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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User Manual for Bushnell neo-XS Golf Watch

Garmin S2 vs S3

Garmin vs GarminThere is a winner in the match-up of Garmin S2 vs S3. It’s not because one gets far superior ratings than the other, but it’s because one stands alone and the other loses out to other comparable competition.

The Garmin S2 has very similar features to the Garmin S3, but lacks the touchscreen and the manual pin positioning. The price point is enough lower, that it would be worth considering IF the Bushnell neo-X golf watch didn’t exist. But it does, and given its remarkable user ratings, its smaller size, lighter weight and lower price, the neo-X shuts out the Garmin S2 in our opinion.

The Garmin S3 on the other hand, doesn’t have a solid competitor in the touchscreen golf watch category. The GolfBuddy VT3 might give the Garmin S3 a run because of it’s seriously low price, but for now it’s struggling out of the gate. We think the Garmin S3 is a slick watch and if you can find your way around a smart phone and it fits your budget, you’re probably going to love it!

Garmin S2 vs S3 Feature Comparison
Model Garmin Approach S3Garmin Approach S2
Read Full Review Read Full ReviewRead Full Review
Price Check PriceCheck Price
GRS Score 4.34
(522 Ratings)
4.41
(924 Ratings)
Height 2.7 in.2.7 in.
Width 1.8 in.1.8 in.
Depth .6 in..6 in.
Weight 2.06 oz.1.8 oz.
Battery Lithium-ion rechargerechargeable Li-ion
Battery Life 8 hrs GPS / 4 wks8 hrs / 3 wks
Rainproof IPX7waterproof to 10 meter
Pre-loaded with Courses YesYes
Instant Course Recognition YesYes
Auto Hole Advance YesYes
Course Capacity UnlimitedUnlimited
Touch Screen YesNo
Stat Tracker NoNo
Digital Scorecard YesYes
Computer Analysis Tools No*No*
USGA Compliant (local rule) YesYes
Alternate Targets YesYes
Ability to Add Targets YesNo
Measure Shot Distance YesYes
# of Available Courses 30,000+30,000+
Course Download Fees NoNo

Izzo Swami Golf Watch Review

The Izzo Swami Golf Watch (v.2) has been retired. Check out our current recommendations for today's best golf rangefinders..

'Izzo Swami Golf Watch (v.2)'

Izzo Swami Golf Watch (v.2)
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Our Izzo Swami Golf Watch Review is based not only on user reviews, but on-course testing by our editors. Although this watch has the same name as the first golf watch released by Izzo, it’s a totally new watch.

Izzo Swami Golf Watch (v.2) User Rating: 4.21 Stars 4.21 out of 5 (33 reviews)

Score compiled from multiple sources.

Overall, the new Izzo Swami watch performs well… The distances seem to be as good as any of the golf GPS watches that we’ve tested and the price is better than most. We like that it has a scorecard feature and it’s reasonably easy to use, but Izzo could have saved us a few steps if they had started with par as the default score for each hole, rather than zero. As it is, you have to hit the up button for each shot you hit on a hole.

The Izzo Swami watch is an incredible value. Prices change fast in this market, but at less than $100, this is a great pick if you’re on a tight budget. You won’t find a slick touchscreen or any layup or hazard distances on the Swami Watch. The fonts are a little small, which could be a deal-breaker for those requiring +2 or higher reading glasses, but for a solid performing golf GPS watch with a scorecard feature and low price, you have to consider this one a top contender. For golf watches with layups and larger fonts, take a look at our list of Best Golf Watches.

