nta73
Assistant Pro
Anybody use a gps watch?, luvs a gadget me and am thinking of getting one. Any recommendations which one?
GPS watches
- Thread starter nta73
- Start date
Smiffy
Grand Slam Winner
I used to have a Garmin S1. It was ok if all you needed to know were the distances to front/middle/back of green.
I have recently purchased a Bushnell Neo XS watch and find this much better as not only does it give you the above, but will also give you distances for up to 4 hazards per hole, plus a lot more information besides like how long you have actually been on the course and how far you have walked. The hazards feature is very useful if you are playing a strange course.
The other plus for the Bushnell is battery longevity.
The Garmin S1 was good for 18 holes, maybe another 9 or 10 in the afternoon if you were playing 36. But it wouldn't last the whole two rounds.
The Bushnell lasts for up to 3 rounds.
I played (if you can call it that) yesterday, used the watch throughout and when I came off after the game checked the amount of battery life remaining and it was still reading three quarters left.
I have recently purchased a Bushnell Neo XS watch and find this much better as not only does it give you the above, but will also give you distances for up to 4 hazards per hole, plus a lot more information besides like how long you have actually been on the course and how far you have walked. The hazards feature is very useful if you are playing a strange course.
The other plus for the Bushnell is battery longevity.
The Garmin S1 was good for 18 holes, maybe another 9 or 10 in the afternoon if you were playing 36. But it wouldn't last the whole two rounds.
The Bushnell lasts for up to 3 rounds.
I played (if you can call it that) yesterday, used the watch throughout and when I came off after the game checked the amount of battery life remaining and it was still reading three quarters left.
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SkyCaddie watch for me, gives me what I need, front, middle & back yardages, tells me the par of the hole also, lots of other features such as I can mark the ball and check my yardage, enter my score and download it if I wish and much more... :smirk:
The battery life is also excellent, I've played 36 holes and it still has plenty of life in it, I charge it through my computer or cigarette lighter at times.
Most importantly though, its always up to date with the changes that clubs make to their courses :thup:
The battery life is also excellent, I've played 36 holes and it still has plenty of life in it, I charge it through my computer or cigarette lighter at times.
Most importantly though, its always up to date with the changes that clubs make to their courses :thup:
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Allanxyz
Head Pro
I've got a Garmin S4... Like it a lot, but haven't had anything else to compare it to.
Battery lasts 36 holes
Lots of features
scorecard and associated statistics are a bit fiddly so I don't use them
front, middle and back, plus a greenview feature which allows you to move the flag on the green so you have front middle and flag - only really use this when playing on a course with big greens...
layup distances to 100 and 150 plus dogleg distance
you can manually add points such as a hazard... If you play on the same course regularly
measure your shot
total distance walked
overall, pretty happy with it....
Battery lasts 36 holes
Lots of features
scorecard and associated statistics are a bit fiddly so I don't use them
front, middle and back, plus a greenview feature which allows you to move the flag on the green so you have front middle and flag - only really use this when playing on a course with big greens...
layup distances to 100 and 150 plus dogleg distance
you can manually add points such as a hazard... If you play on the same course regularly
measure your shot
total distance walked
overall, pretty happy with it....
jhills89
Medal Winner
Garmin s4 as well for me. Did have a bushnell. But went to 1 course and it told me I was playing a 550 yard par 5 instead of a 127 par 3. Never any faults with s4 to date in both uk and Europe
DaveL
Assistant Pro
I've got a Bushnell neo+, and am very happy with it, I chose it over the garmin series as the equivalent model the battery life on the garmin was not as good. The only problem I have with it, is that on my local course it will not change holes between the 10th and 11th tee, even though green to tee it is probably the biggest distance on the course. don't figure
Plenty at my place use one for simple front, middle and back readings and are perfectly happy. Mind you plenty of GPS devices on offer at the moment if you want something a bit more sophisticated although on a budget a watch is ideal
I have a Garmin S1 watch. It only gives the yardage to front, middle and back of the green, but 99% of the time that is all you need. You can get 36 holes out of it, as long as you don't start it up until you are on the 1st tee, and you switch it off as you walk off the 18th green. Only real downside is its one piece construction, so if the strap breaks you have to send it back to Garmin for an exchange unit, which costs about £65. 
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Another vote for the Skycaddie watch, most accurate as skycaddie walk the courses and no subscription, it's optional only if you want to start keeping scores etc online.
F/m/b is really all you need unless you're very consistent with your yardages.
F/m/b is really all you need unless you're very consistent with your yardages.
daveyc2k2
Tour Rookie
I was just looking at the watches as considering upgrading my Garmin S1 to something that gives me hazards etc.
Is there any difference between the Skycaddie Watch and the Shotsaver SG225X. To me they look exactly the same watch? Any one tried on or the other?
Is there any difference between the Skycaddie Watch and the Shotsaver SG225X. To me they look exactly the same watch? Any one tried on or the other?
spongebob59
Journeyman Pro
I had this problem too, just emailed they and they remapped it.
Garush34
Journeyman Pro
Got the Garmin S1. All I need is the basic yardage. Great for playing different courses. I can get 36 out of it no bother. You can shot measure and walking distance with it too.
Great piece of kit and can be picked up for a decent price now I think.
Great piece of kit and can be picked up for a decent price now I think.
A main difference will be your guaranteed of updates (course changes) on the SkyCaddie possibly years before the Shotsaver!
Curls
Journeyman Pro
I've got the S3, love it, takes some of the guess work out of approaches, cant compare it to other models but I doubt you'd be disappointed with it.
dufferman
Journeyman Pro
Bought my S1 on Black Friday on Amazon for a mere £80. Bargain. Does what I need - front, middle and back greens. Don't play too many unfamiliar courses so not worried about hazards etc. I've not used it over more than 18 holes but it's not been near dying after a round. It has a pedometer in it, I've not turned that on so that might save some battery if you do have it on.
They're £110 in American Golf atm, worth a look at least!
cliveb
Head Pro
One comment about the Garmin S1. I got *extremely* irritated about how long it took to lock on to satellites. It would routinely take more than 5 mins, and often timeout and give up. Was beginning to think it was a piece of cr*p.
Then I discovered that it locks on *much* quicker (usually within 30 secs) if it's not on my wrist. Now I just put it on the trolley while it's searching. Once locked on, I put it on my wrist and then it's fine.
Then I discovered that it locks on *much* quicker (usually within 30 secs) if it's not on my wrist. Now I just put it on the trolley while it's searching. Once locked on, I put it on my wrist and then it's fine.
daveyc2k2
Tour Rookie
I've never had problems with connecting to satellites on my S1. The only problems I have experienced are condensation, I sent my first one back and had it replaced, however the 2nd one is now doing, only when it's cold. It still works fine but can be quite annoying sometimes.
slicer79
Challenge Tour Pro
I've started to have the same problem with condensation on the S1 in last couple weeks. Maybe from leaving it in side pocket of bag I'd say
Steve Coll
Assistant Pro
I bought an S1 this week I've never used gps if any kind on a course before , I'm looking forward to hopefully being more accurate with my distances and club selection - just need to go the the range to get my average yardages.
Green Bay Hacker
Journeyman Pro
I bought a SkyCaddie watch last December and it gives me the front/middle/back info that I am looking for. There were not supposed to be any annual fees anymore so I was a bit peeved when it told me my subscription renewal was due. Bit the bullet though and registered and then found the renewal was free so all is rosey again.
