Editorial Review

Package Includes: Forerunner 305, Heart rate monitor, docking cradle, expander strap, AC charger,PC/USB interface cable, Quick start guide, Garmin Training Center CD & owner's manual

The Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS System combines form and function. This combination running partner and personal trainer is designed for athletes of all levels. It features a high-sensitivity GPS receiver, new courses feature, and robust ANT wireless heart rate monitor for optimal performance. The super-sensitive GPS tracks your every move, even working on tree-covered trails and near tall buildings. The heart device monitors your heart rate, speed, distance, pace and calories burned so you can train smarter, more effectively. These taskmasters will continually push you to do your personal best. Courses feature lets you download recorded courses and compete against previous workoutsAuto Pause pauses and resumes training timer GPS features - GPS with high-Sensitivity SiRFstarIII architectureWireless communication between system devices via ANT protocol Display Size(WxH) -1.3 x 0.8 (33 x 20.3 mm) Lap Memory -1,000 lapsRechargeable internal lithium ion battery - lasts 10 hours (typical use) Waterproof -Submersible in one meter of water for up to 30 mins.Alerts -Time, distance, pace and heart ratePhysical Size(WxHxD) -2.1 x. 7 x 2.7 (53.3 x 17.8 x 68.6 mm)Weight -2.72 oz. (77 g)

Heart rate monitor features -Transmission Range -approximately 3m (9.8ft)3V CR2032 battery - lasts 3 years (1 hour per day) Physical size(WxHxD) -13.7 x 1.4 x 0.5 (348 x 35.6 x 12.7 mm)Weight -. 74 oz (21 grams) ... Read more

Editorial Review

Garmin GPS MAP 60 CSx. The GPS MAP 60 CSx is one of the most popular GPS models for outdoor and marine use. It incorporates a barometric altimeter for extremely accurate elevation data and an electronic compass that displays an accurate heading while standing still. The 60CSx also features a removable microSD card for detailed mapping memory and a waterproof, rugged housing. The microSD card slot is located inside the waterproof battery compartment. You can load map data and transfer routes and waypoints through the fast USB connection. In addition, the GPS MAP 60C Sx has a new, highly sensitive GPS receiver that acquires satellites faster and lets you track your location in challenging conditions, such as heavy foliage or deep canyons. Electronic compass displays accurate heading while standing still; Barometric altimeter with automatic pressure trend recording; New high-sensitivity WAAS-capable GPS receiver by SiRF; Built-in quad-helix receiving antenna with remote antenna capability; Supports English, Spanish, Portuguese and French languages; MicroSD card slot allows for storage of optional Map Source detail (64 MB microSD included); LED backlit display and keyboard; Up to 18 hours of battery life from 2 AA alkaline batteries; Includes a built-in Americas autoroute basemap with automatic routing capabilities, including highways, exits and tide data (U.S. only); Internal memory is preloaded with a marine point database Enough memory for 1,000 user waypoints with n ... Read more

Editorial Review

Amazon.com Product DescriptionThe Forerunner 405CX is the evolution of GPS-enabled training. This sleek sport watch tracks your distance, pace and heart rate, then wirelessly sends the data to your PC for later analysis. The 405CX features heart rate-based calorie computation and comes with a second wrist band option suitable for smaller wrists.

The evolution of GPS-enabled training.

Continuously records your time, distance, pace, calories burned and heart rate. Click to enlarge.

Transfer data to your computer when Forerunner is in range--no cables, no hookups. Click to enlarge.

Watch Results
Loaded with serious training features, Forerunner 405CX continuously records your time, distance, pace, calories burned and heart rate. Each workout is stored in memory so you can review and analyze the data to see how you've improved. And advanced training features will challenge you to step up your pace--race against Forerunner's Virtual Partner to improve your times, or set up interval workouts without having to circle the track. You can even download recorded courses to compete against previous workouts. To use the watch, simply tap the touch bezel to change screens without fumbling for a button.

Track Heart Rate
Forerunner 405CX comes with a flexible, wireless heart rate monitor to help you make the most out of your training. The digital heart rate monitor continuously tracks heart beats per minute and uses your heart rate for advanced calorie computation, so you know how many calories you're burning. Train in a certain heart rate zone to improve your fitness level or compare your pace and heart rate to past performance on the same run.

Share Workouts Wirelessly
With Forerunner 405CX, you can share your locations, advanced workouts and courses wirelessly with other Forerunner 405 users. Send your favorite workout to your friends to try, or compete against someone else's recorded course. Sharing data is easy: just select "transfer" to send your information to a nearby device.

Run, Sync, Store and Share
Once you've logged the miles, innovative ANT+ wireless technology automatically transfers data to your computer when Forerunner is in range. No cables, no hookups. The data's just there, ready for you to analyze, categorize and share through our online community, Garmin Connect or our optional Garmin Training Center software. You can even plan workouts on your computer and then send them to your Forerunner.

Train Year Round
Take your training inside with the versatile Forerunner 405CX and optional wireless accessories. Pair it with an optional foot pod to track your speed, distance and running cadence indoors when GPS signals are unavailable. The wireless foot pod clips onto your laces for easy removal and automatically turns on when you start moving. Or pair your Forerunner with an optional speed/cadence bike sensor to track the speed and distance of your cycling workouts.

What's in the Box
Forerunner 405CX, USB ANT stick, Heart rate monitor, Two additional wrist straps, AC charger, Charging clip, Owner's manual on disk, Quick reference guide

Reviews

Great watch for running indoors or outdoors, July 3, 2009

I've been using the 405CX for about 1 1/2 months and have found it to be a device with loads of potential. Sadly however, the full potential cannot be realized due to both unreliable software for the Mac and an unstable web site provided by Garmin. But before going into further detail on the software and web services, let me describe the GPS sport watch.

This GPS watch from Garmin is designed to be used while training to track things like route, speed, pace, time, heart rate, and other items of interest (e.g. if you have a bike, then you can track cadence). In this regard, the watch works pretty well for runners, walkers, and cyclists.

The watch utilizes a built-in GPS to track route and speed. GPS acquisition time is very fast -- typically less than 30 seconds. Tracking accuracy is reasonable -- I'd estimate about +/- 30 ft. Note that it is also able to track altitude, which is something I find useful as a cyclist.

Keep in mind that to track some things, you will need to buy additional accessories like a bike cadence sensor (one for each bike) or a foot pod. So the upfront cost may be substantial depending on your situation. But if you are an exercise junkie, then this may not be much of a concern.

General usability of the watch is OK once you get accustomed to the typical quirks most gadgets seem to exhibit these days. Ease-of-use isn't top notch or anywhere close to it. The watch uses a touch-sensitive bezel that can be both over- and under-sensitive. Nonetheless, you can grow accustomed to the menus and functions after a while and the quirks don't get in the way much on a day-to-day basis. The watch also has some nice customization abilities that can be used to arrange what items to display during workouts.

The interesting part of the watch package is the USB stick that allows you to sync the collected data. The stick plugs into a USB port on your computer and, in theory, automatically (and wirelessly) transfers workout information both to the computer and optionally the Garmin web site. But this is where things get very frustrating (on a Mac at least).

In short, Garmin is really struggling (as of 9/2009) to produce reliable and functional software. I have wasted countless hours dealing with their buggy Ant agent. Frequent Garmin software releases have yet to solve the many issues on both Leopard and Snow Leopard (I have tested on multiple Mac OS X versions). At least 50% of the time, the software fails to transfer properly -- even on repeated attempts. When this happens, there are no diagnostics to indicate the reason for failure. Worse still, the USB device sometimes causes kernel panics (the Mac equivalent of Windows' blue screen of death).

Once you are able to successfully transfer your workout data, then it will also be uploaded to the Garmin Connect web site. This Java-based web site is sometimes overloaded and spews copious error messages due to the situation. Furthermore, Garmin takes the web site completely offline for hours at a time (during North American weekday working hours even). When the site is stable and running, then workout summaries, charts, and reports are at your disposal to track your fitness program. The web site services aren't anything fancy, but they are pretty good and getting better over time.

This ability to track workouts over time online is the primary value proposition of the GPS watch. When the whole thing works, it is very cool and a useful tool for exercise junkies. But the sad truth is that most of the time the potential isn't unleashed and instead you feel cheated by Garmin. And until these problems are solved, then the price of the package just isn't justified by the lousy software and service.

P.S. Other things of that may be of interest to potential buyers of the watch...

Battery life: the watch uses a non-user-replaceable battery (the bane of iPhone and Kindle 2 users) and requires a service fee from Garmin to replace. Battery life is good at about 6-8 hours in practice. Lifetime of the battery remains to be seen.

