The Expresso Satellite Navigation (ESN) WR62 is essentially a sister product to the Bushnell neo+ golf GPS watch, adding limited hazard information to the front/center/back information available on the Bushnell device. The guts of the watches look to be essentially the same (down to the same font type and almost identical menus), but the external styling and watch bands differ, and there are a few functional differences as well. Let’s call them fraternal twins. The WR62 features a stainless steel bezel and buttons, giving it more of a diving watch look, and has a lock clasp band that has to be sized to the wrist of the user (we took it to a local watch repair store, which did it in about 5 minutes at a cost of $10). The Expresso WR62 utilizes the same iGolf course database used by Bushnell, and comes preloaded with 25,000 courses.

The Expresso WR62 provides distances to the front, center and back of the green, and up to two hazards per hole. While the additional hazard data is great in concept, the execution befuddled us, as we often found that the hazards that Expresso chose to include weren’t always the most relevant ones. It is never enough to give us what we want – we will just want more of it! We aren’t software coders, and appreciate the challenge involved in creating an algorithm to select the most important hazards on any given hole. Where we quibble is wondering why Expresso chose to use dedicated screens to show the distances to the “front” and “back” when these distances are already on the primary display (where they are shown along with “center”) – it seems that the better use of those screens would be for additional hazard listings.

Like its fraternal twin, the Express WR62 provides the hole number, par, and distance information on the main screen. It does offer shot distance measurement, but there is no ability to record scores or statistics, and the only additional features are an odometer, an alarm, and a stopwatch (which the Bushnell neo+ watch does NOT have).

In an interesting twist, the Expresso WR62 retails for $179.95 ($20 less than the Bushnell neo+ watch).

We love the ease of use of golf GPS watches, and the Express WR62 is a nice option in this category. We didn’t love the styling, and getting the watch band sized was a minor hassle, but if you want a little more data than the Bushnell neo+ watch provides, at an even more attractive price (the neo+ watch is already one of the most affordable golf GPS watches), the Expresso WR62 is worth checking out.

SCORE
89
GRADE
B+
Setup/Syncing
79
Course Availability
93
Ease of Use
98
Course Details
78
Features
81
Accuracy
90
Cost/Value
94

Pros:

Cons:

Availability: Discontinued. Replaced by the Expresso WR67 GPS Watch
Retail price: $179.95
Three year total cost: $179.95
Amazon.com: Check price now


79 / C+

SETUP/SYNCING

The Good: Courses are already pre-loaded on the device.

The Bad: No wall charger is provided, so the only way to charge the device is by plugging the USB cable into your computer. The clip to attach the watch to the USB cable is a bit fickle. Despite the fact that the user manual states that the device can be synced with either a PC or a Mac for latest course updates, there is currently no driver available for the Mac. Oh, and syncing functionality isn’t available yet anyways, so you cannot update course maps (details, details!).

Details:

What’s in the Box: The Expresso WR62 golf GPS watch comes with:

Required Downloads:


93 / A-

COURSE AVAILABILITY

Critical Golf Test: Like the Bushnell neo+ (which has a different set of features than the Bushnell neo+ watch), which also provides hazard information, the Expresso WR62 watch leverages the course database from iGolf. Course coverage is 93%, which is what we expect from devices that provide fixed front-center-back of the green distance information and, in this case, only limited hazard information.

Manufacturer’s Claims: The WR62 comes with more than 25,000 worldwide courses pre-loaded on the device, which ranks it near the top of our course coverage comparison test .


98 / A+

EASE OF USE

The Good:The Expresso WR62 benefits from the watch form factor– just look at your wrist!

The Bad: More bulky than the standard watches we wear.

Details:

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


78 / C+

COURSE DETAIL AND MAPPING

The Good: The Expresso WR62 provides distances to hazards.

The Bad: The number of listed hazards is limited to two.

