All of the SkyCaddy units are missing a “plays like” feature. They really need to add this feature. Interestingly, when I suggest adding this feature on their web site, they immediately delete the suggestion. ??????

What do you mean by “club customization” for the Skycaddie 500? All I can see on their site is this:
“With the SkyCaddie® SX550, you can learn quickly how far you hit each club. Customize RangeVue® by entering your club yardages. Then as you play, you will see your club range next to the RangeVue ring on every part of the course for much improved shot-making to fairways, layups and greens. RangeVue® with Club Ranges provides added confidence on every shot to avoid hazards and dial-in approach shots for more birdie putts.”

But that doesn’t sound to much like a good thing. Should the device be able to tell you your ranges?

I had been using a Garmin Vivoactive 3 for the last three years until the shot tracker stopped working. Garmin replaced it with a refurbished new one, but I decided to upgrade to the S62 in June. The features are amazing and the battery life is outstanding. The one thing that I would like to mention is that if you are using IOS, thus Garmin Express to update, I have found that the courses do not actually update. My playing partner also has been using Garmin wearables for a few years and after a yardage discrepancy between our devices where his was accurate he told me he uses Garmin Connect on his PC to update. After I installed that on my MacBook it was found that all the courses around the world needed updating. I haven’t called Garmin about it yet to find out if it was something I was doing wrong on the mobile Express app, but the app says the updates are automatic when connected and syncing. .Other than that it’s a pleasure using the device it’s great to look at the watch and see the fairway shape and all the other features. The only yardage issue have encountered was on our local Brambleton, VA course on a par three I played to the back of the green and shot the ball 12 yards over, but that was the exact yardage the watch gave me. (This was after updating the courses) So, that is the only thing about a GPS device I’ve found every once in a while a hole on a particular course may not be mapped to the correct yardage.

I have always gauged distance from eyeing it, or using the markers on the course. I just decided to get the Phantom 2 GPS. I see it is 8th on your list. It had good reviews on a different site. Hoping it arrives before Saturday so I can try it out.

I have the Garmin Approach G80 and absolutely love it! Not only is it a great GPS device with every feature I personally want from a gps device, including slope adjustment and functional display for yardages to hazards, but also includes a built-in launch monitor that has really helped me dial in my yardages, especially with my wedges. It’s a little pricey but I don’t like wearing a watch when I play so those devices were immediately out for me and with the added functionality of the launch monitor, especially just after quarantine started last year, the versatility of the device for practice at home with the built-in games and virtual rounds was incredibly useful. Obviously it’s not a device for everyone but I couldn’t recommend it more highly and would definitely buy it again if presented with a chance at a “do over”.

Not sure why anyone would buy this. I have the oldest version of an apple watch (prime day, $139). The Grint Apple watch app allows for all the same data but also the easiest way to keep your score, index and get a ton of useful data on your scoring.

Btw, I can also use it to track a run/split times and listen to music, podcasts, books, send/receive texts, check weather, make/receive calls, open/close the garage door, answer my doorbell, pay with my credit card, etc. etc. etc . . . for the price, it is the best watch out there.

Guys, 500 bucks is “a little pricey”? Obviously you guys are in a different tax bracket than me. To get yardages? I couldn’t give a damn about fitness tracking.. I know, I know,”other people do”. Melissa fitness tracker can actually do the workout for me, what’s the point?

There is one best way to measure the accuracy of GPS golf devices and it’s very easy to do aswell. Find the front of the green where the GPS shows 0 yds and look how far away that is from the real front of the green – there you have your accuracy. You can then set eg. a golf bag on that 0 yds point, go some 50/100/150/200/250 yds back on the fairway and use a laser rangefinder to shoot at the bag. Compare that measurement to what the golf gps is showing to the front of the green – there you have your accuracy. That is the way it should be done.

I have had the S62 for 5-6 months and I love it. Add the sensors to it and gives you some great stats. The virtual Caddie is really good. Highly recommend it

I have a Bushnell Neo and when you use it in conjunction with the Bushnell app on your phone it provides another level of functionality i.e. hole maps etc. Did you guys test it using that functionality? Very happy with it.

