Golf GPS Product Reviews

Review of the Garmin Approach G30 Compact Golf GPS Handheld Preloaded with information from over 40,000 courses - worldwide, the Garmin Approach G30 can be your golf game’s best ally. The compact design makes it easy to slip in and out of your pocket or clip it to your belt so that you have it handy for use at just the right moment. Because it's Garmin, you can feel confident the range finding information is up-to-date, accurate and the technology is reliable. Compared to the previous models (see: Approach G7 and G8 review), this model may prove that the best things do indeed come in the smallest packages. The entire device is just three inches at its widest point, with a vibrant touch screen measuring 2.3 inches. PROS Compact design Color touchscreen with full color maps 40,000 international golf courses Precise yardages Hazards, layup distances, green view Digital scorecard Legal for all PGA play Fits in the palm of your hand Automatic updates CONS Doesn’t have "plays like" slope factoring feature Small screen compared with G8 The device is very small, and might feel awkward to use in large hands Garmin Approach G30, Handheld Golf GPS with 2.3-inch Color Touchscreen Display Sleek, compact handheld golf GPS with 2.3-inch color touchscreen displayHigh-sensitivity GPS acquires satellites quickly to show distance to greens, hazards and doglegsPreloaded with more than 40,000 courses worldwideFull-color course mapping with Touch Targeting featureGreen View allows you to place the pin in the correct location for the day, which improves distance accuracy Check Amazon Prices Last update on 2021-06-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Garmin Approach G30 Key Features COURSE VIEW: With the Course View feature, it takes just a swipe of the display to see a full-color map of the entire course. From there, tap on the flag to zoom in on any area from the tee to the green. GREEN VIEW: This will give you an accurate representation of the course, orientated from wherever you are located, even if you’re behind the pin. MANUAL PIN PLACEMENT: Pin drop allows you to manually place the pin in the correct location for the day, which means your data will reflect the most accurate yardage. BIG NUMBERS MODE: A feature that is unique to Garmin GPS products, the Approach G30 displays yardage in a highly readable large font. No matter what you are referencing; front, middle, or back of the green; it displays seamlessly, every time and without distracting graphics. High-Tech Display: 2.3-inch high-definition color touch screen with a filter that makes it easy to read even in direct sunlight. Full Detail Course Maps: View a fully detailed color map of the course that shows all relevant features like fairways, greens, and hazards. Instant access to over 40,000 golf courses globally, with new golf courses added free of charge. Layup Arcs: Use these to see yardage intervals quickly. Touch Targeting: Get precise yardage for every location on the course with a tap of your finger. Automatic Updates: Never pay for a subscription or fees for updates. Hazards Finder: Quickly identify non-obvious course targets to discover the location of sand traps, water, and more. Layup Overview: Know the distance to layups and doglegs to use in strategy. Digital Scorecard: Keep track of and share your score throughout your round and download info to Garmin Connect. Advanced Stat Tracker: Keep track of the number of fairways hit, "greens in regulation" and PPR (putts per round). Shot Distance: Easily measure individual distances, calculating yardage no matter where on the course your ball is located. Smart Notifications: Receive texts, incoming calls, and other alerts right from your device. Rugged Design: Feel secure knowing that your investment is safe. Though sleek and small, the Garmin Approach G30 can take your abuse. The device is rugged and boasts water submersion rating of IPX 7. This means that the Approach G30 can withstand being submerged in up to one meter or water for 30 minutes and still operate without failure. How Does the Garmin Approach G30 Compare? Approach G8 Garmin Approach G8 Golf Course GPS Plays like Distance Gives The Golfer Distances To The Target, Adjusted For Uphill Or Downhill Shots. Display size : 1.5 Inch x 2.6 Inch (3.9 x 6.5 cm). 