Most accurate GPS

big_drive · 05-08-2014 06:32PM #1

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 · 05-08-2014 06:49PM

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 · 05-08-2014 07:07PM

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 · 05-08-2014 07:28PM

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 · 05-08-2014 07:31PM

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 · 05-08-2014 07:34PM

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 · 05-08-2014 08:12PM

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 · 05-08-2014 08:28PM

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 · 05-08-2014 08:29PM

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 · 05-08-2014 08:37PM

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 · 05-08-2014 08:47PM

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 · 05-08-2014 09:13PM

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

slave1 · 05-08-2014 09:19PM

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 · 05-08-2014 10:40PM

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 · 05-08-2014 10:48PM

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 · 05-08-2014 11:13PM

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 · 05-08-2014 11:16PM

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 · 06-08-2014 07:40AM

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 · 06-08-2014 09:13AM

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 · 06-08-2014 09:16AM

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 · 06-08-2014 06:14PM

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 · 06-08-2014 09:38PM

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

FixdePitchmark · 06-08-2014 11:13PM

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 · 06-08-2014 11:40PM

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 · 06-08-2014 11:43PM

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 · 07-08-2014 12:10AM

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 · 07-08-2014 12:45AM

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 · 07-08-2014 02:48AM

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 · 07-08-2014 07:42AM

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 · 07-08-2014 09:30AM

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 · 07-08-2014 12:01PM

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.

Most accurate GPS

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