Looking for GPS Watch for Xmas.... Any suggestions

Macker1

As the thread title says I will be hoping to get a GPS Watch off Santa

My regular playing partners have the Garmin S1 which do the job but this model is obviously a few years old.

Salesperson in Halpenny has recommended the newly released Golf Buddy WT3 which is recently hit the market.

Just wondering has anyone had experience of using this model or Golf Buddy units in general. Are they any good.

The WT3 appears to give a lot of info when playing which would be very handy when playing away from home.

Any info/comments appreciated.

judosean2005

Same as ur friend i have the garmin S1.
Great piece of kit.

More advanced garmin is S3. Looks the business.

Might be worth a look.
Sean

Russman

Some of the lads at my club have the Garmin watch and, since they got it, they now swear by it, total converts to using GPS. I'm sure the Golfbuddy is as good.

In the same boat myself as you Op, looking to get a GPS but can't decide on a watch or a handheld - anyone any thoughts on that ?

A New earth

Don't know much about the watches, have the basic Golf Buddy & find it great, use it mostly for front, middle & back of green (find back the best unless pin is on the front) but very handy too for getting the distance to targets say water or bunkers if you want to see if you can get over or how far it is to lay up.
With the holder attachment I just attach it to a strap on the top/side of the golf bag and then it's only a quick look for the info.
Played with a fella during the week with a watch which he got when he saw his friend with one, said he was a bit sorry now he didn't get a GPS which would have a few more details
Lasers of course are more accurate (I find maybe up to 5 yards when I have compared) but you have the trouble of taking it out of it's pouch and trying to line it up with the target which can be a bit tricky (although I'm sure you would get good at that)
Personally don't wear anything on my hands so would not like to wear the watch, some players though are happy with them.

Macker1

judosean2005 wrote: »

Same as ur friend i have the garmin S1.
Great piece of kit.

More advanced garmin is S3. Looks the business.

Might be worth a look.
Sean

The S3 is around €100 more expensive and Santa's budget is not going to stretch that far.

Macker1

Russman wrote: »

Some of the lads at my club have the Garmin watch and, since they got it, they now swear by it, total converts to using GPS. I'm sure the Golfbuddy is as good.

In the same boat myself as you Op, looking to get a GPS but can't decide on a watch or a handheld - anyone any thoughts on that ?

Pretty much decided on a watch due to the ease of use. A quick discrete glance to confirm distance before taking your shot and away you swing.

sandyhills

I picked up the golf buddy wt3 and its a great piece of kit. Just wanted to have distance to front, middle & back. I hsng it from the front of the bag as I don't like wearing anything on ny wrist and its waterproof whuch is handy. Picked it up when halpenny golf had the 20% off sale so was a great bargin!

Macker1

sandyhills wrote: »

I picked up the golf buddy wt3 and its a great piece of kit. Just wanted to have distance to front, middle & back. I hsng it from the front of the bag as I don't like wearing anything on ny wrist and its waterproof whuch is handy. Picked it up when halpenny golf had the 20% off sale so was a great bargin!

Did you have a look at the Hazard function on the WT3 and if so how accurate did you find it to be. Have you played many courses using the watch.

big_drive

I know lads with both the S1 and S3

Guy with S3 actually said it's got too much info and he doesn't have time to look at it all while he's playing. Said if he had he's time back again he'd get the S1.

judosean2005

big_drive wrote: »

I know lads with both the S1 and S3

Guy with S3 actually said it's got too much info and he doesn't have time to look at it all while he's playing. Said if he had he's time back again he'd get the S1.

Good point.
Although only issue with S1 is battery life.

Expect around 5-6 hours before its dead.

So i need to charge mine after every round.(round takes bout 4hrs)

Sean

Pauliee

I have the S3 and have to say the watch GPS is perfect for golf for convenience and speed. I had the laser rangefinder but wouldn't go back to it after using the watch.

The thing that made me buy the S3 over S1 is that you can manually add distances to specific points on a hole. This is great if you have a course that you play a lot and want to mark hazards on different holes.

Dermoth

I have the Bushnell Neo+ and in some cases I find it really accurate but on other holes on my course it can be quite a way off versus the course markers and Tour Caddie on my iPhone. I'd say it's accurate within a couple of yards the vast majority of the time but there is always a little doubt as on a couple of tees it is off. Overall happy with it though. Got a great deal on amazon during the year.

sandyhills

Macker1 wrote: »

Did you have a look at the Hazard function on the WT3 and if so how accurate did you find it to be. Have you played many courses using the watch.

I have only used it once in the Smurfit Course in K Club seemed to be very accurate. I havent used the hazards features yet need to read up more on this but so far its great for what I wanted

inthehole1

i see the wt3 watch can be got for €154 on golfstoreeurope at the mo with the 15% off
looking for a handheld gps unit myself .any suggestions appreciated

Gin77

I bought the golf buddy voice a year ago, it came with a wrist attachment. I personally don't like anything on my wrists when playing.
It works great and its discreet on a golf course.
I know people say they're not as accurate as lasers but no matter what device you use you will have to compensate for wind, slope and bad shots.
I would recommend it as a watch like gps device.