Standalone Software: the watch also comes with a standalone software product, Garmin Training Software, that can be used to view workout information locally instead of using the Garmin Connect web site. This software provides some of the same functionality as the web site, including maps, but isn't all that polished.

Miles ahead of the rest, January 30, 2010
I really did my homework in choosing a fitness watch with heart rate monitor. I ordered competing models from Garmin, Timex, Polar, and Suunto, to look them over closely and compare. Then I sent them all back but this one.

Someone pointed out that this Garmin watch is a little on the clunky side - that's true. I have a small wrist,and the watch part of it is long and flat and doesn't really fit nicely. They had to pack the GPS receiver inside the band. But no matter - with the band strapped tight, it stays put, and it's not so huge that people would say "What's that thing on her wrist?" It still looks like a watch. A funky sort of a watch maybe, but not a television set or anything.

I think you need to decide if you want GPS or not. I decided that yes, I really wanted GPS to measure my distance, because I run and jog and hike and travel quite a bit, so my routes are always changing. In my ideal world, I'd be able to pop up a map on my PC and see my route, and have a table showing all my workouts and how many miles they total, in running, biking, etc. I could finally answer the folks at the running store when they ask how many miles are on my running shoes.

I ended up with this Garmin, far and away the best choice for just what I wanted. All the other GPS solutions were separate strap-on-the-arm ones that contain AAA batteries that need to be replaced every 12 hours of operation - ouch, costly. Even with rechargables, it would be a hassle to be always taking them out, plugging them into the charger, putting them back in the arm-band-GPS unit. The watch on those other devices was just a receiver for the arm-unit. Granted, it meant that their watches could be a little smaller ... I really liked the design of the Timex the best, and the Polar was small too. But who wants to carry a clunky thing around their arm? That's one more thing to pack or lose, more batteries to buy and fuss with, more parts to break... forget it.

I also was swayed heavily by the Garmin software and tight integration with the PC and mapping software. None of the other brands, as of this writing (January 2010) had anything near as easy. Polar excels at fitness tracking, but not the mapping part. Timex and others require third-party mapping solutions that you have to manually upload and integrate with. Only Garmin had a simple plug-and-play solution. Plug in their little included USB "ANT Stick" (like a little thumb drive), and bring the watch near, and it automatically receives the data the watch stored from your workouts, loads it into your Garmin fitness/mapping program, and you can see all your stats and your routes etc.

I also liked that this unit is one of the few that tracks altitude, so you know not only how many miles, but how much total up and down you went (cumulative). It can display the data on a chart with any paramets you set, for example you can see the actual altitudes of your run along your route. That is so cool!

Other people trashed this unit because the bezel-touch operation is a hassle. One guy made the point that he just locks the screen into a view before his run starts, so he doesn't hassle with the touch thing going haywire. That is the perfect solution, and it's what I did too.

So with this Garmin watch, you only have to remember two pieces: the watch, and the charger. The charger clips right onto the watch to rejuice the battery inside. It ships with conversion plugs for international outlets.

Here's a tip that isn't clear from Garmin's specs: the GPS can be turned on or off. With the GPS on all the time, the watch will run out of juice after about 8 hours and will need to be recharged. With the GPS off, it lasts... I'm guessing at least a week (I haven't let it go that far). It works like a normal watch, tells date and time, etc. Heart rate monitor. Etc.

I was worried that this watch wouldn't work if you, say, went out in the morning for a hike, stopped for lunch, continued hiking... 8 hours wouldn't be enough. The simple solution is to turn off GPS when you don't need it, and your battery will last as long as you need it.

So, if you can afford it, this one is the only way to go, if you want GPS. I've had it a month, after handling all the others, reading their manuals, etc., and settling on this one. I'm super happy with it and love Garmin. Next generation will be even better, when they fix the bezel issue and get the watch to be even more watch-looking, but this is miles ahead of the competition as is.

** Update - I've now had this model for almost a year, and still think it is fantastic. A few things I learned - the battery lasts about 2 weeks when the GPS is turned off. The link to mapping software works great, I have a year's worth of running/biking stats and I can click on any single run to see the route. Since I travel a fair amount, it's a great memory of places. It has a handy feature where you can set a starting point, such as the parking lot of a hiking area, and then once you're completely lost, have it point the way back - you get an actual arrow pointing and a distance indicator of how far away you are from that point. It's kinda buried in all the menus, so not something you'd be able to find quickly unless you did it regularly or had the user guide right there, but I used it twice and found it a comfort knowing that, even if I got lost, I wouldn't be lost. It is also easy to switch between running and "multisport" modes, which means you can bike or jog and keep those stats separate. (That way, you're not apt to get impressed with yourself for running 20 miles, when in fact that day you were on a bike.) I have to mention that the wrist band closure is a bit of a hassle, if anyone from Garmin is reading. It has a little lock to keep the end from flapping, but in fact, it's really hard to push the locking end through the little hold-down. Just a wee bit of hassle, hardly worth mentioning. Everything else I said above is still the case. It's a great tool.

Great replacement for my Polar HRM, January 23, 2010
I never write these things but I always read them. So for me to write a review means I was either impressed with the product or irritated by it.

In this case I was very impressed. I did a lot of research on several GPS based training watches and I kept coming back to Garmin. I love my nav unit for my car so I gambled on this watch knowing they aren't primarily a manufacturer of training gear.

I must say the watch when set up and calibrated works great for me. If you have issues with the bezel try to recalibrate it. I mainly only use it when I start my runs and it is intuitive and easy way to navigate the menus without a ton of buttons. I set up additional information screens, set it to auto switch the screens in a slow pace, and lock the bezel when I'm running. I'm not super picky about all the information I see, so for me it is generally pace (you have a ton of options to choose from for each item) distance, and HR info.

I've been on several 3-5 mile runs to see if it is accurate, and it works great. I took it recently on a 7 mile run through a dense park area and combined with my foot pod it accurately mapped and recorded the workout. I believe someone stated that you couldn't use the GPS and foot pod together, which is incorrect. I love that I can now see the elevation changes. I had no idea there was a 600 ft elevation change on one of my routes.

Lastly, I must say I find the HRM actually better than my old Polar unit, though the strap itself might be a tad bulky for smaller men and women. The watch itself is pretty small when you consider what is packed into it, and it looks like a watch not a GPS strapped to your forearm.

I run an average of 22 miles a week, and this is one of my favorite purchases yet.

Pros -
It looks and feels like a watch not a GPS strapped to your arm.
It is accurate and has a ton of display options.
I actually like and appreciate the bevel feature.
It's rechargeable, so you don't have to send it in when the battery dies. (Polar suck in that instance.)
You don't have to have a separate GPS unit, and it works well with a foot pod for treadmill or trail running.

Cons -
Price (I'm a cheap person I guess)
Size (however I totally understand considering what they have to pack in a watch)
HRM strap is somewhat bulky compared to Polar straps.

Well I hope some of this helps others if they were on the fence as I was.

Don't Worry - You'll Love It!!!, January 12, 2010
It took me a while to "push the button" on buying this watch. It wasn't the money. The price is a bit salty and other units out there are reported to perform well. But I wasn't keen on running with a cell-phone-sized monster strapped to my wrist so that I could save a few bucks.

No, my hesitation was because some of the online reviews I'd read were critical of the watches functioning - particularly the bezel interface.

I'm here to tell you - Don't Worry! I've had an opportunity to put this thing through its paces on both ends of the climate spectrum, and it performed flawlessly.

In one week, thanks to a trip to South America, I was able to use the watch in 90 degree weather and 20 degree weather. The watch performed well with sweat, with gloves, with cold fingers and hot - no issues.

You do have to know what you're doing, so as we in high-tech jobs say - "RTFM." (Read the freakin' manual!). I recommend establishing your nine key metrics (three each on three screens), set the watch to auto-scroll and lock the bezel after hitting the start button. You're never more than a second or two from what you want to know, and if there's something you're particularly interested in, set it as a data point on more than one screen.

This watch can't be beat, and if you're even remotely serious about running, it's worth every penny.

A very good COMPACT all in one unit, February 14, 2010
I have been using the 405CX for a couple of weeks now and connecting it to my new iMac 27 running Snow Leopard. I'll break this down into 2 sections:

The Watch
I got rid of the plastic strap and use the velcro one instead. I love this strap, very comfy, good for different wrist sizes. The GPS locates very quickly and judging by the google map uploads it tracks extremely accurately, even down to 5 meters in some cases. It found my ANT+ heart rate monitor straight away and works very well. The customization for the scrolling multi pages is great. It's also a nice feature that it beeps AND lights up when you finish/intermediate distance. The pace monitor means you know how fast you're running each kilometer/mile. My wife has the more advanced triathlon watch but for me, the 405cx works perfectly for running and cycling.

