Golf Buddy Platinum II Golf GPS

I've used the Golf Buddy Platinum for 4 rounds and I like it. When I play I wear polarized yellow tented prescription sun glasses so I have to hold the unit in the sunlight to read it. When it's in the shade of the golf cart roof I can only read it when the backlight is on. For me the problem with readability in sunlight or shade is non-existent.The yardage readouts are accurate compared to sprinkler yardage plates andto another brand unit a player I was paired with owned. The Golf Buddy did update faster, both units update speeds were very acceptable.One thing I really liked was the New Mark feature. I played by myself and used the new mark feature to flight my clubs according to the Golf Buddy distances.I recorded in a note book the clubs I used and its Golf Buddy distance. The next time I played, well I can only say, boy what a difference it makes when you are absolutely sure you have the right club in your hand.The 4th round my buddies wanted to play a course that I had never played, it was very cool to get there turn the Golf Buddy on and within a few minutes it says go to the first tee. No looking up the course it was very cool.I used the target feature to stay out of trouble and it works great but a poorly hit shot still puts you in trouble no getting around it.Pace of play, I found that the Golf Buddy speeded up the pace of play quite a bit, by the time the cart gets to your ball you know your yardages and hazards, how fast you take your shot is up to you.I used the belt clip not on my belt but used it to clip the Golf Buddy to the corner of my left pocket (Golf Buddy is on the outside of left pocket). This method worked best for me.Putting the clip on my belt and then removing and replacing the GBP to and from the clip was too cumbersome.My buddies leave theirs in the cart tray and then walk back to the cart sometimes for more info, that method was not for me.The reason for only 4 stars is the score keeping module of the Golf Buddy. It's not that it has errors or anything like that its because its not designed for what happens when playing golf. I will try to explain, the first time I used the GBP I played with a young man that used a unit that he used his left hand to record his score and drove the cart with the right hand. He was always done recording his score before we got to the next tee. That day I never got my score recorded in any timely fasion because he wasalways standing on the tee waiting for me to hit. I never saw were his ball went because I was still recording my score.The Golf Buddy takes 3 screen/button presses to get to the score number selection screen, another press to select the score, press done to exit that screen which takes you to thesummation screen then press done again to get back to the yardage screen for the next hole. There are a total of 6 screen/button presses to enter your score for one hole. That's 108 screen/ button presses to record 18 numbers. I truly believe the programmer has never used the score keeping module on the golf course. He developed it on his desktop and made sure it was accurate and worked, which it does but it is not designed for the environment it is used in.The only time you can use the scoring module is when you play alone. It holds up the pace of play and general conversation between holes when you play in a foursome. If you keep track of puts, sandies and fairway hit there a lot more than 6 screen/button presses per hole per player. When the cart is moving it's very difficult to accurately enter anything. You have to use it in a moving cart to understand what I mean.Now I have expressed a lot of negativity about the scoring module, but I have to say when I play alone and enter scores or enter all my scores from the hand written score card after the round, I find the statistics module and downloading my scores to my PC very helpful. I like the Statistics Module but the method and work required to produce it should be changed.I like that the software is updated on a somewhat regular basis. I've software updated 4 times so far. I noticed the last time I played that the scoring module has a pop up, when you are on the green it ask if you want to go to the scoring module which eliminates one screen/button press, 5 more to go.The good news it is fixable it's just a software replacement. (I'm not saying it's an easy fix it's probably not). The fact that this unit is software upgradable makes me not worry about the scoring module it may be a negative now but it does not have to be.Battery. The battery live is great, way more than is needed for 27 holes or more. New unit battery no problem.The fact that there are no subscription fees, for me was a plus.I like the Golf Buddy Platinum regardless of the negative things I wrote. I would recommend it to a friend just as my friends recommended it to me, there is not much to be disappointed about.At this point I have no experience with customer service or availability of replacement parts, everything worked right out of the box. There was no need to call anyone.I used the video lessons on the Golf Buddy website while waiting for shipment, when it arrived I registered it, did a software update put it on the charger and played the next day not one problem.One month of usage does not always tell a complete story about a product so I willgive an update later down the line.If you buy one I hope your experience is as trouble free as mine.I hope this was helpful.Paul

