Critical Golf: Unbiased Golf Equipment Reviews

Archived Products - Overall Ranking

Welcome to the Critical Golf Archives, the home to all of the reviews of products we’ve tested that are no longer offered on the market.

The archives contain a mishmash of products from different categories, sorted below by their final overall score before they were discontinued. To quickly search for a particular product, use the navigation menu on the left.

Please note that once products are discontinued, we move them to the archives and no longer update any scores: neither overall scores nor individual categories, such as cost, or for golf GPS devices, course coverage. As a result, scores for discontinued products may not be directly comparable to scores for current products. For example, a discontinued product may have received an overall score of 94, but a better product is available today at a score of 92.  The analogy is that someone would have rated a brand-new Model T Ford as a 99 back in 1920, but someone rating it today against the current competition might score it in the 40s it has enough character to warrant some points, and the original $850 price tag would stack up well against current vehicles!).

Happy reading!

Callaway uPro

Callaway uPro

A beautiful interface, the ability to determine distances to any point on the course, video flyover previews of each hole, and a new scoring/statistics module, all packaged into one of the lightest and smallest devices tested, make it tough to go wrong with the Callaway uPro. Add in a new aggressive price point, and the uPro is once again our undisputed leader of the pack for golf GPS devices.
Retail price: $199.00 plus per course fees and $20 for Scoring Plus module
Three year total cost: $269.00
Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Callaway upro mx

Score

94

Grade

A


Mophie Juice Pack Air

Mophie Juice Pack Air

Feathery light and featuring a slender profile, the Mophie Juice Pack Air delivered a knockout combination of solid performance and a great form factor. The Juice Pack Air is the one battery extender that we would consider keeping on our iPhone all of the time.
Retail price: $79.95
Amazon.com price: Check price now

Score

93

Grade

A


Bushnell Neo

Bushnell Neo

Our vote for best value in a golf GPS device, the Bushnell Neo (formerly iGolf Neo) provides simple functionality, but does it in a user-friendly design and at an extremely affordable price.
Retail price: $149.99
Three year total cost: $254.96
Amazon.com price: Check price now
Golfsmith price: Check price now

Score

91

Grade

A-


Leupold GX-II

Leupold GX-II

Like its sister device, the GX-I, the Leupold GX-II is the smallest and lightest rangefinder tested and overall an exceptional device. It picks up flagsticks at a distance as well as any of the portable vertically-oriented rangefinders, and features respectable 6x viewfinder magnification, a scanning mode to continuously update distances while targeting objects, and even the option for the user to choose from a number of different crosshairs.

Score

91

Grade

A-


Leupold GX-I

Leupold GX-I

In addition to being both the smallest and lightest rangefinder tested, the Leupold GX-I is an exceptional device. It picks up flagsticks at a distance as well as any of the portable vertically-oriented rangefinders, and features respectable 6x viewfinder magnification, a scanning mode to continuously update distances while targeting objects, and even the option for the user to choose from a number of different crosshairs.

Score

91

Grade

A-


Clicgear 2.0

Clicgear 2.0

We definitely liked the sporty looks of the Clicgear 2.0 and its solid and stable feel on the course. Less appealing is the fact that when it’s folded up, it isn’t exactly small, which could be a problem if storage space is at a premium in your vehicle.
Retail price: $199
Availability: Discontinued; replaced by the Clicgear 3.0

Score

91

Grade

A-


OnPar Touchscreen GPS

OnPar Touchscreen GPS

OnPar wasn’t able to survive the ever-increasing competition in the golf GPS market, and the company went belly-up on July 31, 2011. For current owners, SkyCaddie had a trade-in offer to their SGX that was available until September 30, 2011. There is a lesson here (for which we paid $350): any time you buy a device from a startup there is the chance that the manufacturer won’t be around next season. At least in this case use of the devices wasn’t tied to an annual subscription, so owners can continue to use the device after the shutdown of the company.

