GPS & Rangefinder Eliminations/Recommendations

[timah!]

Thanks LL...I think a mate has this one so I'll try it on Saturday.

[popper81]

Sorry to threadmine.. I'm starting to consider one of these. Has anyone tried/heard much about the new Nikons? Are Bushnell/Leupold still the two to beat?

Keen to measure how far away your next game is? Calendar will be better value...

You can try my V2 if you want.

[timah!]

Keen to measure how far away your next game is? Calendar will be better value...

You can try my V2 if you want.

Predictable.

In all honesty it stems from Gainsborough having holes that come in and out depending on condition. And as a result of the changes, there is no accurate map.

[popper81]

Blah blah blah.... You just want to join the cool kids.

[timah!]

Blah blah blah.... You just want to join the cool kids.

You're only cool kids cos LagerLover has one...

[goughy]

I was quite surprised (though with you equip junkie geeks I don't know why) how many had rangefinders/gps at the champs. Me, being a techno geek liked the look of the gps. Had a couple of rounds at home with a guy who has the garmin watch, like nudgee, which seems nice and simple but I hate wearing watches during golf. Annoying that I can't use golfshot on my phone, which I paid for before one of the champs many years ago before I realised they can't be used in comps. Since I've played so few other courses, thought it could help there too.

Anyway, what are you guys using, and how much do these things go for? I see some, like the garmins, call themselves Aust/NZ models. Does this mean they're preloaded with those courses, or that they can only be used for courses in Aus/NZ? And looking on, for instance, sureshots site, they don't have my course listed.

Not something I'm gonna get right now, but maybe hint at family or look at it in the new year.

[AndyP]

I've got the Bushnell Hybrid which has both preloaded GPS and rangefinder. The rangefinder part is used the most easily. It is worth $400 plus.

[goughy]

Yeah, wouldn't spend even close to that.

[3Puttpete]

I know you said not now but gco has them on sale today. Garmin watch $99, G3 $129

[mrbluu]

I've got both and the lasers get used 99.9% of the time. The GPS is ok, once u go laser the discussion is over.

[goughy]

I know you said not now but gco has them on sale today. Garmin watch $99, G3 $129

That's a bugger. Oh well, they'll be on special again.

[mrbluu]

Added bonus on the trip away, is with the lasers u dont have to worry about down loading courses or recharging the battery.

[PeteyD]

The GPS I have is all preloaded, which is great. Searches and finds courses. It has an overhead which is great for courses you haven't played before. The laser is all I use once inside 200 though.

[goughy]

I know you said not now but gco has them on sale today. G3 $129

G3 out of stock.

[goughy]

The GPS I have is all preloaded, which is great. Searches and finds courses. It has an overhead which is great for courses you haven't played before. The laser is all I use once inside 200 though.

I wouldn't carry two of them, that's too much hassle, even for me. Like I said, I'd use my phone if allowed. I'm geeky enough to go gps, even one of the watches, which I'd attach to my bag handle rather than wear. Gps is accurate enough for how accurately I hit it Not sure why I'm talking about it anyway, ain't doing anything yet about it.

[PeteyD]

I just like having gadgets. I'd use my phone too if allowed.

[AndyP]

If you are playing City all of the time, you are better off getting a rangefinder, since you know the course so well.

[goughy]

Like the back of my hand

[mrbluu]

G3 out of stock.

get the watch and I will trade you for my G3....

[Daves]

You can get Rangefinder type apps for your 'phone. I have one loaded, but haven't really tested it. It relies on you knowing how high the flags are I think. Uses the Camera sensors, similar to distance measuring apps.

[goughy]

If you are playing City all of the time, you are better off getting a rangefinder, since you know the course so well.

I'd like to spread my wings a bit, make more games with ozg'ers. I'd have been lost on the weekend without peter and peteyd. They'd be accurate enough for how acurate I hit the ball. I don't know why these phone apps don't have a 'course guide' option. They have all the mapping and distances done. Why not have a non-gps version which acts just like a paper course guide, with tee to green distances and distances to and from particular hazzards, and points on the course. That'd do me just fine.

[Shortylook]

Bushy V2 is pretty small easy to use and $199 for a pink one from golf box ATM

[wazandnic]

Despite all the fan bois jumping on the lasers, I think I have documented it before, I have actually gone the other way. When i first looked into the GPS v laser debate about 5 years ago, GPS were debatable. You had to pay for courses, could only store a certain number of courses on some units, pay a yearly fee etc. I thus went down the Bushnell V2 route.

I used it for maybe 3 years. It was good although time taken to get out of bag, the fact that you had to be able to see the pin (prob my main issue!) and the fact that depending on the pin position and course being played, it could take a while to lock on to the pin (i.e. if there are a lot of trees or a hill behind the pin etc.) I found that realistically I would use it maybe 6-10 times a round - generally on all par 3's, and the odd other holw where I was inside 200m and in view of the pin.

A coule years back I re-investigated the GPS. Technology had come a long way and now days most have free course uploads (some even worldwide)

Originally I was looking at the Garmin G3 but in the end found the G6. Advantage of the G6 had an internal rechargable Li battery and so much better batterylife. PLus it was a bit smaller, better screen etc. I have turned the back light down to 10% still easily readable and if playing within a couple oif days I can get 3 games from it before a recharge.

When I first got it I did a course update, but havent touched it since and I have played at lots different tracks around Australia and never had a course not appear. Whilst it was listed as the Au/NZ model it has courses worldwide on it. It is pretty easy to turn areas off to save time downloading if I remember correctly.

It has a little carribeena clip to clip anywhere on your bag and mine actually came with another buggy attachment holder you could use, but I've found clipping to bag easiest. If in a cart it is then even easy to unclip and carry it to your ball in the middle of the scrub on your belt hoop if need to! This is maybe my biggest reason for liking them. i can be on any part of the golf course in any treey, bushy area etc and get a pretty accurate reading to the green. Amazing also the number of times when you bomb one off the tee and think you can get home, can't actually see the green too well and you look and you are still 280m out!

It gives you an instant reading wherever you are and provided you walk close to the green before heading to the next hole it will switch automatically between holes. It has a one button press to zoom in on the green for front middle back measurements. Plus on the hole view has various arcs at 50, 100, 150m etc. plus you can touch the screen and move a little cursor around to get readings to different areas, a bunker, a water hazard carry etc. A bit more info then the Laser can provide in most instances.

But yeah I do see the advantages of both, but for me GPS all the way and a big fan of the Garmin G6. Picked up mine for about $300 and a cquick search I see they are still around this.

Cheers,
Waz

[graham_w]

GPS can't tell you how far it is from where you are in the shit to the shit on the other side. Rangefinder for the win.

[mrbluu]

GPS can't tell you how far it is from where you are in the shit to the shit on the other side. Rangefinder for the win.

+100000000000000000000, but each to their own