Is the Garmin Approach G5 GPS-Enabled Golf Handheld Worth Buying?
Garmin Approach G5 Golf GPS Review
With so many golf GPS units available on today’s market, golfers may have some difficulties with selecting the right one. Before making a decision about which unit to purchase, there are a few factors to consider. Price, screen display, unit size, computer connectivity, map database, battery life, are some features to think about. It’s also important to be familiar with the technologies, such as GPS systems and laser rangefinders.
When it comes to GPS electronics, Garmin is a brand that comes to mind and its Approach G5 is one of the most popular golf GPS devices on today’s market. So is the Garmin Approach G5 GPS-Enabled Golf Handheld Worth Buying? let’s review the features and specifications to find out.
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GPS Features
- Rugged, waterproof golf GPS unit with 3-inch sunlight-readable touchscreen display
- Preloaded U.S. course maps, including fairways, hazards, and greens
- No annual fee; new maps available for download from Garmin.com
- Measure shot distance with highly sensitive readings to eliminate guesswork from your game
- Digital scorecard for up to four players; save and review the scores on your computer at home
Priced at about $400, the Garmin Approach G5 is one of the most expensive golf GPS devices on today’s market. Some of the cheapest units can be bought for about $100, such as the Bushnell Neo and IZZO Swami 1500. However, such a price tag on the Garmin model suggests great features and plenty of sophistication.
The Garmin Approach comes preloaded with a database of more than 12,000 golf courses throughout the United States and Canada. There are no subscription fees for having access to the golf course maps. You can easily update your unit with new maps without paying a single cent. Just log onto to the Garmin website, download it to your computer, and then transfer it to your Approach G5 model via a USB cable. With other cheaper golf GPS units, you have to pay annual subscription fees, and you can only store a limited amount of courses on your device. You can also keep score on the unit, and then transfer it to your computer to analyze and review your golf game.
The Garmin Approach G5 features a 3 inch touchscreen that’s covered with a special coating that will allow you to clearly see the screen even under the brightest sunlight. To find out the distance to any point on the golf course, just touch the screen and you’ll have an accurate reading. The TFT screen display is easy to read as the colors are bright, and the text is crisp and clear. The GPS satellite gives you feedback in real time, and updates your position on the golf course after every step you take.
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Additionally, this unit has a waterproof and rugged design that will prevent damage if it falls into water, wet grass, or take a hard impact. Weighing 6.8 ounces, this unit is portable and can be carried inside the included belt. The battery (AA, NiMH or Lithium ion) will last for up to 15 hours. Overall, an investment in the G5 Approach will be quite rewarding when you start swinging away on the golf course.
For $249.00 the GolfLogix by Garmin is a great bargain for any avid golfer wanting to improve their game and lower their handicap. It is user friendly and calculates precise distances to the front, center and back of the greens. Furthermore, it points out hazards such as water holes and sand traps using GPS technology. If you are looking to buy this GPS, 
You should never turn down a gift. That should be a rule obeyed by all. I waited four months before I started using my Christmas gift, almost throwing it away. It was a uPro Golf GPS device by Callaway Golf Company, the cell phone like device that is supposed to help you navigate though golf course with ease. Being an obsessive golfer, I looked at this product a while ago, but some negative reviews cooled me off, and my excitement and smiles during Christmas unwrapping were all just part of good acting. Actually that apathetic behavior toward the device lasted until I started to use it.