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So Many To Choose From Though…
There is a raging war in the golf industry that has seen many entries into the “Golf GPS” battle this past year. With the advancements in golf and modern technology more and more golf companies are trying to find a way to intermingle the two together.
As OEM companies struggle to find a new technology for drivers, irons, etc. to grasp golfers’ wallets…the GPS companies are pushing forward and enticing the golfers out there with a ton of new wave technology that claims to help not only aid them in their game but lower their scores too!
So which one do you choose? Which one is the best deal?
Don’t you worry MGS has taken (5) of the best Golf GPS units and put them to the test. We have reviewed each GPS unit based on (4) categories {first impressions, concept, functionality and value}. Then we tallied up their scores and rated them in order of overall performance.
↓ Let’s Meet The Competitors! ↓
* WINNER! – {uPro Golf GPS}
This is one of the newest entries into the GPS market and it is loaded with features unseen in its competitors. The
uPro Golf GPS is on the leading edge of the GPS market and while it has the functionality that anyone would love it has a few disadvantages that a newer company would have.
Pros
- Video flyover of holes (only available in Pro Mode which is not fully available to every course, but the company has promised according to their website that if the course meets their criteria they will map it for you when you buy this unit)
- Smartview Technology
- Anypoint Technology (allows you to mark distance to any point on the hole)
- Color Screen
- Shows distance to and to clear hazards
- Can hold up to 50 courses (with MicroSD card)
- Rechargeable Battery
- Ability to calculate shot distance
- No membership fee (basic mode is free, pro mode is at a cost per download)
- Windows and Mac Compatible
- 24 Channel GPS
Cons
- Price ($399.99)
- Front, Center and Back distances aren’t marked on main screen with detail
- Software downloads aren’t free (according to the site)
- Course library is lacking at the moment
- Pro mode courses are few and far between
Overview
Although, the uPro Golf GPS unit isn’t cheap the basic mode courses are free to download. The company seems to be looking forward as they are adding voice recognition in 2009. The uPro offers so much versatility with the Pro mode courses by having a video flyover, Smartview and Anypoint Technology.
This is just one unit that currently stands heads and toes above the rest.
Skycaddie SG5
Skycaddie has been around for a while now. They were one of the first companies to enter the GPS market and the SkyCaddie SG5 Golf GPS 
is their latest entry.
Pros
- Intelligreen Technology (allows you to rotate the green based on your position and gives accurate distance to the new locations on the green)
- Color Display
- Courses are mapped by the company by sending a crew to map it out
- Auto Hole Advance
- Ability to calculate shot distance
- Rechargeable Battery
- Battery life of about 14 hours
- Compatible with Windows and Mac
- Detailed fairway, hazard and green targets
Cons
- Holds 10 courses
- 9+ GPS Channels (lacks compared to competitors)
- Courses are only available if you continue your membership
- Price ($399.95)
- No score tracking
Overview
The SkyCaddie SG5 Golf GPS is a top notch competitor, but the Intelligreen Technology is not enough to carry it over the uPro. While, Intelligreen is a great feature the unit lacks in other places. The signal strength was an issue at times as this unit doesn’t offer as many channels as the competition. The main problem is the downloading of courses. You must maintain a membership to use the downloads as they are not available to save on your computer for future use.
iGolf Neo
iGolf is a company that has really stepped into the spotlight this year with the introduction of the iGolf Neo GPS. The Neo is the most affordable GPS unit on the market today and this alone has helped put iGolf on the map and right up there with the big dogs.
Pros
- Small and light (weighs only 2.5 oz and measures in at 1.75”x3.25”x.75”)
- Ability to calculate shot distances
- Ability to map your own course
- 20 Channel GPS
- Once courses are downloaded they can be saved to your computer for as long as you like (yearly membership is $34.95 and gets you 100 downloads)
- Price ($149.99 at this price it is extremely economical for almost everyone)
- Custom points can be added to pre-mapped courses (up to 4 per hole)
- Rechargeable Battery
- 16 Hour battery life
Cons
- Holds 10 courses
- Only allows 4 custom points per hole
- Course are mapped via satellite imagery
- Updates to software are few and far between
- Only compatible with Windows
- No auto advance function
- No score tracking functions
Overview
The iGolf Neo GPS is the most affordable GPS unit on the market today, but offers only basic features. Don’t expect any fancy graphics, but the unit does get the job done and is extremely accurate. The ability to download courses and save them to your computer is nice as a yearly membership isn’t required. This unit is perfect for everyone, but especially someone just looking for the basics.
GPS Golf Guru {Color}
This unit is the lesser heard of from the bunch. I really think this company is destined for great things on down the road and the
Color GPS Golf Guru is a great step in the right direction.
Pros
- Holds up to 200 courses
- Unlimited, free course downloads for life
- Tracks scores and stats
- Scores can be uploaded from the unit to USHanicaps.com
- Ability to calculate shot distance
- Smart Green technology w/adjustable pin feature (comparable to Intelligreen)
- Rechargeable Battery
- Battery life of 14 hours
- Allows you to map your own course and greens can be mapped for smart green feature by user.
- 16 Channel GPS
- Customer service is excellent
Cons
- Price ($369.95)
- Not Compatible with Mac
- Course library is not as vast as its competitors
- Not as fancy as comparable units
- Buttons to control unit are on the top of the unit instead the bottom
Overview
The Color GPS Golf Guru is a solid unit. The ability to map your own course and to map greens for use with the smart green feature is a great feature on its own. Score and stat tracking is more in-depth than the rest of the field. The customer service for this company stands heads and toes above the rest.
GolfBuddy GPS Tour
The GolfBuddy GPS Tour does something that no other company does…it provides you with all 20,000 courses right off the bat!
Pros
- Color screen
- Automatic course and hole recognition
- Ability to calculate shot distance
- Rechargeable battery
- 13 hour battery life (AAA batteries can be used for back up)
- Score tracking
- Ability to set pin placement
- Comes preloaded with 20,000 courses
- 11 points can be added to pre-mapped courses
- No membership fees
Cons
- Price ($429.99)
- Not compatible with Mac
- Slightly bulky
- 12 channel GPS (signal strength not as good as competitors)
Overview
The GolfBuddy GPS Tour is a decent unit. The signal strength of the unit is weaker when compared to the iGolf Neo and uPlay uPro. The fact that it comes pre-loaded with 20,000 courses is nice and so is the fact that it knows which course you are playing when you get there. All in all a decent offering, but leaves room for improvement.
Frank Almeda
11 years ago
Great article, thank you so much ! Love the SkyCaddie :)
Also for all iPhone and iPad users, download fungolf which show all the courses in 3D.
Great app