Reviews of the best Golf GPS Device - Garmin Approach G3

Overall
SCORE: 92
GRADE: A-

The Garmin approach G3 is the latest Garmin GPS device and golf brand offers everything that the previous G5 Garmin unit approach, in a smaller package and at a lower price. "Breathtaking. I'll call him ... Mini-Me."

Gps Garmin

The G3 is a solid piece of equipment (maybe a little 'more, when you slip into your pocket, because despite its small size, is still relatively heavy at 5.35 ounces - comparedThis is the Callaway UPRO to 3.1 ounces). Like the G5, suffers from inherent problems with touch screen, so it can be difficult to accurately identify the targets (especially if you have big fingers), but the touch screen makes navigation between the different functions easily and G3 . Garmin intuitive images of holes, as opposed to real satellite photography is really growing on us - the pictures are much brightersuch as photographs and are visible in all lighting conditions. A further advantage is that the approach Gamin G3 absolutely necessary tool for all pre-installed with all the courses on the device.

One of our few complaints is that we want the device has the ability to track statistics - an unfortunate oversight for a premium product. And while there are subtleties that make the combination of shape and weight of bulky G3 is a bit 'like a stone in his pocket. A brick to 20% smaller and lighterthe G5, but a brick.

Pros:

Adaptation of the G5 with the best interface we've tried Can the distance from every point of a hole No setup required - the courses are all pre-installed No cost for admission to the course database

Cons:

No tracking of statistics (fairways hit, GIR, Putts, Sand Saves, et al) When the user touches the screen to determine a personalized, pre-marked points are not visible availability of the course is a bit late ' ShortBattery life

Sale price: $ 349.99

SETUP
SCORE: 100
GRADE: A +

The Good: The Garmin approach G3 score to 100 ideal for installation - all users to install a pair of AA batteries (not included) and turn on the device. The courses are pre-installed, so no download required.

The Bad: Absolutely nothing.

Details:

Steps. No - not all the user needs. Do Garmin site offers a free program(The WebUpdater) that computer users can download that - once the approach to the computer with a cable Garmin USB G3 WebUpdater should automatically get the latest software and sync the device. In addition, Garmin has promised to make regular updates page linked here, of course, free of charge from the web page. Time required for installation. Nothing less than the time to find a pair of batteries.

What's in the box: GarminDirections G3 is equipped with:

USB cable Quick Start Guide Belt Clip

Download Required

No

Course availability
SCORE: 79
GRADE: C +

a critical examination of Golf: Garmin continues to add courses to its database, now% in our recommendation for test scores over the 79th unfortunately, still holding the second to last among its competitors. An encouraging sign for the Garmin is that their availability rate is now in striking distance of other devicesthat overhead cards (images and satellite images).

Manufacturer claims: claims to have examined more than 12,000 courses in the database of Garmin, which currently places bound than ever before in our report of the course.

USER FRIENDLY
SCORE: 95
: A

The Good: nice simple interface to access various functions. The courses are all stored on the device so that the user decides to replace it, or turn off the deviceMemory. The touch screen, find the distances at a specific point (as well as the distance from this point in the Open), as easy as touching the screen and moving a crosshair on the desired point.

The bad: the pre-marked trails are not visible while the user via the touch screen to determine a custom distance. While targeting a desired point, you can use your finger to see the pattern and distance. Two pieces of advice for Garmin approach G3 Buyer:Batteries. We have always been a warning that the battery was "too small for full backlight, even when the battery meter was between 1 / 2 and 3 / 4 is a residual charge.

Details:

Buttons. The Garmin approach G3 has only one button, power button, which powers the unit on and off for a few second when, or if pressed briefly when the power is on, given a screen with the clock, a battery touch feet, and a key to lockthe screen. All other information and commands are accessible via the touch screen. The interface on the touch screen is intuitive, and marked the way for different functions are clearly available. Screen. The color screen is bright, and we had no problems in sunny conditions. The screen size of G3 is less than 20% compared to the G5, but we have not made any difference in terms of usability. Touch screen sensitivity. We had a little 'more of a problem with the touch screen of the GarminDirections G3, as we have with the G5 - when we had a button several times before you press to activate. This is more than a minor annoyance, like a tragic mistake. We note that from time to time accidentally problem with the new screens and new holes even when they bumped into a pocket. You can click the power button, move to resolve the screen of "standby", but calls then hit a button when you return to the notification of the defectHole. Form factor. The device comes in 5.35 oz, which is one of the heaviest G3 GPS devices we tested. The length and width of the G3 Garmin approach is actually quite compact. Unfortunately it is a bit 'fat sucker - while its length and width comparable to a Callaway UPRO are, it is almost twice as thick. Start a round. After turning on the G3, the user must manually select the desired path. The courses are listed in order of proximity tocurrent position. Once a course is selected, the default device for displaying the first hole of - if you have only the back nine, or start playing in a shotgun, manually press the ">>" button more times for the corresponding pre-base hole. Battery life. The battery life is relatively short, even if we can, had to go through two rounds before the batteries are dead. The device automatically adjusts screen brightness after a minute of inactivitysave battery power. A really annoying problem - when the batteries are near the threshold G3 charging state for triggering a warning that the battery is full enough for the backlight, the device seems to change frequently idea if there really enough power or not ... And so is the warning screen again 2 seconds after it appeared only to you and then ... and again. Once the charge level drops below this level easy, the problemseems to disappear.

