Critical Golf: Unbiased Golf Equipment Reviews

Golf GPS Reviews - Overall Ranking

Spring 2013 -  Reviews, ratings and rankings of the best golf GPS devices. Our editors test and compare the newest golf GPS devices head-to-head to help you determine which golf GPS is best.  Golf GPS devices tested include offerings from Callaway, Garmin, GolfBuddy, Skycaddie, Bushnell, Motorola, Celestron, IZZO, Sonocaddie and Golf Guru.

How We Test

Intro to GPS Devices

Garmin Approach G6

Garmin Approach G6

The Garmin Approach G6 exemplifies the trend of putting all of the best features of previous devices into progressively more compact designs. We love the sleek form factor and ease of use, great course coverage, and no additional yearly or per-course fees. It’s not perfect – we aren’t fans of the arbitrary nature of when target distances are displayed, and experienced some bugginess when accessing old scorecards on the device. But all in all, a very good device. Check out our detailed Garmin G6 review.
Retail price: $299.99
Three-year total cost: $299.99
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Score

93

Grade

A-


Garmin Approach S3 Watch

Garmin Approach S3 Watch

The Garmin Approach S3 GPS golf watch builds upon its well-regarded predecessor, the Garmin Approach S1, by adding distances to layup points and customizable targets, a map of the shape of the green (with the ability to adjust the pin placement using the…wait for it…touchscreen), and scoring capability. We like the device, but have reservations about the lack of pre-mapped hazards and the high price. Read more at our detailed Garmin Approach S3 golf watch review.
Retail price: $349.99
Three year total cost: $349.99
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Score

92

Grade

A-


Garmin Approach S1 Watch

Garmin Approach S1 Watch

Just a bit thicker than standard watches, the S1 has an easy-to-use interface providing distances to the near, center and far edges of the green. While hazard distances aren’t available, the S1 provides hole and par information, along with shot measuring capability. If you are looking for just the basics and don’t mind wearing a watch while you play, or simply miss your Finnish Suunto G9, the S1 is the way to go! Read more at our detailed Garmin Approach S1 review.
Retail price: $179.99
Three year total cost: $179.99
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Score

91

Grade

A-


Callaway upro mx+

Callaway upro mx+

The Callaway upro mx+ presents a commendable feature set in a lightweight and slim form factor. The touchscreen takes some practice, but Callaway has built in other input tools (such as an optical navigation button) that make things easier. It’s still missing shot tracking, which we consider to be a pretty basic feature, but an attractive price point that provides access to the entire course database (including top-of-the-line ProMode maps with satellite images) for no additional charge makes the upro mx+ a contender.
Read our detailed Callaway upro mx+ review.
Retail price: $249
Three year total cost: $249
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Score

91

Grade

A-


Bushnell neo+

Bushnell neo+

With its “Plus” series, Bushnell joins the growing number of manufacturers offering golf GPS devices that come with courses pre-loaded, and, even better, requiring no membership fees for access to the course database. The neo+ is one of the simplest devices we tested, providing text distances to the front, center and back of the green and up to four other hazards/targets on each hole. If you are looking for ease of use, the neo+ ranks among the top devices. Read on at our detailed Bushnell neo+ review.
Retail price: $149.99
Three year total cost: $149.99
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Score

90

Grade

A-


Bushnell Hybrid Laser GPS

Bushnell Hybrid Laser GPS

The Bushnell Hybrid features the great idea of combining a laser rangefinder and a GPS device into a single package. Evaluated from the GPS perspective (we have a separate review evaluating it from a laser rangefinder perspective), it’s a bit light on features, is big and bulky, and costs a bundle. A fair attempt for a first generation product, but we’re hoping that new versions will have better integration between the GPS and rangefinder functions. Read our detailed Bushnell Hybrid Golf GPS Device review.
Retail price: $499
Three year total cost: $499
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Score

89

Grade

B+


GolfBuddy World

GolfBuddy World

The GolfBuddy World is a nice combination of an intuitive user interface, quality graphics, a full set of features, exceptional course coverage with pre-mapped targets, and no annual or per-course fees. While users can use the touchscreen to target any point on the hole and receive distances both to that point and to the green, as well as select the flagstick location, touchscreen sensitivity fell short of our expectations. The screen isn’t as bright as we would like, but hole and green graphic images are crisp. Though still not as well known as SkyCaddie and Garmin, GolfBuddy is making good progress. Read our full GolfBuddy World review.
Retail price: $299
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Score

