Garmin S2 vs S3 vs S4

In the matchup of Garmin S2 vs S3 vs S4…

As of this writing, based on price to features, it’s almost a toss-up between the Garmin S3 and the Garmin S4 The price of the S2 is so similar to the S3, and it really doesn’t measure up from a features perspective. Even though the S3 has the edge on price, the Garmin S4 adds some nice features, that will make it worthwhile for some golfers. Both models have a touchscreen and manual pin positioning.

Here are the major differences in the battle of Garmin S3 vs S4…

  • The battery life in GPS mode is 10 hours on the S4 and only 8 hours on the S3. That’s a nice improvement, but by itself, probably not enough to spend the extra money.
  • The S4 will allow you to track your stats (putts per round, greens & fairways hit, average distance). For some golfers this is important, others have no interest.
  • The Garmin S4 has a dedicated “green view” button that makes it a bit easier to get to that screen when you need it. With the S3, it only takes two steps to get to the green view, but definitely not quite as easy as having a dedicated button.
  • The S4 is a little bit smaller than the S3, but they weigh the same.
  • The Garmin S4 has the ability to display text and email messages and other notifications from an iPhone connected via bluetooth. This is a must-have for some and for others, it’s a deal breaker!

    • We think the differences between the Garmin Approach S4 and the S3 are significant enough to justify most of the price difference, but not every golfer will benefit from the extra features. It’s definitely a personal choice.

    If you’re not completely sold on one of these models already, there are some other terrific golf watches out there. Take a look at our Best Golf Watch breakdown.

    Model Garmin Approach S3Garmin Approach S2Garmin S4 Golf Watch
    Read Full Review Read Full ReviewRead Full ReviewRead Full Review
    Price Check PriceCheck PriceCheck Price
    GRS Score 4.34
    (522 Ratings)    		4.41
    (924 Ratings)    		4.06
    (276 Ratings)
    Height 2.7 in.2.7 in.2.41 in.
    Width 1.8 in.1.8 in.1.83 in.
    Depth .6 in..6 in..58 in.
    Weight 2.06 oz.1.8 oz.2.06 oz.
    Battery Lithium-ion rechargerechargeable Li-ionrechargeable Li-ion
    Battery Life 8 hrs GPS / 4 wks8 hrs / 3 wks10 hrs GPS / 6 wks
    Rainproof IPX7waterproof to 10 meterYes (10 meters)
    Pre-loaded with Courses YesYesYes
    Instant Course Recognition YesYesYes
    Auto Hole Advance YesYesYes
    Course Capacity UnlimitedUnlimitedN/A
    Touch Screen YesNoYes
    Stat Tracker NoNoYes
    Digital Scorecard YesYesYes
    Computer Analysis Tools No*No*Yes
    USGA Compliant (local rule) YesYesYes
    Alternate Targets YesYesYes
    Ability to Add Targets YesNoYes
    Measure Shot Distance YesYesYes
    # of Available Courses 30,000+30,000+30,000+
    Course Download Fees NoNoNo
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Garmin Approach G8 Review

The Garmin Approach G8 has been retired. Check out our current recommendations for today's best golf rangefinders..

'Garmin Approach G8'

Garmin Approach G8
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Here’s our Garmin Approach G8 review based on weeks of testing as well as feedback from users.

The Garmin G8 full-featured handheld golf GPS unit scored high in almost every category that we typically rate. We give it a big thumbs up and highly recommend it but suggest you take a look at our comments on each feature (below) before making your final decision.

Garmin Approach G8 User Rating: 4.18 Stars 4.18 out of 5 (113 reviews)

Score compiled from multiple sources.

What we consistently see in full-featured golf GPS devices vs. more basic models, are slightly lower ratings from users. Inevitably many users will run into one issue or another in trying to use all the bells and whistles. That definitely holds true with the G8, BUT…

after spending several weeks testing the G8, we think taking the time to set it up and learn your way around it, is well worth the effort. In fact, it’s quite intuitive for all of the basic features, so you really can take it right out to the course to play and should have little trouble getting distances to just about any target.

