Improve Your Golf Score with a Golf GPS Navigation System
Are you trying to decide on which golf GPS system to buy? GPS navigation has long been associated with the automobile. In fact, in every electronics store you can find many different makes and models of automobile GPS systems all with different features and specifications. But recently, a new type of GPS system has entered the marketplace. Golf GPS systems provide golfers a boost to play better golf.
How Can a GPS System for Golfers Improve Your Game?
Through the use of satellite technology, golf GPS rangefinders provide the golfer with the ability to see the entire golf course on the unit’s LCD screen. Golfers will be able to see helpful information such as the fairway, the putting green, water hazards, bunkers, distances and much more. If you are lucky enough to be equipped with a GPS, you will have a definite edge on the competition.
What Should You Look for When Purchasing a Golf GPS Unit?
Golf GPS devices are similar to automobile GPS systems in that they vary in price, size, features, accuracy, reliability and up-to-date data. Below is a list of things to look for when purchasing your first GPS system.
Display Screen
Just like automobile GPS systems and cell phones, golf GPS display screens have gotten larger as the technology has grown more advanced. Many models now have touch screen displays but there are models that still have buttons.
Quite frankly, some people do not like touch-screen technology. The main reason is that some find it hard to touch the correct item or image on the screen no matter how big it is. With buttons, you can always be in full control of the device and not have to worry about tapping it with your finger in a precise location. Another reason that button-controlled models will always be available is for those with long fingernails.
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The preference between touch-screen and buttons is a personal one and should not affect which model you purchase. What you should look for is a screen that you can read easily, especially in the sunlight. This will be difficult to judge from a storeroom floor so you will have to read consumer reviews and product details carefully. And always purchase a model that offers a money back guarantee. In the end, you are looking for a readable display screen that is capable of minimizing the glare from the sun or light.
Additional Features
The more you spend the more features you get. And some of the features you find on golf GPS navigation systems will fascinate you. Some of the features include:
Extremely high-quality graphics and text
Higher resolution screen
Waterproof unit
Internal digital scorecard
Transfer data between unit and computer
Rechargeable battery
Three-dimensional display
Shock resistant
The price of the unit will correspond to the number of built-in features. In the end, you will want your golf GPS unit to do only a few things very well:
Have your golf courses pre-loaded (most important)
Measure shot distance
Good battery life if it uses rechargeable batteries
Easy to read display screen
Size and Weight
Size and weight is a personal preference. For most, you will probably want to be light on your feet when playing 18 holes of golf. It may be a bit uncomfortable to carry around a heavy cumbersome GPS unit. The goods news is that most units are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand so size should not be an issue.
Simple Setup and Ease of Use
How many times have you purchased a cell phone, digital camera or automobile GPS system and had trouble using it for weeks? In the end, a golf GPS navigation system should not be complicated to use. The last thing you want is to be standing on the 18th tee trying to figure out where the fairway is because your GPS unit is difficult to navigate.
Ease of use is a very important factor to consider when purchasing. Imagine having a complicated automobile GPS system that you dread using when you have to drive somewhere you have never been. Imagine sitting in your car hitting buttons and keys trying to figure out how to use it. By the time you enter the street address, you could have already been there.
The same holds true for golf GPS units. Try to find one that is easy to use. Once again, this may be difficult to tell on the showroom floor. However, you will get some good information by reading golf GPS reviews and other product documentation. If you go to the manufacturer’s website, you may even find a short video demonstrating the product. YouTube is also a great place to visit for product demonstrations.
Durability
Last but not least on the list of items to consider when purchasing a golf GPS system is the durability of the device. Let’s face it; your unit will probably get some heavy treatment. There will also be weather conditions to encounter. You will want to purchase a system that is shock proof with a heavy-duty belt clip. You should also look for a unit that is waterproof was well.
Purchasing a golf GPS device is much like purchasing an automobile GPS. They all vary price, size and optional features. Some are touch-screen while other are button controlled. Some are waterproof and some are not. As mentioned a few times above, there will be some aspects that you cannot test on the showroom floor.
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