Most accurate GPS

big_drive

I've been using the Garmin S1 watch with past year, very happy with it

I played in a group yesterday where one guy had his Golfbuddy attached to side of bag. As we were on one of the par 3 tees I noticed the distance to the front of the green was 7 yards further on his unit than my watch.

I kept an eye on it at other holes, some times they were the same and other times there was a few yards difference. Now it's no big deal but I thought 7 yards on a par 3 was a big gap

Is there any GPS unit which is recognised as being particularly accurate?

Benny Cake

big_drive wrote: »

I've been using the Garmin S1 watch with past year, very happy with it

I played in a group yesterday where one guy had his Golfbuddy attached to side of bag. As we were on one of the par 3 tees I noticed the distance to the front of the green was 7 yards further on his unit than my watch.

I kept an eye on it at other holes, some times they were the same and other times there was a few yards difference. Now it's no big deal but I thought 7 yards on a par 3 was a big gap

Is there any GPS unit which is recognised as being particularly accurate?

I know its not the answer to the question you asked but if accuracy is your primary driver you're probably better off with a laser rangefinder...

big_drive

No it's not that I'm after more accuracy, as I mentioned I'm happy enough with the garmin.
I was just curious as to which companies were regarded as most accurate. I'm aware some walk the courses but others don't

Ronney

Could be related to when/how the course was mapped by each company and if any changes had been maid in the mean time.

Think some just use google maps, so a tightly cut fringe/apron could be mistaken for a green. Accuracy would vary from course to course

big_drive

Ronney wrote: »

Could be related to when/how the course was mapped by each company and if any changes had been maid in the mean time.

Think some just use google maps, so a tightly cut fringe/apron could be mistaken for a green. Accuracy would vary from course to course

That was exactly my thoughts on it. So I'd be interested to see which companies actually walk the course

Slicemeister

Myself and sometime playing partner both use the S1 there could be 8 yards in the difference. he's using a later update so I'd take it his is more correct. different software versions.

PARlance

I use the Garmin S1 watch and find it pretty accurate when verified with a playing partners laser.

No slow play involved
I'll use my watch to guess the laser guys yardage as he's zapping his shot.
Might then ask him what he had as we walk to the green.
Normally have it to 2-3 yards and I'm obviously having to guess where the flag is in terms of front, middle and back.

neckedit

Slicemeister wrote: »

Myself and sometime playing partner both use the S1 there could be 8 yards in the difference. he's using a later update so I'd take it his is more correct. different software versions.

You can up date your own with a simple plug in and sync.
Garmin use Google Maps where as Golf Buddy map them themselves.

big_drive

Was looking at a few units there online. That new Golfbuddy PT4 looks a serious bit of gear. If only I'd €400 spare

Spring Onion

I am new to golf and I only heard about these GPS watches recently. I was astounded to be honest. Actually can I take the opportunity to ask some Qs;
Are they allowed in competitions? Are they regarded by "traditionalists" as "cheating"?

big_drive

Allowed in competitions, even the inter club comps run by gui.

I've never heard anyone complain about them. I've heard a few negative comments about the lasers alright

Spring Onion

I haven't heard of or seen the lasers yet. It does seem odd to me.

slave1

big_drive wrote: »

Allowed in competitions, even the inter club comps run by gui.

Most are, some of the newer ones offer slope distance calculations and advice on what club to hit so are non-conforming e.g. latest Garmin

Slicemeister

QUOTE=neckedit;91592530]You can up date your own with a simple plug in and sync.
Garmin use Google Maps where as Golf Buddy map them themselves.[/QUOTE]

Bought mine second hand so don't have registration details for the device. Is there a user account associated with each S1?

charlieIRL

Sky caddie map courses as well so are very accurate, pity about the annual charge though _ the reason I stopped using mine.
However my S1 was yards out at times in gowran recently.
Any idea how to update them?

SaveOurLyric

big_drive wrote: »

Allowed in competitions, even the inter club comps run by gui.

I've never heard anyone complain about them. I've heard a few negative comments about the lasers alright

Is there not still a requirement for it to be a local rule, and so you need to check for the club you are playing.
(although I did see something about it being made universally legal. Has that been applied already or is it for the next update ?).

