Best Golf GPS Reviews and Ratings

The Sonocaddie V300 Color GPS Unit is another lower priced competitor with a color LCD screen and full features to rival the best golf GPS brand Garmin, so much so that Sonocaddie has become a golf GPS heavyweight in its own right. Complete with precision shot and hole distance measurements, position measurements and detailed course specifics, the V300 has the potential to skyrocket your golf game to the next level, all within the rules, of course. Benefit from near-instant satellite recognition via a 14 channel GPS receiver with accuracy that even the military would be proud of.

Check out the full features of the Sonocaddie V300 Color GPS Unit:

• 2.2″ color LCD backlit display, easily visible in sunlight
• Digital scorecard
• 14 channel GPS receiver
• USB cable for connection to your PC and downloading of new data
• Rechargeable battery
• A/C power adapter
• Belt clip for convenient carrying while on the course

The Sonocaddie V300 Color GPS Unit has been reduced by on amazon by 47%. Click here to view this discounted item now!

Among the household names, Garmin, Callaway, Bushnell and Golfbuddy, has now emerged Sonocaddie, which has earned great respect across the golfing world by satisfying a range of customers you would never have thought possible with such big brands already so stubbornly entrenched in the golf GPS market. But the Sonocaddie has surprised thousands of customers, of whom 59 were so kind as to give us prospective buyers a review so that we could make a more informed decision as to whether to get it or not. After all, surely a golf GPS discounted to under $212 wouldn’t be all that good? Well, to my surprise, the Sonocaddie V300 Color GPS Unit possesses just as good a rating as even the best golf GPS from Garmin, and that’s not something to be taken lightly.

Yes, there is a membership fee and yes, customers are not particularly happy about it; but fortunately it’s just a one-time $29.95 fee to access unlimited downloads from the Sonocaddie site, which includes over 18,000 worldwide courses. In addition to the not-so-bad one time fee, Sonocaddie V300 Golf GPS reviews on Amazon are happy with the compact size of the Sonocaddie V300, a very handy property when you are walking around the course on hot days. Most people are also happy with 30 courses being held in the unit’s memory, though again some of the more expensive GPS units have unlimited memory, so that’s a negative; however in practise most golfers don’t care as they would find it very hard to play more than 30 courses within a year.

Amongst the many Sonocaddie V300 Golf GPS reviews, many have noted the following features as useful: bird’s eye views of the whole course, hazard information including distances, user-defined points on the course can be added, rapid satellite connection and tracking, waterproof (though not guaranteed by manufacturer), and long battery life. This is a very large list of positives. Negatives include the instructions manual which could be improved as well as the occasional slowdown when changing the course.

See more product information and more Sonocaddie V300 Golf GPS reviews here.

Costing far less upfront than most golf of the best golf GPS range finders on the market, the Sky Caddie SG3.5 is definitely a candidate for those golfers who still want a full color LCD range finder, but who don’t want to pay astronomical prices. The Sky Caddie SG3.5 can be found heavily discounted at selected online stores and as a result can potentially be found for under $150, one of the cheapest prices in the color LCD golf GPS category. Not only does the Sky Caddie SG3.5V, but it also contains the SkyCaddie patented ‘IntelliGreen’ and ‘IntelliGreen Pro’ technology which gives you access to statistics and views of the green that aren’t possible with many other GPS range finders. If that wasn’t enough, SkyCaddie’s QuickVue fully complements IntelliGreen by providing vital distances and ideal pathways from the start to the end of the course. Such cutting edge, completely legitimate technology truly allows the golfer to supercharge his/her game.

Full specifications of the Sky Caddie SG3.5:

• Full color 2.2″ LCD display
• Not powered by Li-ion, use AAA batteries instead
• 20 course memory
• Patented IntelliGreen technology
• Digital scorecard
• Pinpoint shot distance measurement
• USB port computer connection
• Access up to 30,000 courses for $29.95 per year

Amazon has knocked a massive $179.97 off the list price, reducing from $329.95 to just $149.98. Click here to access this discount now!

Overall, from the Sky Caddie SG3.5V golf GPS reviews on Amazon, customers seem to be as happy with the Sky Caddie 3.5 as they are with even the absolute best golf GPS range finders today. This is evident from the very substantial 4/5 average star golf GPS rating on Amazon across a diverse range of customer origins and locations, and a total of 26 golf GPS ratings. I suspect that this is partly due to the fact that the Sky Caddie SG3.5 is a pretty decent GPS unit, and also the fact that it costs just $149.98 on amazon, which is very cheap for a golf GPS. It’s hard to be really unhappy with an item if its price has already been reduced by 55%; it would take an absolutely terrible GPS for customers to truly react negatively to it.