The Software
I've read loads of OLD reviews about how flaky the upload software was particularly with a Mac. I can report that as of now, Feb 2010, I have not had any of these issues. The ANT+ stick is permanently in my imac and picks up the watch every time. The upload AND download to/from the ANT agent is perfect. The training center software is OK but nothing special. I don't bother with it anymore. I skip straight to the online Garmin Connect website which is awesome. The Google maps and google earth feature is fantastic. And I love the splits and playback function. The latest drivers fix all the connectivity problems with the mac.

Overall, a great device considering it looks like a normal watch and therefore does not make the owner look like a dork. The fact that it contains a GPS with playback course setting is also amazing. It's a very good product.

And for all the reviews before 2010, I would ignore anything about reliability as it's all been fixed now.

Buy a 305 instead, July 19, 2010
I bought one of these to replace my old 305 which was stolen, and that in turn was a replacement for my original 205. The 205 and the 305 were brilliant devices that worked very intuitively and I was expecting the same standard with the 405.

But no. Unlike its predecessors, the 405 is annoying, hard to use and buggy.

These are my main gripes:

1. There is no "off" button.

Seriously, you cannot turn it off. So if you go for a run then toss it in the drawer the battery will go flat. The only solutions are to leave it on the charger, or plan your exercise long enough in advance to give this time to charge.

2. The screen is too small.

When I run I like to know my distance, time, speed and average speed. The 305, with 4 data fields, was fine for this. The 405 has only got 3 data fields of which only one is big enough to read on the go, which is not enough because;

3. The controls are completely useless.

The touch bezel is incredibly frustrating to use even when you're sitting on the couch. Trying to use it while running is like trying to thread a needle while running. The only way to manage it is to set the screen before you go and then don't touch it. So no scrolling through data fields on the go (and auto-scroll means you have to wait for ages to fleetingly see the data you are looking for). I've also heard that wet fabric will trigger the bezel if it comes in contact. I don't run in long sleeves but if you do it's one more thing to be wary of.

4. The backlight only stays on for 30 seconds. If you run at night or in the mornings with such a small screen you cannot read the display without the light. Turning it on requires touching the bezel which means you're just as likely to stop the clock or turn off the GPS as succesfully turn on the backlight. Doing that every 30 seconds is not practical or fun.

5. The speed readout does not seem to be accurate. Sometimes when I speed up I look at the screen and it says I've slowed down, and vice versa. It usually corrects after a minute or so but that never happened with the 305.

This is one of those rare situations where you can get a much superior product for a much lower price by just getting a 305 instead.

Hopefully the next generation will be better.

Battery life not great, September 8, 2009
So far this watch has seemed accurate to me and I love the fact that it uploads automatically to my computer when I get near it with the watch. HRM seems accurate even though others state it is not. The only issues I have with it are that it doesn't stay charged very long. At best you might get two days of running out of it before you have to recharge it. I charged mine to 100% yesterday and it's at 93% today without me touching it. My other complaint is that it digs into my wrist bones with the standard band that comes on it. Other than that it's been a great tool for my runs!

Garmin 405CX vs. 305, June 6, 2010
The Garmin Forerunner 305 is just as good apparently, but i didn't want to carry something so large (trying to go with less). The 405CX I got is a bit of a pain, in that it is smaller, and hard to see the dial in the bright sun as well as the shade. It also has a bezel that you run your finger around to change the menu choices, but it gets activated when you bump it lightly. Not that sensitivity is a bad thing, since a lot of touch devices lack sensitivity. The only thing that keeps the bezel from totally ruining things is that you can lock it right after you start a run, so that it won't get tapped or stopped. The larger garmin would be my choice if I weren't looking for something less obvious. The menus are hard to scroll through due again to the over-sensitivity of the bezel, but after a bit of use, you can navigate through all the minor miss-taps. The rechargeable battery so far has held a charge over the course of a couple of days. Some reviews had said that the GPS being on drains power, but I haven't see that happen. Perhaps with the CX Garmin has included an auto-off function for the GPS. The virtual partner is nice, and you can set it so that the screens scroll between the virtual partner and the timer/distance screens. It isn't clear to me whether the size of the display numbers can be adjusted, but it is tough to see so small numbers, which would be a plus for the 305. Garmin Connect is excellent. The auto-transfer works great with my Mac on Leopard. After I go for a run, as soon as I get near the computer, it does the data transfer automatically (once I set it up). You can opt for using just the on-line Connect, or you can also download an application for Mac or PC that will sync with the on-line version. The mapping functions are great. I think Garmin has worked quite a bit on the software to make it user-friendly. You can easily share your data with a trainer or friend, as each workout has a specific http address associated with it. The GPS is very accurate, and so far hasn't had any problems reading my runs under a running path that is totally tree lined. I did a run out in the middle of nowhere last week, and it found satellites easily. So in wrapping up, I would say that if you don't mind a large object on your wrist, the 305 is cheaper and does the same thing as the 405CX. The 405CX looks like a watch, and can be used as such and no one would know the difference. If you have bad eyesight, the 405CX is definitely hard to see. With the bezel locked, I was unable to use the backlight while running through a really shady area. I don't know who runs at night, but if the idea is to improve being able to see the dial in shadey areas, it needs some work. If you would like to e-mail me directly, you can do so here: [...] ... Read more

Editorial Review

The easiest and quickest way to get in on the geocaching fun, the Geomate.Jr is an incredibly affordable and amazingly easy-to-use geocaching GPSjust switch it on anywhere in the United States and be directed to your closest geocache. Its really that easy. With over 250,000 pre-loaded geocache locations covering all 50 U.S. states, its an outdoor adventure just waiting to happen anywhere, anytime, straight out of the box. No downloads, Internet connection or typing in coordinates necessary. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The SG3.5 is part of the SkyCaddie family of products offering a large color LCD at a great value. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Being able to simply go outside and switch on your Geomate.jr anywhere in the U.S. and embark on another geocaching adventure is totally awesome. And the 250,000 geocaches that are pre-loaded on any Geomate.jr are sure to keep anyone busy for quite some time. But new geocaches are being added every day! With a Geomate.jr Update Kit, you too can have your Geomate.jr updated with the latest and greatest geocaches. Not only can you load the latest geocaches added in the U.S., but you can also load complete goecache lists for other regions of the world like Europe, Australasia, or even Canada! One-click updates of your Geomate.jr to get the latest geocache locations. Access every traditional geocache location up to a difficulty 4 in the U.S. (Premium member caches excluded). Load complete lists of geocache locations for other regions of the world. Set your own user preferences for your Geomate.jr or even give it a nickname.The best bit of all, is that once you have an Update Kit, there are no subscription charges, no service fees and no update frequency limits! You can even share your Update Kit with friends to make sure they too have the latest geocaches.Included with your Update Kit is a Geomate.jr USB cable (which is your key to unlimited geocache updates for your Geomate.jr) and a Geomate.jr Update Kit Quick Start Guide. Using the Update Kit is as easy as using the Geomate.jr itself. Simply go to www.mygeomate.com and select “Updates”. After an initial setup process, you can update your Geomate.jr with one click of the “Update” button.At this time only PC is supported, but a Mac version is in the works. You will also need a USB port on your computer. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Amazon.com Product DescriptionGive your game a boost of confidence with Garmin's Approach G5, a rugged, waterproof, touchscreen golf GPS packed with thousands of pre-loaded golf course maps. Approach uses a high-sensitivity GPS receiver to measure individual shot distances and show the exact yardage to fairways, hazards, and greens.

Give your golf game a boost of confidence with the Approach G5.

Eliminate guesswork from your game by keeping score digitally, getting accurate yardage readings, and more. (Click images to enlarge.)

Built for Golfers
Weighing in at just 6.8 ounces with batteries and boasting a transflective color 3-inch touchscreen, the Approach is your featherweight fairway guide regardless of the lighting conditions. IPX7 waterproofing means that the device can withstand accidental immersion as well--but thankfully, you'll be avoiding water hazards, of course.

Eliminate the Guesswork
The Approach displays and updates your exact position on stunningly detailed, preloaded course maps throughout the United States. Click to see Garmin's current Approach G5 course listing. Approach's highly sensitive GPS receiver pinpoints your position and removes guesswork from your game. And as you move, Approach automatically updates your position, so you'll always know your yardage. There's no subscription or setup fees, and Approach is compliant with USGA rules.

