Bushnell Excel Golf Watch Review

The Bushnell Excel Golf Watch has been retired. Check out our current recommendations for today's best golf rangefinders..

'Bushnell Excel Golf Watch'

Bushnell Excel Golf Watch
Not Available


Check Newer Models
Laser
GPS
Golf Watches


Our Bushnell Excel Golf Watch Review will be available soon!

We’re excited about Bushnell’s latest entry into the golf watch market because this is their first effort at adding a wider variety of features. However, we don’t think they will be retiring the highly-rated Bushnell Neo Ion anytime soon, because of it’s appeal to golfers who just want an easy-to-use watch which provides distances to their targets and not much more.

Bushnell Excel Golf Watch User Rating: 2.86 Stars 2.86 out of 5 (18 reviews)

Score compiled from multiple sources.

Although it’s clear Bushnell is still trying to ensure the new watch is simple to use, the Excel adds features that will appeal to golfers who want more.

Let’s start with the Bushnell Excel key features:
  • Weather Information
  • Bluetooth integration with iPhone or Android smartphone for course updates without needing to sync with a computer
  • E-mail, text, and other notifications from your iPhone or Android smartphone.
  • The Swing Pro feature allows the user to monitor swing speed and swing tempo.This will be interesting for those who spend time on the driving range.
  • Book tee times (also works through the App)
  • Easy-to-Read Front/Center/Back Distances
  • Up to 4 Hazard Distances Per Hole
  • Pre-loaded with 35,000+ courses from 30 countries
  • Shot distance calculator
  • Auto Course Recognition
  • Auto Hole Advance
  • Pedometer and Fitness Trackers
  • Full front optical mounted color display with auto brightness adjustment
  • Stopwatch/Alarm/Timer
  • Waterproof
  • No membership or download fees
Included Bushnell App features:
  • App included with purchase of Excel Watch
  • Full color aerial views of hole layouts with distances
  • 3D flyovers with distances
  • Scorekeeping
  • Book tee times (also can be done on the watch)
  • Swing analysis stats
  • Pedometer and Fitness Trackers

The main features that Bushnell left off of the watch and put solely onto the app are the scorecard, stat-tracking, and full hole views with touch targeting. The Swing Pro features and weather information can found on the watch, but Swing Pro data can be analyzed more fully within the app. The idea of having to use the app during your round would seem to make the notifications component unnecessary, however we can see some users only using the app for it’s Swing Pro metrics on the driving range and still wanting notifications during the round. It remains to be seen if users will like Bushnell’s implementation of these advanced features, but we’re optimistic.

Bushnell Excel Golf Watch Specifications
Bushnell Excel Golf Watch
Course Download Fees No
Pre-loaded with Courses Yes
Full Hole Views Yes
Slope / Elevation No
Battery Life 14 hrs
Battery Rechargeable
Size (Width x Height x Depth) 2.12 in. x 1.77 in. x .54 in.
Measure Shot Distance Yes
Screen Size .98 x .98
Resolution N/A
Display Type color
Weight 1.6 oz.
Rainproof Yes
Touch Screen No
Touch Targeting No
Manual Pin Positioning No
Stat Tracker No*
Digital Scorecard No*
Computer Analysis Tools Y*
Ground Verified N/A
Alternate Targets Yes
Green Rotates to your shot angle N/A
USGA Compliant (local rule) Yes
Notes Weather info. Bluetooth connectivity to iPhone or Android phone for notifications, course updates, and game analysis. Bushnell App is free to Excel owners and includes full hole views and distances as well as scorecard, stat-tracking & swing metric
Order Golf Rangefinders from Amazon
GolfRangefinderShop.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you buy anything after clicking through, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps us keep the site up and running, so thank you! We work very hard to obtain the correct information about product features, but cannot make any guarantees about the accuracy. Please double check with the merchant or manufacturer before making a purchase.

User Manual for Bushnell Excel Golf Watch

Garmin Approach X40 Golf/Fitness Band Review

The Garmin Approach X40 has been retired. Check out our current recommendations for today's best golf rangefinders..

'Garmin Approach X40'

Garmin Approach X40
Not Available


Check Newer Models
Laser
GPS
Golf Watches

Our Garmin Approach X40 Golf/Fitness Band Review will be coming soon, but here are our initial thoughts.