The Big Easy

Bought the bushnell neo xs recently and find it quite disappointing to be honest. On some holes it's up to 15 yards out, due to inaccurate mapping mostly as they just use satellite imagery.

If I could choose again I'd go with the golf buddy as they map the courses themselves. Didn't go with it originally because I thought it was a bit bulky but I'd put up with that to have confidence in what it tells me.

neckedit

Slicemeister wrote: »

QUOTE=neckedit;91592530]You can up date your own with a simple plug in and sync.
Garmin use Google Maps where as Golf Buddy map them themselves.

Bought mine second hand so don't have registration details for the device. Is there a user account associated with each S1?[/quote]

Go on to the Garmin site locate the Golf GPS page. Plug your Garmin into the USB socket, your serial number and device model will display, follow the instructions and update. If it was pre registered it can be re done can't recall how but I spoke with tech support of Sky Caddie on behalf of a customer who's brother gifted him his old Aire, was not really an issue.

FixdePitchmark

neckedit wrote: »

You can up date your own with a simple plug in and sync.
Garmin use Google Maps where as Golf Buddy map them themselves.

That what I was told.

Basically Garmin can be a club out. Don't map course.

My logic was , there is no point in having it then if it is a club out ?

Use a laser for accuracy.

Went around last two rounds without one. Best golf I played in a while. (Lol).
Still wish they were all banned .

FixdePitchmark

The Big Easy wrote: »

Bought the bushnell neo xs recently and find it quite disappointing to be honest. On some holes it's up to 15 yards out, due to inaccurate mapping mostly as they just use satellite imagery.

If I could choose again I'd go with the golf buddy as they map the courses themselves. Didn't go with it originally because I thought it was a bit bulky but I'd put up with that to have confidence in what it tells me.

15 yards.

Back to the sticks so.

Macker1

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

That what I was told.

Basically Garmin can be a club out. Don't map course.

My logic was , there is no point in having it then if it is a club out ?

Use a laser for accuracy.

Went around last two rounds without one. Best golf I played in a while. (Lol).
Still wish they were all banned .

Why do you wish this?

Its nice to have the approx distance to target especially when playing away from home course. Us mere mortals don't have the advantage of a caddie mapping out distances prior to playing rounds. Having the approx distance is only a minor part of the game as you still have to execute your shot well.

dan_ep82

Found my old S1 was at times a club wrong on Headfort Old and New but fairly accurate in Moor Park and Rathcore.

FixdePitchmark

Macker1 wrote: »

Why do you wish this?

Its nice to have the approx distance to target especially when playing away from home course. Us mere mortals don't have the advantage of a caddie mapping out distances prior to playing rounds. Having the approx distance is only a minor part of the game as you still have to execute your shot well.

Because people are using an electronic aid.

Shouldn't be part of the game.

Lads are now lazering from 40 feet.

It is progressive too. Lads lose skills they should have.

Anyway I'm a loner on this. But only a matter of time till it tells you club you hit on a certain shot.

It is the first step that never should have happened.

dan_ep82

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Because people are using an electronic aid.

Shouldn't be part of the game.

Lads are now lazering from 40 feet.

It is progressive too. Lads lose skills they should have.

Anyway I'm a loner on this. But only a matter of time till it tells you club you hit on a certain shot.

It is the first step that never should have happened.

Don't really see much difference from this and landing at the 100/150/200m marker.

The pro's use caddies in a similar way but they add in some feel to the shot too.

Just because the marker says 150m I still have to get a feel for wind, elevation and greens before I decide on my iron, same if I use a laser.

If I thought lasering putts would help I'd do it too

FixdePitchmark

dan_ep82 wrote: »

Don't really see much difference from this and landing at the 100/150/200m marker.

The pro's use caddies in a similar way but they add in some feel to the shot too.

Just because the marker says 150m I still have to get a feel for wind, elevation and greens before I decide on my iron, same if I use a laser.

If I thought lasering putts would help I'd do it too

See Dan that is my point. It is progressive.
Kids will expect technology to be part of the game.

only a matter of time some idiot will laser a putt.