As it happens, the Sky Caddie 3.5 is among the best color screen golf GPS that you can buy for under 150 bucks. Customers are recognising this in their reviews, with a fair few commenting on how they performed substantial research prior to finally taking the plunge and purchasing the Sky Caddie SG3.5. Some users are commenting on the battery life and how 3 AAA batteries will not last long, while others are vehemently refuting these claims. So who is right? Well, it all depends on what type of battery you buy. Some AAA batteries will have power output of 800 mAh while others can go up to 1200 mAh. Obviously the former type will run out a lot quicker. Second, the battery quality, often determined by the brand, can play a major role in your battery life when you use the Sky Caddie SG3.5V, which is a relatively high demand piece of equipment. It is economical to buy rechargeable AAA batteries but try your best to get at least 1000 mAh if possible, and charge them fully before playing. Always keep a spare set or two, fully charged of course, just in case they die on you. My opinion is that AAA batteries are a lot better to use than the Lithium ion built-in battery which many of the best golf GPS units use, because you can get more rounds out of the AAA batteries in my experience. Customers recommend getting rechargeable batteries and I couldn’t agree more. They are only a few bucks nowadays as technology is improving greatly, thus reducing costs.

Unfortunately just as the SkyCaddie SG5, the Sky Caddie SG3.5 is plagued by the same disadvantages: number one, the annual fee; and number two, the very low course memory in the unit. I suppose you are paying for the unit’s very low initial price in annual fees, rather than paying it all upfront as you might do with the more expensive golf GPS range finders which then have no annual fees. Let’s say, for example, you use the Sky Caddie SG3.5 for 5 years: You pay $30 per year, totalling $150. Adding the initial unit price of $150 you are paying $300 total. For the new IntelliGreen and IntelliGreen Pro technology, plus the impressive SkyCaddie QuickVue, you may well get more than enough use and playing advantage to make that total price worth it. These features are partly contained in higher end GPS units such as the Garmin Approach, but not fully. SkyCaddie really has something unique here and I would say that my own experience trying this particular GPS unit out was not enough to come close to fully exploring the features or capabilities of the patented IntelliGreen. Would it provide a significant advantage to golfers in the future? Possibly, but I would wager that only if you know how to use such a tool very well. As for the low course memory of just 20 courses, even if you do have access to nearly 30,000 courses from SkyCaddie’s database with a $30 annual subscription, you can only store 20. The best GPS units have no annual fees and come with unlimited memory capacity, and all courses already stored on the unit. However, I guess that’s why you are paying a third of the price in the case of the Sky Caddie 3.5. The Sky Caddie SG3.5V Golf GPS reviews on Amazon seem to recognise this and reviewers are generally satisfied, as a slight understatement, even.

Pros of the Sky Caddie SG3.5:

Color LCD screen for an extremely low price
Advanced, cutting edge IntelliGreen technology

Cons of the Sky Caddie SG3.5:

Annual fee is charged
Low memory capacity at just 20 courses

Click here to read all Sky Caddie SG3.5 Golf GPS reviews now!

At a discount of nearly 60% at selected online retailers, the SkyCaddie SG5 Golf GPS is a high-end golf gps range finder for the price of considerably less sophisticated models. The SkyCaddie SG5 has a full color LCD screen, a feature normally reserved for the very best golf GPS range finders. In addition, the SkyCaddie SG5 Golf GPS boasts accuracy to less than 2 1/2 yards, and utilizes the same GPS technology as the United States military. Indeed, it would be impossible to describe all the statistics and features of the SG5 in just one paragraph; but rest assured that you get the shot distance, distance to the hole and much, much more.

Full specifications of the SkyCaddie SG5 Golf GPS:

• Huge, full color LCD with backlight
• Innovative ‘Intelligreen’ technology providing 3D course details
• $29.95 annual subscription for 16,000 courses
• Powered by rechargeable lithium ion battery for 14 hours life maximum
• Windows compatibility via USB connection
• Measures 5.4″ x 2.2″ x 1″
• 5 1/2 oz unit weight
• A/C Charger included

The list price for the SG5 is $459.95, but you can buy here from amazon for just $199.00! (57% off)

While there are many very favorable golf GPS reviews for the SkyCaddie SG5, the average sentiment from all the SkyCaddie SG5 Golf GPS ratings we have studied is that other golf GPS units from brands such as Garmin and Golf Buddy are preferred. This is not true for every case, for example a reviewer from Albuquerque much prefers the SkyCaddie SG5 to the Garmin GPS he previously had, however admittedly he had not tried any of the high end Garmin units and only bought units for under $200 (the cheaper golf GPS models). The somewhat lower overall satisfaction is reflected by the average star rating on amazon of approximately 3.3 out of 5, while the top rated golf GPS, the Garmin Approach G5 has reached an impressive 4 out of 5 stars.