Macker1

inthehole1 wrote: »

i see the wt3 watch can be got for €154 on golfstoreeurope at the mo with the 15% off
looking for a handheld gps unit myself .any suggestions appreciated

How reputable is this online store. Research seems to suggest they are a bit hit and miss.

Would Halpenny or McGuirks price match this price ???

inthehole1

Macker1 wrote: »

How reputable is this online store. Research seems to suggest they are a bit hit and miss.

Would Halpenny or McGuirks price match this price ???

yeah have seen that some people have had bad experiences with them.this seems to mainly happen with items been out of stock
Personally have to say have found them very good to deal with and on price.have bought shoes.clothes and halls from them and everything arrived within a couple of days
Would imagine they would match price.15% sale finished yesterday tho

GreeBo

Gin77 wrote: »

I bought the golf buddy voice a year ago, it came with a wrist attachment. I personally don't like anything on my wrists when playing.
It works great and its discreet on a golf course.
I know people say they're not as accurate as lasers but no matter what device you use you will have to compensate for wind, slope and bad shots.
I would recommend it as a watch like gps device.

I was going to ask, are you sure you guys could play with a watch on?
I never do, it annoys me so might be something to think about/try before shelling out.

Boskowski

Got the S1 about a year ago for £100 and it's a great piece of equipment.

Let's face it if I lay up to hazards I don't need to be perfect, 20 30 yards back is good enough.
If I'm not sure I am able to carry a hazard I probably can't.
Front middle back is all I want and need.

Battery life isn't great but it lasts a round plus some and I have to play two competitive rounds in one day yet.

I think it's the best value for money and I'd buy it again.

sandyhills

Macker1 wrote: »

Did you have a look at the Hazard function on the WT3 and if so how accurate did you find it to be. Have you played many courses using the watch.

I played Portmarnock Links on Saturday and it was very accurate. Still havent looked at the hazard function yet but will look at it before I go out again. I did notice the battery was down to 1 bar at the end which is slightly worrying but still a great simple GPS

Macker1

sandyhills wrote: »

I played Portmarnock Links on Saturday and it was very accurate. Still havent looked at the hazard function yet but will look at it before I go out again. I did notice the battery was down to 1 bar at the end which is slightly worrying but still a great simple GPS

Was that from a full charge at beginning of round ??

Panrich

What does the watch give you over a phone based GPS? Is it greater accuracy?

tonc76

Panrich wrote: »

What does the watch give you over a phone based GPS? Is it greater accuracy?

I was thinking this same thing when I first read the thread.

I'm using https://www.swingbyswing.com/ and their android app and find it brilliant! Haven't come across a course that isn't mapped yet and for the $14 upgrade to looper I can track clubs, review my rounds, see FIR, GIR stats etc etc

The free version gives you distances and the ability to keep stroke play scores for up to 4 players

spacecoyote

You can't use the phone app in a qualifying competition though can you?

I bought the WT3 for my Dad in Halpenny last weekend. Got it for €179 as they had a 10% off no GPS deal on.

Think its over now, but they may well honour it still if it means a sale.

I rang American Golf & Halpenny to get a few quotes before. This is what I got:

American Golf:
Golf Buddy Voice - €149
WT3 - €199
Garmin S1 - €144
Garmin S2 - €229

Halpenny
Golf Buddy Voice - €159 (old version) €199 (new version)
WT3 - €199 (€179 with the 10% discount)
Garmin S1 - €185
Bushnell Neo X - €199

tonc76

spacecoyote wrote: »

You can't use the phone app in a qualifying competition though can you?

I bought the WT3 for my Dad in Halpenny last weekend. Got it for €179 as they had a 10% off no GPS deal on.

Think its over now, but they may well honour it still if it means a sale.

I rang American Golf & Halpenny to get a few quotes before. This is what I got:

American Golf:
Golf Buddy Voice - €149
WT3 - €199
Garmin S1 - €144
Garmin S2 - €229

Halpenny
Golf Buddy Voice - €159 (old version) €199 (new version)
WT3 - €199 (€179 with the 10% discount)
Garmin S1 - €185
Bushnell Neo X - €199

I've no idea? Why is this the case do you know?

Russman

tonc76 wrote: »

I've no idea? Why is this the case do you know?

Its if a phone can tell you the weather (temperature, humidity & wind) and that's what made it not just "a measuring device".

Not sure if that's been changed or going to be changed, I have a vague recollection of reading something about it..........can't remember to be honest.

spacecoyote

yeah my understanding is distance devices are fine, but if the device can provide other parameters such as windspeed/direction, etc... then its not allowed. And because these things are available on a smart phone, you can't use one in a comp

big_drive

The Garmin S1 at €144 in American Golf is a decent deal

shamco

Macker1 wrote: »

How reputable is this online store. Research seems to suggest they are a bit hit and miss.

Would Halpenny or McGuirks price match this price ???

The Golfbuddy WT3 doesn't come with a charger. They only supply a usb cable which is a bit of a pain.

charlieIRL

shamco wrote: »

The Golfbuddy WT3 doesn't come with a charger. They only supply a usb cable which is a bit of a pain.

you can buy the usb to cigarette lighter attachment in any euro shop now.