89

Grade

B+


Expresso WR62 Watch

Expresso WR62 Watch

An affordable entry into the golf GPS watch market, the Expresso WR62 shares enough of the same technology with the Bushnell neo+ golf GPS watch to be almost a fraternal twin. Both devices provide distances to fixed points at the front, center and back of the green, but the Expresso adds up to two hazards per hole. We aren’t enamored of the styling, but there’s no doubt that it’s one of the best values among available golf GPS watches.
Read our detailed Expresso WR62 golf GPS watch review.
Retail price: $179.95
Three year total cost: $179.95
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Score

89

Grade

B+


Sonocaddie V500

Sonocaddie V500

The Sonocaddie V500 brings you the latest features, including satellite images and video flyovers. But uneven implementation of certain interface elements left us disappointed. Combine that with overall poor image quality of satellite views, lack of ability to zoom, limited mapped points, and buggy software, and you’re left with a device that gets lost in the noise. Oh, and it finished last in our course coverage analysis at a mere 21% of courses available. Not compatible with Macs. Read our detailed Sonocaddie V500 review.
Retail Price: $399 plus fees
Three year total cost: $428.95
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Score

88

Grade

B+


GolfBuddy Platinum

GolfBuddy Platinum

The GolfBuddy Platinum is touted to have an improved screen with better touchscreen response over their earlier devices. Unfortunately, we didn’t see much of a change on either front. The device still has a nice set of features, and comes with a pre-loaded course database that achieved a perfect 100 on our course coverage test. But the high end price tag makes us wonder if you aren’t better off sticking with the prior generation GolfBuddy products. Read more in our GolfBuddy Platinum detailed review.
Retail price: $399.99
Three year total cost: $399.99
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Score

88

Grade

B+


Bushnell neo+ Watch

Bushnell neo+ Watch

Bushnell jumps on the golf GPS watch bandwagon with their latest GPS device, the neo+ golf GPS watch. The Bushnell watch provides distances to the front, center and back of the green and also measures shot distances, but doesn’t provide distances to hazards, nor will it track scores. The blocky early 80s digital watch styling didn’t appeal to us, but the inexpensive price point certainly did. Read more in our detailed Bushnell neo+ golf GPS watch review.
Retail price: $199.95
Three year total cost: $199.95
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Score

88

Grade

B+


SkyCaddie Breeze

SkyCaddie Breeze

The hefty SkyCaddie Breeze starts from a base of providing distances to the front, center and back of the green only. Most users will opt for the advanced Feature Packs ($34.95 each) that provide advanced full hole and detailed green views. The display, course detail (when available) and setting options are top-notch, but
annual fees increase the three-year cost to a level far beyond most of the competition.
Retail price: $334.80
Three year total cost: $484.65
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Score

87

Grade

B+


SkyCaddie WATCH

SkyCaddie WATCH

No, that’s not a typo. SkyCaddie has entered the GPS watch game, and kept with the more-prevalent-than-should-be all-caps naming convention. Welcome the SkyCaddie WATCH. The WATCH provides the very basics, with distances to fixed front, center and back points, scoring, and other GPS watch functions. There aren’t any features that differentiate it from other watches, which make it more challenging for us to swallow the annual fee for course updates. Read more in our detailed SkyCaddie WATCH review.
Retail price: $199.95
Three year total cost: $249.90
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Score

87

Grade

B+


SkyCaddie SGXw

SkyCaddie SGXw

The SkyCaddie SGXw’s ability to determine any point on the course, pre-mapped targets, radiating yardage arcs, mapping of the entire green all add up to the most extensive mapping and distance information you can find in a golf GPS unit. The optical trackpad received mixed reviews from our staff (and there are still bugs to work out). It’s a great device for data aficionados, but players will want to consider both the device size and hefty price tag before purchase.
Retail price: $399.95
Three year total cost: $549.80
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Score