The number one gripe that I, along with the authors of the golf GPS reviews for this product on Amazon, have with the SkyCaddie SG5 Golf GPS is the annual fees. If you want to have any courses on this unit, you will have to pay anywhere from $29.95 to a substantial $129.95 for a maximum of 16,000 courses. Again, comparing it with the Garmin Approach G5, the Garmin G5 has absolutely no annual fees and has unlimited course memory. Customers are definitely not impressed with the SkyCaddie SG5′s measly 10 course maximum capacity; is that to do with the patented ‘Intelligreen’ technology which might hog loads of data? Who knows. All I can report is, annual fees and a 10 course memory is not very impressive even if you do have other technology that no one else has.

Here are some other points which the Amazon customers’ SkyCaddie SG5 Golf GPS reviews are noting, and which I agree with. Number one, the unit is rather bulky; it’s definitely not so convenient to carry around with you especially when there are modern golf GPS units out there which slip into your pocket like an iphone. Secondly, the course download speed is sloth-like – I have never encountered speeds like this since it was the 90s and we all had 56k modems. The best golf GPS range finders can download courses almost instantaneously, or better yet, they come pre-loaded with courses! The positives are really not stacking in the SkyCaddie’s favor. Sure, SkyCaddie was there at the start when GPS technology was just beginning its use in golf, but that doesn’t give them the license to produce sub-par pieces of GPS equipment and expect us to be okay with it just because it’s SkyCaddie. I guess that’s my final point – and my apologies for the semi-rant. You can go and get the SkyCaddie if you want, but when you try your friend’s Garmin Approach, don’t say we didn’t warn you…

Pros:

Can be bought from amazon at a huge discount
Has 3D ‘Intelligreen’ technology – quite unique and impressive

Cons:

Annual fees charged for courses
Tiny maximum 10 course memory
Slow course download
Bulky unit

Click here for all 71 customer SkyCaddie SG5 Golf GPS reviews, product pictures and more.

The Neo+ Bushnell Golf Range Finder is one of the best golf GPS systems for golfers who want a fully functional range finder, but don’t want all the frills of a color display. The Neo+ will perform all the tasks that a high-end Garmin golf GPS might do, at less than half the cost. Added to that is 16,000 pre-installed, auto-recognised courses for absolutely no annual fees, and the Neo+ begins to look more and more like a savior to players who want a small range finder to clip to their belt instead of the much larger Garmin models. The Neo+ Bushnell Golf Range Finder can find all the various distances required for a sure, accurate swing, including front, middle and rear of the course, as well as the sand, water, trees and other undesirable areas of the course. All buyers are also protected by a 1 year warranty, which means that Bushnell has got you covered in the unlikely event something happens to your Neo+ Bushnell Golf GPS unit.

Main features of the Neo+ Bushnell Golf Range Finder:

• 16,000 pre-installed US/Canada courses
• Automatic recognition of courses
• All key areas of course provided, plus hazards
• Calculates shot distance, and shot distance required
• No annual fees
• Power cable, USB adapter included
• USGA compliant
• Powered by internal rechargeable Li-ion battery (included)
• Each charge provides up to 16 hrs battery life
• No additional installation required
• Belt clip
• 1 year warranty

The Neo+ Bushnell Golf Range Finder is available at amazon for 32% off. Click here to save $136.99!

