Rangefinder v GPS watch

RE: Rangefinder v GPS watch

TT Member — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 12:55:30 GMT

I decided to go for both, a Garmin Z80 Rangefinder and a Garmin S10 watch. I'll test them out working with each other and decide if I want to keep that set up or to only use one.

My only worry is I'll dislike them both due to the overly complex and poor UI of the Garmin apps!www.titleist.com/.../osyqdayhjx94kvr2eqfy

RE: Rangefinder v GPS watch

JESUS D — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 20:02:38 GMT

I use the Bushnell ProX2, but I also traditionally pick up a yardage book if it's a new course. I do that for a couple of reasons, 1) I like to collect them and 2) I am not a big fan of GPS. In any case the Bushnell works great and I feel like it's more accurate.

RE: Rangefinder v GPS watch

Alex N — Mon, 16 Mar 2020 10:47:07 GMT

I use a rangefinder and love it! It’s a small Nikon Coolshot and fits right in my back pocket. I recently got a magnet for it so I can just stick it to the cart. It’s accurate and easy to use. However, I’ve had my eyes on a GPS watch simply for stat tracking purposes. I’ve waited to purchase one to allow the technology to advance by a few years. I hear nothing but good things about the Shot Scope system. The only negatives I have heard are size of the watch and battery life. Because of those complaints I held off on purchasing the system. Now there’s a Shot Scope v3 coming out and supposedly it has a better battery life and smaller profile. I’m considering picking this up to start tracking my stats over the phone app that I’ve been using for several years now.

RE: Rangefinder v GPS watch

Diggey — Sun, 15 Mar 2020 22:14:05 GMT

I use the Bushnell Phantom and it works great in addition to the course markers.

RE: Rangefinder v GPS watch

Michael B — Sun, 15 Mar 2020 16:23:10 GMT

I've used a Nikon for around 2 years now. gr8 bit of kit but a bit frustration on some of the hilly courses I play. not having a clear sight to pin has me running up hills to try and get a yardage :-)
I now carry both my Nikon coolshot and garmin G80 my good lady bought me for Christmas.
Can highly recommend the g80, fantastic on the range with radar, club speed and yardage (loads more) and can be used as a on course as gps too. I will prob keep both but don't use the nikon as much now. garmin is a tad pricey though.

RE: Rangefinder v GPS watch

Jason R — Sat, 14 Mar 2020 17:57:29 GMT

I have the Bushnell Hybrid and I love it! I get the best of both worlds. Accurate distance to the flag stick with some basic GPS yardages.

RE: Rangefinder v GPS watch

Lance P — Sat, 14 Mar 2020 13:25:03 GMT

[quote user="richbow9"]Used a watch for years until the battery started to suffer. My wife bought me a range finder for Christmas and I much prefer it. It’s made a big difference particularly on par 3’s. Ive had 5 2’s in the space of about 4 rounds recently!

[/quote]

That's great playing...perhaps my watch is hurting me on the Par 3's! That must be why I never stick one close...(wink wink)

RE: Rangefinder v GPS watch

richbow9 — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 16:26:58 GMT

Used a watch for years until the battery started to suffer. My wife bought me a range finder for Christmas and I much prefer it. It’s made a big difference particularly on par 3’s. Ive had 5 2’s in the space of about 4 rounds recently!

RE: Rangefinder v GPS watch

Doug E — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 15:40:08 GMT

I'm a rangefinder guy. Have been for 7 or 8 years now, though used GPS prior. IMO, being able to hit any target you want to get a yardage, be it a tree limb, back edge of a bunker, a mogul you need to clear, whatever, RF is so much more useful. However, there are many times where having a GPS is also helpful, especially on blind shots. Ideally a mixture of both is best. I know there are some options out there that can do both, but I'm happy with my Bushnell V4 Shift.

Frankly, I have a number of programs on my phone that offer me GPS as another source of measurement on the course, but I rarely use any of them. I hate having to use my phone on the course. Besides, I can barely make out anything small on the screen without reading glasses and I am surely not going to wear readers while I'm playing.

RE: Rangefinder v GPS watch

David C — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 12:07:45 GMT

I too, also carry both. I use the tiny Bushnell Phantom clipped to my golf bag for instant front/ middle/ back yardages, and also a lot of hole hazards and obstacles. I also carry a Bushnell Pro X2 for exact yardages and for yardages that are not charted out on the Phantom. I do find the GPS yardages adequate for my game (plus or minus a yard or two, most of the time).

This combination works perfectly for me, even on courses I've never played before.

