Student On a budget looking for gps advice

[tobyteams]

Hello, Im looking for some tips on which golf gps radar or laser units the best. I am a student keen to get back into the game but do have limited funds! I have heard from my father that the skycaddie brand are not too good because of the subscription fees. But i seem to have spent all weekend looking around online and my local pro hasnt been much help.

Im torn between the bushnell tour v2 or a Leupold, but im not sure if gps would be better for me as i do tend to rely on course planners. Thanks in advance and just to clear things up my main questions are-

Gps or laser?

Any sites with discount codes?

Are used/ex demo units any good and where would I find them?I have tried ebay but am put off from bad past experiences.

My budget is around £150 to £200 max.
If anyone can point me in the direction of any recent reviews that would be great, sorry for the questions im just getting in a muddle,

Cheers, Toby

 

[ADB]

If you are a member somewhere and looking to play competitively, there are loads of threads about GPS units - just try the search function on the forum.

If you are playing socially and have a suitable phone, save your dosh and put a free app which gives simple yardages, such as Freecaddie.

Welcome BTW

 

[Oddsocks]

general thoughts ive seen are if you always hit fairways, a range finder is good, but if your someone who sprays it a bit and plays from weird places a gps i more suited.

I really wanted a S1 garmin watch that has no fees, but cant play wearing a watch so went with a mars100, was only £120, and then course downloads are about £1.40 per course download.

 

[Val]

I picked up a skycaddie SG5 for £180, superb piece of kit.

 

[Monty_Brown]

Hi Toby,

Welcome to the forum.

If you really are looking to save money, I'd say borrow one, get up the practice ground and measure your club carry averages throughout the bag.

Then either get a strokesaver or course guide for your home course and learn distances on those. Don't bother with buying one.

On away courses, pace your yardages from 100, 150 and 200yd markers. Job done. I know they are not always accurate, but unless you're a pro, I doubt that 4-5 yards difference is going to destroy your scoring.

Or as suggested above, get a free GPS app on your phone, use it in practice rounds and then commit key distances to memory.... should be possible.

I am sure I'll be disagreed with my some, but if you're on a budget, there are far better things to spend money on... green fees, annual subs, lessons,etc.

Why are you sure you need a GPS if you're just getting back into the game? Not being snotty, I am curious, as I'm sure you can guess, I don't use a GPS.

 

[tobyteams]

Thanks for all the tips, I dont have a very good phone just an old Nokia which is little more use than a brick! Where did you get the sg5 from?I have just googled and found some refurb ones which seem to be a good deal but again Im put off by membership fees. Im not a member, I usually just book through teeofftimes which is actually cheaper than being student member for some reason.

 

[Andy]

Toby

Have a look here www. golfgps.org.uk and use Discount Code GolfScotland (5%) Free delivery also.

 

[fundy]

I have a callaway upro which although not the latest model is more than competent and their course coverage is very good (obv check their website to make sure they cover the courses youre likely to play)

You can pick them up either 2nd hand or new on ebay for around the £100 mark (2nd hand often go cheaper). the basic mode is free and you get front middle back yardages, if you want the pro courses I think they are £30 for lifetime (well worth paying)

 

[tobyteams]

Thanks, have just had a look, code seems to take money off so just taking a look around there site now, its golfscotland yeah?

 

[Andy]

Thanks, have just had a look, code seems to take money off so just taking a look around there site now, its golfscotland yeah?

Yes

 

[jchubs]

I picked up a skycaddie SG5 for £180, superb piece of kit.

Agreed..!!

 

[patricks148]

I've got the Bushnell laser and it great for this time of year i i'm the only person in our group that know how far it is to the temp greens

 

[Scazza]

Toby

Have a look here www. golfgps.org.uk and use Discount Code GolfScotland (5%) Free delivery also.

Thanks for posting this Andy!

Great deals to be had! Refurbished SG5 for less than £120 (inc 5% discount)!

 

[tobyteams]

ThAnks Andy, have just finished an essay and celebrated by buying an sg5 ex demo, good to see discount codes that work, and free postage to scotland always good. thanks for all your help guys. Looking at the weather forecast up here im not sure how much use i'll get n next few weeks.Hope you guys down south have more luck

 

[Karl102]

i love my garmin s1 watch. would highly recommend.

Thanks

 

[chrisd]

Hi Toby, welcome to the forum!

If you go to the review section and type in Hillman, there are a number of reviews about their rangefinders. Very good reports I believe, and a really competitive price


Chris

 

[AuburnWarrior]

Another shout out for the Callaway uPro! A great piece of kit! I paid £150 which included one ProMode course download. You can download any course in basic mode for free so, once you've laid out for the cost of the unit, you can never spend another penny on it.

Result!