For more expensive electronics, it’s very difficult to maintain any star rating on amazon of more than 4 out of 5, but somehow the Neo+ Bushnell Golf Range Finder has managed to do this, at an average 4.3/5 over a respectable 28 total golf GPS ratings. Such an impressive score indicates that customers find the Bushnell Neo+ an excellent buy for the money, even compared to the higher end, considerably more expensive touch-screen color display Garmin golf GPS systems. While it is true that there are significant benefits to having a color GPS to display the course as a full image, there are also advantages to the simplicity of the display style that the Neo+ Bushnell Golf Range Finder incorporates. It all depends on one’s preferences and playing style. It definitely seems that customers recognize this fact as well as the wide range of functionality even stacking up against the best golf GPS range finders out there. Another plus for the Neo+ Bushnell Golf Range Finder is that it does not need to be updated nor does any new software have to be installed, as is the case with many other of the best golf GPS models. A downside to this is that the other best GPS units have their databases constantly updated for accuracy; for many other GPS’s you just need to download the latest database and you have an improvement on the system. In the case of the Bushnell Neo+, however, all of the updating is done on your own. And this is where I come to the most significant negative outlined by a few very prudent Neo+ golf GPS reviews: The Neo+ Bushnell Golf Range Finder can on certain courses be inaccurate and needs to be adjusted by the user before it will be fully accurate. Once you have gone through a course once and adjusted, the Neo+ will be pinpoint accurate, however it’s hard to trust this Neo+ Bushnell Golf GPS on the first time in any course. That’s my main tip: go through the course once, make sure to adjust the inaccuracies, then you will have it perfectly accurate for that course in the future. The reason you don’t have to do this for a touch screen, color display, more expensive cloud database driven golf GPS is because the database is constantly updated by the manfuacturer, rather than you having to do it yourself. Often, users write to customer support stating various inaccuracies, these are then investigated and corrected if deemed to be true. In the case of the Neo+ Bushnell Golf GPS, you do it yourself. But what you get in return for just over $135 (amazon discounted price) is fantastic – a fully functional range finder with all the features of a $500 unit, without the color display. It’s no wonder customers are so pleased with it and why it has the highest rating we have seen so far of any GPS – the best golf GPS for the money without doubt. However, many golfers will prefer to let others do the programming and have instant accuracy the first time on the course, in which case we would recommend going with a more expensive Garmin model.

Pros:

Very cheap
Simple to use

Cons:

Inaccurate on the first run
No color display

See all the original product golf GPS ratings, technical details, and more Bushnell Golf GPS reviews and more here.

Rivalled only by Garmin and perhaps Callaway GPS range finders, the Golf Buddy World Platinum GPS is an invaluable aid to any serious golfing enthusiast. No more blind shots or hesitant swings: With the Golf Buddy World Platinum GPS Range Finder you will be able to see precisely the distance you have hit every single shot, and the screen is completely visible in even the brightest of sunlight. What’s more, you will find yourself right at home on the course with high-res, pre-loaded, automatically recognised courses ranging in the thousands, plus multiplayer scoreboards as well as nearly instant satellite lock-on, the World Platinum could well be the only Golf GPS / Range Finder you will ever need. Though it may be an underdog, the Golf Buddy World Platinum GPS has some seriously convincing golf GPS reviews submitted by regular golfers worldwide, therefore this unit should be viewed as a direct competitor to the best golf GPS brands, Garmin and Callaway.

Full features of the Golf Buddy World Platinum GPS Range Finder:

• Color, high-res, touch-screen display perfectly visible outdoors
• Approximately 40,000 pre-installed courses from all over the world
• No annual subscription fees
• Score tracking for up to 4 players
• Powered by Li-Ion rechargeable battery
• Connects to PC via USB

The Golf Buddy World Platinum GPS is available on amazon for 27% off. Click here to get this discount!

While most of the best golf GPS systems require you to pay annual fees, the Golf Buddy World Platinum GPS charges absolutely nothing, even though the huge database of automatically recognised courses is constantly updated and if you feel there is a mistake made on any part of the database, all you need to do is email customer support and they will get right on it. A number of Golf Buddy World Platinum Golf GPS reviews online have expressed their satisfaction not only with the unit itself, but with the care you will receive after the initial purchase. Our greatest tip to new users of the Golf Buddy World Platinum GPS Range Finder, or those who are considering a purchase, whatever you do, make sure you update the database to the latest version from the factory default. Once again, as customers have pointed out, all you have to do is update to new courses and update the firmware, and you are good to go. Best of all, the database is constantly improving with new courses and revisions as a result of Golf Buddy initiated changes, or even from user initiated changes which are then verified by customer support. Even the best golf GPS units for which you have to pay an annual fee do not have as high a level of post-purchase value as the Golf Buddy World Platinum GPS Range Finder has. While we always endeavor to cover both negative as well as positive aspects of the products features in our golf GPS reviews, it’s often quite difficult to come up with faults for items which don’t really have any. Customers who have left Golf Buddy World Platinum GPS reviews who aren’t pleased with what they received simply have not updated their database, a very simple task, but one which surprisingly eludes quite a few! I have seen positive Golf Buddy GPS reviews from all around the world meaning that the huge database of 40,000 courses is certainly not confined to the United States or even the major western countries. You would be surprised the number of obscure courses the World Platinum GPS can automatically recognise. The only negative about this unit, and quite an irritating one sometimes, is that the battery runs out of power even if you’re not using it, so you can charge it, not use it at all for an entire week, and find that when you switch it on, it’s almost out of power. This is due to the nature of Li-ion batteries. I wish they would find a way to maybe make a ‘backup’ cell or something – a way to make the batteries last longer AND to make them not run out when they’re not being used. Apart from that one issue, the Golf Buddy World Platinum GPS Range Finder has stellar reviews both on amazon and elsewhere on the web. Special mention goes to the excellent Golf Buddy customer service – they do indeed live up to their name, bravo!