We love Garmin golf watches and we love Garmin fitness bands, so we find the Garmin X40 band very exciting.

Garmin Approach X40 User Rating: 4.22 Stars 4.22 out of 5 (249 reviews)

Score compiled from multiple sources.

Golf features include distance to the front, middle, and back of every green, plus hazard distances. You can see the shape of the green and manually adjust the pin position. AutoShot tracking measures and records your shot distances automatically. It has a scorecard and stat-tracking. Combining these features with Garmin Connect make post-game analysis really interesting.

Activity tracking shows steps, distance, calories burned, heart rate and activity intensity. If that’s not enough, you can get notifications from your smartphone.

Garmin Approach X40 Features:
  • Distances to the front, middle, and back of the green
  • Green shape from your point of view
  • Manual pin positioning
  • Distances to hazards
  • AutoShot round analyzer measures and auto-records shot distances
  • Pairs with Garmin Connect for interesting post-game analysis
  • Pairs with Garmin TruSwing™ sensor for metrics to improve your swing consistency
  • High-resolution display easily readable in bright sunlight
  • Activity tracking – steps, heartrate, and sleep
  • Receive smart notifications for incoming calls, texts and other alerts
  • Garmin Approach X40 Golf Watch Specifications
    Garmin Approach X40
    Course Download Fees No
    Pre-loaded with Courses 40,000+
    Full Hole Views Yes
    Slope / Elevation No
    Battery Life 10hrs GPS / 5 days
    Battery rechargeable Li-ion
    Size (Width x Height x Depth) N/A in. x .83 in. x N/A in.
    Measure Shot Distance Yes
    Screen Size 1 x .42
    Resolution 160x68 px
    Display Type hi-res touchscreen
    Weight 1.1 oz.
    Rainproof Yes (50 meters)
    Touch Screen Yes
    Touch Targeting N/A
    Manual Pin Positioning Yes
    Stat Tracker Yes
    Digital Scorecard Yes
    Computer Analysis Tools Yes
    Ground Verified N/A
    Alternate Targets Yes
    Green Rotates to your shot angle Yes
    USGA Compliant (local rule) Yes
    Notes ElevateTM wrist heart rate technology and activity tracking
    Order Golf Rangefinders from Amazon
    GolfRangefinderShop.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you buy anything after clicking through, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps us keep the site up and running, so thank you! We work very hard to obtain the correct information about product features, but cannot make any guarantees about the accuracy. Please double check with the merchant or manufacturer before making a purchase.

    User Manual for Garmin Approach X40

Garmin Approach S20 Review

The Garmin Approach S20 has been retired. Check out our current recommendations for today's best golf rangefinders..

'Garmin Approach S20'

Garmin Approach S20
Not Available


Check Newer Models
Laser
GPS
Golf Watches


Our Garmin Approach S20 Review is based upon feedback from over 100 users. Overall the ratings are reasonably high for a golf watch with this many features, but there are a few things that were clearly outstanding on this watch. Although the number of positive comments far outweighed the negative, there are still a few issues on both sides that are worth discussing.

Garmin Approach S20 User Rating: 4.31 Stars 4.31 out of 5 (326 reviews)

Score compiled from multiple sources.

When the Garmin S20 first came out, we weren’t sure it was for everyone. However, the price is low enough now and the performance/features may be the best we’ve ever seen in a golf watch, so we’ve changed our tune.

We now feel ready to recommend it for any golfer. You can use it for just the basics, or dig into some of the advanced features. If you happen to be a little bit of a golf geek or a fitness enthusiast, you’re going to love the features of this watch! The S20 combines smartwatch features of phone notifications, activity tracking, and sleep tracking with a golf watch loaded with features.

Let’s start with the Garmin Approach S20 noteworthy features:
  • Distances to the front, middle, and back of the green.
  • Green shape from your point of view.
  • Manual pin positioning.
  • Distances to the front and back of hazards and doglegs.
  • AutoShot round analyzer measures and auto-records shot distances.
  • Pairs with Garmin Connect for interesting post-game analysis.
  • Pairs with Garmin TruSwing™ sensor for metrics to improve your swing consistency. (TruSwing™ available for purchase separately on Amazon.)
  • CourseView feature automatically updates frequently played courses for free.
  • High-resolution display easily readable in bright sunlight.
  • Activity tracking – steps and sleep.
  • Receive smart notifications for incoming calls, texts and other alerts².
  • Attractive watchband design.