Touch Your Target
Need to measure distances for your next shot? Touch any point on the sunlight-readable display, and Approach shows the precise distance to that exact spot--fairway; hazard; landing area; or the front, middle, and back of the green.

Get on the Green
Zero in on the pin with Approach's Green View. Just tap the flag on the map to zoom in on the green--then you can drag the flag to position it where you see it, giving you more accurate yardage.

Keep Score Digitally
Approach doubles as a digital scorecard for your foursome. After the game, you can save and review the scores on your computer at home.

Add More Courses
Garmin is constantly adding more courses to their map data, as well as updating and improving their course maps for Approach G5. Download the latest courses from Garmin.com.

What's in the Box
Approach G5, belt clip, USB cable, quick start manual

NOTE: You can now update your Approach G5 with new stat tracking software that records putts per round, fairways hit and greens in regulation. It also tracks club distance averages and is still incredibly easy to use. Go to www.garmin.com/golf to receive this free software update for your Approach G5.

Editorial Review

Forerunner 305 personal training watch with GPS. The Forerunner 305 sports a unique design that wraps the GPS antenna around part of the wrist for a better view of the sky, and its high sensitivity GPS receiver provides improved tracking under trees and near tall buildings. Forerunner 305 also sports a robust ANT+ wireless heart rate monitor with softer, more comfortable chest strap and superior battery life. It eliminates cross-talk with other devices to reliably measure and send heart rate data, and it helps you train in your optimal heart rate zone. Forerunner 305's "Courses" feature lets you compete against previous workouts, and you can compare your pace and heart rate to your past performance over the same run. You can also use Forerunner 305 to train for your next duathlon or triathlon with multi-sport workouts, a feature that lets you seamlessly transition between sports without resetting the unit, so you can use it for running, biking and more. Train indoors and still track your distance, pace and calories burned with the optional Foot Pod accessory. This wireless sensor attaches to your running shoe and transmits distance and pace data to your Forerunner 305 so you can still use it when GPS reception is unavailable. You can customize any of Forerunner 305's three main data screens up to twelve data fields give you instant feedback on your workout. And, as with every Forerunner, each workout is stored in memory so you can review and analyze the data and see how you've improved over time. As an added benefit, you can plan, analyze and store data from your workouts using free Garmin Training Center software, which lets you analyze data with interactive graphs that chart your pace, time, distance and heart rate. Package includes AC charger and expander strap. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Amazon.com Product DescriptionThe navigator with the photographic memory--Oregon 550 combines rugged outdoor touchscreen navigation with a 3.2 megapixel digital camera. Add high-sensitivity GPS, barometric altimeter, 3-axis electronic compass and microSD card slot. The result? A multipurpose device that will make your biggest adventures even more memorable.

Oregon 550 combines rugged outdoor touchscreen navigation with a 3.2 megapixel digital camera. Click to enlarge.

3.2 megapixel autofocus digital camera with 4x digital zoom. Click to enlarge.

Preloaded with a worldwide built-in basemap with shaded relief. Click to enlarge.

3-inch diagonal, sunlight-readable, color touchscreen display. Click to enlarge.

Take Pictures and Save Locations
Capture locations and memories with Oregon 550's 3.2 megapixel autofocus digital camera with 4x digital zoom. Each photo is automatically geotagged with the location of where it was taken, allowing you to navigate back to that exact spot in the future. Snap and view pictures in landscape or portrait orientation. With 850 MB of internal memory, you'll never miss a photo opportunity. To store online, simply connect Oregon 550 via USB and log into my.Garmin.com to upload and store your photos at Picasa, a popular online photo sharing community for friends and families around the world. For more storage, insert a microSD card; you can even view pictures from other devices on microSD with Oregon's picture viewer.

Touch and Go
Oregon 550 makes rugged navigation effortless with a tough, 3-inch diagonal, sunlight-readable, color touchscreen display. The interface is easy to use, so you'll spend more time enjoying the outdoors and less time searching for information. Both durable and waterproof, Oregon 550 is built to withstand the elements. Bumps, dust, dirt, humidity and water are no match for this rugged navigator.

Get Your Bearings
Oregon 550 has a built-in 3-axis tilt-compensated electronic compass, which shows your heading even when you're standing still, without holding it level. Its barometric altimeter tracks changes in pressure to pinpoint your precise altitude, and you can even use it to plot barometric pressure over time, which can help you keep an eye on changing weather conditions. And with its high-sensitivity, WAAS-enabled GPS receiver and HotFix satellite prediction, Oregon 550 locates your position quickly and precisely and maintains its GPS location even in heavy cover and deep canyons.

Add Maps
Oregon 550 comes preloaded with a worldwide built-in basemap with shaded relief. Adding even more detail is easy: just insert a MapSource microSD card preloaded with detailed maps. Oregon can accept a variety of maps for any navigational need. Add detailed street maps to get turn-by-turn directions to your destination. Add select topographic maps to take advantage of Oregon's 3-D maps and elevation detail. Or add BlueChart g2 maps, which provide everything you need for a great day on the water, including depth contours, navaids and harbors.

Find Fun
Go paperless with Oregon 550 by quickly downloading information from Geocaching.com for up to 5000 caches, such as location, terrain, difficulty, hints and description. No more manually entering coordinates and paper print outs. Slim and lightweight, Oregon is the perfect companion for all your outdoor pursuits.

Share Wirelessly
With Oregon 550 you can share your waypoints, tracks, routes and geocaches wirelessly other Oregon and Colorado users. Now you can send your favorite route to a friend to enjoy or the location of a cache to find. Sharing data is easy. Just touch "send" to transfer your information to similar devices.

What's in the Box
Oregon 550, AA battery charger, 2 AA NiMH batteries, carabiner clip, USB cable, owner's manual on disk, and quick start manual

Editorial Review

Amazon.com Product DescriptionPerfect for outdoor enthusiasts on a budget, the Garmin eTrex H GPS navigator helps you navigate your way through the toughest terrain. The unit is equipped with a high-sensitivity, WAAS-enabled GPS receiver, which locates your position quickly and precisely and maintains its GPS location even in heavy cover and deep canyons. The advantage is clear: whether you're traipsing through thick woods or strolling near tall buildings and trees, you can count on the eTrex H to help you find your way when you need it the most. And just like the original eTrex, this little yellow wonder is intuitive and rugged, with a lightweight housing that fits comfortably in the palm of your hand.

The eTrex H is a breeze to use, with five buttons on either side of the navigator facilitating one-handed operation. The four-level gray LCD display, meanwhile, is easy to read in a shade or daylight. And you needn't fret should the weather turn, as the eTrex H is IPX7 waterproof, so it can withstand an accidental splash or dunk in the water and still continue to perform.

Functionally, the navigator stores up to 500 waypoints in its memory for easy retrieval, with names and graphic symbols to highlight the selections. Users will also appreciate Garmin's exclusive TrackBack feature, which lets you reverse your track (up to 20 reversible routes) and navigate back to your starting point. And the automatic track log offers 10 saved tracks (with 10,000 points), along with the ability to retrace your path in both directions. Other details include a hunting and fishing calculator, sun and moon information, and a serial PC interface.

The eTrex H, which runs for up to 17 hours on a pair of AA batteries (not included), measures 2.0 by 4.4 by 1.2 inches (W x H x D) and is backed by a one-year warranty.

What's in the Box
eTrex H navigator, wrist strap, quick start guide, user's manual. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The Garmin® Forerunner® 405 is a GPS-enabled sport watch with a slim and sleek design that tracks your distance, pace, and calories. It displays them on the easy-to-read screen, and you can simply tap or slide your finger around the innovative bezel to change information without fumbling for a button. The ANT+Sport™ wireless technology automatically transfers workout data to and from your computer. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The Bushnell Backtrack- Never Get Lost Again with the easiest to use personal location finder.Just mark the location and BackTrack will help you get back.Use it at the mall and stadium parking lots, at the festival, the park, for travel or your next outdoor adventure. ... Read more

Editorial Review

The easy-to-use Forerunner 110 sport watch tells you how far and how fast. It's GPS-enabled to accurately record your time, pace, distance and calories burned. When paired with a heart rate monitor the Forerunner 110 provides heart rate-based calorie computations to help you track your calories burned. There's no setup required, so you can just press start and run or walk with it. Once your workout's done, upload to Garmin Connect to store and share your data, see the route you traveled on a map and even create goals. It's GPs made simple! ... Read more

Editorial Review

Timex Bodylink Speed, Pace, Distance and Navigation Functions in a Single Wrist Instrument.Customizable Display with upto 4 Screen views.Performance and Multisport Modes for Training and Event use.Built for Ironman Competition.Downloadable / Recha ... Read more

Reviews

Smart, August 16, 2010
Nice on-screen performance display arrangement and easy to customize for up to 5 sports. the Multisport function is smart and convenient (for Triathlons) - it will let you track your times and performance from beginning to end of the whole race, changing from Swim-T1-Bike-T2-Run with the touch of one button.
The watch is bulky but light.

