What GPS ...

[Oddsocks]

I know this has been done before but with technology evolving constantly I thought it was worth a repost.

After being unlucky enough to buy a non working sonocaddie XV2 from ebay, I now find myself in the position of needing to purchase a GPS.

Now im not after one that does stat manager etc, but one that merely offers course plotting with hazzard distances. Id prefer one with no course download charges also.

Ive looked at the sonocaddie V300, and its still in the running but i was hoping not to have to spend that much, the Garmin S1 watch is still a possible but I dont wear a watch so would ideally like to try one to see if i can play in it without interference.

Ideal budget is around £150-£200 MAX>

Cally U pro is out as they dont have my course and 3 other locals mapped dispite requests 6 months ago.

 

[john0]

You dont want much do you

 

[Oddsocks]

go-planet mars 100?

 

[john0]

go-planet mars 100?

They dont do hazard distances etc, only front, centre and back of greens

 

[GB72]

I am not sure that what you are looking for exists. I looked at a lot of GPS devices and there is pretty much a split between cheaper units with expensive course downloads (Caddielite), mid priced units with subscriptions (Skycaddie 2.5) or expensive units with no other costs (Sonnocaddie, Golfbuddy). The Garmin watch is a reasonable middle ground but only gives readings to front/middle/back of the green.

I think that there is a new Sonnocaddie V500 out soon so you may see a price cut soon on the V300 or V350

 

[Oddsocks]

go-planet mars 100?

They dont do hazard distances etc, only front, centre and back of greens

from what i can see this is all the Garmin S1 does, but its £175 against the Mars @ £130. The mars also features a scorecard. I know its basic but as a rule my only issue is approach to greens, i normally know if i can reach a lake or not as an example. its incorrect distance markers on courses that make a GPS viable, so something like the S1 or Mars100 could surfice quite easily.

 

[john0]

Well I have the Mars 100, had it for over a year now, might even be 2, and can fully recommend. Only costs are $9.99 for lifetime membership then $1.99 for each course download (or you can buy bundles of 5 or 10 couses etc). Once downloaded they all stay on the device for as long as you want them. The device holds around 80 courses I believe. I only recharge mine after 3 rounds of usage, could possibly even stretch the battery to 4 rounds if I tried.

Got mine new from Amazon for £104, and that was upto 2 years ago so if you shopped around you could prob get one for less than £130

 

[upinsmoke]

I've just got my S1 from Direct Golf for £136 using the Golf Monthly 10% discount code.

Yet to get out and use it but it covers all the courses I've played (apart from Luton Hoo) and all the ones around the Dordogne region where I am in the summer.

Distance to front/middle/back of green is all I want from a GPS.

 

[Oddsocks]

Well I have the Mars 100, had it for over a year now, might even be 2, and can fully recommend. Only costs are $9.99 for lifetime membership then $1.99 for each course download (or you can buy bundles of 5 or 10 couses etc). Once downloaded they all stay on the device for as long as you want them. The device holds around 80 courses I believe. I only recharge mine after 3 rounds of usage, could possibly even stretch the battery to 4 rounds if I tried.

Got mine new from Amazon for £104, and that was upto 2 years ago so if you shopped around you could prob get one for less than £130

This sounds just about perfect. $1.99 is only what £1.40 a course. i can use the iphone in bounce games, but im fed up with people knowing i have my phone on so constantly ringing it. even though its on silent you can still here it buzzing, not good and also not allowed in comps so a GPS and job done.

Do you know if the membership is per calender year (IE Jan-Dec) or for 12 months at a time.?

 

[john0]

It's a one-off cost of $9.99 for a lifetime membership, then like u say only £1.40 ish per course after that

 

[Fyldewhite]

I've finally caved in and just bought the Snooper S320. Will be taking it out for the first time later today. Seems a good robust unit and I went for it after playing in an invitation last week with a partner who had one. It has hazards as well as front/middle/back and more importantly has 4500 courses abailable out of the box and free downloads as more are mapped and no subscription. It can also be upgraded to a car satnav for another £50. Got the device, charger, car charger, cover and trolly attachement and car windscreen holder for £165.

 

[Oddsocks]

Fyldewhite , thats seems a good deal was it new.

 

[Tiger]

Oddsocks if you could save a bit more I would highly recommend the Shotmiser G500. Price should come down a bit when the 700 comes out. You get 100 free course downloads. Touch screen and get distance to any point on the course. It zooms in and rotates as you get closer to the hole. It's brilliant IMHO.

 

[Fyldewhite]

Fyldewhite , thats seems a good deal was it new.

Yes it was, a "buy it now" price on eBay.

Took it out in knock out match tonight and the only thing I could fault was that the screen is not brilliant in sunlight but I imagine most are similar in bright light and I didn't have it on maximum brightness. Accuracy seemed spot on with the distance markers and it certainly adds confidence even from inside 100 yards. I was surprised a couple of times when I still had 60 yards when I would have estimated 50 and knocked a couple close from that range.

 

[bobmac]

Accuracy seemed spot on with the distance markers and it certainly adds confidence even from inside 100 yards. I was surprised a couple of times when I still had 60 yards when I would have estimated 50 and knocked a couple close from that range.

Inside 100 yards is when I use mine most