Now let’s take a look at the pros and cons mentioned the most in the user feedback that we reviewed.

Garmin Approach S20 Review – Most Mentioned Pros
  • Accuracy – Overwhelmingly, the most frequent positive comment was about the accuracy of the S20. We didn’t find any complaints on this point.
  • Ease of Use – Many users commmented on the ease of use, however a few users had difficulty learning how to use the features.
  • Battery Life – There were plenty of rave reviews about the battery life of the Garmin S20. The only complaint we saw was from a user who was using it as an everyday watch.
  • Screen Readability – The comments about the clarity and readability of the screen were more enthusiastic than we generally see and there were zero complaints.
  • Responsiveness – Compliments about the responsiveness of any golf GPS is fairly unusual, but it must be good on the S20, because it was mentioned frequently.
  • Hazards – Many users commented on the accuracy of the hazard information.
  • Features – Quite a few users commented on the extensive features available on the watch.
  • Value – There were a number of comments about the Garmin Approach S20 being a good value.
  • Attractiveness – Several users mentioned the attractiveness of the watch.
  • Size and Weight – The size and weight was mentioned as a positive in quite a few comments.
Garmin Approach S20 Review – Most Mentioned Cons
  • Software Problems – A number of users experienced problems with the watch working correctly. In most cases, a software update corrected the problem, but some users had to return the watch. Garmin had a glitch with an update last year that has since been corrected.
  • User Manual – There were complaints about the lack of clarity in the user manual. That no doubt led to some other complaints.
  • Ease of Use – Some users had trouble learning how to navigate the S20. As mentioned on the previous point, a better user manual might have helped with this.
  • Autoshot – Although there were a few users that loved this feature, there were several complaints that it didn’t track a fair number of shots and there was no way to manually input a shot when the watch didn’t pick it up.
  • Garmin Connect – Several users felt that the inability to make corrections within Garmin Connect made the scoring and stats worthless. Others felt it provided interesting and helpful information.
  • Difficult to fasten – Only a couple of users complained that it was difficult to put the Garmin S20 on their wrist.

We believe the Garmin Approach S20 is an excellent golf watch for anyone and for golf geeks like us, it’s amazing! If you are concerned about having too many advanced features, there are a few other great choices on our “Best Budget-Friendly Golf Watch” list.

Garmin Approach S20
Course Download Fees No
Pre-loaded with Courses Yes
Full Hole Views Yes
Slope / Elevation N/A
Battery Life 15 hrs GPS / 8 wks
Battery rechargeable Li-ion
Size (Width x Height x Depth) 1.9 in. x 1.5 in. x .4 in.
Measure Shot Distance Yes
Screen Size .9 square
Resolution 128x128
Display Type hi-res monochrome
Weight 1.5 oz.
Rainproof Yes (50 meters)
Touch Screen No
Touch Targeting No
Manual Pin Positioning Yes
Stat Tracker Yes
Digital Scorecard Yes
Computer Analysis Tools Yes
Ground Verified N/A
Alternate Targets Yes
Green Rotates to your shot angle Yes
USGA Compliant (local rule) Yes
Notes In addition to all the golf features, it has an activity tracker, a sleep tracker, and move notification after periods of inactivity.
Order Golf Rangefinders from Amazon
GolfRangefinderShop.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you buy anything after clicking through, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps us keep the site up and running, so thank you! We work very hard to obtain the correct information about product features, but cannot make any guarantees about the accuracy. Please double check with the merchant or manufacturer before making a purchase.

User Manual for Garmin Approach S20

GolfBuddy Voice 2 Review

'GolfBuddy Voice 2'

Order from Amazon

OrderGolfBuddy Voice 2

 

We are currently working on our GolfBuddy Voice 2 Review but it’s not too early to say that GolfBuddy has another winner on its hands. Even if you don’t want to use the voice feature, these intuitive little devices are well worth considering.