Functional and Reliable, December 5, 2010
Just run the marathon with the watch, prove be very reliable within 1% accuracy. The 4 quadrant display is useful in providing all the vital stats. Personally as a watch is it aesthetically more pleasing to the eyes compared to the Garmin. My first GPS watch got to say I am pretty impressed. The only concern is the battery life, got to do an ironman race to really gauge it's performance. Otherwise this is truly a great piece of technology.

No Go: Very weak GPS and Proprietary Workout Software is an Issue, December 15, 2010
The specs of the watch are really good, but it is when you start using it that one realizes that the Timex Global Trainer does not perform to expectations.

Firstly, the GPS in the watch, although it uses the same chip as that of the Garmin Forerunner, the performance in the Timex Global Trainer is extremely inaccurate. i.e. it takes an average of 5-7min to lock the satellites, unlike other devices, which can lock satellites in matter of seconds. Also, once a session is recorded and loaded onto a map (such as Google Maps), one can appreciate that the tracking of the device is very inaccurate. I have seen distance reading erros of up to 12% (e.g. you run 10miles and the watch says you have run 8.8miles!!) , which is very very bad. Other GPS watches only have a 2% error max accuracy (i.e. Garmin). I have checked this issue on the internet and other user reviews on Timex's Global Trainer GPS show this same issue. I have sent the watch to Timex, got it replaced for a new one, and the same issue persists. Timex hasn't got a solution to this.

Secondly, the workout data downloaded from the watch to the PC is proprietary and can only be used on the TrainingPeaks website. Forget about exporting you data to other better and cheaper websites such as MapMyRun or WorkOutLog. This wouldn't be a problem if TrainingPeaks had a good system, but it is slow and in many occasions it won't load 100% of the workout information (plenty of software improvement is needed on their side). TrainingPeaks has a cost of c. $20/month, while other websites only cost $20/year. The Free version of TrainingPeaks won't show you all of the information from your watch (e.g. HR zones, Cadence Zones, Power Zones, etc).

Conclusion: The GPS is a no go. On a spec basis the watch is not that expensive against competitors but if you include the cost of the software to visualize your workouts you need to add $+120/year, and thats another no go. I have bought the Garmin Forerunner 310xt, Garmin is better value for money and you are not stuck with proprietary software that doesn't work!

Bummer, November 27, 2010
The watch standing alone is a great item. I love the customization and all the great things this watch is able to do. However, knowing now that it'll cost me $120/year just to view the data from my workouts I would not have purchased this watch. When you upload the data to the website Training Peaks, it is clunky and difficult to navigate. The lack of customization in your personal account completely contrasts with the way in which this watch works. You are able to use a free account to view your data, but this is almost useless because any of the important data you would want to track is only available in the premium account for $120/year. I had owned the Suunto T6C and even though it was not GPS it had a much better interface and way more data I could track - there was no website to go to. All in all I am very disappointed that I spent all this money just to have a mileage counter on my wrist.

Good but a little complicated to use....., December 8, 2010
I'm a runner and this is perfect for tracking work outs, miles, distance, pace, speed, etc. You can customize the screen to show the metrics you prefer. My only complaint is that the screen is pretty small, especially when you break it into 4 separate mini screens for different metrics. I almost need reading glasses to read the data. Other than that, a nice GPS training watch. If they would enlarge the screen, I'd definitely buy again. ... Read more

Editorial Review

GolfBuddy GPS Rangefinders Pro $239.95; Tour $289.95! Each unit features the dynamic green view which changes the shape of the green, depending on your angle of approach. Target information is already preloaded, and the GolfBuddy features customizable target technology which lets you add up to 11 of your own custom targets in addition to what the GolfBuddy already provides. The GolfBuddy comes preloaded with courses across North America, and you have the ability to load courses from all over the world. Golf Buddy GPS Rangefinders feature: No annual membership or membership fees True GPS unit with automatic course and hole recognition Course data storage capability up to 20,000 courses Preloaded with courses from across the United States and Canada 30,000+ available courses Unit indicator measures distance in yards/meters Mark button measures exact shot distance High resolution color screen (Tour) High resolution black/white screen (Pro) No course download fees whatsoever Lithium-polymer battery with AAA battery backup Battery level indicator & satellite strength indicator Scoring tracking module Target icon screen with one hole positioning Additional target capabilities Durable and waterproof design Multi-lingual Easily readable with large numbers in 1" size and smaller numbers in 1/2" size Models: Pro (Black/White Display) Tour (Color Display) GolfBuddy GPS: Lithium-polymer battery (12 hour battery life) USB cable for connectivity with your PC Comes with user guide Weighs 3.2 oz Size: 4.25"H x 2.25" x 1"D Minimum System Requirements* Microsoft Windows 98 / 2000 / XP / Vista Above 64MB of RAM Serial Port (Without Serial port, you need a USB to Serial adapter) Golf Is Always Better With A Buddy! ... Read more

Editorial Review

Timex Bodylink Speed, Pace, Distance and Navigation Functions in a Single Wrist Instrument.Customizable Display with upto 4 Screen views.Performance and Multisport Modes for Training and Event use.Built for Ironman Competition.Downloadable / Recha ... Read more

Editorial Review

GPS made simpleBackTrack Point-5 functions similarly to the other BackTrack products, but has some additional features for your outdoor adventure which include: a digital compass that also shows you your latitude and longitude coordinates; the current time, temperature, and altitude, as well as the ability to mark and store up to 5 locations. Ideal for finding your car after a day of hunting, tailgating, finding your way back to your hotel in an unfamiliar city, getting to your favorite trailhead, and much more It is also small enough to stow inside your pack, purse, briefcase, or purse ... Read more

Editorial Review

GPS, FORERUNNER 305 BILINGUAL ... Read more

Editorial Review

Amazon.com Product DescriptionLooking to improve your course management skills? Turn to the uPro golf GPS system, which employs state-of-the-art GPS, aerial, and satellite technology to accurately render the details of thousands of golf courses. The uPro starts by providing the avid golfer with aerial and satellite photographs of the golf course, so you can see what the hole looks like before you play it. At the same time, the unit's built-in GPS system clearly locates the golf course hazards and flagstick, so you know what you're up against at any moment. With each glance at the 2.2-inch, high-resolution color screen, you can see a different view of the fairway, check out the upcoming sand traps and water hazards, or receive a distance marker that helps you select the correct club length. Even more impressive, the uPro's SmartView technology anticipates the hazards that you'll face on your next shot, so you can plan accordingly based on the strengths of your game. Don't want to carry water on your second shot? The SmartView technology's dynamically generated "viewports" will tell you which area of the fairway or rough will provide a water-free path.

The uPro offers aerial and satellite photographs of thousands of golf courses.

The easy-to-comprehend user-interface is crisp and intuitive.

The uPro is remarkably easy to carry, with a sleek and unobtrusive design that fits in a pocket or belt holder without interfering with your natural golf swing. In addition, the unit has the quickest startup time of any golf GPS system, with a super-fast GPS locking system. And thanks to the high GPS sensitivity, the uPro remains locked even under the most extreme conditions.

The uPro offers two basic modes for golf course downloads. In Basic mode, the uPro shows the distance to the front and back of all hazards and differentiates the type of hazards. Each hazard is automatically displayed in sequential order based on the current user position, and then is updated as the user moves throughout the hole. Basic mode also provides a green view, with large, easy-to-read numbers that depict the distance to the front, center, and back of the green. In Pro mode, meanwhile, the device offers a video flyover that lets the user see the layout of the hole from an aerial perspective. From the center of the green, users can see the 100-, 150-, and 200-yard markers. The Pro mode also offers scale-accurate measurements that are used to measure to and from any point on the golf course, even from the outskirts of the rough.

The uPro is compatible with Windows XP, Vista, and Mac OS X v10.4 or later (Windows 2000 is the oldest version of Windows that is compatible with the uPro). However, note that the uPro does not require any additional software to connect with the uPro servers. Instead, users can easily download golf courses at uPro's web site. Once you're online, the web site gives the user a list of all golf courses in the U.S.--in your choice of Basic or Pro mode--on a click-and-buy basis. The unit's GPS technology also automatically determines which courses are nearby. And as an add-on software download, the device can accept voice commands to make menu navigation virtually hands-free.