It’s important to note, that the Garmin 8 is now legal for tournament play with some of its features turned off. It is the first GPS to use course elevations so that it can give a “plays like” distance. This is a really cool feature that you can use in practice rounds and fun rounds, but you will have to turn it off for tournament play. In several instances we were surprised that our confident guesses of green elevation were pretty far off, so we think this could improve our scores on hilly courses!
Here’s our take on most of the features of the Garmin Approach G8:

  • Wifi – Jump on any Wifi and you can update the database and/or the firmware very quickly. This will save many users the headaches that come with computer compatibility issues and software glitches. We recommend doing this a couple of times each season.
  • No Fees Ever – Always a thumbs up for Garmin on this point.
  • Screen Size – 3 inches from corner to corner. It’s that middle of the road that allows for a small unit, but still full hole views.
  • Screen Readability – the G8 does not use actual aerial photos, which we think immensely helps readability. The distance to the middle is in a fairly large font in the top right corner. If you need even larger fonts or distance to the front and back of the green, you can just tap that number and get BIG numbers! If you tap on the screen to get a distance to layup targets, the numbers are fairly large and on par 4s and 5s, there is even a zoom feature. Of course, there is also the green view button that uses very large fonts for front, middle and back distance, plus you can move the pin for more precise distance on this screen.
  • Green View – nice to have a dedicated button to get to the up-close view of the green. Very easy to touch the area of the green where you believe the pin to be and get updated distances. Also very nice to see the green shape.
  • Touch Screen – We like the touchscreen, but we’ve heard from many users who carry the device in their pockets, who are not happy with it. As the device is always on, inadvertent bumps to the screen can cause some problems. It’s fairly easy to lock the screen so this doesn’t happen, but it is an extra step to unlock it when you need a yardage quickly. Garmin made the touchscreen on their watches a little less sensitive and that might be a good idea for the handheld units as well.
  • Targets – Although some people prefer aerial photos, we felt the representation of targets was good and also found the layup arcs useful. The layup arcs are red, white and blue representing 100, 150 and 200 yards from the middle of the green.
  • # of Golf Courses – 38,000 international courses.
  • Plays Like Distance – Very useful but must be turned off in tournaments using the USGA local rule on distance measuring devices. The Garmin G8 uses elevation to tell how far a shot plays up or downhill. This number displays just below the actual distance.
  • Club Advice – You have to enter your club distances to set this up and then the unit will display a club suggestion for each shot. We are indifferent about this, but some users seem to really like it. This feature would also need to be turned off in tournament play.
  • PinPointer – If you have a blind shot, this gives you an indication of where to aim, which can come in handy.
  • Scorecard & Stats – a dedicated button takes you to the scorecard and we found it easy to navigate back and forth to different holes. Entering stats is quick and easy and getting a summary of your game is definitely beneficial. Stats include fairways (left, center or right), greens in regulation and putts. The Garmin stores your rounds for later viewing.
  • Smart Notifications – allows you to receive email, texts and alerts on your G8. We seriously don’t see too many people using this feature. We were able to get text messages from our iPhone to display on it, but not email. We also had problems with the unit getting disconnected, but are hoping a new firmware update will improve this.
  • Battery Life – We didn’t get the 15 hours that Garmin advertises, but we used it at full brightness with Bluetooth turned on. We never played 36 holes in a day with it, but it probably could go the distance. Users are reporting 2-2 1/2 rounds.
  • Garmin Connect – We had trouble logging into our Garmin Connect account with Garmin Express and after we did that, we still had to disconnect the G8 from the computer and then reconnect it to get it to sync the data. If you’re a stats geek, or simply want to keep track of your rounds, this is a pretty cool site. There is a problem with the Best Score stat if you happen to have an incomplete round. Although we could delete the round, it somehow left the score in for this stat. Maybe we’re missing something here.
  • Customer Service – we sent a question to Garmin by the E-mail form on the website and they have promised an answer within 3 days. They also have support telephone numbers on the Garmin website.
  • Price – The nearest competitor with regards to features to the G8 is the Garmin Approach G7. The G7 does not have Wifi or PinPointer and has a smaller screen than the G8, but it also runs $100 less. In the end, we think it’s worth the extra money if you’ve got it, but the G7 is a great value.
Garmin Approach G8 Features and Specifications
Garmin Approach G8
Course Download Fees No
Pre-loaded with Courses Yes
Full Hole Views Yes
Slope / Elevation both
Battery Life up to 15 hrs.
Battery Rechargeable Li-Poly
Size (Width x Height x Depth) 4.4 in. x 2.1 in. x .6 in.
Measure Shot Distance Yes
Screen Size 1.5 x 2.6
Resolution 240x400px
Display Type Transreflec ColorTFT
Weight 3.97 oz.
Rainproof Yes IPX7
Touch Screen Yes
Touch Targeting Yes
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, when Plays Like distance and Club Advice are turned off.
Notes Has Wifi for updating courses. "Plays Like" distance adjusts for elevation, recommends a club based on how far you hit the ball, displays texts, emails and notifications from your iPhone and has Big Number mode.
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User Manual for Garmin Approach G8