GolfBuddy Voice 2 User Rating: 4.40 Stars 4.40 out of 5 (118 reviews)

Score compiled from multiple sources.

GolfBuddy has golf distance measuring devices in just about every category, but the one where they seem to dominate is the small voice models. This is their fourth entry into this category and with each new model, comes subtle but significant improvements. The GolfBuddy Voice 2 seems to be continuing that trend.

The predecessor to the Voice 2 was the GolfBuddy VS4 and although the Voice 2 has a nicer appearance, the size, shape, and weight are identical. In fact, there are only three differences that we noticed. The most important improvement is that the Voice 2 gets 14 hours of battery life versus only 10 hours on the VS4. That’s a really nice improvement!

We also like that the clip on the Voice 2 is built into the unit itself, where the previous model came with a clip that had to be attached. You can still get a watchband or belt clip that flips up if you prefer. The other new feature won’t make much functional difference to most users. The Voice 2 can have either a female or male voice and if you want to change it, you’ll need to make the update on your computer and then sync.

The original GolfBuddy Voice is still available, as is the VS4. Both models cost a little less than the newest model, but we think it’s well worth it to buy the GolfBuddy Voice 2 for the extra battery life.

GolfBuddy Voice 2 Notable Features
  • Audio and visual distances to front/center/back of the green
  • Automatic course and hole recognition
  • Shot measurement feature
  • Flip screen feature allows it to be viewed “right side up” when worn on your belt.
  • Rechargeable battery provides up to 14-hour battery life
  • Male/Female voice options through FREE GolfBuddy Manager Program
  • Legal for tournament play
  • Water resistant
  • Multilingual (up to 11 languages, 8 preloaded)
  • Dynamic Green View technology with distance readings from the golfer’s perspective

We don’t think you can go wrong with the GolfBuddy Voice 2, but if the voice feature isn’t important to you, you may also want to consider the Garmin Approach G10 which includes scorecard and stat-tracking.

GolfBuddy Voice 2 Specifications
GolfBuddy Voice 2
Course Download Fees No
Pre-loaded with Courses 38,000+
Full Hole Views Yes
Slope / Elevation No
Battery Life 14 hrs
Battery Lithium Polymer Rechargeable
Size (Width x Height x Depth) 1.76 in. x 1.78 in. x .49 in.
Measure Shot Distance Yes
Screen Size 1"
Resolution N/A
Display Type monochrome LCD
Weight 1.02 oz.
Rainproof Yes
Touch Screen No
Touch Targeting No
Manual Pin Positioning No
Stat Tracker No
Digital Scorecard No
Computer Analysis Tools No
Ground Verified N/A
Alternate Targets No
Green Rotates to your shot angle Yes
USGA Compliant (local rule) Yes
Notes -
Order Golf Rangefinders from Amazon
GolfRangefinderShop.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you buy anything after clicking through, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps us keep the site up and running, so thank you! We work very hard to obtain the correct information about product features, but cannot make any guarantees about the accuracy. Please double check with the merchant or manufacturer before making a purchase.

User Manual for GolfBuddy Voice 2

Garmin Approach G10 Review

The Garmin Approach G10 has been retired. Check out our current recommendations for today's best golf rangefinders..

'Garmin Approach G10'

Garmin Approach G10
Not Available


Check Newer Models
Laser
GPS
Golf Watches


Our Garmin Approach G10 Review is based upon observing common threads of criticism and praise for specific aspects of its performance.

Garmin Approach G10 User Rating: 4.42 Stars 4.42 out of 5 (97 reviews)

Score compiled from multiple sources.

After considering feedback from dozens of users, we found about 87% of the comments we considered to be relevant were positive. That number would be much higher if we were counting general praise rather than specifically mentioned features.

First, we will list the features and below that you can see a summary of the pros and cons of the Garmin G10.