RE: Rangefinder v GPS watch

Joshua B — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 12:02:50 GMT

I just played a local par 3 course on my lunch break the other day bc it was so nice out (who needs food when there is golf to be had). I paired up with a guy Dave who had a gps watch (Garmin) and I use the cool shot busnell rangefinder. I always thought the watches would be off but our yardage was the same all day. The only hand up I’d have is the hot days wearing a watch

RE: Rangefinder v GPS watch

Eric H — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 11:38:25 GMT

I have an old rangefinder that I love! Its a smaller one, doesn't have any of the great gadgets like vibrating or gps on the side or slope, but I just love being able to shoot a tree in the distance or a bunker lip. I prefer range finder!

RE: Rangefinder v GPS watch

BCH — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 11:27:50 GMT

I use the Bushnell v4 for a couple years now. Really happy. Prefer an exact yardage if I can get that info. Tried a GPS app and was happy with front-back-middle yardage but still wanted distance to pin yardage. I can definitely see an advantage to knowing the info a GPS can provide.

Like anything else in this game, if it adds to your understanding of the shot you want to play, get one!

RE: Rangefinder v GPS watch

Ian K — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 09:29:59 GMT

Hi Lefty

I had the S20 and never had an issue with it. I also have the CT10 sensors.

Have the S60 now and love it. Picked up the Premium model from eBay at a steal.

The app with the Garmin is great and the info with the CT10 is spot on.

It really depends if you want to use it for other things like steps, sleep monitoring, notifications etc. The s60 over the s20 also tracks cycle, walking and Swimming.

I do also have a 2009 Bushnell on the side of a bag that come in handy.

Thanks
Ian

RE: Rangefinder v GPS watch

Justin F — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 01:07:15 GMT

I love my leupold..

RE: Rangefinder v GPS watch

Tom B — Tue, 10 Mar 2020 22:35:26 GMT

Like Dale said pro and con on both. I like the rangefinder for exact yardages to not only the hole but hazards, trees to avoid, etc. BUT.......playing courses you're not familiar with there's nothing like having an overview or overhead picture of the hole showing where the hazards are, the width of the fairways etc. I take one when traveling, but on familiar courses I use the rangefinder.

RE: Rangefinder v GPS watch

Jordy.A — Tue, 10 Mar 2020 21:28:39 GMT

Ive always carried and used a Bushnell range finder, great bit of kit with pin seeking! Personally decided to buy myself a garmin watch and try it for myself as the yardage is instant! Only thing i found with my bushnell is sometimes it would take longer to pin point the flag! Both great at what they do and i still carry my bushnell as a back up..

RE: Rangefinder v GPS watch

Lance P — Tue, 10 Mar 2020 19:49:35 GMT

I never wear a watch...except my Bushnell Geo+ when I'm on the course. I thought I might have difficulty with the comfort aspect but after a short while I do not even think twice about wearing it. I sometimes play with a friend who uses a rangefinder and I find just glancing at my watch much quicker. My only negative is that some courses may have redone holes and the watch doesn't have the update. I have yet to play a course that is not mapped.

RE: Rangefinder v GPS watch

Chuck Zirkle — Tue, 10 Mar 2020 19:11:16 GMT

Bushnell Tour V4 Jolt. Have had mine for years and has never failed me. Just change the battery about every year or so. Have always used the Bushnell brand. Leupold is a also a very good brand. If you want the best, either of these two brands would be my recommendation.

RE: Rangefinder v GPS watch

SNorton — Tue, 10 Mar 2020 18:39:48 GMT

I haven't used a specific golf GPS watch, rather, golf app via Apple Watch. If your phone is on your person or in your bag (and your near your bag), yardage is fairly accurate.

However, once I purchased a rangefinder I completely stopped using GPS since I trust the accuracy of the range finder much more. I've also compared lower cost rangefinders to higher end models and hardly notice a difference in accuracy. I've had the Bushnell V4 shift for almost two years now and love it.

RE: Rangefinder v GPS watch

Todd T — Tue, 10 Mar 2020 18:23:06 GMT

Tried wearing watch and just cant do it.. I carry the Skycaddie, which is useful on courses never played. I also carry a Leupold rangefinder! Leupold has some of the best customer service going when on of their products has a default!

RE: Rangefinder v GPS watch

Dale V — Tue, 10 Mar 2020 17:56:34 GMT

I carry both. I have the Nikon Coolshot and the GPS is the little Bushnell Neo. I mostly rely on the Neo as it is strapped to the bag and easy to read. Especially helpful over the rangefinder on courses with a lot of blind shots. Center of the green yardage is close enough for me and my iron play. Occasionally a course will not be in the system or has been re-routed and so those opportunities go to using the Nikon. Also, getting older so hands that shake and eyes going bad make the rangefinder a bit more challenging to me.