Anyway. A bit off topic.

dan_ep82

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

See Dan that is my point. It is progressive.
Kids will expect technology to be part of the game.

only a matter of time some idiot will laser a putt.

Anyway. A bit off topic.

I said it as a joke, it would never help, only in dead straight no break putts where you can read the green speed and execute the stroke perfectly.

I understand where your coming from but I play a good bit with the younger golfers in my club. They only take the laser out on a par 3 or if they're off the fairway or can't find the marker to make a good enough guess. These would be nearly all single figure golfers, and some that took up the game only two years ago so I'm sure there's a benefit from it, but only if you can pull the shot off in the first place.

At a previous question, IIRC the Garmin watches aren't locked to an account.

charlieIRL

dan_ep82 wrote: »

Found my old S1 was at times a club wrong on Headfort Old and New but fairly accurate in Moor Park and Rathcore.

I connected my S1 to my computer today for the first time and there was a ton of updates to be done. Maybe worth looking at

dan_ep82

charlieIRL wrote: »

I connected my S1 to my computer today for the first time and there was a ton of updates to be done. Maybe worth looking at

I had it fully updated.

I noticed sometimes when measuring drives google earth would be off compared to the laser aswell.

Senecio

Most GPS devices all use the same chip set so they will all perform similarly. The difference is in the quality of the mapping firmware updates.

Webbs

I have an old Garmin G3 and I find it can occasionally be a fair bit out standing on a tee box for par4s and 5s, it however is usually damn close when measuring to hazards from the tee not sure how that works but hey its technology above my head.

Also, I tend out of habit to glance at the screen when passing 50, 100 markers both at my own course and especially when away and it is very very rarely more than a couple of yards out.

There will always be the odd time when GPS will be wildly out, a friend has a golfbuddy I think and on one of our home holes it says he has about 40yds to the green after a drive when in fact its nearer 200!

Neither GPS or Laser are perfect and both provide us with a little help after looking at wind, slope, which way the grass is growing, whether we are playing a baby draw or a high cut, before chunking one 50yds down the fairway

First Up

I use a laser and frankly don't understand why anyone would use anything else. 100% accurate all the time. I assume with GPS that - as a general rule - you get what you pay for. I.e. the more expensive gadgets are likely to be better.

GreeBo

First Up wrote: »

I use a laser and frankly don't understand why anyone would use anything else. 100% accurate all the time. I assume with GPS that - as a general rule - you get what you pay for. I.e. the more expensive gadgets are likely to be better.

Hills, trees, doglegs.

First Up

GreeBo wrote: »

Hills, trees, doglegs.

All visible and measurable with a laser. If you are on an unfamiliar course with a lake over the hill, fair enough but how often does that happen?

GreeBo

First Up wrote: »

All visible and measurable with a laser. If you are on an unfamiliar course with a lake over the hill, fair enough but how often does that happen?

Visible yes, with a GPS I can see and measure beyond them.
You can't with a laser.

"How far is that bunker past the dogleg?"

- First Up "Dunno, the dogleg is 230 away though"
- GreeBo "Front of the bunker is 250 from here, 265 to carry it, also its 275 to run out of fairway"

Webbs

First Up wrote: »

I use a laser and frankly don't understand why anyone would use anything else. 100% accurate all the time. I assume with GPS that - as a general rule - you get what you pay for. I.e. the more expensive gadgets are likely to be better.

I know I shouldnt but I'll say it anyway, neither method is perfect, a laser is only 100% accurate from where you get a line of sight, trees, mounds etc could all prevent that.
GPS shortcomings have been discussed in this thread and elsewhere and I think the more expensive the GPS just means more features not necessarily more accurate.

edit: oops seen greebos post and agree with him

Macker1

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

Because people are using an electronic aid.

Shouldn't be part of the game.

Lads are now lazering from 40 feet.

It is progressive too. Lads lose skills they should have.

Anyway I'm a loner on this. But only a matter of time till it tells you club you hit on a certain shot.

It is the first step that never should have happened.

