Rangefinders vs GPS

[jgozza]

I know that there is has probably been discussions on this subject but im in need of some help.

I have been wanting to get the Garmin S1 watch as it should be so easy to just glance at your wrist to get the distances however i used my mates Bushnell V2 range finder on 4 holes on sunday and hit the green every time (which is a first...lol) but i think this was knowing the exact distance and was able to choose the appropriate club.

Sooooooo has anybody got any fors and against for each item??

Im sure that they are both great but its just deciding what to go for??

Also if anyone has a direct golf £20 code if you spend £150 that they do not want please pm me the details as this will help to go towards one of them.

Many thanks fellow forumers

 

[AmandaJR]

I have both (belt and braces and all that)! 95% of the time I use the GPS as I find it much easier and a shaky hand with the scope means I mistrust the numbers! We have a couple of holes with long greens and it can be hard to work out where the pin is so I'll sometimes use the scope for those. I like the GPS telling me how far to/to carry a hazard...

 

[pbrown7582]

i have gps and more than happy just knowing front middle and back, we are helped by the use of a olour coded flag system for front middle and back of pin placements.
it is also very useful to know carrys over bunkers etc.
i guess it depends a lot on the type of course you play if there are a few blind shots then a gps would definately be favourite.
i'll leave the rangefinder pros for someone who has one.

 

[Deleted Member 1156]

I've got both but no longer use the GPS. The laser is much more accurate plus you can still use the laser to ping off a distance to any obstacle as long as you can see it.

Only downside is the laser isn't so good in rain.

 

[Alex1975]

With a range finder you get optics so yes you are blasting a lazer at the flag but you also get to have a close up look at exactly where the pin is cut, what the landing zone looks like and so on. Its a much more personal experience than looking at a screen. I also think lazer is faster as it does not have to think about where it is and so on. A rangefinder will give front middle and back but it is better for me to have one reference point, have a quick look how much room I have, put the thing away, pick a club and start planning my shot based on my one reference.

 

[Fish]

I'm just in the process of selling my V2 Tour with PS to pay for a SkyCaddie SG5 I just won on fleabay.

I really like my V2 but I wanted to know the distances of hazards, especially when I couldn't see them and don't think I need both.

 

[jgozza]

Fish if your gonna sell your V2 inbox me the details and i might have it off you if the price is right :thup:

 

[DaveM]

I use the phone GPS at the moment. But hard to see in sunlight. Thinking of getting a rangefinder. As I can also use it for working out club distances on the practise ground. Only need to stick a target where I'm hitting from. Walk to where the balls have landed. Zap the target and bingo distances sorted.

 

[Fish]

Thinking of getting a rangefinder. As I can also use it for working out club distances on the practise ground.

This is an excellent point.

I recently took my range finder to the local range and after a while when I couldn't understand why my 47 degree was landing only around and short of the 75 yard marker, I put my pin seeker on it and it was 105 yards!

One thing my new SkyCaddie won't be able to do but now I know.

I did report it to the lads in the shop but they just shrugged their shoulders.

Will be going elsewhere now with that attitude.

 

[Master-putter]

Im gonna cast a vote for GPS's for a couple of reasons;
Firstly, it offers more information to refine your club selection and type of shot,
Secondly, they require less time because you can look at the screen and choose a club, rather than having to look through the rangefinder,
Thirdly, there are some great GPS's out there for a decent budget such as the Golfbuddy Voice, Garmin S1 Approach Watch, etc. Hope this helps