Although the IZZO Swami 1500 Gold GPS Unit is small in size, it features a generous, easily readable screen and is simple to use, having only four control buttons. The Swami runs for 12 hours on a rechargeable lithium battery which is included with the product. Also included is a belt clip for convenient travel, a USB cable for downloading and charging, and detailed instructions. At the company website, buyers can download the mapped golf courses of their choice. There is an annual fee for downloading, but at $10, it’s a bargain.

The Swami has a few disadvantages, but most don’t relate to the actual functioning of the unit. For instance, the Swami is referred to as a “no frills” GPS system because it lacks the fancy features of more expensive units. The clip belt for the Swami is somewhat large in size and difficult to attach in a convenient position for reading. Claims are also occasionally made about the Swami’s accuracy in measurement.

Still, the advantages of the Izzo Swami 1500 Golf GPS Unit outweigh the disadvantages. The Swami is easy to use because of its simplicity and easy-to-read display. It also holds a charge well and comes with a rechargeable, lithium battery. The accuracy of the Swami is above average, normally within a couple of yards. Perhaps, the two most attractive features of this GPS system are the low price (under $100) and the Swami’s customer service department. For a low price, a golfer receives a GPS Unit capable of outperforming more expensive units, and if something should go wrong with the Swami, a rare occasion, the customer service center is always responsive.

IZZO Swami 1500 Golf GPS Unit Sale Price: $58.41   Eligible for free shipping!

The smallest golf GPS available today is the compact Bushnell Neo Golf GPS. Not only is the device little in size but it is also very accurate, normally within two yards, and extremely simple to use. The Bushnell Neo has a straightforward interface and can be applied to any golf course in the world.
The Bushnell Neo is capable of storing up to ten mapped golf courses at a time. With a paid membership to iGolf.com, courses can be downloaded from the largest golf database on the planet, with a maximum of one hundred downloads per year.

Functioning on a rechargeable Li-Ion batter that lasts for approximately 16 hours per charge, the Bushnell Neo GPS unit is durable and rain resistant. It has a large, LCD screen with backlight which vividly displays in high contrast the distance to the front, center, and back of the green. A belt clip, storage pouch, and instruction manual are included in the packaging with the Bushnell Neo.

Critics of the Bushnell Neo Golf GPS complain about the iGolf download subscription fee of $35 a year. They also criticize the download software as being difficult to use especially when used with Mac computers which some say are incompatible with the Bush Neo. Other golfers say it is difficult to name custom points on the Bushnell Neo, and unlike more expensive GPS units, it only gives the basic information and leaves out valuable data.

Fans of the Bushnell Neo Golf GPS especially appreciate the reasonable price, estimated around $86 without shipping and handling. The rechargeable battery is a great feature that helps the Neo power up quickly. Because of its small, precise size, the Neo attaches and detaches easily to belts. Most importantly, it accurately calculates the distance to the green, making any shot a possibility for even the most inexperienced golfers.

Bushnell Neo Golf GPS Sale Price: $83.95   Eligible for free shipping!

The 2.2 inch high color screen allows users to see above ground photographs of the course and each individual hole. These aerial and satellite pictures permit the golfer to see different views of the fairway and lets him assess the proximity of nearby sand traps and hazards. When downloading courses, individuals have a choice of a Basic or Pro Mode with a pay for what you need plan. The Basic course reveals the distance to all hazards in a green view while the Pro mode offers additional features, most notably an aerial view of the entire hole.

Along with a rapid GPS locking system, the unit has one of the fastest launching times of all the golf GPS devices.  For those who want to further increase the convenience of the uPro, there is an available download which enables the unit to respond to vocal instructions and makes course plotting of the instrument even more stress free. The uPro comes with a six month warranty and includes one free course download, a rechargeable battery, a USB cable, and a wall adapter.