86

Grade

B


SkyCaddie SGX

SkyCaddie SGX

The SkyCaddie SGX has some of the latest features, including full hole graphic views and detailed green maps that show contours and false fronts. But course coverage for these new maps is still sparse, a user interface that feels overloaded (maybe it’s time to move to a touchscreen?) and a steep price tag, keep the SGX from rising higher in our rankings. Read our detailed SkyCaddie SGX review.
Retail price: $349.95 plus yearly fees
Three year total cost: $499.80
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Score

85

Grade

B


GolfBuddy Voice

GolfBuddy Voice

The GolfBuddy Voice tries to take voice-enabled golf GPS devices to the next level, but things don’t quite click as intended. The attempt to include a display seems misguided, as it’s too small to really be of use, and isn’t the whole point of a voice-enabled display to avoid having to look at a display? Adding distances to the near and far edges of the green is useful, but the method of accessing them is awkward. The device is too thick to look stylish when it’s clipped to the bill of a cap, so you’re left attaching it to your collar or belt. For now, we’re still unconvinced about the utility of voice for GPS devices.
Retail price: $199.99
Three year total cost: $199.99
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Score

84

Grade

B


Motorola MOTOACTV Watch

Motorola MOTOACTV Watch

The MOTOACTV is a beautiful thing, with a fantastic touchscreen, bright screen, and all kinds of fitness functionality, plus the ability to play your favorite MP3s…and it’s all available in a wristwatch. The hardware engineers deserve rich kudos. The software engineers…not so much. Numerous bugs, including in simple things such as adding up the scores, drove us batty. For now, the MOTOACTV Golf Edition is all hat, no cattle.
Retail price: $299.99 plus $29.99 for watch strap (looks like strap is currently free)
Three year total cost: $299.99
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Score

84

Grade

B


Celestron CoursePro Elite

Celestron CoursePro Elite

The Celestron CoursePro Elite suffers from being a “tweener” – caught as neither a compact basic device nor a full featured top-end unit. Most consumers are likely to find a better fit elsewhere. The exception is that the CoursePro Elite may appeal strongly to those who enjoy customizing their own course maps or need a device that displays one of the whopping twelve different languages that the CoursePro Elite supports. Read our detailed Celestron CoursePro Elite review.
Retail price: $149.95
Three year price: $182.84
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Score

83

Grade

B-


Matrix SHOTMATE Voice

Matrix SHOTMATE Voice

The Matrix SHOTMATE “speaks” distances at the push of a button. Approximately the size of a matchbook, and with a clip to attach to a cap, shirt or belt, it’s incredibly easy to use, and comes with courses preloaded. The trade off is that the SHOTMATE only provides distances to the center of the green, which may be sufficient for some, but alas, the distances to bunkers, creeks and trees are all too relevant to our game. Read on for our detailed Matrix SHOTMATE Voice review.
Retail price: $149.99
Three year total cost: $149.99
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Score

83

Grade

B-


IZZO Swami Watch

IZZO Swami Watch

Though the golf GPS watch market is growing rapidly, we were surprised by IZZO stepping into the game with their spidey-looking IZZO Swami Watch. The watch includes distances to fixed points at the front, center and back of the green, and features auto hole advance, shot distance measurement, and a digital scorecard. The navigation needs some work and there is no way to save scores, but the IZZO Swami Watch is the least expensive golf GPS watch on the market, comes pre-loaded with courses and carries no subscription fees. Read more at our detailed IZZO Swami Watch review.
Retail price: $149.99
Three-year total price: $149.99
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Score

81

Grade

B-


IZZO SWAMI 3000

IZZO SWAMI 3000

The SWAMI 3000 brings a number of significant improvements to the original SWAMI 1500, including course name displayed on screen, pre-loaded with over 19,000 courses. If you like bells and whistles, look elsewhere, but if an uncomplicated approach is more to your liking, the SWAMI 3000 is a nice simple unit in a lightweight and compact form factor. Read our detailed IZZO SWAMI 3000 review.
Retail price: $99.99
Three year total cost: $139.98
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Score