Retail Price: $349.00
Three year total cost: $349.00
Availability: Company went out of business on July 31, 2011

Score

90

Grade

A-


Callaway LR1200

Callaway LR1200

Callaway’s LR1200 rangefinder is a great device, with rapid distance readings (in 1/2 yard increments no less), an industry best 7x magnification, and good performance in picking out flagsticks at all approach distances. It’s pricey, but worth a good long look
Retail price: $499.99
Availability: Discontinued; replaced by the Callaway iQ

Score

90

Grade

A-


MiLi Power Pack

MiLi Power Pack

The MiLi Power Pack was the workhorse among the iPhone battery extenders we tested, providing the most charging power. It’s not going to win too many beauty contests, but it’ll look a heckuva lot prettier when it saves you by having a reserve of juice available when you need it. Occasional charging bugs kept it from earning a higher grade.
Retail price: $99.95
Amazon.com price: Check price now

Score

88

Grade

B+


Callaway uPro Go

Callaway uPro Go

A comfortable device with bright color screen and excellent distance details around the green (with the optional $50 GoMode). A low price point makes the Go extremely competitive. Now about those scorecards and statistics…
Retail price: $149.00
Three year total cost: $198.99
Availability: Discontinued; replaced by the Callaway upro mx

Score

87

Grade

B+


Golf Guru Color Guru

Golf Guru Color Guru

The Golf Guru Color Guru is rich in features but the design of the hardware, user interface and packaging all could use a lot of polish. It ranks highly with respect to the amount of data that users can add to existing course maps, but the interface to add this data is challenging for those who are not gadget-oriented.
Retail price: $399.95
Three year total cost: $399.95
Availability: Discontinued; replaced by the Golf Guru 4

Score

87

Grade

B+


GolfBuddy Tour

GolfBuddy Tour

Courses come pre-loaded, so just charge the GolfBuddy and go. Simple to map out courses on your own or add targets to existing courses, which is a good thing as courses available often provide fewer marked obstacles than desired. Not compatible with Macs.
Retail price: $289.99
Three year total cost: $289.99
Amazon.com price: Check price now

Score

86

Grade

B


Ping Hoofer Vantage

Ping Hoofer Vantage

While the Ping Hoofer Vantage provides solid performance, it doesn’t truly stand out in the crowded carry bag market. Ping traditionalists will still like the Hoofer Vantage, but the competition seems to have passed it by a bit. Better bags can be had at a lower price.
Availability: Discontinued; replaced by the Ping Hoofer C-1

Score

86

Grade

B


Nike SasQuatch Tour

Nike SasQuatch Tour

The Nike SasQuatch Tour Carry Bag looks very cool, so if style is of paramount importance in your bag-purchasing decision, you will like it a lot. But it struggles trying to be both a carry bag and a cart bag at the same time, and ultimately succeeds at neither. Some odd design elements left us scratching our heads.
Retail price: $190
Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Nike Performance Carry

Score

86

Grade

B


Tekkeon MP1200 (myPower)

Tekkeon MP1200 (myPower)

Our editors either loved the Tekkeon MP1200 (myPower) or hated it. Black leatherette with white stitching will either strike you as elegant and refined or ridiculously hokie-looking. Quirky design that allows the Tekkeon to serve as an auxiliary power source for the iPhone (the Tekkeon will be drained before the iPhone’s battery), but prevents the Tekkeon from actually charging the iPhone battery left us puzzled.
Retail price: $79.95
Amazon.com price: Check price now

Score

86

Grade

B


SkyCaddie SG5

SkyCaddie SG5

Once the top of the line in the SkyCaddie series, the SG5 shines with its easy-to-use interface and ability to customize how the map data is displayed. A new lower price makes the G5 affordable – but SkyCaddie lovers might want to check out the new SGX before purchasing. More…

Retail price: $299.95 plus yearly fees
Three year total cost: $419.80
Amazon.com: Check price now
Golfsmith: Check price now