What users say:
The cost of the uPro is expensive, over $300.00, and the fact that there is no flat subscription fee seems like a rip-off (though some golfers enjoy only paying for what they need). Not all of the requested courses are available for download, and the syncing of downloads is quite slow.

On more positive notes, the distance measurements are highly accurate. The uPro offers the mark features which permits you to view the length of your shots. The satellite and aerial technology are awesome; in uPro mode, every tree and hazard are shown, making the sport of golf easier than ever.

uPro Golf GPS by Callaway Golf Sale Price: $189.99   Eligible for free shipping!

The Sonocaddie XV2 Personal Golf GPS utilizes an innovative, high-tech GPS satellite system to measure the yardage between targets and various hazards. With this unit, you’ll always know what you’re up against. Another feature allows you to calculate the distance from your lie to the green even where the line of sight is not clear. Golfers will especially love the driving distance element which tells the golfer the distance of his shot.

The Sonocaddie XV2 can decipher the distance between any two points on the course. It also has a perceptive interface that allows the user to input new course plots and edit existing coordinates. Once your game begins, your Sonocaddie XV2 becomes your personal scorekeeper. It will automatically calculate your total score at the touch of a button. Sonocaddie knows that sharing is caring, and it even lets you share information about your favorite golf courses with your friends via the data cable that comes with purchase.

The Sonocaddie XV2 users can peruse over 13,000 mapped, golf courses. The GPS unit can store up to 20 golf maps at one time. It also features a digital scorecard, a driving distance calculator, and a USB cable. The Sonocaddie XV2 runs on 3 AAA alkaline batteries (included with purchase). With fully charged batteries, the unit can be used for up to ten hours.

The Good about the Sonocaddie XV2 Personal Golf GPS:

• No membership or subscription fees
• Unmapped courses are quickly loaded to the database
• Moderately price at $169.99
• Provides accurate data
• Saves time by calculating distance
• Small size is convenient

The Bad about the Sonocaddie XV2 Personal Golf GPS:

• Friendly but unhelpful customer service agents
• Batteries drain really quickly
• The display is difficult to read in dim lighting
• Downloading courses is difficult

Sonocaddie XV2 Personal Golf GPS Sale Price: $188.35   Eligible for free shipping!

The Garmin Approach G3 GPS-Enabled Golf Handheld is a powerful, waterproof, touch screen GPS unit that employs a finely tuned GPS receiver to calculate particular shot distances and present the precise distance to greens, fairways, and hazards with a one percent margin of error. The Approach G3 is a small, sturdy unit that weighs 5.3 ounces and is easy to carry around. It has a 2.6” display that functions well in the sunlight.

With thousands of preloaded courses from the US and Canada, the Approach G3 unit permits golfers to view courses beforehand. It also updates and isolates a golfer’s position without human intervention. The green view feature offers the user the advantage of zooming in on the pin to determine the exact yardage. The Approach G3 contains a digital scoreboard which can be used by a maximum of four players; the data on the scoreboard can be saved and later reviewed on a computer.

The two AA batteries needed to run the Approach G3 are not included with the unit, but once they are stored inside, the GPS has a battery life that may extend up to fifteen hours.

At purchase, instructions and a belt clip are included with the device.

The benefits that arrive with the Garmin Approach G3 GPS-Enabled Golf Handheld are many. There are no annual fees and no downloads on which to wait. The touch screen is water resistant and makes using the Approach G3 a breeze. The digital scoreboard maintains scores for four players each game and alleviates the need for note taking. A highlight of this model is that it allows the user to preview the course before playing it.

The drawbacks of the Garmin Approach G3 GPS-Enabled Golf Handheld include its $300 purchase price and the fact it is not powered by a lithium-ion rechargeable battery. AA batteries are required, and the battery life is not always consistent. On occasion, the screen of the Approach G3 can be difficult to see in the sunlight.

Garmin Approach G3 Waterproof Touchscreen Golf GPS Sale Price: $219.95   Eligible for free shipping!