My eyesight is a little iffy so I find the watch to be a great help when making my mind up about distance and club selection. Can never see myself using a laser for a number of reasons.

1. Cost
2. Not at a standard were my game is that precise
3. Hands are too shaky at times.

The watch is very discrete, a quick glance and away you go

Using a laser to me is a joke unless you are good enough to pull off the shots.
The amount of high handicap players I see using them makes me wonder if they have their head screwed on. Surely it would be better to invest in lessons to improve their game.

Que the following scenario.

100 yards out approx, picks out the laser which measures 103 yards to pin. Steps up takes aim and skulls the ball 30 yards into the water.

First Up

Macker1 wrote: »

My eyesight is a little iffy so I find the watch to be a great help when making my mind up about distance and club selection. Can never see myself using a laser for a number of reasons.

1. Cost
2. Not at a standard were my game is that precise
3. Hands are too shaky at times.

The watch is very discrete, a quick glance and away you go

Using a laser to me is a joke unless you are good enough to pull off the shots.
The amount of high handicap players I see using them makes me wonder if they have their head screwed on. Surely it would be better to invest in lessons to improve their game.

Que the following scenario.

100 yards out approx, picks out the laser which measures 103 yards to pin. Steps up takes aim and skulls the ball 30 yards into the water.

The situations I use the laser most (in fact I would say almost only) are checking how far to reach or to clear a hazard and the distance to pin - including how much green from front to flag. This information is all available from a laser and all require accuracy. From what I've read in this thread and elsewhere, that is the one thing for which GPS (some) are least reliable.

The other situations for which GPS has been advocated are once in a blue moon stuff - if even that.

GreeBo

First Up wrote: »

The situations I use the laser most (in fact I would say almost only) are checking how far to reach or to clear a hazard and the distance to pin - including how much green from front to flag. This information is all available from a laser and all require accuracy. From what I've read in this thread and elsewhere, that is the one thing for which GPS (some) are least reliable.

The other situations for which GPS has been advocated are once in a blue moon stuff - if even that.

GPS is perfect for getting the length of the green and thus how much room there is. I'd guess its at least as accurate as pointing a laser somewhere near the start/end of a green.

Once in a blue moon that you cannot see a hazard from your current location?
Once in a blue moon that you play on a dogleg?
Once in a blue moon that you have a blind shot up/down a hill?

Where do you play, the desert?

First Up

GreeBo wrote: »

GPS is perfect for getting the length of the green and thus how much room there is. I'd guess its at least as accurate as pointing a laser somewhere near the start/end of a green.

Once in a blue moon that you cannot see a hazard from your current location?
Once in a blue moon that you play on a dogleg?
Once in a blue moon that you have a blind shot up/down a hill?

Where do you play, the desert?

Nothing worse than hitting it 280 over a dogleg to carry a bunker and running out of fairway. Hate that.

I play mostly on courses with yardage markers to front of green. Most GPS give distances to front middle and back. If you are looking at an elevated green 130+ yards away, I defy anyone to say with confidence where the flag is. With my laser I can tell exactly and using the yardage markers can work out the rest.

Webbs

GreeBo wrote: »

GPS is perfect for getting the length of the green and thus how much room there is. I'd guess its at least as accurate as pointing a laser somewhere near the start/end of a green.

Once in a blue moon that you cannot see a hazard from your current location?
Once in a blue moon that you play on a dogleg?
Once in a blue moon that you have a blind shot up/down a hill?

Where do you play, the desert?

Or if your like me and my wayward driving, I always seem to be behind some trees!

GreeBo

First Up wrote: »

Nothing worse than hitting it 280 over a dogleg to carry a bunker and running out of fairway. Hate that.

I play mostly on courses with yardage markers to front of green. Most GPS give distances to front middle and back. If you are looking at an elevated green 130+ yards away, I defy anyone to say with confidence where the flag is. With my laser I can tell exactly and using the yardage markers can work out the rest.

If you hit it 280 then it doesnst matter if its over trees, a bunker or the carpark, air is air.
Some of our more esteemed posters can carry it easily 320 over a carpark, driving bay and into the Amazon beyond. This is a real problem for them.