Garmin Approach G10 Notable Features
  • Displays distances to the front, back and middle of the green, plus the green shape, all on the main screen.
  • Includes distances to hazards and layups.
  • Green View display shows the shape of the green and allows manual pin placements.
  • Digital scorecard lets you easily keep track of your score and stats.
  • Garmin Connect™ allows you to analyze your scores and stats online.
  • Compact, lightweight clip-on device fits anywhere.
  • Crisp, bright 1.3-inch square display.
  • Screen orientation can be adjusted depending on how you will use it.
  • Lithium-ion battery with up to 15 hours in full GPS mode.
  • Odometer to track your steps.
  • Rainproof with IPX7 water rating.
  • Preloaded with more than 40,000 golf courses around the world.
  • Free lifetime course updates.
Garmin Approach G10 Pros and Cons (Most mentioned are listed first.)
  • Accuracy – The accuracy of this unit was by far the most frequently mentioned positive comment. There was one neutral comment, but with GPS, we consider this an outstanding indicator of what you can expect from the most important job of any golf GPS.
  • Size – Most users loved the size of this very small device. There were a few people who thought it would be easier to handle if it were a little bit larger and one user who was concerned that it might be very easy to lose. If you have large hands or if you are prone to losing things, those issues are both reasonable concerns. On the other hand, if you want to clip it on your belt or keep it in your pocket, the size is great. If you are thinking of clipping it to your visor, then we suggest getting a small unit that also has voice, so that you don’t have to take it on and off all the time.
  • Value – A large number of users commented on what a good value the Garmin 10 was. A couple of users mentioned that the price would drop given the competition in this type of unit. We compared the prices to similar models and felt it was right in line.
  • Ease of Use – Many users said the G10 was very easy to use. There were a few that suggested that there was a bit of a learning curve for using some of the advanced features. None of them seemed to think it was a deal-breaker.
  • Auto Course Recognition – Most of the users who mentioned this featured thought it was quick to find golf courses. However, there were also several comments about it being a little slow. We know Garmin has a high-sensitivity receiver, but as with any GPS, the conditions can be a factor. Because of that and the fact that eventually the courses were found, we don’t suggest giving too much weight to that type of complaint.
  • Battery Life – Across the board, users had nothing but wonderful things to say about the battery life.
  • Hazard and Layup Information – Many users loved having distances to the front and back of hazards. Others said they did not use that feature, but what we thought was important was that there were no complaints about missing hazards.
  • Display – Amazingly for a unit this small, there were no complaints about the screen readability or the number size. In fact, several users went out of their way to say that it was very easy to read with “the large numbers”.
  • Shot Measuring – Quite a few users mentioned that they enjoyed this feature and used it frequently. We saw no complaints and make the assumption that this feature must be fairly easy to use based on the comments.
  • Screen Orientation – Several users who wear the G10 on their belts loved that they could change the screen orientation so that it was easy to read without touching.
  • Customer Service – A couple of users had received defective units, but in both cases, Garmin Customer Service took care of the problem quickly.

Overall we think the Garmin Approach G10 is an excellent choice if you are looking for a compact golf GPS. You can clip it on your belt, put it in your pocket, or some users even used velcro to attach it to the outside of their golf bags. Other users even clipped it to their glove! The competition in this size device is fierce, but this one is at the top of our list! However, if you are planning to clip it on your visor or hat, we still recommend using a device with Voice so you don’t have to keep pulling it off of your hat to see it.

Garmin Approach G10 Specifications
Garmin Approach G10
Course Download Fees No
Pre-loaded with Courses Yes
Full Hole Views Yes
Slope / Elevation No
Battery Life up to 15 hrs.
Battery rechargeable Li-ion
Size (Width x Height x Depth) 2 in. x 1.5 in. x .7 in.
Measure Shot Distance Yes
Screen Size .9 inches
Resolution high-res
Display Type monochrome
Weight 1 oz.
Rainproof Yes IPX7
Touch Screen No
Touch Targeting No
Manual Pin Positioning Yes
Stat Tracker Yes
Digital Scorecard Yes
Computer Analysis Tools Yes
Ground Verified N/A
Alternate Targets Yes
Green Rotates to your shot angle Yes
USGA Compliant (local rule) Yes
Notes -
Order Golf Rangefinders from Amazon
GolfRangefinderShop.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you buy anything after clicking through, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps us keep the site up and running, so thank you! We work very hard to obtain the correct information about product features, but cannot make any guarantees about the accuracy. Please double check with the merchant or manufacturer before making a purchase.

User Manual for Garmin Approach G10