The uPro comes with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, a wall adapter, a USB cable, and a single free Pro mode download of any golf course. The device comes with a six-month warranty. ... Read more

Reviews

A few bugs, but overall an excellent experience, September 28, 2008
I've now played 30+ rounds with the uPro. Its got some good points and some bad, I suppose this is like any new device, especially one that is from a brand new company.

The Good
- Distances are right on.
- Basic mode gives you a quick, easy to read view of distance to the green and distance to reach and carry hazards.
- Mark feature allows you to measure the length of your shots. Sometimes gives erroneous readings. However, this only happened when I kept the uPro in my pocket, so maybe buttons were being pressed by accident.
- Aerial view of the hole is awesome. Like looking at a yardage book, with continuously updating distances. There is a small red diamond that marks your position on the hole and moves with you. I almost ran into a 150 yard pole because I was so fascinated with watching the little diamond track my position on the satellite view! Hazards like bunkers are marked front and back and also update continuously.
- Measure Mode lets you get a measurement to any point on the hole. I have used it to find the distance back into the fairway, but you really need a tree or something on the satellite image to reference. I have also used it to find distances not mapped by the company, like a layup distance to the front of a creek.
- Trans-reflective screen is easy to see in Basic View even in bright sunlight. However, in Pro Mode, it can be difficult to see. You need to experiment with the viewing angle to get it right. I've found that in bright sunlight, you can see the screen best if you are angling it just off where the sun would be reflecting into your eyes. Or shade the screen with your hand.
- No subscriptions! You pay only for the courses you want. Courses cost the same no matter where in the country (and eventually the world) they are located. You never have to buy a course twice, even if you upgrade the device or have to replace the unit (lost, stolen, broken). Courses are expensive if you buy them one at a time. One course costs $10 (3 credits), but if you buy 150 credits ($120), that comes to only $2.40 per Pro course. I bought 150 credits, and I probably won't ever have to buy credits again (at least not for a very long time).


The Bad
- One course had strangely mapped points on a couple holes. Some don't make sense (you can tell they haven't played the course!) However, I sent an email to support and they corrected the problem in a couple weeks.
- Sync is VERY slow. I timed it, and to sync and download 1 course took over 10 minutes. Be patient.
- When syncing, the status box shows up in front of all other windows (on Windows XP) and cannot be moved to the back. So your computer is effectively stuck doing one thing for 10 minutes.
- No subscriptions. I put this item in both The Good and The Bad because it depends on your point of view. If you play a whole lot of courses (more than 50), then it could get quite expensive. But I play only about 15 courses on a regular basis, plus about 3 or so each year on a vacation trip.
- Distances do not automatically update if you are using the measure function in Pro Mode. You have to either exit measure mode, or switch back to basic mode to get an update distance.
- Not all courses are mapped yet. In Denver, about 70% of the courses are mapped. But of the 15-20 I play regularly, about 95% are mapped. Many of those that are not mapped yet are scheduled to be mapped in 2008. There is a schedule on uPro's website (www.uprogps.com). And if you choose an unmapped course as your home course, they will have it mapped in 4 business days, guaranteed. I would recommend checking all the courses you play before buying this device.


The Ugly
- The software needs a little work--freezes up from time to time. During the first two rounds, it froze up once in each round. While annoying, all you have to do is hold the power button down for 8 seconds to force a power-off, then turn it back on. Of course, the re-boot process and getting back to your current hole takes a couple minutes. Their customer service department claims a firmware update will be available "in the next few weeks". I turned off the "automatic hole advance", and this seemed to fix the problem. The last 25+ rounds were freeze-up free after changing this setting. The automatic hole advance is unnecessary in my opinion. From the "Green View", you can simply press the up button to advance to the next hole, or press the down button to go to the previous hole.


Suggestions
- Create a graphical overlay for the aerial views, or figure out a way to make them higher contrast. The Pro Mode can be somewhat difficult to see in bright sunlight.
- Faster downloading/sync
- Find and fix the bugs in the software that cause the freeze-ups
- If the upcoming software can mark every ball location, its only a matter of time before it will keep your score, shot-by-shot. On the uPro website they state that additional software to keep score will be available by late summer 2008. Of course, if it freezes up and you lose data then such a feature is worthless.


The Bottom Line
This is a very new company and a very new product. Like most new products, they have a few bugs to work out. I'm going to stick with them and hopefully they will be committed to fixing the problems. If a year goes by and the same problems exist, I might regret this purchase. But right now I'm pretty darn happy with it!

Callaway uPro vs Garmin Approach G5 vs SkyCaddie SG3, October 5, 2009
I've owned a SkyCaddie SG3 for some time and, weary of its annual fees, glacial operating speed, and pedestrian display, I decided to go color. I purchased the Garmin Approach G5, but its display is very difficult to see in normal outdoor conditions. So I also purchased the Callaway uPro. I played an entire round on my home course, with all three GPS units mounted on the cart. My findings:

Build quality: All three units are rugged, with great fit-and-finish. The Garmin gets the nod, because it's waterproof. The Callaway is water-resistant, and you can purchase a watertight skin for an outrageous $24.99 to protect it further. The SkyCaddie is not recommended for use in the rain.

Size: The Callaway uPro is the smallest and thinnest, about the size of an LG Chocolate phone. The SG3 is similar height and width to the uPro, but much thicker and heavier. The biggest of all is the Garmin, the size of an iPhone and four times as thick. It's wide, heavy, and not good for the pocket.

Accuracy: The three units properly mapped my home course, agreeing on nearly all distances (within 6 yards of each other) and hazards.

GPS acquisition: The old-technology SG3 takes forever to acquire GPS, sometimes more than five minutes. Both the Garmin and the uPro acquire satellites almost instantly. The uPro has technology that, once it locks onto satellites, it really keeps them. After locking on, I took the unit indoors, and even put it in my pants pocket. It never had to re-acquire. Advantage: uPro.

Getting courses: The Garmin wins handily. All 10,000+ available courses come preloaded in its 1GB memory. No annual fees, no paid memberships. The Garmin Approach G5 offered every course I cared to search. Of course, your mileage may vary.

To make the most of your SkyCaddie, you need to pay for an annual membership on their website, and download courses individually. Some SkyCaddie memberships allow you to download as many courses as you want from all over the world...however, the unit's paltry memory will only hold a few at a time. The uPro also requires that you sign up on their website (no annual memberships, though). With the uPro, Basic Mode (an alphanumeric color screen that resembles that of a SkyCaddie) is free for unlimited courses. For Pro Mode (the nifty aerial photography view of each course) you pay for only the courses you wish to play, a la carte. Your first Pro Mode course is free.

Information: All units show distances to the front/middle/back of greens. The SG3 also shows hazards on the same screen, but it doesn't give you hazard carry distances, like the uPro does. The Garmin shows the entire hole, including hazards. But showing the entire hole means that the illustrations of hazards are tiny, as is the accompanying yardage text. Coupled with the Garmin's dim display, it's pretty useless. Curiously, the Garmin apparently doesn't consider trees to be obstacles, so they're not represented at all on the graphical display. The uPro (in Pro Mode) shows every tree and hazard - in fact, the entire hole, as photographed from satellite. It's like viewing my actual course (including my house!) from above. There's absolutely nothing like it.

On the home screen, both the SG3 and the uPro also give you the time of day, battery strength, and GPS signal strength. The Garmin gives you none of the above. You need to briefly press the power button to see the time. It also shows a battery icon, but that never moved during my round.

Battery: The Garmin and SG3 both take AA batteries, whether alkaline, NiMh rechargeable, or lithium ion. With any AA type, both units easily complete at least two rounds. The uPro uses a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Unlike SkyCaddie models that use internal lithium ion batteries, which are a real horror show to replace (SkyCaddie recommends you send the unit back), the Callaway uPro battery easily drops in. Callaway says it takes three hours to charge, but it didn't take me anywhere near that long. UPro battery life is 6-12 hours, depending on how bright you set the display's backlight. With my display settings (see Display, below), I easily completed a round with plenty to spare. As far as battery preferences go: For some, constantly recharging and changing out AAs is a grind. For others, recharging (and eventually, re-purchasing) internal lithium-ion batteries ($27 for the uPro) is just as bad, especially considering that the battery can leave you high and dry mid-round if you forget to charge it the night before. To each his own.