COURSE DETAILS AND MAPPING
SCORE: 94
: A

The Good: the ability to determine where to locate the exact position and distance of a target green on the enormous flexibility, and Garmin integrates this with pre-marked distances to many relevant threats and objectives. The sight of green becomes the user is in the pit of perspective.

The bad: almost by accident, when the distance to risksfound - seem to point away and disappear as you approach them, or may only appear once they close so that the distance is irrelevant.

Details:

Suggestion Box: The views of Bar an artist's rendition of the hole, but as a photograph. The advantage of this is that the picture is much brighter than a satellite photo. But it may be some doubt whether all relevant is dangerous -Especially trees. Garmin lists some courses show "tree", but we'd like to see this card as standard on their course.

It would also be useful if more tracks from Garmin, as illustrated in the hole point of view. We arrived on a large number of holes where the distances were not dangers or hazards from the tee box provided, and some pre-selected routes only appeared long after the information has been useful (in one case, when we been in it20 meters from the point).

Finally, as we move to flexible like the look green to the flag pole at any point in the green (and get that distance yard again), we found ourselves at times pulling out of the G3 and found that while in his pocket had hit skid in the green with new look and the auction. When this happened, we were unable to find a way to the flagpole to the starting position in the Open (morethan by exiting the round, which will erase all of your scores). We were left needing to manually nudge it back to the center of the green on our own.

FEATURES
SCORE: 92
GRADE: A-

The Good: A solid grouping of useful features that are executed well. Plus it's waterproof!

The Bad: There is no ability to record statistics, nor can the user modify any settings during the course of their round.

Details:

Shot Tracking. The Garmin Approach G3 has a simple interface for tracking shots. The touch screen makes it really shines in these kinds of functions, since the keys can be quite specific and varies on the screen. You can also leave the screen round-up of another feature and use it again - the unit still continue to follow the shot away. Note that users can not specify which clubs were for a particular host, allowing some devices to use an average calculated ClubDistances. Results and statistics. G3 Garmin can also approach the representation of a base interface for keeping score. The user goes to the scorecards, a column next to the hole touch, and has a keypad with numbers - you just tap the corresponding number. The device allows the user name (which is also easy with the touch screen), include the evaluation of each four-track recorder. The screen shows the score of each player's currentScore on the par, and the user can touch the player's name to their scorecard. The G3 Garmin approach is always to save the scorecard from your last round of golf - if you start a new cycle, replacing the previous scorecard. A nice feature is performed by touching the par for a hole, you can change parties - on courses where there are different scores for par, depending on which tee is used to manage. Unfortunately the device does not detectStatistics of fairways hit, greens hit in regulation, and putts. Auto-advance. The user can decide whether the device automatically to the next hole or the user must manually advance. Storage rate. G3 All courses pre-installed on the neck, so users do not ever have to wonder if the courses of law are loaded on the device before leaving the house. Preferences. The G3 Garmin approach has a limited number of adjustable preferences: Unit(Metres Yards VS), battery type (alkaline, lithium or NiMH) and the automatic display (manual vs. automatic). These settings can be viewed or changed before the start of the round - the user must otherwise the current round, which is all the values ​​recorded during the match ended eliminated.

PRECISION
SCORE: 93
GRADE: A-

We tested the Garmin G3 approach to a variety of courses and found the text reading accuracy within 3-4 meters of sprinkler systemsBrands and our reading laser. It 'been a bit' better than we have lived with a G5, but we suspect that we have just had satellite lousy day we tried the G5, as it is assumed that both devices share the exact same course maps and GPS chipsets. One thing we liked is that the G3 to offer readings of distance, no matter how close the user to the destination is, unlike some competing products.

CBA
SCORE: 92
GRADE: A-

RetailPrice: the price of $ 349.99, Garmin Approach G3 is lower than the price of $ 399.99 for a typical competitive devices, with a view of the hole as UPRO Callaway, SkyCaddie SGX, OnPar golf guru and fourth

Fees for access to the database of study: An additional bonus for the G3 is that there are no fees for accessing the database over Garmin.

Three-year total cost of ownership: There is no charge for admission to the course database, the total cost of three yearsThe properties of the method is G3 Garmin $ 349.99 (the cost of the device), the device makes it one of the less expensive equipment in our comparison of the cost of GPS golf.

Price: The Garmin approach G3 gets a strong measure of value and provides a wealth of features that we loved G5 to his elder brother, but for $ 100 less. Our definition of "value" is always the best for your money - with the G3, you will receive a prize of golf GPS device with a rich feature setat an attractive price, free of charge to access the database of the course. Go to the top of the class!

Reviews of the best Golf GPS Device - Garmin Approach G3