Expresso WR62 Golf GPS Watch

Click for more images

Details:


81 / B-

FEATURES

The Good: Shot distance measuring, auto hole advance, and an odometer that will measure how far you have walked and how quickly. And it’s also waterproof to 30 meters! Go ahead, take a victory dive into the pond by the 18th green!

The Bad: No ability to track scores or statistics.

Expresso WR62 Golf GPS Watch

Click for more images

Details:

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


90 / A-

ACCURACY

In our on-course testing the Expresso WR62 watch generally provided readings within five yards of course marked distances. The distances to points continue to be shown throughout the hole, regardless of how far away you are from those points.

We did experience completely inaccurate mapping at one of our tested courses, where the device was rendered unusable. This is presumably an error by someone at iGolf who was mapping based on a satellite image, as not only were hole numbers incorrect, but tee boxes were paired with the wrong greens on certain holes.


94 / A

COST/VALUE

Retail Price: The Expresso WR62 watch retails for $179.95, making it one of the least expensive golf watches.

Fees for Access to Course Database: There are no additional fees for access to the course database through their partner, iGolf. Of course there is also currently no ability to sync to iGolf and update the course maps on your Expresso WR62…so you get what you pay for!

Three-Year Total Cost of Ownership: With no cost for access to the iGolf course database, the three-year total cost for the Express WR62 golf GPS watch remains $179.95, keeping it as one of the lowest-priced golf GPS devices in terms of overall cost over three years.

Value: The Expresso WR62 is affordable and by offering limited hazard information, offers a slight upgrade on other entry level devices. We aren’t enamored of the styling and the lack of syncing capability is a concern, but there’s no doubt that it’s one of the best values among available golf GPS watches.


35 Responses

    1. We haven’t received a unit yet for review (we hopefully will be receiving both the AG50 and WR62 shortly).
      As of the first week of February, the Expresso WR62 was still scheduled for a mid-March ship date. We will update the availability date if we hear otherwise. Stay tuned!

        1. Thanks for the update to the ship time.  I’m actually holding off on buying until I see YOUR head to head comparison with the S1.  I love the ideas of these watches and can’t wait to see how this compares with your very favorable review of the S1.

          1. As are we! Golf GPS watches are really easy-to-use devices, and we really enjoyed the S1. One of the S1 deficiencies is the lack of hazard information (curious since Garmin has that information available), which the WR62 does include.

        2. Any word on an S2 from Garmin?  I see them dropping the price of the S1 which could be because of WR62 price and/or a S2 is coming soon.

          1.  3Jack, I was thinking the same thing. This is the second price drop in the last couple months for the Garmin S1. Every 3 days, I google Garmin S2 hoping it will magically appear in the results. I waiting out a Golf GPS purchase at least until the WR62 comes out and I read CG’s review.

          2. Omg. I was googling the wrong thing the whole time. Garmin s3 is here and it looks awesome!

          3. Looking forward to the S3 review.  Can you also consider a review of the MOTOACTV?  

            This is starting to get beyond the simplicity of the dedicated golf watch, but it has a similar form factor and is definitely in the field of products O am considering.  Thx!

          4. We actually just purchased a MOTOACTV last week (good timing!). We are just starting the review process (we take each device to multiple different courses for testing) and hope to have a detailed review up shortly. It does have a ton of features…

    2.  Now moved to a June 29th thru July 3rd release date. Hmmm… maybe just in time for a July 4th sale??

      1. Update on what’s included in the box: the watch itself, a USB sync cable, and user manual. This comes from information provided to retailers – we have not received the device yet for testing.

    1.  You can find that out easily enough online via a Google search, now. Not a lot is needed. Manual. Charger cable. There are quite a few Apps included — such as coordinate location (in case you need to tell an ambulance where to reach a colleague who is having a heart attack). Alarm. Stop watch features. Etc.

    1. Expected Release Date keeps moving. Three days ago it was June 29th at TGW. Now it’s July 3rd when you receive your confirmation after placing an order.

  1. As far as is known, is the battery rechargable?   The Garmin watch indicates it includes a recharging cord in “what’s included”; don’t see the same listed for the Expresso?  Does it recharge through the USB connection perhaps? 

