GPS & Rangefinder Eliminations/Recommendations

[AndyP]

I know there are lots of threads for this, and I usually threadmine instead, but there doesn’t seem to be anything too recent. I need some help selecting a GPS. I’d consider a rangefinder, but I think I need a replacement for my Neo, which is getting on a bit. I usually analyse things to death, but I can’t afford the time to do that, so I’ll use your recommendations as my main guide.

As mentioned in another thread, I’ve got a bit of proshop credit to spend, so that limits my options to getting something from OnCourse Golf.
Here’s what I could find on their website:

Bushnell Hybrid GPS Laser - $459
Bushnell Neo Golf Watch - $229
Bushnell Neo PLUS - $169
Sureshot GPS Watch - $199
Sureshot Laser 1000 - $299
Sureshot Micro 300X - $179
Sureshot Micro - $169
Sureshot SS8850X Holiday Pack (incl car charger and cover) - $269 (Only 2 left in the shop for this special)
Sureshot SS9000X - $349
Golf Buddy Voice - $199
Golf Buddy World - $329
Golf Buddy World Platinum - $399

Despite it being a voucher, I still would like to get some value for my credit. I do want preloaded courses, as I don’t want to go through the hassle that I did with the Neo, only for the GPS positions seeming to move by over 10m the next year.

Start your eliminating/recommendations.

Thanks.

[virge666]

Bushy V2 Tour rangefinder.

[Hux]

The hybrid laser would have to be the one to buy out of that list. One device two funtions.

I have a Leupold laser and love it, however sometimes a GPS is what is more suitable. A bit of a coincidence but I just got a Sonocaddie V500 today. Trade in program from Aus distributor plus free downloads of sat and flyover so $299 with my old Neo. I liked the fact that the screen on them is quite readable in bright sunlight.

[muldude]

Bushnell hybrid, I have one and it is a great jigger, courses are free and preloaded. Get prob 4 rounds from a charge, easily remap a green in 20 seconds. GPS is basic but so am i !!

[Courty]

FWIW, I have both rangefinder & GPS (Sonocaddie). I use the rangefinder every round, but only use the GPS when playing on an unfamiliar course (a couple of times a year at most). Maybe look at it that way...

[Puji]

I have a bushnell medalist. The most basic of basic rangefinders.

I use it every week. I honestly don't feel a need for a GPS unit. Bushnell stuff is very, very good.

This will be a good thread to keep an eye on.

[Croydo]

I've got a golf buddy world platinum I find it better than the sureshot I had before. I've also got a bushnell tour Z6. I prefer he convienance of the GPS, I get to ball glance at on the side of my bag and I have the distance to the middle of the green, I can estimate the distance to the pin. I'm not that accurate that I need to know the distance to the metre, and I'm not sure many on here woud be either. I haven't used my laser range finder in at least my last 6 rounds.

[Captain Nemo]

I think most of us here really only need measurements to the front middle back of greens, so I vote GPS.
I have the old Sonnocaddie V300, can't beat it really.
Can chart your own holes (ad layup dist, bunkers, dogleg corners, trees, water etc) and gives the whole overview....
If I was to upgrade, I'd prob get the V500......
JMO

[markTHEblake]

Andy, get a laser, there is no way a bloke like you can handle trusting someone elses gps plotting. You would be too worried they might be out by a metre.
( I cant and you are worse than me for sure)

[AndyP]

Good point.

[Puji]

It isn't the accuracy (although it doesn't hurt) which sells a laser to me - its ease of use.

Don't need to worry about batteries/ courses/ syncing etc. just point and shoot. Can pick up distances to pretty much everything. Having a closer look at the green with the 7x magnification is great too.

Most GPS units that have detailed info (to bunkers/ hazards) have crappy screen that are a PITA to view in sunlight.

Guess if you go with a hybrid bushnell you will be sorted.

It just comes down to a preference thing I guess

[Goldy]

I have a Sonocaddie V100 (the most basic one), and I got a Sureshot watch for my birthday.

Love the watch....preloaded courses, always handy to see....and best of all.....hard to lose unlike other units that can bounce off the buggy.

[markTHEblake]

Puji, is your laser range finder solar powered?

[Puji]

It could be nuclear powered for all I know. I've used it for a year and not needed to enquire about its energy source.

[mrbluu]

Bushy V2 Tour rangefinder.

FWIW, I have both rangefinder & GPS (Sonocaddie). I use the rangefinder every round, but only use the GPS when playing on an unfamiliar course (a couple of times a year at most). Maybe look at it that way...

I have a bushnell medalist. The most basic of basic rangefinders.

I use it every week. I honestly don't feel a need for a GPS unit. Bushnell stuff is very, very good.

This will be a good thread to keep an eye on.

I agree with the boys, I have a Bushnell V2 and a Garmin G3. I use the GPS maybe once in about 2-3 rounds. I've found that the GPS's are out by about 5-15m depending who and how they did the mapping.

I've got a golf buddy world platinum I find it better than the sureshot I had before. I've also got a bushnell tour Z6. I prefer he convienance of the GPS, I get to ball glance at on the side of my bag and I have the distance to the middle of the green, I can estimate the distance to the pin. I'm not that accurate that I need to know the distance to the metre, and I'm not sure many on here woud be either. I haven't used my laser range finder in at least my last 6 rounds.

Is it too early to call dibs on the Z6??? I all serious how do you find the Z6 to the V2??

[Croydo]

Is it too early to call dibs on the Z6??? I all serious how do you find the Z6 to the V2??

I've been thinking about selling it. The red illumination on the Z6 is a nice upgrade as is the extra zoom, but I'm not sure it was worth theextra money to upgrade though. I prefer the shape of the tour V2.

[mrbluu]

I've been thinking about selling it. The red illumination on the Z6 is a nice upgrade as is the extra zoom, but I'm not sure it was worth theextra money to upgrade though. I prefer the shape of the tour V2.

I think the V2 is an awesome piece of kit.

[AndyP]

The V2 isn't on the list.

[mrbluu]

The V2 isn't on the list.

Sorry got off topic, from what I heard go the Golf Buddy Platinum....

[Croydo]

The bushnell hybrid is the tour V2 with the neo GPS built in. If your going to get a laser I'd be getting that one. I've not heard much about the sureshot laser.

[mrbluu]

stu had the sureshot laser and it was shithouse...

[AndyP]

Is the Hybrid the V2 plus GPS? That's good to know. I thought I read something bad about the hybrid here, but I can't remember what it was.

Unlike a few years ago, I really do play a lot at the one course now, so a rangefinder or hybrid might be the way to go.

[markTHEblake]

It could be nuclear powered for all I know. I've used it for a year and not needed to enquire about its energy source.

you are going to be pissed off when the battery runs out.

[Puji]

Yeah. Pissed off enough to reach into the case and pull out a spare square looking thing which will provide me another years worth of juice.

[markTHEblake]

Exactly, i did the same thing, but you think I can find the bloody spare battery when it eventually runs out? stuffed if I know where it went - twice!
Come to think of it, i am not exactly sure where I stashed the spare batter this time either. Might be in my first aid kit, that makes sense.