Score

85

Grade

B


OGIO Nexos

OGIO Nexos

The OGIO Nexos has lots of gadgets and doodads, some of which are VERY cool. On the other hand, some of the inventions are ho-hum, and they all combine to make this the heaviest bag tested. Oh, and it’s the most expensive one as well.
Retail Price: $260
Availability: Discontinued; replaced by the
OGIO Edge Stand Bag

Score

85

Grade

B


Nike Xtreme Element

Nike Xtreme Element

Not bad, but it doesn’t make your heart go pitter pat either. Good beat, easy to dance to, I give it an 85.
Retail price: $160
Availability: Discontinued; replaced by the Nike Extreme Sport Carry

Score

85

Grade

B


myCaddie Pro

myCaddie Pro

myCaddie Pro provides satellite images, zooming ability, and distances to any point selected. Users can track score and statistics, though the app lacks hole handicap and par information. myCaddie lacks the polish of most paid apps, but it is still is easy to navigate. myCaddie largely relies on users to map courses, and while its course database is larger than most of the other free competitors, the coverage still has a long way to go to compete with the top paid apps. If you need a course yourself, you should set aside approximately 30 minutes to map a course on your computer, after which the course mapping is available for immediate use.
Download myCaddie Pro from iTunes

Score

78

Grade

C+


GolfLogix GPS-8

GolfLogix GPS-8

It may be good enough for Peter Costis and Gary McCord’s moustache, but it’s not quite good enough for us. Achieves its goal of simplicity, and just about any course is available. But with few features, the value just doesn’t seem to be there for this bulky device with a black and white screen. For those interested, Amazon is having a fire sale on these as GolfLogix has stopped production of the GPS-8 in favor of selling their new GolfLogix iPhone app.
Retail price: $199.95 plus yearly fees
Three year total cost: $289.80
Amazon.com price: Check price now

Score

74

Grade

C


Swing by Swing

Swing by Swing

Swing by Swing is a very straightforward app that features satellite images, with the ability to determine distances to any point selected, and the distance from that point to the center of the green. Users can’t zoom or pan, and there is no scorecard or statistics tracking included (that functionality is available for purchase, however). Swing by Swing gets the job done with limited bugs and course coverage is reasonable, but the lack of features makes it difficult to recommend.
Price: Free for GPS use; $11.99 for scorecard functionality
Download Swing by Swing from iTunes

Score

72

Grade

C-


FlyCaddie

FlyCaddie

The combination of terrible course coverage, lack of ability to determine distances to any point on the hole, and a pricey yearly subscription fee drop FlyCaddie quickly to the bottom of our rankings.
Price: $34.99 per year
Availability: FlyCaddie is no longer available on the iTunes Store

Score

70

Grade

C-


iYardage

iYardage

The ad-supported iYardage possesses most of the functions a user would want in an app – full hole graphics, hole par and handicap, zooming ability, distances to any target and from the target to the center of the green, and radiating circles around the green at 50 yard intervals. A scorecard and stats tracking is included in this very complete package. To date, there are extremely few courses mapped (mostly Australian courses), and if you need to map a course yourself, it will take approximately an hour on your computer. However, we weren’t even able to get the file to iYardage staff for use.
Download iYardage from iTunes

Score

69

Grade

D+


Golf GPS

Golf GPS

Golf GPS is an ad-supported app that determines player position (be it on or off a course) and displays radiating circles on a satellite image at distances of 50-300 yards in 50 yard increments. Users can drop pins on their location that will then display distances to that point. The app has no knowledge of the course or any particular hole, which can be disconcerting during play, and there is no ability to record score or statistics. Limited in use, our bet is that most players want additional features included.
Download Golf GPS from iTunes

Score

67

Grade

D+


GolfGPS Pro

GolfGPS Pro

We enjoyed the satellite images and marked hazards of GolfGPS Pro, but only for its 30-day trial. The free app is limited to merely a scorecard and statistics tracking, though with charts and graphs for those who enjoy some nicely presented data. If you’re looking for more, you’ll need to upgrade to the GolfGPS Pro paid version.
Download Golf GPS Pro from iTunes

