all very detailed with distance to hazards and features all listed. Can't fault it

1united

idmig wrote: »

I have the Skycaddie SG5 and it is quite simply superb. Fast accurate and user friendly. €34 annual sub for all courses mapped in Europe. Very hard to find a course not mapped and all very detailed with distance to hazards and features all listed. Can't fault it

Sums it up perfectly, a great piece of kit and although its on the pricey side I think its the best gps out there. Having said that, the new Skycaddie SGX looks even better, anyone seen this yet or when is it available (wonder do they do trade ups?)

idmig

1united wrote: »

Sums it up perfectly, a great piece of kit and although its on the pricey side I think its the best gps out there. Having said that, the new Skycaddie SGX looks even better, anyone seen this yet or when is it available (wonder do they do trade ups?)

Yep, they do trade ups but only allow $150 against the SG5. I'd wait anyway as they are like Microsoft in that they release product with all bugs and fix it on the fly as they are reported. SG5 is a much more stable platform. Wait 12 months for the SGX

golfbgud

I also have a SGS unit - very happy with it......

Sandwlch

PGL wrote: »

does anyone have one of these? if so what do they think? are there many Irish courses mapped?

http://golfgpsireland.ie/?gclid=CLep4-njs6ICFYdh4wodYRlg4g

€139 sounds cheap, which may mean its not very accurate, but i would be very happy to be proved wrong....

Only lists 188 golf courses in Ireland, so check first for yours if interested.
Maybe thats why its cheap.

aster99

where is the list of the 188 irish courses, can't seem to spot it..

Sandwlch

aster99 wrote: »

where is the list of the 188 irish courses, can't seem to spot it..

http://www.mygolfgps.com/index.php?site=1&act=cpss_course&code=search


Select Ireland, and then search. Filters the 22000 courses down to 188 in Ireland. Also unknown if theses courses are mapped from (sometimes several years old) google earth images, or whether mapped precisely on the ground. (Elm Park is listed though !;))

danthefan

Sandwlch wrote: »

Only lists 188 golf courses in Ireland, so check first for yours if interested.
Maybe thats why its cheap.

Found this here: http://www.affordable.ie/sports/golf-gps-ireland/prod_223.html

There are over 20,000 golf courses available to download, click here to View Golf Courses Database, Golf Courses currently on file, and if its not listed it doesn't matter you can setup the course easily all you need is a GPS signal and your MARS 100.

Sandwlch

Specs list itw position accuracy as 10m. I dont think that ads much to what most of us can estimate or get from distance markers. Benefit doubtful. Is that same or worse than other GPS systems ?

Irishvillian

Anyone use the Bushnell TourV2 Laser Rangefinder with Pinseeker and if so how do they find them??

Sandwlch

Irishvillian wrote: »

Anyone use the Bushnell TourV2 Laser Rangefinder with Pinseeker and if so how do they find them??

Very good, and accurate, but too much of a pain and slow to use when playing a serious round. Useful though when playing a practice round for checking a few more yardages from various trees, bunkers, hazards etc to keep in your head. Pinseeker feature is useful and does help pick out the flag. Fun also on the practice ground to check how far you really hit and carry each club. Opens your eyes a bit....

rocafella

Never used a laser rangefinder but was interested to see that all 4 players yesterday in Lough Erne where using them. How easy is it to pick out the pin or trees or bunker or whatever your target is i.e. how do you know that the laser has picked the target you are looking for and not some nearby obstacle. I use a laser measuring device in work and know that it can be very difficult to hit the exact target you are looking for when the distance goes beyond 30 or 40 metres.

PGL

rocafella wrote: »

Never used a laser rangefinder but was interested to see that all 4 players yesterday in Lough Erne where using them. How easy is it to pick out the pin or trees or bunker or whatever your target is i.e. how do you know that the laser has picked the target you are looking for and not some nearby obstacle. I use a laser measuring device in work and know that it can be very difficult to hit the exact target you are looking for when the distance goes beyond 30 or 40 metres.

I have used a Bushnell Yardage Pro Sport 450 laser rangefinder for the past couple of years, and have generally been happy with it. Within roughly 150 yards of the target it is easy to use, but if the distance is any longer it can be a bit hit & miss at times.

I am actually planning to treat myself and buy a Golf Buddy or something similar, so probably will not have a need for the laser rangefinder. PM me if you're interested in buying one without breaking the bank.

cheers

Glencarraig

I really dont see what the problem is about GPS devices, after all, it's just an electronic version of the Strokesaver book, and you dont have to do the sums !!

LittleLiam

I wouldn't consider playing an open on any course that didn't allow them these days.

thegen

LittleLiam wrote: »

I wouldn't consider playing an open on any course that didn't allow them these days.

To be honest I would not let the restriction of not being allowed to use a DMD influence my decision on playing an open event. I do not use one but am about to purchase a Rangefinder.
If I like the course I will enter the open. Does this mean, "Little" that we will not see you entering the Dublin City Championship in Castle GC?

whocares86

does anyone know anything about Sonocaddie

http://www.sonocaddie.co.uk/v300/Index.html