The NEO XS is Bushnell’s latest iteration on an entry-level golf GPS watch. Bushnell has improved the prior generation NEO-X watch by adding two additional hazards that can be listed for each hole (increasing the total to four per hole). Aesthetics are always subjective, but we found the sleek round design of the NEO XS to be vastly superior to the blocky look of the NEO-X.

It still doesn’t keep score or pair to a mobile device through Bluetooth, but what it does do it almost always does extremely well (the exception is the initial set-up for syncing courses, described in “Setup/Syncing” below). Bushnell has made a fine professional product, so if you’re looking for a low-priced alternative in the golf GPS watch field, the NEO XS is the one to get.

SCORE
90
GRADE
A-
Setup/Syncing
91
Course Availability
99
Ease of Use
98
Course Details
80
Features
80
Accuracy
90
Cost/Value
93

Pros:

Cons:

Retail price: $199.99
Three year total cost: $199.99
Amazon.com: Check price now


91/ A-

SETUP/SYNCING


99 / A+

COURSE AVAILABILITY


98 / A+

EASE OF USE

Bushnell NEO XS

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For more details, check out the Critical Golf comparison of ease of use.


80 / B-

COURSE DETAIL AND MAPPING

Bushnell NEO XS

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80 / B-

FEATURES

Bushnell NEO XS

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For more details, check out the Critical Golf comparison of golf GPS device features.


90 / A-

ACCURACY

The Bushnell NEO XS generally returned distances within our standard expected range of variance for GPS devices, usually plus or minus up to 4 yards from actual distances (based on marked sprinkler heads).


93 / A-

COST/VALUE

Retail Price: The Bushnell NEO XS golf GPS watch retails for $199.99, which puts it at the low end of the range among the golf GPS watches in our tests.

Fees for Access to Course Database: There are no additional fees for course map updates to the NEO XS.

Three-Year Total Cost of Ownership: With no additional yearly fees to download the latest course information, the three-year total cost for the Bushell NEO XS remains $199.99. At this price point, it is among the least expensive golf GPS watches in our tests.

Value: Like the prior generation NEO-X, the Bushnell NEO XS provides solid functionality and stylish design at a reasonable price. It doesn’t track scores or statistics, but the addition of even more pre-mapped hazard information (with four hazards now available on a given hole) makes the NEO XS a good buy.


For more detail, check out the Bushnell NEO XS demo, or the marketing video below.


8 Responses

  1. Just used neo xs watch for 1st time today-and pretty impressed.I do have a couple of questions though-
    Can you toggle from golf to time and back?
    When measuring a shot distance,can you toggle back to distance from the hole(to let your buddy know how far for his 2nd shot)then back to pick up your original shot distance?
    thanks for any help

  2. My wife purchased the NEO XSand she loves it. I, on the other hand, purchased the Skycaddie LINX and while it looks like a much better watch than the NEO, it can’t hold a candle to the performance and battery life of the NEO. Plus, the NEO is $50 cheaper, no brainer.

  3. What BUSHNELL fails to tell you is thebattery is not replaceable. NOT by you and NOT by BUSHNELL. My 3 year old NEO XS battery started to fail to hold a charge. I called BUSHNELL customer service and was told the battery had worn out nd could not be replaced. The Rep said even a car battery wears out. I said I don’t have to buy a new car when it does. No help from BUSHNELL. BEWARE!!

  4. Am I quite safe using an apple adapter/charger for my Bushnell Neo X watch

    My laptop is not always available

  5. Just thought I would share my experience with my Bushnell NEO XS. 1. It seems slower than my Garmin S1 to adjust and give a distance reading. 2. is the most aggravating, Certain spray on sun block products will turn the back of the Bushnell NEO XS to a gooey mess! I am assuming the spray-on sun blocks have been tested ensure it is relatively safe to apply to human skin and shouldn’t dissolve the back of the NEO XS. I spoke to a Rep at Bushnell and he says he’s seen this before and their only solution to ensure customer satisfaction is to tell you to thoroughly clean the back of the NEO XS with Goof Off or similar product and find a sun-block that will not dissolve their watch. I will be going back to a Garmin or whatever product that has a metal back.

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