PARlance

charlieIRL wrote: »

you can buy the usb to cigarette lighter attachment in any euro shop now.

True, but you might have to drive around in circles for 2 hours before your round to make sure the thing is charged

I have the Garmin S1 and I'm not the best for charging in advance, the 15 min car journey normally means that I have the watch up until the 2nd tee... It's unreal how much the GPS uses up the battery. The watch will go a week in "watch mode" after a full charge. It'll last about 6 hours on "GPS mode".

I suppose I should turn it off during the week

charlieIRL

PARlance wrote: »

True, but you might have to drive around in circles for 2 hours before your round to make sure the thing is charged

I have the Garmin S1 and I'm not the best for charging in advance, the 15 min car journey normally means that I have the watch up until the 2nd tee... It's unreal how much the GPS uses up the battery. The watch will go a week in "watch mode" after a full charge. It'll last about 6 hours on "GPS mode".

I suppose I should turn it off during the week

ahh but the trick is to have it charged BEFORE you go play golf!!!

Am thinking of getting rid of the skycaddie when the year subscription is up and getting a GPS watch. Barely use is now and the watch is more discreet.

big_drive

I think the watches seem to be getting very popular. More and more I've seen with them in past couple months.
The common thing I've heard guys say could be improved is battery life. I think most are struggling to get two full rounds from it

PARlance

charlieIRL wrote: »

ahh but the trick is to have it charged BEFORE you go play golf!!!

Am thinking of getting rid of the skycaddie when the year subscription is up and getting a GPS watch. Barely use is now and the watch is more discreet.

Yip, I keep promising myself that I'll stick it in the charger as soon as I finish each round.... but alas, there's a dead watch at home, at least this will mean that I plug it in this evening.

The watches are great and the prices are falling so I'd expect the Garmin S1 to be hitting €100 soon.

For some reason the S3 version isn't that plentiful, it has been released for some time now but I haven't seen it stocked in any of the major retailers.

Russman

That's a bit of a downer with the WT3 not coming with a charger. Easily remedied to be fair.

Has anyone compared or used the Garmins against the WT3 ?
I'm totally torn between the S1, S2, S3 & WT3. The vast majority of my golf is on my home course so I'm debating how much info I want/need on the watch.
Are the Garmins that much better quality to justify the premium or are they worth it ? WT3 seems to have more features, but I think the Garmins are nicer for some reason.

The fixed point front, middle & back is putting me off the Neo X.

Macker1

shamco wrote: »

The Golfbuddy WT3 doesn't come with a charger. They only supply a usb cable which is a bit of a pain.

The wife picked up the WT3 the other day for me from Halpennys and if does come with a charging cradle which is connected by USB cable.

plumber77

S1 is super value if you get it for 120.

Jimdagym

plumber77 wrote: »

S1 is super value if you get it for 120.

Its €115 in McGuirks and Halpenny.

plumber77

Jimdagym wrote: »

Its €115 in McGuirks and Halpenny.

That would make it even better value

Dr_Colossus

big_drive wrote: »

I think the watches seem to be getting very popular. More and more I've seen with them in past couple months.
The common thing I've heard guys say could be improved is battery life. I think most are struggling to get two full rounds from it

That's a big concern I'd have in purchasing one, well that as well as wearing a watch while playing golf. The watch can always be straped to the bag but has anyone done a comparison on the battery life of GPS (watch or otherwise) devices. I play the odd 36 hole scratch cup during the summer months and feel that a GPS device should comfortably get in two rounds.

Luckycharm

Thinking of getting a gps watch as well- 2 guys I was playing with today were wearing them one a garmin other the golfbuddy- garmin didn't seem to have a few of our holes on it. When I asked the pro which one he said that golf buddy also reads distances from the side of the greens not just straight on- anyone know if this is true?

Waesfjord

would have thought that Garmin reads the front middle and back of green in line with wherever you are shooting from, so if off to left of hold for example, the distances should be correct yardage for your shot, else, GArmin only ever accurate for when you're middle of fairway, if that ever happens!!


PS The Garmin S1 is on Amazon Black Friday deal starting at 1pm today, so get there quick, as bound to seel out in seconds.

Jimdagym

brian1976 wrote: »

would have thought that Garmin reads the front middle and back of green in line with wherever you are shooting from, so if off to left of hold for example, the distances should be correct yardage for your shot, else, GArmin only ever accurate for when you're middle of fairway, if that ever happens!!




PS The Garmin S1 is on Amazon Black Friday deal starting at 1pm today, so get there quick, as bound to seel out in seconds.

£90 and only 20% sold as of 13.24

scrubber72

Jimdagym wrote: »

£90 and only 20% sold as of 13.24

Sweet just got one for me from the missus.

A New earth

Garmin S2 for €199 delivered on justtreats.com today

Tweaky

Jimdagym wrote: »

Its €115 in McGuirks and Halpenny.

Now down to €103.50. I couldn't resist at that price. Looking forward to trying it out once this weather improves.