  2. When will your review of this product post? I’m deciding between the Garmin Approach S1 and the ESN WR62 and will be making my decision off of your review of the WR62.

  3. Estimated shipping date: slipping…slipping…now early July 2012

    At the PGA Merchandise show Expresso announced that “it would ship in early March”.
    Must be arriving via a slow boat from China.  

    Slip sliding away , slip sliding away…the nearer your destination the more your slip sliding away

    from a Paul Simon song

    1. We actually don’t have a WR62 yet – we have prioritized some other products as it is not widely available yet (the largest resellers sound like they should have supply starting in August). Our guess is that this product may compare closely to the Bushnell neo+ watch – both are powered by iGolf and seem to have the same functionality. Our Bushnell neo+ watch is under review now and we should have it up shortly.

  4. I purchased the WR62 on Aug 12, 2012.  Everything works great except it is not accurate. Some holes are 20 yards  off, some are 15 to 18 yards off.  If it is 20 yards off at the 200 it is also 20 off at the 150 and the 100.  You cannot download your course because it is already loaded. I think they are working on this. The instructions tell you to download two drivers on your computer, etc, etc. A technician called and said that you do not have to do that.  I am not sure if they are leaving me out on a limb because I have heard nothing for the last few days.  Another golfer on our course  had the Garmin watch and it was accurate (either right on or one yard off.  I cannot return the WR62 because the band has to be modified to fit all golfers–specifically you have to cut the band to fit your wrist.  I would not buy this item until they get their act together.  Supposedly they will allow the WR62 to access (update) courses but as of the middle of August you are stuck with your watch.

  5. How long does it take for a company that prides itself on non biased reviews of golf equipment to complete a review of a product? It seems like this product is the toughest GPS watch to ever review. According to your tweets this product was in review August 31st. Does it really take a full month to complete this?

  6. I have one on my wrist as I type this message, it has made my Bushnell obsolete, everyone in my foursome just asks me what the watch says, it is very accurate, I don’t know who stated that they were 20 yards off, they need to send it back. Mine is right on the number and within a yard or 2 of what the rangefinders scope out (meaning they are off, the watch is accurate). I love this thing for the price and wear it all summer as my everyday watch. The rechargeable battery lasts a year of daily use, but will need to be recharged after about 3-5 18 hole rounds of GPS usage. it is no big deal to charge, and the comments about fitting the wrist band? really any one with a brain and a pair of scissors can get it perfect in about 3 minutes. Just measure twice cut once as they say. I for one am extremely pleased with the watch and would recommend it at this price point.

  7. Well over a year ago Critical Golf was still asking us to wait for their upcoming Review. ‘Nuff said.

    1. My my my, such a clamor to read about the Expresso WR62! It only took us 8 months to get the review up – compare that to the gestation period of a baby elephant, or how long it will take Sergio to win a major! Apologies to all for the delay – the review was put on the back burner since the WR62 is so similar to the Bushnell neo+ watch, for which we had already released a review, but it now occurs to us that while WE knew that they shared much of the same technology, our loyal readers probably did not.

  8. I purchased this device about a year ago, and was happy with the performance until May of this year. When I tried to pull up a course previously played with the WR62, I got a message that I needed to sync with igolf. I thought that it was just the course that needed to be updated, so I didn’t think much about it. After getting the same message on two different courses, I tried to do a sync/update through igolf, but was unsuccessful. I have tried 3 different browsers, and also the ‘reset’ on the watch. Nothing seems to work. Are there any suggestions, or do I just have a plain old digital watch?

  9. i bought a esn WR62 about 3 years ago ,it has packed up, still tells the time but it will not receive satellite signal, i have used it on my home course with great success but now i finish playing and it still has not located my course even after doing resets. I have sent several e-mails to the company but have received no replies. have they gone bust or is it they dont give a s*** all i want is an address where i can send it for repair. even the phone number isnt recognised any help would be great

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