Izzo Golf Swami 5000 GPS Rangefinder

I liked this product from a design perspective - easy to use and you can operate it with gloves on; this is why it gets 2 stars.There are a few comments on the magnetic charging cable, the trick seems to be put the unit down on the cable so that it holds the cable in place and then check the nice clear charging display to ensure its working - bit of a fiddle but.....It's not fast at getting a lock - you need to stand next to the ball for about 3-5 seconds for it to stop updating; if you walk the readings lag by about 10 yards.Problems however soon arose in key areas - - Water hazards (particularly streams crossing the course) were often missed (streams always) - Bunkers often missing those half-way up the course and all of the bunkers on 2 holes. - Greens usually good but 4 greens were over 80 yards misplaced - Length usually the stated hole length and the measured distance were over 50 yards out - even on those that are straight.I updated everything from the Izzo site (nice and simple) and got exactly the same results.What is clear is that the unit could be quite good but Izzo's data is so way off that it's effectively useless.Did I consider asking to have the course updated - yes; but there is no UK support and prior to purchasing they took 2 weeks to confirm the course was on their database and updates are notoriously slow, so it was returned.Probably not a good purchase in the UK for the general club courses

As good as my previous " big name" GPS. Clear display, has most obstacles and hazards loaded and very waterproof. Only slight gripe is that the magnetic charger contact is a bit fiddly and charger connection sometimes gets knocked off the back of the unit but lay it face down when charging and all should be fine. Not having a charger port (as found in phones) means less chance of water ingress so has its advantages. Battery good for a couple of rounds but drops from 2 bars quite quickly if you try to squeeze a third round out of it without recharging. All told would definitely recommend and a good price as well.

The course I play almost weekly is not up-to-date despite the fact that the last major course alterations (4 holes) were brought into use more than 4 years ago. (they are up-to-date on a competitor's system!) The updating process was simple to perform through the website, but did not have any effect. It will be going back. It seems to be OK for other local courses. Being in a golfing heartland, when it locates the satellite, it shows about 10 courses within 12km. The writing is too small to be easily read - less courses on screen and a bigger font would be helpful (I didn't find anything in "settings" that allowed me to change the size. It works OK, it is simple to use, and the yardages appear to be accurate on the holes that are correct.

I like the Izzo when it is working however, it takes ages to find courses including my own very well known course. It would appear not to have a memory for courses it has found before. Another frustration is that each time you use it, if you wish to use the shot distance function you must go to settings and select "on", once you shut it down it forgets that setting so again for your next game you must do the same. It would be better if the default setting for shot distance was always "on". All that said it is easy and comfortable to handle and seems as accurate in distance measurements when compared with other GPS devices that my playing partners are using. TR

Just received so not yet been used on the course. I was a little concerned as my course wasn't on the list when I initially powered it up and connected to the satellites. I did an update immediately (very simple) but still not listed so I contacted [email protected] for advice explaining that I am about 25 miles away from my courses and asking if this could be the reason. I received a reply in less than 15 minutes confirming this was almost certainly the reason. I'll be using it for the first time in a couple of days so I'll see how it goes but in the meantime I'd like to say what great customer service from Tim at Izzo.

This is a great gadget, but on my third outing with it, the laminate cover cracked at the top of the screen, after a tiny tap from my putter as I put it back into the bag. I have tried to contact the makers to get a new screen, but without luck. So remember, if you have a problem, you are on your own!

The Izzo Swami 5000 does what it professes. However, there are a few aspects of it's operation that I dislike.1/ The recharger is not standard micro usb, it is a magnetic connection to the device which I figure I would struggle to replace if I lost it of if it broke. I imagine that this is to make the product waterproof. It may have affected my decision to purchase.2/ On 37 hole courses where you may be playing different 9s the device has to be reset to offer the correct 2nd 9 holes.I am getting about 2 to 3 rounds of of each recharge.Addendum.. I have lost the charger and cannot find a replacement. It is now more useful as a brick.. Booting up each round takes a few minutes to load the course list. For these reasons I could not recommend.

I have only used it for a couple of rounds but happy with the readings to front, middle and back of the green which was all I wanted at the moment.Very easy to use, great value for money and extremely useful for the amateur golfer.