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Garmin Approach G7 Review

The Garmin Approach G7 has been retired. Check out our current recommendations for today's best golf rangefinders..

We are looking forward to doing our Garmin Approach G7 Review and here’s why…

'Garmin Approach G7'

Garmin Approach G7
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It’s been a couple of years since Garmin released the highly rated Approach G6, which means the improvements in Garmin’s newest models, the G7 and G8, should be noticeable and worthwhile.

Garmin Approach G7 User Rating: 4.17 Stars 4.17 out of 5 (130 reviews)

Score compiled from multiple sources.
Here are the noteworthy new features on the Garmin G7:
  • “Plays Like” distance, that shows the distance to your target, adjusted for elevation change.
  • Club recommendation based upon how far you hit your clubs.
  • Pairs with your iPhone to show text and email messages and other notifications. Now you can keep your phone in the bag and still stay up to date.
  • Big Numbers Mode – this is great for families with multiple users with different needs. Sometimes just having the distance to the front, center and back of the green in Big Numbers is all you need!

The Garmin G7 is the exact same size and weight as G6 and it has the same buttons, which should make it very easy for current users of the G6 to step up to the G7. It has all the same features as the Garmin G6, including full hole views, touch targeting to any point, advanced scorecard and stats, shot measuring and tracking.

Garmin Approach G7 Features and Specifications
Garmin Approach G7
Course Download Fees No
Pre-loaded with Courses Yes
Full Hole Views Yes
Slope / Elevation both
Battery Life up to 15 hrs.
Battery Rechargeable Li-Poly
Size (Width x Height x Depth) 3.7 in. x 2.1 in. x .8 in.
Measure Shot Distance Yes
Screen Size 1.4 x 2.2
Resolution 160x240 px
Display Type Transreflec ColorTFT
Weight 3.37 oz.
Rainproof Yes IPX7
Touch Screen Yes
Touch Targeting Yes
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, when Plays Like distance and Club Advice are turned off.
Notes "Plays Like" distance adjusts for elevation, recommends a club based on how far you hit the ball, displays texts, emails and notifications from your iPhone and has Big Number mode.
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User Manual for Garmin Approach G7

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Bushnell Pro X7 Jolt Review

The Bushnell Pro X7 Jolt has been retired. Check out our current recommendations for today's best golf rangefinders..

'Bushnell Pro X7 Jolt'

Bushnell Pro X7 Jolt
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If you’re looking for the ultimate laser golf rangefinder, take a look at our Bushnell Pro X7 Jolt Review.

Bushnell Pro X7 Jolt User Rating: 4.69 Stars 4.69 out of 5 (66 reviews)

Score compiled from multiple sources.

For many, the price will be an instant deterrent for buying the Bushnell X7. However you should keep in mind that golf rangefinders can last for many, many years. The price per year will likely amount to less than a round or two of golf, no matter which model you choose. I personally own a Bushnell that has survived 17 years of heavy and not so gentle use. Although the technology has improved since then, the laser is still accurate.

