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GPS vs Range Finder

SuperStroke
I use both. There are situations where you can't get a sight line to the pin with a laser and there are times when you need a more exact pin location than a GPS can give you. If I have to pick just one it would be GPS. With GPS you can check your yardage to the front edge and taking one more club will leave you in the middle. If you need a more precise yardage then get both.
 
Merged with a large thread on the subject.
 
GPS is good for playing an unfamiliar course where there are blind shots. It may have specific distances to hazards and front/centre/back distances to greens. The yardages are updated as you move around, so you don't need to point and measure. The downside is that some courses may not be mapped and even if they are not all the hazards are mapped. Some GPS will drain your battery (if it's a phone app), and some will require annual subscription so it becomes a running cost.

Ranger Finder gives you exact distances to anything you can see, but not the layout of the hole. This is especially crucial on approach shots (but if you're a high handicapper then the approximated yardages are good enough).

For me, I have a range finder with slope which tells me exactly how far i'm to my target and how much more/less club to compensate for elevation changes. I play a lot of mountain courses so I need the help to help me select the right club.

There's a hybrid GPS/Range Finder one by Bushnell but that's also the most expensive. I picked up my Bushnell 1500 Slope Edition for $190 used...
 
I find the GPS to be a better option if you just want quick, general distance to spots. They are a little bit easier to find distances with, and I feel like they are a little bit more useful. A rangefinder is only good if you want to find precise distances, which I personally like, as it takes slope into account. I also like how you can get exact distance to trees and bunkers. Also, with the rangefinder there is no need to download a course map
 
fishymehta said:
I find the GPS to be a better option if you just want quick, general distance to spots. They are a little bit easier to find distances with, and I feel like they are a little bit more useful. A rangefinder is only good if you want to find precise distances, which I personally like, as it takes slope into account. I also like how you can get exact distance to trees and bunkers. Also, with the rangefinder there is no need to download a course map
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Many GPS (most now) dont have to download anything as they are all built right into the device.
 
JB said:
Many GPS (most now) dont have to download anything as they are all built right into the device.
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Oh.... well in my defense, I haven't used a GPS in a while
 
fishymehta said:
I find the GPS to be a better option if you just want quick, general distance to spots. They are a little bit easier to find distances with, and I feel like they are a little bit more useful. A rangefinder is only good if you want to find precise distances, which I personally like, as it takes slope into account. I also like how you can get exact distance to trees and bunkers. Also, with the rangefinder there is no need to download a course map
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You do know that the laser rangefinders that have slope are not tournament legal?
 
Smallville said:
You do know that the laser rangefinders that have slope are not tournament legal?
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When I say they take slope into account I mean they give a direct line to the hole over just a GPS flat out view that isn't affected by up/downhill
 
fishymehta said:
When I say they take slope into account I mean they give a direct line to the hole over just a GPS flat out view that isn't affected by up/downhill
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Only if nothing is in the way. Rangefinders can't see what's on the other side of a hill or around that dogleg.
 
I prefer the GPS (Golf Buddy) myself. I have a hard time holding the range finders steady enough to hit a target. I'd rather just look down and get a close estimate. I'm not good enough where a few yards would make that big of a difference anyway. I wish I could put it in a 10 yd circle every time but I don't think so. I actually have a good gps downloaded on my phone that works great and KellyBo uses the Golf Buddy most of the time. We have a Bushnell rangefinder (older model) too but neither of us use it.
 
Rangefinder all the way. They are way more accurate than GPS. Although Bushnell now makes some models that also have GPS in them too
 
Can a slope edition rangefinder be used for handicap purposes?
 
Perkins Rooster said:
Can a slope edition rangefinder be used for handicap purposes?
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From Bushnell.

All of our “non-Slope” units are designed to be permissible when the Local Rule permitting the use of distance-measuring devices is in effect. This is governed by the USGA’s Decision as it relates to Distance Measuring Devices (14-3/0.5 Local Rule Permitting Use of Distance-Measuring Device), which sets forth that players are allowed to use these in rounds conducted under the Rules of Golf when the Committee adopts the Local Rule, as long as they only measure distance. Additionally, the USGA Handicap System manual (Decision 5-1f/2) sets forth that scores made using these distance-only measuring devices are acceptable for handicap purposes, whether or not the Local Rule is in effect.
 