Score

62

Grade

D-


New Trent IMP190

New Trent IMP190

The good news is that New Trent quickly replaced our first unit, which was defective and we were unable to test. The bad news? Our replacement unit failed during testing as well. It seems that in this case, you get what you pay for.
Retail price: $69.95
Amazon.com price: Check price now

Score

60

Grade

F


Plum Caddy

Plum Caddy

Plum Caddy features extremely rudimentary hole graphics, along with scoring (but only if you mark each shot location) and statistics. The app has limited course coverage (and when a course is available, there is often mapping of only one or just a few holes) and is riddled with bugs. And without a tool to map a course, players can’t even add to the sparse course coverage. Plum Caddy has been sold to a new owner by the developer (we know who got the short end of the stick in this deal!), and until our review of the next release, we recommend that players look elsewhere.
Availability: No longer available from the iTunes Store

Score

55

Grade

F


TeeToGreen Lite

TeeToGreen Lite

Satellite images, distances to the center of the green and mapped targets, scoring and statistics. What’s not to like about TeeToGreen Lite? Well, an incredibly bizarre interface that makes it confusing to start a round. Oh, and the app is limited to only the first 5 holes of play. Want to play 6 through 18? You’ll have to pony up for TeeToGreen Pro. This app is good only if you are considering purchase of the full app, otherwise you’ll want to look elsewhere.
Download TeeToGreen Golf Lite from iTunes

Score

50

Grade

F


Energizer AP1500 (iPower)

Energizer AP1500 (iPower)

Lightweight, but a bit underpowered, the Energizer AP1500 (iPower) doesn’t quite do enough to distinguish itself from the field. If you can find it at a sweet price point, it’s worth a look, but at MSRP there are better options.
Retail price: $79.99
Amazon.com price: Check price now

Score

B

Grade

86


Bushnell Yardage Pro XGC

Bushnell Yardage Pro XGC

The Bushnell XGC, which we have not had the opportunity to review, includes course maps, distances to up to 5 custom points per hole, the ability to determine the distance to any point on the hole, and scorecard and statistics tracking. The device features a 2.2″ high resolution color screen and storage for up to 100 courses.
Amazon.com: Check price now
Golfsmith: Check price now

Expresso AG1

Expresso AG1

The Expresso AG1 (the “AG” standing for “Automotive” and “Golf”) provides a navigation system for while you are on the road, and a golf GPS device for when you are on the course. Not limited to just GPS use, the device also can acts as a portable media player, with the ability to show photos, and play both music and video. Whether users find these additional features a plus or a minus, however, we leave (until our review) for others to debate.
Retail price: $249.99
Three year total cost: $354.96
Amazon.com: Check price now

iGolf Neo

iGolf Neo

The iGolf Neo was re-branded under an agreement with Bushnell and is marketed (and reviewed by Critical Golf) as the Bushnell Neo. The iGolf Triton and Saturn are now available as the Bushnell Yardage Pro XG and XGC.

Leica Pinmaster

Leica Pinmaster

From one of the top optical companies in the world comes the Leica Pinmaster. The Pinmaster sports a lightweight carbon-reinforced body and is watertight (to a depth of a meter, so don’t throw it into the pond in a fit of rage). The device offers an exceptional 7x magnification (matching the Bushnell 1600 series and the Callaway LR1200), with an adjustable eyepiece that is suitable for glasses wearers and an LED display that adjusts its brightness based on the lighting conditions during play. The whopping $799 price tag is tops the in our tests, but rest assured you will likely to be the only one in your foursome playing this beauty.

Retail Price: $799
Amazon.com: Check price now

FreeCaddie

FreeCaddie

FreeCaddie is one of the few apps listed here that doesn’t include either satellite or graphic hole images. The app provides distance readings to the center as well as front and back of the green, along with hole and par information, and offers far better course coverage than most apps on our list. But given the bugs we experienced, the lack of hole views and scoring, users can do better elsewhere.
Download FreeCaddie from iTunes