Reasons the Bushnell Pro X7 Jolt might be worth the price:
  • It’s currently the only rangefinder being built with 7x magnification. Other rangefinders have anywhere from 0 – 6x and that extra zoom probably makes it easier to lock onto your target, as well as getting a more close up view of the terrain around your target.
  • It’s a little bigger than most rangefinders and can be held easily with two hands. This is probably the easiest model to hold steady, which is a big issue for some users.
  • It’s easier to read than many other rangefinders, because of Bushnell’s VDT technology. The readings show up in very clear red numbers that can be seen easily in any lighting conditions.
  • It has Bushnell’s newly developed E.S.P. 2 technology, which means it’s faster and more accurate than just about anything else on the market. E.S.P. stands for Extreme Speed Precision and this model can accurately give distance to 1/10 of a yard when it’s inside 200 yards.
  • Don’t forget about the Jolt! Once you’ve locked the target, the Bushnell Pro X7 gives off two short vibrating bursts, so you’ll know instantly that the Pinseeker has determined your distance.
Bushnell Pro X7 Jolt Specifications
Bushnell Pro X7 Jolt
Slope No
Vibration y
Size (Width x Height x Depth) 1.7 in. x 5.1 in. x 3.7 in.
Weight 12 oz.
Battery 3-Volt 123
Battery Life N/A
Display VDT
Rainproof Yes
Magnification 7x
Maximum Range 550+
Minimum Range 5yd
Notes Available with or without Slope. Jolt technology vibrates in your hand when you've locked onto the target! E.S.P. 2 is so accurate that from 5-200 yards, the distance is displayed to 1/10th of a yard. VDT makes seeing the display easy in all lighting cond
USGA Compliant (local rule) Yes
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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 Pro X7 Jolt

Replacement battery for Bushnell Pro X7 Jolt

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Bushnell NEO XS Watch Review

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

'Bushnell neo-XS Golf Watch'

Bushnell neo-XS Golf Watch
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Our Bushnell Neo XS Watch Review is a summary of observations of comments consistently made in user reviews. Overall the feedback was extremely positive with accuracy and ease of use being mentioned more than anything else. The convenience of having the distance available with a glance at the wrist was frequently noted, as was the size and comfort of this watch.

UPDATE: This is still a terrific watch, but you may also want to check out the newer Bushnell Neo Ion golf watch with similar features, price, and higher ratings!

Bushnell neo-XS Golf Watch User Rating: 4.31 Stars 4.31 out of 5 (1460 reviews)

Score compiled from multiple sources.

Users liked having up to four hazards/layup distances available and the readability of the Neo XS was considered excellent for outdoor use. One cool feature unique to Bushnell that several users really liked was the ability to enter your tee time well in advance, so that the watch would automatically go into GPS mode 10 minutes before tee time and find your course for you.

There were mixed reviews on the battery life. On average, users were getting 1.5 to 2.5 rounds out of a single charge. That’s really pretty good for a golf GPS, but Bushnell claims “up to three rounds”, so some users were disappointed. Also, two or three users mentioned that the watchband did not hold up well. Although that’s a very low percentage of the reviews we read, for those of you who are rough on stuff, I thought you should know.

For the price and features, I think this is one of the best values in a golf watch. There are less expensive watches that either lack comfort or don’t include distances to hazards. The only thing some golfers might miss is a built-in scorecard and for them, I recommend the Garmin S3 or the Garmin S4

*As is always the case with golf GPS devices, there were a few users who experienced occasional problems with accuracy.
**For those who like wearing the XS as a watch (indoor), the black watch with reverse display was not recommended.
Notable Features of the Bushnell NEO XS Golf Watch
  • Small and lightweight.
  • Preloaded with 33,000 golf courses worldwide.
  • Preset tee time so GPS will turn on and find your course 10 minutes before your round.
  • Long battery life – up to three rounds.
  • Distances to the front, middle and back on the main screen.
  • Easy access for up to four layup and hazard distances per hole.
  • Auto course recognition.
  • Auto hole advance.
  • Shot distance calculator
  • Odometer.
  • Comfortable sports watchband.
  • No fees and no required downloads.
Bushnell NEO XS Watch Specifications
Bushnell neo-XS Golf Watch
Course Download Fees No
Pre-loaded with Courses Yes
Full Hole Views Yes
Slope / Elevation N/A
Battery Life 16 hours
Battery Rechargeable
Size (Width x Height x Depth) N/A in. x N/A in. x N/A in.
Measure Shot Distance Yes
Screen Size .91x.91
Resolution N/A
Display Type monochrome LCD
Weight 1.8 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 Yes
Green Rotates to your shot angle N/A
USGA Compliant (local rule) Yes
Notes Up to four layup targets per hole
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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 neo-XS Golf Watch

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