The Golf Buddy Tour GPS Range Finder eliminates the guessing in your golf game. It displays in full color and has an easy-to-read, water-resistant screen which displays the precise distances to bunkers, lay-ups, lakes, and hazards. In addition, the Golf Buddy Tour also allows golfers to customize their own targets. The view of the green, presented by the Golf Buddy Tour, is an active one as it automatically changes form on the golfer’s angle of approach to reveal all hazards, even those which cannot be personally seen by the user.

Preloaded with golf course data from all over the world, the Golf Buddy makes golfing so much easier by automatically recognizing courses and holes and updating with the progression of each game. This GPS unit includes integrated, score tracking and can store up to 1,000 scores and 20,000 courses from countries around the world. It also gauges the distance hit with each club and constantly monitors hazards and the distance from the green.

Extra highlights of the Golf Buddy Tour include a ninety day warranty, a multilingual menu, a rechargeable battery, and the capability of adding custom targets to each hole. The purchase of the almost $300 Buddy Tour is enhanced by a belt clip, a wall charger, a plastic holder, and a user’s manual.

A noted weakness of the Golf Buddy Tour includes a poorly written, instruction manual. The device also limits golfers to identifying a maximum of 11 custom targets for each hole. The price tag is considered pretty hefty by some.

One of the most popular features of the Golf Buddy Tour is the fact that the device automatically advances holes. This leaves the golfer to focus on the play. The Golf Buddy Tour also makes the game of golf easier by allowing users to input and edit hazards. The course recognition feature is another strength of the Golf Buddy Tour. All golfers have to do is turn on the unit and play the game.

Golf Buddy Tour GPS Range Finder

GolfLogix is assembled by GARMIN, a leader in the field of GPS technology. It estimates and shows the distances in yards and meter of every green along with the associated, golf hazards. Two added bonuses are course recognition, where the GolfLogix recognizes what course is being played and instantly adjusts and the last shot feature where the distance of the last shot is readily calculated and displayed.

GolfLogix requires two alkaline batteries and comes with a one year warranty. It can hold up to twenty, mapped golf courses. The first course is free, but to download other courses, of which there are over fifteen thousand worldwide available online, there is a low subscription fee. The GolfLogix purchase includes an instruction packet, a belt or bag clip, and a USB cable for connectivity.

Many golfers favor the GolfLogix Garmin GPS because of its sturdy construction. It also accurately measures the distance to the center of each green, tells you the length of each of your shots, and automatically resets to the next course hole. Opinion varies on Garmin’s customer service when it comes to the GolfLogix. Some buyers praise the friendly customer support and others claim it’s nonexistent.

Other complaints related to the GolfLogix are the lack of rechargeable batteries, the difficulty downloading courses and attaching the connector cable, and the fact that the screen is not colorized. Users also scoff at the subscription fee for extra courses when they’re already paying close to $200 for the unit.

GolfLogix Garmin GPS Sale Price: $184.99   Eligible for free shipping!

The Sonocaddie V100 Golf GPS unit contains the highest rated GPS technology. It provides golfers with the most accurate distance info from any point on the golf course. Even if there is not a clear line of sight, the V100 can still identify the measurement from any location to the green. This feature helps reduce erroneous mistakes in a golfer’s shot selections.

The V100 also features the Shot distance component which tracks the distance of all shots taken. This information aids the golfer in reviewing his strategy as far as the specific club used. Personalized, course, target setting allows the V100 user to customize particular targets on the course maps in a manner which will allow him to improve his game.

The Perks Attached to the Sonocaddie V100 GPS Unit:

• It is a very good value at $149.
• The Shot feature measures the yardage of each shot.
• The display is easy to read.
• $30 is all you pay for unlimited course downloads.
• The V100 is powered by an internal rechargeable battery.
• Contact with customer service is a pleasant experience.