I do not have a golf gps. I do however have a rangefinder that gives me distance and slope. I feel that having both is fairly redundant and greatly unneeded. I have a hard enough time hitting the ball consistently without a watch on my wrist or another device to worry about forgetting in the cart. We all already take our phones with us and countless other gadgets. Is there a gps device that can replace the rangefinder and phone on top of being a golf gps device?

Just an fyi, re: Golf Buddy aim W10 …

There *is* a companion app available (iOS and Android). Connect watch and phone via Bluetooth (turn BT On in Settings on watch).

Have not yet tried it out on-course…..

I have the SX500 and mount it in my cart and get 4rounds out of it. Easy to take with me when I hit the road. If you want a golf gps it’s the bomb.

Well they all appear to have the same accuracy so it comes down to the features. I think the accuracy is the most important part of any GPS.

Help me understand: why would anyone buy a GPS-only device over a ShotScope?

It’s not price (<$225 for ShotScope vs. $500 for Garmin or $190 for the Golf Buddy)
It's not GPS (as mentioned, they all use the same satellites)
They all give yardages to hazards

One automatically tracks all your shots, distances, clubs, and overall performance and let's you analyze all that for free (no subscription).

The rest… don't.

I guess if you want to count steps, it's worth the extra $300 for the Garmin?

What am I missing? Why would anyone buy a GPS watch without shot tracking integrated?

How do you feel or your thoughts on the Bushnell Wingman?

I’m interested to see how these dedicated solutions compare to App based solutions.

I’m already using Arccos and it has mapping/GPS functionality and Apple Watch integration that serves the same purpose in addition to all the great aspects of Arccos. Am I losing anything by not going to any of these dedicated solutions? Is it less accurate?

How about a review of phone based golf GPS apps

I like the Garmin G80 better than the S62. Same functionality on a bigger screen, plus it has a built-in launch monitor,.

I like Garmin Z80 even better. Rangefinder with GPS. It shows the position of the pin on the green. No other device does this automatically.

How does Arccos perform as a GPS unit?

I just played, for the first time, with my new Approach S62 and it’s amazing. After the first round, I can see the benefits of the Virtual Caddy feature (doesn’t make recommendations un til you’ve played five rounds), and the accuracy was equal to the Sky Caddie 500 another m ember of the foursome was using. Glad that you’ve “confirmed” my selection. It’s a huge step forward from the S60 I had been using.

Nice test on GPS units. Just curious, when looking at the accuracy, every one was rated 1st except for the Izzo which was rated 12th. What was the criteria for accuracy and just how far was the Izzo off. from “first” place?

Would really like the SX500/400 IF they had slope adjustment capability…like the Garmins.

Nice review, but I feel like we need to see some comparison to smartphone / smart watch combo’s here as well, since quite a few of us already own these. Just load up some software, subscribe is necessary, and carry on, yes,..??

Sky caddy gigs you for an annual subscription. $30 to $60 depending if you travel. That alone should be reason for disqualification.

S62, 100% agree. I don’t have to switch between watches now when I go play and with the CT-10 trackers on each club course stats are a no-brainer. No one ever mentions finding your ball with GPS trackers and some trackers don’t have the feature that gives you shot yardage in real-time. The S62 does. So if you know your club distances you can now go to those yardages and start looking. Is this all quite pricy? Yes, but it works so depending on how much you spend on golf to have “fun” this will defiantly weigh into whether or not you buy the S62. I’ve had the GameGolf tracking system and I was on the beta for their latest “Pro” version. And while I liked the web/phone interface more than Garmin Connect the glitches and misreads or no reads at all were infuriating. Golf is hard enough without technology making it that much harder. So I bought Garmin. It’s not flawless but it never makes me angry on course and that’s a big plus.

You’ve compared range finders, and GPS units. Have you ever done any research (comparisons) on phone GPS apps?

SHOT SCOPE V3 always goes head to head vs Arccos caddie system. Slightly surprised to see Arccos not in this category but also can see how it’s stands in its own category.

You should do an article on GPS Apps for those who use their existing smart watches and smart phones on the course.