[tjbailey61]

I have played a lot of golf with the Skycaddies (various versions and over 300 rounds) and became a convert to the Bushnell laser rangefinder a couple of months ago. I was concerned with being able to read the display numbers since I now need reading glasses for nearly everything. The display is easy to read (without glasses) and it picks up the flag very well. Also - no downloading courses, no annual fees, no battery charger (I always carry an extra battery with the range finder), no searching for satellites (always a problem on cloudy days), and no descrepancies on yardages between similar devices (it happens quite often). The only negative with the laser range finders is if you don't have a clear view of the flagstick (hills, etc.) However, Florida is a pretty flat state so it shouldn't be a problem on TV courses. I agree with one of the other posters - try them all out and pick what works best for you. For the individual who sees no use for them, they do speed up play on all courses since there is no need to "walk off" the yardage from the fairways!!

[John_W]

Originally Posted by zcaveman;***710

...I walk to the tee and it says 300 yards. The guy with the GPS then walks over and proclaims to all of us that it is 295. What does that matter? Do I need a between club at that difference?
Z

Actually, I've never seen that happen. On a par 3, yes, it happens everytime. Today for example, the par 3 blue tees on the ground it said 138, my rangefinder indicated 145. With the wind in my face, for me that the difference between and 8 iron and a 7 iron. I think it's pretty important, but then again I like breaking 80 and I never did that before I owned a rangefinder.

[hedoman]

The only thing that I have notice is that the players with these GPS devices slow down play.



Z[/QUOTE]

It actually speeds up my play as I don't have to search for sprinkler head markers and pace off distances or drive around looking for something more than the 150 yard poles. I guess as a 9.3 index it means a lot to me.....
Slow up play? Not sure I can agree on that. What slows up play is slow play!

[ijusluvit]

Originally Posted by l2ridehd

Any reviews for the different golf apps for the iPhone? I have a sky caddie SG5 and it works really well, but then your carrying that and the phone. It would be really nice to have it on a single device. And that cost is $129 for 3 years of service.

Questions would be:

accuracy
battery hours impact
update fee's
original cost
number of courses
cover executive & championship
ease of use
features
distance to traps, water, etc
any other comments

Thanks

As poster said above, here's another vote for Golfshot, a one-time $29.95 app for your I-Phone. I've only used it once, but it is terrific. I've had a Golf Buddy Premier which I like a lot, but couldn't resist trying Golfshot. Very accurate, thousands of courses, including all in TV, Gives photo of entire hole layout from the tee, then from the exact point of each successive shot. Distances to and away from every hazard. And exact pin locations - distance to, and past the pin etc.etc. It works quickly so you do not have to wait when addressing your ball. There is a well done 36-page instructional download which teaches you how to use all the features quickly and easily. I'm North now and can't wait to get back and use it more. I'd love to hear if others are as enthused as I am.

[dkrhardy]

Originally Posted by hedoman;***981

The only thing that I have notice is that the players with these GPS devices slow down play.



Z

It actually speeds up my play as I don't have to search for sprinkler head markers and pace off distances or drive around looking for something more than the 150 yard poles. I guess as a 9.3 index it means a lot to me.....
Slow up play? Not sure I can agree on that. What slows up play is slow play![/QUOTE]

I agree. Looking for a marker takes more time than a glance at a screen. And if you do happen to end up a bit off the fairway, markers are non-existent.

Don

[cologal]

Originally Posted by KYTeacher

We just spent the longest amount of time in The Villages since we purchased last summer and was out golfing every day possible! It was so much fun and we met some very nice people. A few of the guys I played with had rangefinders and I would now like one...recommendations please.

What do you use (like)?
General cost?
Any annual or subscription fees?
Best place to purchase?

Thanks so much in advance for your responses!

I have mostly owned the SkyCaddie series, in total 3 different models, but tired of paying the subscription fees. Last year I bought the Garmin SG watch which displays the yardages to the front, middle and back of the green. No subsription charge. If you want more information then that I would recommend the Garmin G6, the latest model, very small but packed with information...it will tell you automatically how far that trap is from where you are standing. No fees. Got one as a birthday present in August love it!!!! These models when new were right around 300.00

[John_W]

I bought a new Golf Buddy Tour on eBay about 4 months ago for $150 w/free shipping. Works good, courses are preloaded. Bonifay wasn't loaded but I went to their website and downloaded from there. I wear glasses to read but I don't have any problem seeing Golf Buddy without glasses. I just checked eBay and you can still find them for that price new. There is no subscription fees, everything is there and newer courses are on their website.

[WildGary]

I have the golf buddy. Love it. It's my second one. Upgraded. Now I have the Platinum and sprung an extra $50 for the golf cart mount. But to be honest, being the geek I am, I have a Droid Razr and downloaded a few free apps to check them out. They are within a foot of the golf buddy, great resolution, bigger screen, etc. Go with the smart phone apps.

[rp001]

The little Bushnell neo plus works great for distance to green and bunkers...Great customer service...I broke two buttons off and asked where to send it for repair..They sent me a new one and told me to keep the old one, which still works fine..

[PJOHNS2654]

Originally Posted by Gary@SabalChase

I have the golf buddy. Love it. It's my second one. Upgraded. Now I have the Platinum and sprung an extra $50 for the golf cart mount. But to be honest, being the geek I am, I have a Droid Razr and downloaded a few free apps to check them out. They are within a foot of the golf buddy, great resolution, bigger screen, etc. Go with the smart phone apps.

I have the same phone but can't read the screen in bright sunlight.

[Santa]

I like my Skycaddie. Now if I can only figure out how to use it.

[red tail]

Originally Posted by gazorn

I like my Skycaddie. Now if I can only figure out how to use it.

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Golf-Buddy-GolfBuddy-Voice-Rangefinder/dp/B0077RH91M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347822632&sr=8-1&keywords=golf+buddy]Amazon.com: GolfBuddy Voice GPS Rangefinder: Sports & Outdoors[/ame]

love this little guy!!!

[Santa]

Originally Posted by red tail

Amazon.com: GolfBuddy Voice GPS Rangefinder: Sports & Outdoors

love this little guy!!!

Do you give lessons on how to use it!

[red tail]

Originally Posted by gazorn

Do you give lessons on how to use it!

you just turn it on,clip it to thebill on your cap and it talks to you. will tell you what hole and how far to the pin. has every golf course in the world.

[elhky]

Hey there, welcome from another Louisville transplant. I have an Iphone app called Skydroid, $1.99 . All the Villages courses are there except Bonifay, I think. Works great and is as accurate as most expensive GPS units I've seen. For that price, you could use it while you decide on another.