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GPS vs Range Finder

SuperStroke
I have both, but since my game doesn't require to the yard measurements, the GPS is more versatile for me.

We do have a lot of threads on this, check out the search feature, and there are a lot of reviews on the homepage as well under equipment. Don't forget to look there as well.
 
Here is the review mentioned:
Best of both worlds

Keep in mind that the units that adjust for elevation and slope are not allowed in sanctioned events and such.
 
What is the best GPS ap to get for an Android phone???
 
Jeanthemachine said:
This answers a question I have had but not asked. Are all rangefinders equal in ability to transition from golf to hunting/target shooting and other distance finding activities?
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There shouldn't be any problems going from a golfing specific device and use it for hunting. Even if you had a hunting specific rangefinder it still works fine on the course. The golfing ones just have a little more 'fine-tuning' (as I call it) in order to narrow down a flagstick. I have an older, basic, hunting model that works just fine on the golf course. It is probably 6 or 7 years old and I have no problems using it on the course.

Jeanthemachine said:
Are there some features that are specific to golf and would be distracting for other activities?
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None that I have seen. Some golfing models have some extra features, but usually they can be turned off if needed.

Jeanthemachine said:
Are rangefinders REALLY effective at ranging bunkers, trees etc? Some seem to require reflectors on the flagsticks.
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Yep, never a problem. All you need is a surface that the laser can bounce back from. Tree, rock, creek bank, ball washer, golf cart, maintence guy, they all work fine. I've even ranged just the fairway before to get a good lay-up spot. The reflectors make it easier to find and get the yardage, but they are not required.


Jeanthemachine said:
Another feature of GPS that I like is showing hidden hazards and providing layup yardages. Can a rangefinder adequately address these concerns?
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Lay-ups yes, hidden hazards, no. You have to be able to see something to get a distance.
 
m-910 said:
Neither...I'm not investing in one till I can consistently sit in the 80's. I've got way to many things to worry about in my game and exact distance is not something else I want to add to the queue.


BUT...if I was in the 80's I'd prob buy a range finder. It makes more sense for me to have yardages for specific locations on the course versus an overview. That way I can focus on where I want the ball to land.
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I guess I'm the opposite. I want to break into the 80s and I think knowing distances more accurately would help me to do so.

I'm interested in the Hybrid JB reviewed before, but I'm very interested in the Callaway uPro mx as well. I think I can understand the pros and cons of both so ultimately if I had to choose right now, I'd go with the GPS. This is because it gives you more than to just the pin or a tree or object like that (or at least that is my understanding of the range finder).
 
Keep in mind that yardage markers on golf courses can be way off. I only trust my laser reading. As far as improvement and breaking 90 or whatever, distance control (in my opinion) is the single most important thing you can do with irons to improve your score. You might miss the shot left or right some but just as with a putt if you hit it the right distance you will be much closer to the hole on average. Knowing the distance you need as accurately as possible will help you to be able to develop control over that part of your game.
 
Thank you so much for the complete and concise answer.

Cards might have the best uniforms in all baseball. Like the Braves, too.

StLCardsFan said:
There shouldn't be any problems going from a golfing specific device and use it for hunting. Even if you had a hunting specific rangefinder it still works fine on the course. The golfing ones just have a little more 'fine-tuning' (as I call it) in order to narrow down a flagstick. I have an older, basic, hunting model that works just fine on the golf course. It is probably 6 or 7 years old and I have no problems using it on the course.


None that I have seen. Some golfing models have some extra features, but usually they can be turned off if needed.


Yep, never a problem. All you need is a surface that the laser can bounce back from. Tree, rock, creek bank, ball washer, golf cart, maintence guy, they all work fine. I've even ranged just the fairway before to get a good lay-up spot. The reflectors make it easier to find and get the yardage, but they are not required.



Lay-ups yes, hidden hazards, no. You have to be able to see something to get a distance.
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Thanks everyone for your comments. I will also search the other threads. I did like the review on the leupold lasers and have checked out the website. They look like great rangefinders!
 
Dr. Teeth said:
For my money its Golfshot GPS hands down!
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X2, for the money its hard to beat. Just hit the green dot and it goes on power save mode. When I first used it I didn't know that and it drained my battery, after using it now, maybe 30-40% battery drain. Great app that has every course you want loaded in it and keep all your stats, etc...
 
I'm sure this is in one of the other threads as well, but as I'm looking at a rangefinder myself right now I'll pass along a tidbit that I picked up somewhere... Take time to checkout the manufacturer's non-golf brand options to potentially save some $$.
 
I currently use the golflogix gps for my iPhone, but I am seriously thinking about the new callaway upro mx, the iPhone app works fine, but having to put it into standby mode after every shot to keep from draining the battery is a pain.
 