3.0 Inchdiag (7.6 cm)Smart Notification Receive Email, Texts And Alerts From Your Iphone (4S Or Later) Directly On Your Golf Handheld;Physical dimensions:2.1 x 4.4 x 0.6 inchesGarmin Connect Online golf community lets you play, then share and compare your round; visit connect.garmin.com to find out moreClub Advice Remembers how far you hit each club, and provides recommendations on which club to use based on your shot distances PINPOINTER Provides blind shot assistance by pointing you in the right direction when you are unable to see the pin (G8 only)Big Numbers Mode For easy viewing on your screen, increase the font size for distances to the front, back and middle of the greens AUTOMATIC COURSE UPDATE Device automatically updates courses with a Wi-Fi connection for no additional charge (G8 only) Check Amazon Prices Last update on 2021-06-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API 40,000+ Courses Around the World Measures Individual Shots Touch Targeting Green View Manual Pin Positioning Layup Arcs Stat Tracking Club Suggestion Rechargeable Battery PlaysLike Distance PinPointer Smart Notifications Wi-Fi Big numbers mode Garmin Connect Tournament Legal TruSwing compatible Check Amazon Prices Approach G30 Garmin Approach G30, Handheld Golf GPS with 2.3-inch Color Touchscreen Display Sleek, compact handheld golf GPS with 2.3-inch color touchscreen displayHigh-sensitivity GPS acquires satellites quickly to show distance to greens, hazards and doglegsPreloaded with more than 40,000 courses worldwideFull-color course mapping with Touch Targeting featureGreen View allows you to place the pin in the correct location for the day, which improves distance accuracy Check Amazon Prices Last update on 2021-06-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API 40,000+ Courses Around the World Measures Individual Shots Touch Targeting Green View Manual Pin Positioning Layup Arcs Stat Tracking Rechargeable Battery Smart Notifications Big numbers mode Garmin Connect Tournament Legal TruSwing compatible Check Amazon Prices Approach G10 Sale Garmin Approach G10, Compact and Handheld Golf GPS with 1.3-inch Display, Black (010-01959-00) Compact Design - Sleek, Pocket-Sized Design That Conveniently Clips-On To Your Belt, Bag Or Place It In Your PocketHazards - Hazards And Course Targets To Identify Locations Of Sand Traps, Water Hazards And MoreGps Receiver - High-Sensitivity Gps Acquires Satellites Quickly To Show Distance To Greens, Hazards And Doglegs -Even Under Tree CoverGreen View - Displays The Shape Of The Green With Manual Pin PlacementStat Tracking - Enhanced Stats Keeps Track Of Fairways Hit, Greens In Regulation And Putts Per Round Check Amazon Prices Last update on 2021-06-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API 40,000+ Courses Around the World Measures Individual Shots Green View Manual Pin Positioning Layup Arcs Stat Tracking Rechargeable Battery Big numbers mode Garmin Connect Tournament Legal Check Amazon Prices How Does the Garmin Approach G30 Compare? 1. NEO Ghost by Bushnell Golf NEO Ghost by Bushnell Golf is a similar product, regarding size. However, it offers fewer preloaded course maps. The Neo Ghost is also pretty bare bones when it comes to features. For one, it is not a touch screen device, nor is the display color. The battery life is comparable, and it appears to be a durable and water resistant as the G30, as well. At a price of less than $100, if you are looking for a lower cost, fewer frills GPS rangefinder, the Neo Ghost might be the right choice. 2. Garmin Approach G8 Garmin Approach G8 offers many of the same features, though a bit pricier. The larger screen size of the G8 may be attractive, though we found the difference nominal and did not influence our choice. Approach G8 has fewer courses preloaded, however, because Garmin provides free updates, this is also not an issue. The primary differences lie in the features offered by the G8, and ultimately this should factor into your decision. Since the G8 has both a "plays like" feature and club advice, it is generally not legal for tournament play. 3. Golf Buddy CT2 The Golf Buddy CT2 is a "watch" type GPS device. This tiny wearable has quite a few desirable and useful features, as well. The display just less than 2 inches in diameter, it shows distances in a large font. The display is designed to be used in full sunlight and has no glare or distortions. The update speeds are fast and as accurate as any laser or other more expensive GPS device. For the serious golfer looking to get into an accurate and easy to use device - for an under $200 price point, the Golf Buddy CT2 could be an excellent choice. Garmin Approach G30 Review Summary The highly sensitive, state of the art, GPS technology acquires satellite information instantly to provide you with a complete picture, wherever you are on the course, whenever you need it. Garmin Approach G30 is compatible with the Garmin TruSwing. This powerful alliance will give you the information you need to diagnose your swing, arming you with the knowledge you need to improve your efficiency. You can literally shave strokes off of your game as you play. Garmin Connect enabled devices, will with your smartphone throughout the day, saving your stats to the cloud through Garmin Connect online.