Display: The SG3 is monochrome, so it doesn't stand a chance. Its display is dim and boring, but it does give you a button on the side for a backlight. The screen sizes on the SG3 and uPro are nearly identical. The Garmin's touchscreen display is nearly iPhone-big, and drop-dead gorgeous...when you're at home. Take it outside, and it washes out to the point of uselessness. Worse yet, to save power, the display times out a few seconds after you touch it, making it even dimmer. You touch the screen to wake it up, but when you touch the screen, the unit thinks you want to measure a distance, so the measurement feature pops up. You need to hit the "Done" button to exit that. There's no way to increase the screen timeout or disable the screen dimming feature. Also, since the Garmin is a touchscreen, it's a massive fingerprint magnet, so it only looks pretty for the first hole. The uPro wins the display contest handily, with a bright and functional screen. You can play two ways: graphically (Pro Mode), showing the course via aerial photography, or with big, bright alphanumeric text (Basic Mode). Since golf courses have very low contrast (lots of green color and not much else), I defaulted to the Basic Mode for easy readability. For the aerial view, you can always hit the Pro Mode button on the side of the unit, as it's much more useful around the green. The uPro's default setting is to power-save the display after (I think) 45 seconds. Unlike the Garmin, which dims its display, the uPro goes blank until you hit a button, which is an enormous buzzkill. Fortunately, you can get around this. You can change to a longer timeout, or disable standby altogether. As the uPro has a very bright display, what I did was take the backlight down to 25% (from a default 70%), and disabled standby completely. I easily completed a round with plenty of battery life to spare this way. The uPro and the Garmin use a reflective LCD technology that actually makes the display brighter in direct sunlight. The uPro's version of this technology worked far better than the Garmin's. The only time the Garmin display looked remotely readable was when you aimed it directly at the sun.

Just for fun, I took along my iPod Touch 2G, to compare all the displays outdoors. I figured that the iPod's conventional LCD wouldn't compete with the reflective technology of the Garmin and the uPro. Wrong. The iPod destroyed both of them. It wasn't even close. So, if you have an iPhone (the iPod Touch won't do GPS), you may want to look into the golf GPS apps at the App Store. If you do decide to use an iPhone, just remember, it won't stand up to being dropped, kicked, and tossed around like these three ruggedized units, and it for sure ain't the least bit water-resistant.

Hole-to-Hole: The simpler SkyCaddie wins here. It automatically advances to the next hole. If there's any confusion (you're playing past the current hole, for example), it'll ask you if you want to move to the next hole. If you're starting on Number 10, for example, the SkyCaddie makes that selection easier as well, with a grid from which you can select holes via cursor. The Callaway Auto Hole Advance is kind of a drag. If you're anywhere near the green, Auto-Advance jumps to the next hole. You can't measure your 40-yard pitch to the current green. And when they say Auto, they mean Auto. In Auto-Advance mode, there's no way to back up to the current hole, or any previous hole, for that matter. The only way out is to go to either Manual Advance, or Manual Advance With Prompt (it asks you to press the center button to advance). Hitting a button on each hole is tedious. The Garmin Auto-Advances sequentially, but if you jump around (skipping a couple of holes to get around slow play), you need to touch the screen arrows for each hole advance.

Settings: The Garmin gives you almost nothing to customize, as it is both very intelligently designed and extremely automated. It would have been nice to be able to crank the screen brightness, or at least extend the timeout. Both the SG3 and the uPro give you a host of settings to mess with, including screen brightness (contrast only with the SG3), hole advance preferences, and much more.

Cost of ownership: The Garmin and uPro are color, so they're not cheap. If you want to compare apples to apples, you could go to the color SkyCaddie SG5, but be advised that the SG3, SG4, and SG5 are virtually identical in functionality, screen size - basically, EVERYTHING - so you're paying almost $150 more for color alone, which is the cost of a whole 20-inch color TV. (My SG3 is discontinued, so now I'm quoting price from the replacement SG4.) Couple that with the amazing wow factor of both the Garmin and the uPro, and the top-of-the-line color SkyCaddie SG5 is a terrible deal. To the SkyCaddie's cost of ownership, add their totally outrageous annual membership fees. SkyCaddie also charges ridiculous sums of money for stuff like plastic cart mounts and batteries. The Garmin wins here, hands-down, with all available courses preloaded into memory. No fees whatsoever! For accessories, RAM Mounts makes a rock-solid, relatively reasonably-priced cart mount for the Garmin. The uPro, while not requiring you to pay for a membership, makes you download each course. They're all free, if you want to use only Basic Mode. But if you want what makes the unit famous and awesome, which is Pro Mode video previews and flyovers of each hole, you need to pay. If you go for a 20-course package, for example, that's $60. It's still cheaper for most people than SkyCaddie, because there's no annual fee. And the more courses you buy, the cheaper it gets per course. However, uPro accessories such as cart mounts are rarely discounted, and you'll pay more for their little plastic add-ons than you would pay for a complete multi-handset cordless phone system or a new DVD player.

Extras: Each unit has (or will soon have, in the uPro's case) the ability to track scores and aggregate player information. I don't use any of that stuff. No amount of button-pushing or touch-screening could beat the ease and speed of marking stuff down with a pencil.

Wow Factor: The SkyCaddie is deadly dull, with zero Wow Factor, but highly functional. One would think the Garmin, with its big, beautiful touchscreen, would win. However, the screen is just too dim to view the image-based interface in normal outdoor lighting. The Callaway uPro, with its unique video flyovers of every hole, is the winner. While the flyovers may not be great outdoors (golf courses are green-on-green-on-green, so there's little contrast), they're great for previewing new courses in your home before you travel. Beyond that, the uPro comes with several preloaded video tutorials to help you get the most from the unit, and an earbud is in the box, so you can listen to the video narration. Voice Recognition, to allow you to change settings, holes, etc. by voice command, is built into the Callaway uPro, and they say it'll be activated by late 2009.

Summary: Not one of these units is perfect, but the Callaway uPro is the runaway winner. It's simple to use, highly customizable, deadly accurate, super-fast, and gorgeous to view. 2nd place goes to the SkyCaddie, even with its monochrome screen, pokey operation, and 20th Century technology. The Garmin comes in last, even though it's the most sophisticated, intelligent, beautiful, automated piece, made by people who really know GPS. The thing is just too dim to use outdoors.

uPro w/v3.0 Works like it was advertised--Bugs fixed...., November 5, 2008
Let me start by saying that I have never written a review on a product purchased from Amazon. I did this one, because I struggled with making this purchase based on the reviews I read and thought I might add some additional detail to help the next person.

I purchased the uPro about a month ago. The product is impressive. Many reviews claimed some common complaints: "Pro" Mode too hard to see when out in the bright sun; system crashes, long load times from the PC... I have found many of those issues to be true although exaggerated.

Yes "Pro" mode is more difficult to see in bright sun, but it is not a big issue--yes it is harder because of the detail of the course and terrain that it is showing--however, "Pro" Mode is really what sets this device above its competitors, and it is completely useable in bright light. In fact that is how I use it 90% of the time. uPro actually uses a special screen that actually uses sunlight to enhance its own backlighting.

The unit did crash the first time I used it on the course...twice. However, I realized I did not cycle the power on and off after all of the loading of courses etc. that you need to do when you first register your unit online. Either way, that was the only time it crashed. It has been completey stable since then, and I am even less concerned with it becuase they just put out their newest update v3.0 that was specifically to address some of the stability issues. In short, I found this to also not be a concern.

The first time I loaded the unit with courses it took a LONG time...20 minutes or more. Not a big deal, but annoying nonetheless. The new software cuts this down by 50%, so again I see this as a non-issue.

The unit is extremely accurate. I am a 5 handicap and know my clubs/yardages pretty well. I compared uPro to my buddies playing with SkyCaddie and they are both showing the same yardages +/- 1 yard. I have another friend that uses a laser rangefinder, but now when we play together, he constantly wants me to give him yardages off the uPro, because we found them to be just as accurate but with infinitely less hassle. Try holding a rangefinder pointed at a pin that is 175-195 yards away in the wind...not easy and not timely.

The unit has a small form factor...much smaller than the skycaddie and certainly less than a laser rangefinder. However, the screen is about the same size.

uPro's customer service I found to be VERY responsive. I emailed back and forth with them several times and in some detail PRIOR to even making the purchase to see how they addressed the issues and just as a measure of how they would deal with me...even when I wasn't a customer. I give them very high marks for service. Customer Service is an area where SkyCaddie is known to be very poor. That was a major factor in me staying away from SkyCaddie in the first place.

I would and have recommended this to my friends at the club and I would recommend the product to anyone considering it.