Notable Features of the new Izzo Golf Watch
  • Preloaded with over 30,000 golf courses worldwide.
  • No fees ever.
  • Distances to front, middle and back of every green.
  • Large 1.3 inch display.
  • Auto course recognition.
  • Auto hole advance.
  • Measures shot distance.
  • Digital Scorecard.
  • Rechargeable Li-polymer Battery holds 6-8 hour charge in GPS mode.
  • Watch mode provides time and date, alarm and odometer – battery lasts 40 days in time mode.
  • Durable & Waterproof
Izzo Swami Watch Specifications
Izzo Swami Golf Watch (v.2)
Course Download Fees No
Pre-loaded with Courses Yes
Full Hole Views Yes
Slope / Elevation N/A
Battery Life 6.5 hrs GPS/40days
Battery 300mAh coin rechargeable
Size (Width x Height x Depth) N/A in. x N/A in. x N/A in.
Measure Shot Distance Yes
Screen Size 1"
Resolution N/A
Display Type Transreflective
Weight 2.12 oz.
Rainproof Yes IPX7
Touch Screen No
Touch Targeting No
Manual Pin Positioning No
Stat Tracker No
Digital Scorecard Yes
Computer Analysis Tools No
Ground Verified Yes
Alternate Targets No
Green Rotates to your shot angle N/A
USGA Compliant (local rule) Yes
Notes Has a digital scorecard. Also allows editing of front, middle and back green locations.
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Izzo Swami Voice Review

The Izzo Swami Voice has been retired. Check out our current recommendations for today's best golf rangefinders..

'Izzo Swami Voice'

Izzo Swami Voice
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Our Izzo Swami Voice Golf GPS review will be available as soon as there is enough data for us to make recommendations.

Izzo Swami Voice User Rating: 2.82 Stars 2.82 out of 5 (37 reviews)

Score compiled from multiple sources.

However, until the price drops, the Swami Voice will have a tough time competing with the GolfBuddy Voice and the GolfBuddy Voice+, both of which are highly rated and reasonably priced. Still, the Izzo Swami Voice measures up very well from a features/price perspective and comes with everything you need to get started.

Notable Features
  • Visual and verbal distances to the front, middle and back of every green.
  • Preloaded with over 30,000 golf courses. No fees ever!
  • Auto hole advance
  • Auto course recognition
  • Includes wrist band – available in a variety of colors.
  • Rechargeable battery lasts 6-8 hours.
  • Durable and water resistant.
Izzo Swami Voice Specifications
Izzo Swami Voice
Course Download Fees No
Pre-loaded with Courses Yes
Full Hole Views Yes
Slope / Elevation N/A
Battery Life 6-8 hours
Battery Lithium Rechargeable (1100mAh)
Size (Width x Height x Depth) 1.69 in. x 1.69 in. x .55 in.
Measure Shot Distance No
Screen Size 1.2 x .24
Resolution N/A
Display Type N/A
Weight 1* oz.
Rainproof Yes IPX6
Touch Screen No
Touch Targeting No
Manual Pin Positioning No
Stat Tracker No
Digital Scorecard No
Computer Analysis Tools No
Ground Verified No
Alternate Targets No
Green Rotates to your shot angle N/A
USGA Compliant (local rule) Yes
Notes GPS provides both voice distances plus a digital readout. *Weighs 1 oz. without band and 1.9oz with band.
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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.

Garmin Golf GPS Watches

There’s quite a collection of Garmin Golf GPS watches and for the most part, nobody does it better than Garmin. When it comes to basic golf watches, we probably lean toward Bushnell, but for slick, feature-rich golf GPS watches, Garmin is definitely the leader.

Here’s the rundown of currently available Garmin GPS Golf Watches!


Best Garmin Golf GPS Watches
Garmin Approach S10 - Read Full Review

We are thrilled that Garmin finally has a new basic golf watch. We think this will be the best-selling golf watch on the market for awhile to come. Why? Because it does everything most golfers want in a golf watch and it's lightweight and compact. On the main screen, you will see distances to the front, middle, and back of the green, plus the hole number and par. The shape of the green is also right there on the same screen. If you need hazard information, it's one screen away. Many golfers won't ever touch the watch after starting a round. A simple glance will tell them what they need to know. You can also keep score on this watch and upload your scores to Garmin Express so your playing history is always available. It doesn't offer a way of tracking your stats, so if you are looking for that feature, check out Garmin's other golf watches.

Rating: 4.56  
Weight: 1.2 oz.   Legal: Yes
Garmin Approach S10
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Garmin Approach S60 - Read Full Review

Garmin's newest golf watch looks to be a sophisticated golf watch, fitness watch, and smartwatch. It will be released in the summer of 2017 and we look forward to exploring all the features here very soon!

Rating: 3.86  
Weight: 1.8* oz.   Legal: Yes
Garmin Approach S60
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