I get the exact length of the green and pin positions tell me if its front middle or back. Thats easily accurate enough for me at my level and at least as accurate as you trying to determine where the green stats and stops imo.

First Up

GreeBo wrote: »

If you hit it 280 then it doesnst matter if its over trees, a bunker or the carpark, air is air.
Some of our more esteemed posters can carry it easily 320 over a carpark, driving bay and into the Amazon beyond. This is a real problem for them.

I get the exact length of the green and pin positions tell me if its front middle or back. Thats easily accurate enough for me at my level and at least as accurate as you trying to determine where the green stats and stops imo.

The most valuable information for me is the reading that tells me if I should use my 48, 52 or 58 wedge and that needs a fair bit of precision. The location of the car park is a bonus that I hope I don't need.

redhill

GreeBo wrote: »

Visible yes, with a GPS I can see and measure beyond them.
You can't with a laser.

"How far is that bunker past the dogleg?"

- First Up "Dunno, the dogleg is 230 away though"
- GreeBo "Front of the bunker is 250 from here, 265 to carry it, also its 275 to run out of fairway"

that is available with a laser as well, i have an 5-6 yr old Bushnell 1600 and it has a scan mode which will scan bunkers etc en route to the green and give u these readings as well as the distance to the flag, it doesn't get used very often as the pinseeker mode is better for me

GreeBo

redhill wrote: »

that is available with a laser as well, i have an 5-6 yr old Bushnell 1600 and it has a scan mode which will scan bunkers etc en route to the green and give u these readings as well as the distance to the flag, it doesn't get used very often as the pinseeker mode is better for me

Not through trees or around a corner it wont!

SaveOurLyric

I frankly dont understand why anyone bothers with a laser and, due how slow they are to use, glad that they are distinct rarity. GPS has well and truly won that war. If the number of people I see using GPS these days had lasers in their hands then the slow play problem would have taken a dramatic turn for the worse. Its bad enough already.
GPS is more than accurate enough for all but the most elite players. Has not time delay, and provides measurement in more situations that are possible with laser as discussed above. Its not even a serious contest anymore.

First Up

SaveOurLyric wrote: »

I frankly dont understand why anyone bothers with a laser and, due how slow they are to use, glad that they are distinct rarity. GPS has well and truly won that war. If the number of people I see using GPS these days had lasers in their hands then the slow play problem would have taken a dramatic turn for the worse. Its bad enough already.
GPS is more than accurate enough for all but the most elite players. Has not time delay, and provides measurement in more situations that are possible with laser as discussed above. Its not even a serious contest anymore.

Tell that to the pros.

SaveOurLyric

First Up wrote: »

Tell that to the pros.

I dont think many of them read this forum so I was posting with amateurs in mind.

GreeBo

First Up wrote: »

Tell that to the pros.

" all but the most elite"?
honestly I'd want both as I think they both serve a need, but if I had to choose one I'd pick GPS

First Up

SaveOurLyric wrote: »

I dont think many of them read this forum so I was posting with amateurs in mind.

GPS users have spoken (in this forum) of 10-15 vard variation. That would make it useless for my needs in selecting which wedge. Pro caddies use the laser because it is the most accurate. Why would you choose the less accurate device?

SaveOurLyric

First Up wrote: »

GPS users have spoken (in this forum) of 10-15 vard variation. That would make it useless for my needs in selecting which wedge. Pro caddies use the laser because it is the most accurate. Why would you choose the less accurate device?

That seems to be down to poor devices not the fundamental technology.
I have both a GolfBuddy World and Bushnell Pinseeker 1500. I play two courses. The difference between the two on either (when I used to take the laser. Its sitting at home for the last year+) when I checked them was 2-3 yards up or down.
If that mattered to me, you would be watching me in Valhalla at the moment instead of reading my posts here....

neckedit

GreeBo wrote: »

" all but the most elite"?
honestly I'd want both as I think they both serve a need, but if I had to choose one I'd pick GPS

Here ya go.....

http://www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Hybrid-Pinseeker-Laser-Rangefinder/dp/B004LY3UV2