GPS watches - Skycaddie linx or Garmin S2/S3

[Johnny H]

Hi all

I've been looking around for a GPS watch and think I'm now down to 2. The garmin S2 or S3 (if find one cheap enough) and the Skycaddie linx.

I was just wondering what you thought about them, if you've got one what do you think about it etc??

Thanks Johnny

 

[Beezerk]

http://forums.golf-monthly.co.uk/showthread.php?76484-GPS-watches

 

[Johnny H]

Had a read though that already

Didn't really get what I wanted from it.

I'm looking for some guys that can give me pros and cons on both.

Looking for battery life, how they work in cloudy days etc.

Thanks anyway mate :cheers:

 

[CliveW]

I don't see how clouds will affect it. My choice would be the TomTom. http://www.tomtom.com/en_gb/sports/golf/products/golfer-gps-watch/grey-green/

 

[Johnny H]

Somebody told me that there garmin s3 wasn't very accurate on a round and it turned out to be due to cloud cover.

 

[Beezerk]

Somebody told me that there garmin s3 wasn't very accurate on a round and it turned out to be due to cloud cover.

Never heard of that one mate. We wouldn't get a Sky signal to dishes most days if that were the case

 

[Spuddy]

Somebody told me that there garmin s3 wasn't very accurate on a round and it turned out to be due to cloud cover.

That's impossible. Trees/buildings, yes but clouds don't affect GPS.

 

[Smiffy]

That's impossible. Trees/buildings, yes but clouds don't affect GPS.

Thick, fluffy ones might do

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Thick, fluffy ones might do

Nope

Heavy rain has a small chance of affecting the signal from the sat - but not very likely.

 

[Smiffy]

Nope

Heavy rain has a small chance of affecting the signal from the sat - but not very likely.

Errr...........I was joking Phil

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Errr...........I was joking Phil

I'm not sure with you these days after reading your chipper thread - thought you might be going crazy

 

[Smiffy]

I'm not sure with you these days after reading your chipper thread - thought you might be going crazy

That chipper is going to transform my game Phil.
Mark my words

 

[Deleted member 15344]

That chipper is going to transform my game Phil.
Mark my words

Good luck mate - you will need it !

 

[apj0524]

I have a Sky Caddie Linx and have been using it for 3 months now.

Pros
Accurate to about 3 yards (Checked with my Laser so good enough for me)
I like the fact that skycaddie walk the courses as as opposed to using GPS Maps
Very light so don't know I'm wearing it when playing
Battery Life Ok for two rounds in GPS mode
I like the additional features that you get having a membership Intelligreen and Trueground
I am on call so being able to Bluetooth it to my phone so I see alerts is good for but not everyone
It is not a sealed unit so if the strap breaks or the battery needs changing I think it will not be too much of an issue (It is an issue with the Skycaddie Watch from what i have read on the Skycaddie Forum)
I think, considering the features it is Good Value at £159 (most palces have it for around £169 but I found a discount code for Online Golf)


Cons
1st One had to go back as it was faulty, but their customer service was very good so do not be put off by this
Having to take a membership to get the added features.
I have a Mac Book and Syncing with Mac has been a pain to set up but all good now
Never used the Bluetooth Sync

Hope this helps

 

[matt71]

I have a S3 and think its superb. Never had an issue finding signal/course and been very good even when cloudy.

Was flipping between S1 or S3 but went for the S3 as I could use it in the states when we play out there but also it has an option to add scores, course hazards and also distance tracking.

It does have an option to adjust pin position if you know before hand where they may be but to be honest never felt the need for it.

If you have any more questions pm me and will do my best to answer them for you

 

[Johnny H]

Thanks guys.

It's hard to make a decision.

hoping to try the Skycaddie out Saturday then the garmin later in the week.

will let you know how I get on.

anymore input more than welcome

thanks Johnny

 

[Tiger]

I have a S3 and think its superb. Never had an issue finding signal/course and been very good even when cloudy.

Was flipping between S1 or S3 but went for the S3 as I could use it in the states when we play out there but also it has an option to add scores, course hazards and also distance tracking.

It does have an option to adjust pin position if you know before hand where they may be but to be honest never felt the need for it.

If you have any more questions pm me and will do my best to answer them for you

Thanks for the thread Johnny was about to start exactly the same one. Matt at the moment I'm leaning towards an S3 in the summer. How fiddly is it to.operate? I've got a laser and a shormiser but the latter is knackered now.

I want to improve my course management and knowing lay up distance or distance to a hazard at a glance rather than lasering would be good. Is it relatively straight forward to operate and does it automatically change as you change holes? Cheers

 

[matt71]

Thanks for the thread Johnny was about to start exactly the same one. Matt at the moment I'm leaning towards an S3 in the summer. How fiddly is it to.operate? I've got a laser and a shormiser but the latter is knackered now.

I want to improve my course management and knowing lay up distance or distance to a hazard at a glance rather than lasering would be good. Is it relatively straight forward to operate and does it automatically change as you change holes? Cheers

Morning mate

Operation is dead easy with its little buttons on the side to input score and measure shots. It also has a touch screen display where you can scroll through holes or check any hazards you have inputted.

The watch will also change holes automatically or if you like me end up on different fairway's a lot you change it manually.

The biggest advantage I have with s3 is you can use it all round Europe and the USA. course updates are free and you can also record your results/round on your computer too.

put it this way I have had mine for about 2 years with no issues and if it ever went bust would not hesitate to buy a new one

 

[farfaeforfar]

Somebody told me that there garmin s3 wasn't very accurate on a round and it turned out to be due to cloud cover.

Cloud cover couldn't and wouldn't cause loss of GPS signals. Thunder / Lightning may effect the GPS signal from some or most, that would depend on the size of clouds Vs. GPS satellite availability.

The only time GPS coverage can be poor is if you are in a heavily built up area or heavily tree lined fairways. But with 30 odd GPS satellites in orbit you should find one. But you will encounter errors due to the treelines if that bad.

One last thing to remember is at present, GPS is in reality only good for accuracies or around 15m. Anything better than that isn't a guarentee. Skycaddie is a preference as its walked out and takes away the potential position wanderings of GPS. In the future more GPS will have better accuracies but whether golf GPS manufacturers will implement the technology will be interesting.

 

[Tiger]

Morning mate

Operation is dead easy with its little buttons on the side to input score and measure shots. It also has a touch screen display where you can scroll through holes or check any hazards you have inputted.

The watch will also change holes automatically or if you like me end up on different fairway's a lot you change it manually.

The biggest advantage I have with s3 is you can use it all round Europe and the USA. course updates are free and you can also record your results/round on your computer too.

put it this way I have had mine for about 2 years with no issues and if it ever went bust would not hesitate to buy a new one

Cheers thank you :thup: My god I've got a lot of saving to do...