As a golfer who used a SkyCaddie for 5 or so years and a Leupold GX-1 for 2+ years, I would rather not have the SkyCaddie than the Leupold on the course. A rangefinder gives me most of the information I want, the gps gives me less of the information that I want but gives me a little information that is nice at times to have.
 
Moved to golf clubs, balls and accessories.
 
While I find this thread interesting to read I do have some questions for the people who would recommend the rangefinder over the GPS. I've had a rangefinder with the elevation adjustment for years now and while it's a great tool it can be useless if you don't have a line of sight to the target you are looking for. I'm looking at purchasing the Skycaddie SGX for all of it's features to compliment the rangefinder and I'm curious what version of the skycaddies the other users here have talked about but wouldn't recommend over a rangefinder. From the research I have done I certainly wouldn't pick up some of the cheaper Skycaddie units as they don't provide as much information as some of the newer units.
 
WPoz said:
While I find this thread interesting to read I do have some questions for the people who would recommend the rangefinder over the GPS. I've had a rangefinder with the elevation adjustment for years now and while it's a great tool it can be useless if you don't have a line of sight to the target you are looking for. I'm looking at purchasing the Skycaddie SGX for all of it's features to compliment the rangefinder and I'm curious what version of the skycaddies the other users here have talked about but wouldn't recommend over a rangefinder. From the research I have done I certainly wouldn't pick up some of the cheaper Skycaddie units as they don't provide as much information as some of the newer units.
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I had the SkyCaddie SG3 and when I purchased it the SG4 was the top of the line SC. I have stated in other reviews that I was fairly satisfied with the SC but one of my main problems was the fee year after year. I more than paid for the unit twice. Should I purchase another it would be a brand w/o the yearly fees. I also like being able to shoot any object instead having only the distances that SC has mapped. Also SC still to this day has not mapped the 3 courses closest to me even though I requested them to do so multiple times during the 5 years I used the unit. They have a request your course to be mapped function on their site, but it never resulted in their honoring my request during that time. It was slightly annoying that they never ever acknowledged my request.
I feel if you are without line of sight to the target, most times it is irrelevant how far the pin is from you as you are probably punching the ball back into play anyway. For the few times that is matters, I walk parallel to the ball and get a shot from a position from which I can see the flag.
As I stated above, I can easily play without a GPS, but I personally find it difficult to play w/o the rangefinder.
 
DawgDaddy said:
I have stated in other reviews that I was fairly satisfied with the SC but one of my main problems was the fee year after year. I more than paid for the unit twice. Should I purchase another it would be a brand w/o the yearly fees.
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The thought of a yearly fee has been something that has held me back from buying a GPS for a while now. I'm still on the fence on that one.

DawgDaddy said:
I feel if you are without line of sight to the target, most times it is irrelevant how far the pin is from you as you are probably punching the ball back into play anyway. For the few times that is matters, I walk parallel to the ball and get a shot from a position from which I can see the flag.
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We have a few courses around here where there are bunkers short of the hole that are elevated so seeing the pin is possible, but getting a reading for the front and back edges of the green is impossible, hence the reason I am looking at a GPS unit. Thanks for the info though, it still gives me some things to think about.
 
VA. Vince said:
X2, for the money its hard to beat. Just hit the green dot and it goes on power save mode. When I first used it I didn't know that and it drained my battery, after using it now, maybe 30-40% battery drain. Great app that has every course you want loaded in it and keep all your stats, etc...
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I thied skydroid Saturday. it was ok but didn't keep track of my rounds. Have you tried Golfshot or skydroid???
 
kildaire said:
I thied skydroid Saturday. it was ok but didn't keep track of my rounds. Have you tried Golfshot or skydroid???
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Yes, I have the golfshot app. Its hard to beat for $30. The scorecard mode keeps your score,fairways hit, GIR, putts, HC and your stats. I would like to have a rangefinder for the quickness of it but for now I am going to keep using golfshot.
 
GPS or Rangefinder?

GPS or Rangefinder?

Which one would you recommend?
Thanks for your feedback.
 
RADARTIME said:
Which one would you recommend?
Thanks for your feedback.
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Of your question is which would I chose a GPS or a Rangefinder, I asked this question to
JB who has used pretty much everything and he is a fan of the new Bushnell Hybrid. It has both a GPS and Rangefinder.
 
Dr. Teeth said:
Of your question is which would I chose a GPS or a Rangefinder, I asked this question to
JB who has used pretty much everything and he is a fan of the new Bushnell Hybrid. It has both a GPS and Rangefinder.
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you def couldnt go wrong with that, best of both worlds
 
I have both. For the GPS I use the Golfshot app for my iPhone. At a $30 one-time price it's hard to beat as I don't like paying yearly or whatever to use it, plus I love the stat keeping that comes with it. For the rangefinder I have the Bushnell V2 with slope. It's a very handy tool with a few limitations. I'm not able to use it in weekly competitions and tournaments and that's where the Golfshot app comes in handy.
 
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