GPS or Bushnell Range Finder

[Gubog]

Decided to invest but so many pros & cons, GPS shows you distance to hazards etc, Rangefinder does'nt, you can get accurate distance measurements by lasering your ball with Bushnell, not sure about GPS, I assume a GPS would not update moved flag positions on the green so a laser would be better, GPS you can see what is coming on screen, laser has no subscription fees, HELP

 

[HomerJSimpson]

As I tend to play from places without a direct line of sight to the flag I need my GPS to give me an idea of what is in front. The SC gives you a chance to move the flag position on the screen to replicate approximately where it is on the green and then gives you another read-out.

 

[drawboy]

I prefer the gps to a range finder as Homer said there are so many places on the course that makes it difficult to get a line of sight. At least the gps works anywhere.

 

[SammmeBee]

I prefer laser to gps as you don't have to worry about if the gps measurement is correct (unless you get a Sky Caddie) and you don't have to download anything. A gps works anywhere - just point and shoot.

 

[USER1999]

Lazer also has better battery life.

Trouble is, I borrowed a lazer, and felt a bit of a knob peering through it. Especially if I then played my usual duff shot afterwards, and did the whole thing again.

With my GPS, a quick look at my bag, and I'm ready to go. Subtle, so no one really notices.

To me, if you are low single figures, and tend to fire directly at the pin, a lazer is the way to go. If you spray it around a bit, and tend to go for front, middle or back of the green in sectors, then a gps is fine.

Unless you regularly play somewhere with huge greens, front middle and back is all the info you need. Especially with more and more courses having coloured flags indicating pin position.

To me the difference is clear cut, I'm not good enough to worry about the pin, so I'm in the gps camp.

 

[richart]

I am looking to get myself for Xmas a Shotmiser G500. About £260, and includes £500 of course downloads if purchased before end of December. Normally £5 a course. 100 courses will do for me and there are no annual subs. Screen is one of the biggest, which should suit my poor eyes !

 

[Oddsocks]

Like the reply murph and agree totally, using a gps app on my iPhone and it really comes into it's own if you have sprayed one up the wrong hole off the tee etc , you can plot your shots to work out the required carry, something I doubt you could get with a lazer

 

[Imurg]

Lazer also has better battery life.

Trouble is, I borrowed a lazer, and felt a bit of a knob peering through it. Especially if I then played my usual duff shot afterwards, and did the whole thing again.

With my GPS, a quick look at my bag, and I'm ready to go. Subtle, so no one really notices.

To me, if you are low single figures, and tend to fire directly at the pin, a lazer is the way to go. If you spray it around a bit, and tend to go for front, middle or back of the green in sectors, then a gps is fine.

Unless you regularly play somewhere with huge greens, front middle and back is all the info you need. Especially with more and more courses having coloured flags indicating pin position.

To me the difference is clear cut, I'm not good enough to worry about the pin, so I'm in the gps camp.

Wot he said.....

 

[Toby_LeRhone]

A laser can be used anywhere; pretty handy for the range or anywhere you practice off-course. I would prefer a GPS though, not that I have one.

 

[rickg]

Got the Bushnell laser V2 first and its s great bit of kit, but when you play an away course with blind drives or stray off course, it's not as good.

I then got a SkyCaddie SGX which is superb, especially if the course has had the advanced mapping features.

I use the GPS most of the time and then get the laser out when the flag is approx 100 yds & under.

 

[Split_Fairway]

neither- use your feet

 

[HomerJSimpson]

If you ever play a foresaken goat track like Lydd there is nothing to take a measurment on. Flat and soulless. That is why GPS wins for me. At least you've always got a reading to a set point even it you can't see it

 

[Yerman]

Get best of both worlds- buy both!

simples

 

[Marko77]

From what I can see the comments above are all very valid.

Until recently all I had experienced was GPS and was very happy with that until it went on the blink and have recently seen first hand the Bushnell V2.

As Murph says, the GPS is subtle and provides enough knowledge to allow a quick decision that will suit many of us - front, middle, back. If you know where the flag is (roughly) on the green and want to get specific you can move the dot around the green and adjust the yardage to try get a more accurate number.

I was impressed with the Bushnell. As already said, the direct line of sight is an issue though and only you can really decide whether this would impact greatly on you. I liked it for standing on tee's and fairway's and being able to get distances to tree's, bunkers, etc.

If I didn't already have the GPS and was looking to get one or the either today I would go with the laser.