80

Grade

B-


IZZO Swami 4000

IZZO Swami 4000

IZZO changes things up their past golf GPS device format with the new Swami 4000. More similar in look to competing golf GPS devices, the new Swami 4000 comes with the same set of basic features that we have come to expect from IZZO, which includes distances only to fixed front, center and back of the green points. IZZO retains an aggressive price point with the Swami 4000, and without any recurring fees, currently the Swami 4000 is the lowest price unit in our tests over three-year total cost! Check out our detailed IZZO Swami 4000 review.
Retail price: $119.99
Three-year total price: $119.99
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Score

80

Grade

B-


Bushnell NEO-X Watch

Bushnell NEO-X Watch

Bushnell follows-up their first golf watch (the Bushnell neo+ golf watch) with the NEO-X. The NEO-X features a slight redesign, with a thinner and lighter body that the previous generation, as well as longer battery life. More importantly, Bushnell now adds hazard distances in addition to distances to fixed front, center and back points of the green. The comes preloaded with courses (though you will still want to sync the device on occasion to get the latest course updates), and features additional standard features such as shot distance, odometer, and auto course and hole recognition. Stay tuned for our detailed Bushnell NEO-X golf GPS watch review.
Retail price: $199.95
Three year total cost: $199.95
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Garmin Approach S2 Watch

Garmin Approach S2 Watch

The Garmin Approach family of golf GPS devices continues to grow with the announcement of the Garmin Approach S2 wristwatch. The Approach S2 sits in between the Garmin Approach S1 and the Garmin Approach S3 GPS golf watch, offering distances to the front, center and back of the green, along with layup and dogleg distances as well as a scorecard and distance measurement. It lacks the touchscreen of the Garmin Approach S3, and unfortunately still doesn’t have the pre-mapped hazards that competing devices offer. As with the other devices in the Approach lineup, there are no yearly fees. We have been fans of the prior generations of Garmin Approach watches, and look forward to testing. Stay tuned for our detailed Garmin Approach S2 golf watch review.
Retail price: $249.99
Three year total cost: $249.99
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SkyCaddie AIRE

SkyCaddie AIRE

Just when you think SkyCaddie is going to greatly simplify their family of devices with their versatile SkyCaddie Breeze, where users can customize through additional Feature Packs, there they go again. Maybe they are just looking to dominate the shelf space of your local retail stores. Who knows. At any rate, the Aire is a part of a group of 4 different SkyCaddie devices announced in 2013), and will be the smallest handheld SkyCaddie device with screen (greyscale) available. The Aire provides distances to the front, center and back of green only, and some additional features that we don’t need, such as calorie counter and odometer. Stay tuned for our detailed SkyCaddie Aire review. And as with other current SkyCaddie devices, don’t forget to consider the yearly fees – for the Sport Series, which includes the AIRE, $49.95 will get you 3 years of course updates.
Retail price: $129.95
Three year total cost: $179.90
Availability: Spring 2013

SkyCaddie GIMME

SkyCaddie GIMME

We haven’t figured out the target market for the SkyCaddie GIMME, which seems to provide the same distance information as the SkyCaddie AIRE. Overall we think SkyCaddie continues to spread themselves too think (in addition to the four models announced for 2013, they have three additional devices still on the market, the new SkyCaddie Breeze, as well as the SkyCaddie SGXw and SkyCaddie SGX. It’s like SkyCaddie is trying to do their best to confuse the customer. The GIMME is marketed as having “large, easy-to-read numbers”, and distances to the front, center and back of the green. We don’t get it, but stay tuned for our detailed SkyCaddie GIMME review. And don’t forget yearly fees – for the Sport Series, which includes the GIMME, $49.95 will get you 3 years of course updates.
Retail price: $169.95
Three year total cost: $219.90
Availability: Spring 2013

SkyCaddie VOICE

SkyCaddie VOICE

Not wanting to be left out of the voice trend in golf GPS units, SkyCaddie has announced their first golf GPS unit that provides distances by voice, the appropriately named SkyCaddie VOICE. The device provides distances at the push of a button to front, center and back of green, and lacks any screen. It’s retail price is a bit lower than the competing GolfBuddy Voice, which additionally provides a small screen with green image, though we expect SkyCaddie annual fees will increase the three year total cost by a bit. Stay tuned for our detailed SkyCaddie VOICE review.
Retail price: $149.95
Three year total cost: $199.90
Availability: Spring 2013