I've been using a laser range finder for years and recently switched to the Golfbuddy Platinum GPS second gen (GBG). While my new GBG unit and the laser finder both have pros and cons, I have been using the GBG exclusively for the past 6 rounds and am satisfied (3.5/4 stars). Works right out of the box with no additional fees to operate; I do however recommend you update the firmware via the GB website. While the screen resolution and brightness, and touch sensitivity were improved from the first gen, those very features can be improved still; the screen is still difficult to view under sunlight and the touch screen is not as responsive as you would expect and want. The backlight is timed such the screen dims after (5,10 or 15 seconds). Golfbuddy needs to remove this function or give the user an option to leave the backlight on constant. I have managed almost 3 full rounds on a single charge; I usually recharge prior to each round so battery life is a non-factor. Ultimately, no one unit will meet everyone's total needs and satifaction, so keep that in mind as did I. The GBG does have shortcomings as noted above, but plenty of advantages. I finally decided on the GBG unit because of other users' reviews throughout the web, the accurate yardage, the built-in database of courses (with no annual fee), ease of use, and a competive price versus other brands.

This GolfBuddy Platinum GPS Rangefinder is accurate & easy to use. I've been using it for about three months & I am glad that I purchased it. Amazon had a great price on it too! My main reason for buying the GolfBuddy after a lot of research was, the worldwide golf course database & no subscription fees. I also researched the other major brands & there were either subcsription fees or limited worldwide coverage.GolfBuddys' website has videos' showing how to use the various features in detail.After receiving & using the unit in Florida it turns out to be accurate & well detailed.Other users have reported issues with screen brightness & sensitivity & I do agree that these could be improved, but all in all I am OK with it. (that's why 4 stars)GolfBuddys' customer service is very good, and their worldwide database is excellent. They have all the courses that I plan to play in the near future... Barbados, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Canada, New Zealand! They mapped an unknown course in Trinidad after my request.(GB had all the known ones)Two of my buddies have bought after checking out my unit & a few (myself incuded) are sorry that we bought laser rangefinders instead of GolfBuddy GPS!Pros: Accurate, Good Battery Life, Intuitive, convenient shot distance feature.Cons: Screen sensitivity (could be better)

I have only had a chance to use the G.B. about six times. I'm impressed with it's accuracy and feel it will help my game. I am a little dissapointed in the difficulty of reading the display in the sun. This is partly my problem because I routinely play wearing polarized sun glasses that have my distance, prescription, not my bifocal, reading prescription. I have no trouble reading most score cards with these on and I find I am becoming more used to reading the GB. Under some conditions however, I must put my regular glasses on to read the screen. Foolishly, I had tried this product in a store with my regular glasses on, never thinking about my sun glasses. All that said, I would not hesitate to buy this product again. Any golfer who gets consistance distances from each of their clubs will be helped by this device. I would have liked the marketing to have stated clearer that a wall / computer port charger comes with the GB so I would not have wasted my time and money ordering and returning the essential kit for the Golf Buddy, marketed alongside the GB by Gomadic.

I made the mistake of trying to purchase this online from GOLFGPS only to find the reports of them being rouge traders to be true. Thankfully I received a full refund from my Bank and purchased the unit from Amazon. I have used it on four different courses already and find It adds a new confidence for shots to the green. My biggest regret is that I did not purchase this unit earlier from Amazon.

Very useful to golfers of all levels and is particularly useful when a player cannot see the flag.Disappointed I did not receive the full manual when the device arrived but I was able to retrieve it from the Internet.Battery life is only one round.

Arrived on time, but the clip broke the first time it was used, had to fix it ourselves as no response from golf buddy!

I have had this for while now and am very pleased with it.

Excellent!