Pros:

Massive, massive database of 40,000 courses
Nifty auto-recognition (no need to sift through courses)
Fantastic customer support
No annual fees

Cons:

Battery runs out even when you’re not using it, so charge only before use

Full product page for the Golf Buddy World Platinum GPS can be accessed here.

With no recurring fees to pay, a vast array of pre-programmed maps plus additional maps on the official product website, the Garmin Approach G5 Golf GPS is one of the finest aids to supercharge your golf game in an instant. Boasting some of the best golf GPS reviews online, this unit is durable, featuring sturdy, entirely waterproof construction and a 3″ touch-screen display. Save your scores between a maximum of four golfers and keep them for as long as you like; monitor your progress by looking over your scores to spot stagnation, decline or improvement over time. For any serious golfer, a GPS is an absolute must, and the world’s best golf GPS manufacturer, Garmin, has not disappointed with their latest offering, the Garmin Approach G5.

Take a look at all the features of the Garmin Approach G5:

• 1 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ 240 x 400 pixel waterproof touch-screen display
• Pre-installed maps with many more available on the product website
• One time product fee – no need to pay subscriptions
• Digital scorecard
• Extremely sensitive readings for maximum shooting accuracy
• Powered by 2x AA batteries (not included)
• Battery life – up to 15 hrs
• Completely waterproof

List Price – $499.99. Click here to buy on amazon at $300.00 – 40% off!

Even before we focus on the specific item itself, one can’t help but feel more reassured buying from a brand like Garmin. Surely the most well-respected manufacturer of golf GPS equipment, possibly even the best golf GPS manufacturer, buyers definitely expect a lot from Garmin even before they read any golf GPS reviews or do any research on the particular product they are looking to buy. And with a mean rating of 4 out of 5 stars, averaged over a massive 121 reviews as of Q3 2011, it seems that the Garmin Approach G5 isn’t letting many people down. When buying a golf GPS, you need to be wary of the subscription fees that many manufacturers require you to pay for the privilege of using the GPS unit. The Garmin Approach G5 gets a MAJOR plus from me, and judging from the golf GPS reviews for this unit, customers tend to agree with me, in that there are zero annual fees to pay. Another advantage of the Garmin Approach G5 is that it is completely waterproof. Sure, the Callaway uPro has the slight edge in terms of functionality, but it makes you pay for each course that you want to view in “Pro” (read: Complete) mode. What a rip! Customers really appreciate that Garmin has done away with those simply irritating annual fees. Now, on to the Satellite locking on, which can be a pain for many golfers, the Garmin Approach G5 locks on almost instantly, an experience shared by both myself and the customers who have been out and submitted their Approach G5 golf GPS ratings on amazon and consumer reports. All in all, when I use an item like this, I find myself continually amazed that these things are allowed at tournaments and so forth. As one user quite succinctly put it: The Garmin does everything *but* hit the ball for you! I may seem somewhat biased but the item is that good, and a steal at reduced prices from big volume retailers. A couple of little complaints start off with the fact that the unit could be smaller. Other golf GPS units, especially the best golf GPS models, can be as small as an iPod – not this one, it’s a little thick. Second, I know the manufacturer states 15 hours of battery life but those must be some amazing batteries they’re using. Garmin Approach G5 users, myself included during the week I tried it, only managed a single round with a pair of batteries. Definitely not 15 hours. Those little qualms aside, the Garmin Approach G5 is simply a must-have for any serious golfer.

Pros:

No subscription charges
100% Waterproof
Thousands of maps available
Top class functionality

Cons:

Larger than some other GPS’s
Battery life is less than 15 hours for sure

More Garmin Approach G5 Golf GPS reviews and images available here.