I like GPS but the rangefinder is very easy to get the correct yardage. Unless you have shaky hands. Then 150 yard par 3's turn into 186 yard monster holes.
 
I want a rangefinder so stinking bad it hurts.
 
Chunkylover77 said:
I like GPS but the rangefinder is very easy to get the correct yardage. Unless you have shaky hands. Then 150 yard par 3's turn into 186 yard monster holes.
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If you would stop drinking so much every night, this would calm down.
 
Actually had the SGXw in my hands last weekend at Golfsmith. They had a demo day for it. Looks pretty cool with a couple of features that the SGX does not have
 
This was good to read, myself I don't use either.
 
Chunkylover77 said:
Actually had the SGXw in my hands last weekend at Golfsmith. They had a demo day for it. Looks pretty cool with a couple of features that the SGX does not have
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Does it bother you how the company marketed a product with a specific feature and then consumers never got that feature? Or was it that you liked the SGX more than other units comparably?
 
JB said:
Does it bother you how the company marketed a product with a specific feature and then consumers never got that feature? Or was it that you liked the SGX more than other units comparably?
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Big time. In fact I preordered it due to that lie. I did end up really liking the product though. I think the intelligreen pro is fantastic. The new features(don't' know what they are called but lines in the green and fairway) are pretty cool and I am forgetful so the wireless feature is awesome. I do hope they still come out with the smart tabs but I ended up really liking the product despite the scumbaginess of the initial lie
 
Chunkylover77 said:
Big time. In fact I preordered it due to that lie. I did end up really liking the product though. I think the intelligreen pro is fantastic. The new features(don't' know what they are called but lines in the green and fairway) are pretty cool and I am forgetful so the wireless feature is awesome. I do hope they still come out with the smart tabs but I ended up really liking the product despite the scumbaginess of the initial lie
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Thanks for the input. I struggled so much with a company marketing a product as revolutionary due to an incredible feature that oh by the way, was never put out on the device. I also struggle with the yearly fee that turns the units into bricks if you stop paying it. I was a SkyCaddie user for a long long time, but until they at least notice how poorly they handled the SGX launch, I cant support them anymore when so many great devices are out there now.
 
I had a nice Bushell before but, well, I made the unfortunate mistake of lending it to a clumsy friend. He dropped it in a lake. I'm always scouring Craigslist and other spots for a nice one. I miss it!


Steel Tappin'
 
Thanks for posting that JB. My Golf Town has the Bushnell V2 (non slope) right now on sale for $298 plus you get a $50 gift card. Seem like a good deal?I'm debating between the slope and non slope. I don't play tournament golf, but it's pretty flat here in the praries so I don't know if the extra $100 for the slope is worth it...
 
Chunkylover77 said:
Big time. In fact I preordered it due to that lie. I did end up really liking the product though. I think the intelligreen pro is fantastic. The new features(don't' know what they are called but lines in the green and fairway) are pretty cool and I am forgetful so the wireless feature is awesome. I do hope they still come out with the smart tabs but I ended up really liking the product despite the scumbaginess of the initial lie
Click to expand...

JB said:
Thanks for the input. I struggled so much with a company marketing a product as revolutionary due to an incredible feature that oh by the way, was never put out on the device. I also struggle with the yearly fee that turns the units into bricks if you stop paying it. I was a SkyCaddie user for a long long time, but until they at least notice how poorly they handled the SGX launch, I cant support them anymore when so many great devices are out there now.
Click to expand...

What features are you guys talking about that they never included or just lied about? Im curious is all, since I have the SGX and quite like it. I actually just upgraded to the SGXw because I hated the button in the middle and the new one has an optical button now. Plus I love that its wireless now. Upgrading got me a bunch of free stuff with it too. So I thought it was a good deal.
 
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