The Drawbacks Attached to the Sonocaddie V100 GPS Unit:

• The $30 fee for downloads is seen as a negative to some users.
• Although the V100 can store up to 30 courses, golfers can only access 10 courses at a time.
• There is no automatic hole advancement.
• The belt clip lacks functionality and does not work well.

Sonocaddie V100 GPS Unit

The Garmin Approach G5 GPS-Enabled Gold Handheld is a lightweight yet sturdy, waterproof, golf GPS unit with a 3-inch sunlight, friendly touch screen that contains an abundance of U.S. pre-loaded golf course diagrams. Even though Garmin offers thousands of course maps through download, there is no annual fee. The course map’s features include hazards, fairways, and greens.

The Garmin Approach utilizes a highly responsive GPS receiver to calculate shot distances, and it displays the exact number of yards needed to make both the easiest and complicated of shots. The Approach also maintains an electronic scoreboard that can hold data for up to four players. The scores can be saved and reviewed at home on the computer.

To operate the Approach, two AA batteries are needed, and the batteries generally last up to fifteen hours. Included with your purchase of this GPS unit are a fast start manual, a USB cable, and a belt clip for convenience.

The positive aspects of the Garmin Approach G5 include:

• The unit’s color display touch screen
• Its sturdy build that makes the Approach waterproof
• The fact that it can hold data for thousands of U.S. golf courses
• It allows the user to accurately calculate distances, and it also shows all aspects of the hole from the tee to the greens with critical information highlighted.
• The Approach does not require a subscription.

The less favorable aspects of the Garmin Approach G5 include:

• The hefty price tag, over $350.00
• Even though it is lightweight, it is not small and doesn’t fit well in pockets
• The screen goes dim after few seconds
• All landscape features are not displayed
• It is difficult to read the touch screen unless you are in bright light
• Rechargeable batteries are not include

Garmin Approach G5 Touchscreen Golf GPS (Old Version) Sale Price: $259.99   Eligible for free shipping!

Guru – a leader or guide. Those terms describe what the GPS Golf GURU 4 Precise GPS/PDA Golf Rangefinder is. It allows users to play the best games of their lives, and it also permits them to listen to music, watch movies, and perform other PDA style tasks. With elective software, this GPS unit can also perform road navigation.

The GURU 4 contains a 20-channel GPS and innovative technology which allows the golfer to easily perform many tasks to ensure an excellent game. With AerVu with the Shot Plan Feature, golfers can plan ahead even before they get to troublesome holes. Aervu itself presents a full view of the fairway and reveals hazards and distance to the green. This component also lets a golfer identify his distance from traps, hazards, and the pin no matter where he is currently standing. SmartGreenVu provides users with accurate distance measurements and allows them to fine-tune pin placement and then create the perfect strategy to make the shot.
The 3.5 color, touch screen of the GURU 4 is one of the largest displays available in the Golf GPS market. Through it, golfers have complimentary access to 20,000+ mapped golf courses. The GURU 4 can run for up to 14 hours when it is properly charged. At purchase, the GURU 4 comes with a thirty day unrestricted money back guarantee, a rechargeable battery and charger, a USB cable, and an owner’s manual.

Why Some People Love the GPS Golf GURU 4 Precise GPS/PDA Golf Rangefinder:

• Outstanding customer service. Courses that are not mapped are quickly loaded.
• The GURU 4 automatically checks for new software and downloads.
• The unit is well-made and durable.
• The GURU 4 is easy to use and comes with great resources.
• Free unlimited downloads.
• Excellent battery life – up to 14 hours.

Why Others Don’t Like the GPS Golf Guru 4 Precise GPS/PDA Golf Rangefinder:

• Shot tracking feature does not work as well as advertised.
• The GURU 4 does not have a way to keep track of the data.
• The unit freezes up at times.
• An SD card and reader must be purchased to enjoy music.

GPS Golf Guru 4 Precise GPS/PDA Golf Rangefinder with Multi-application capabilities Sale Price: $359.95   Eligible for free shipping!