Still the winner and even better!, August 18, 2008
Like all Golf GPS devices, the Calloway UPro is intended to provide golfers with range information and in basic mode, the distance to the green or hazards is displayed in much the same way as many rival GPS units. Where the UPro distinguishes itself from the pack is through the use of satellite imagery: In pro mode, the user is given a bird's eye view of the hole and where he is on it. This, coupled with the ability to measure from current position to any point on the hole, means the UPro promises unparalleled course management capability in real time. Overall the UPro delivers on the promise, but for me the potential is offset by the difficulty of trying to use it on the course.

Out of the Box Experience

The first thing that strikes you about the UPro is its small size. It slips comfortably in and out of the pocket and does not dig you in the thigh as you take your stance (unless you are one of the younger tour pros who seem to like to wear skin tight pants on the golf course, but then a credit card would pose problems for those guys).

Initial set up of the unit was straightforward: the "getting started" leaflet and the player's guide were easy to follow and for those who like a little more handholding, the website has a couple of interactive demos. Hooking the UPro up to the computer , registering and downloading courses was neither problematic not unacceptably slow over a broadband connection; the synchronization software seemed a little rough around the edges, but did it's job.

Navigating around the various modes and functions is easy and generally intuititive using either dedicated keys on the multi-function four way key.

One point to note here is a GPS is only as good as the maps it uses and at the time I purchased my UPro, my local course was not mapped. Calloway offer a guarantee that courses deemed eligible for mapping and registered as a local course will be mapped within 4 business days of registration. I have to admit that I was extremely skeptical about this claim as my local course is not hugely popular, although it was deemed eligible for mapping. I was delighted to find that on the fourth business day after registration; my course was mapped and available for download. The mapping appears to be accurate distance wise and the ability to get free basic mode maps and purchase individual pro mode maps is, for me, preferable to the more common subscription model.

Golfing from your Armchair

One major advantage the UPro has over the competition is the ability to run in preview mode away from the course. You can measure distances from point to point on the satellite maps of the course using the "any point" feature and use the flyover feature to give you an overall impression of the hole. These features allow the user gain familiarity with a course and develop a strategy for playing it; this feature is particularly useful if you are going to play a course which is completely new to you. These features form the heart of pro mode and they have a definite ability to draw "oohs and ahhs" from your golfing buddies, especially flyover mode which should have some cheesy muzak playing in the background as you fly over to complete the "watching on TV" effect.

Golfing on the Course

Oddly, I've found that pro mode is not that useful out on the course. Basic mode provides all the information that you typically need - at a glance - while playing (distance to the green and hazards) and the mark function, which allows you to measure the actual length of your shot, is only accessible from basic mode.

While swapping between basic and pro modes is easy, using advanced pro mode features, such as layup measurement, is a little time consuming and not that easy to do accurately due to the small size of the screen. The problems get a little worse in bright sunlight as, despite Calloway's claims to the contrary, it was impossible to get the satellite maps used in pro mode to display with enough contrast to allow you to easily distinguish features. This is not surprising as golf courses are shades of green on green. Basic mode displays, which are mostly black on white, display well in strong sunlight, so this is not an issue for basic mode.

Auto hole advance is another feature, common to both pro and basic modes, that doesn't quite live up to expectations on the course. If you happen to be close to an adjacent hole with your shot, UPro will happily change the hole it thinks you are playing, which can throw you for a loop. Auto advance with prompt is just plain annoying with its constant nagging about changing holes, so manual advance seems to be the only sure fire way of moving holes only when you want to. Manual hole advance is quicker and simpler to use in basic mode (one key stroke) than in Pro mode (3 key strokes via 2 menus)...another reason to stick with basic mode while playing.

Conclusion

Given that UPro has much the same price point as its high end rivals but has greater functional capability, the decision to buy it was a no-brainer which I do not regret. That having been said, the features currently unique to UPro, most of which come under the pro mode umbrella, are nice to haves which are not (currently) particularly easy to use while playing, even though they do add value to the product for pre-play use.

Biggest piece of junk I ever bought!, July 12, 2008
I only play a moderate amount of golf and living in New England definitely reduces the local golf season to around six months. So it took me a while before I comitted to buying a GPS or rangefinder. The important things to me were 1) size, 2) ease of use, 3) accuracy and 4) overall lowest cost (aka, best value). At first I leaned towards the rangefinders but they are really bulky and a real pain for me to use especially when there is no line of sight. A GPS was my next option but I was very wary of annual "membership" fees. Also GPS technology keeps improving and I didn't want to buy the latest thing only to find out in three months that something much better had come out.

The uPro GPS addressed all my issues. First of all, it is hands-down the most advanced unit out there by at least a generation if not two. The size is the smallest out there and slips easily into a pocket. The GPS chip is from uBlox (not affiliated with uPro or uPlay) using their well acclaimed uBlox 5 chip which reportedly acquires a signal in one second from a cold start! The cost of the unit is on the high end but all the "Basic" course mode information is free (just download from the website) which is better already than most competitors. The "Pro" mode costs extra but can be as little as $2.50 when bought as a bundle credit. This is where the unit shines as it utilizes the satellite/aerial photo for many of its competitive advantages: video flyovers, measuring from any point on the course, constantly updated distances to the current flag position, etc. Amazing.

The user interface is OK. It took me a little time to figure out the buttons while at home but I've now become use to them. I've also heard about lock-ups but never experienced one of my own. uPro's customer service phone number is very helpful and friendly but they apparently do not respond well to e-mail (they never responded to an e-mail question of mine...at all).

The uPro is a very well designed device backed by a company that continues to improve on the software with regular updates that also add features beyond what were available at purchase. The software could use some improvement but it is not at all bad, just not as intuitive as I would like. Overall, I am extremely pleased by this golf GPS and would recommend it to anyone. I think I can safely skip the next couple generational improvements!

Love this device!, January 20, 2009
I just love my upro!

The screen could be bigger, but I love how small the device is, so it is a trade off.

The distances seem as accurate as my friends sky caddie. I can guess based on pin position and measuring on the device to within a couple of yards from his laser measurements as well.

Three things I had to do to make the device work great:

1.) Use the device's calibration. Make sure you do this, it's easy and increased my accuracy.
2.) Go into the settings menu and turn off power saver. If the power saver kicks in the device has to re-establish sattelite every time it comes back on which slows you down.
3.) Decrease the backlight to 10%. I was only getting 3 and a half hours with the power saver off. I emailed customer service. They called me within 3 hours of my email and told me to cut down the backlight. Now I can get two full rounds out of the device without turning it off.

Not much more to say than, this device makes playing a new course much more fun because you are never surprised with water or a hazard behind a dogleg.

Love this device.

Customer Service A+, December 19, 2008
I have been reading reviews and doing my research on the uPro vs. Sonocaddie. The one feature that the Sonocaddie has that I wish the uPro has is being waterproof. I was wondering if uPro was currently making a waterproof model, so I e-mailed uPro customer service at 8:30pm Pacific time hoping to get a reply in a week or so. I checked my e-mail later that night and they replied back within 20 min. I was extremely impressed with the quick e-mail. For anyone interested about whether uPro is coming out with a waterproof version here is their response:

Thank you for your inquiry.

uPlay does not have any plans to make a "waterproof" version.

With the exception of immersion, the device should be fine if you get caught in a sudden rain storm or sprinkler.

Simply wipe off the device with a soft cloth.

Happy to have U-Pro, June 5, 2009
Had my Upro about 7 weeks and played six rounds. Very pleased. Had a tee shot go long, but into the next fairway. was going to just punch back onto the fairway but looked at the Upro yardage and realized I could shoot for the pin. Made an easy par. Thought to myself "It was worth the money." The battery life is OK. Gets about two rounds each charge. (battery backup would be nice)Down loading course takes a long time but its not hard. (Go watch TV or something while your waiting) All the courses I've looked for in Jersey have been mapped. I don't use the fly over view much, but it (the pro view) does comes in handy when considering your next shot to or over a large hazard. the upro will give you distances to were you should be shooting. Or you can use the pro view and pick a spot where you want to land your next shot and get your measurement. Works well for those dog legs where your not sure how far to hit to the turn. The yardage measurments are consistence with the markers, within 2 yards or less, usually less. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Magellan eXplorist GC is the first GPS device 100% dedicated to geocaching that includes out-of-the-box paperless geocaching, seamless connection to geocaching.com, a brilliant color screen, rich graphics, and a simple user interface all packed into a rugged and waterproof device.The device is powered by two AA batteries for up to 15 hours of outdoor adventure along with a highly-sensitive SiRFstarIII GPS chipset that provides 3-meter accuracy.The device is made for geocaching with an uncomplicated interface and the ability to sort and search thousands of geocaches.Mark your find and quickly add field notes.Push all your logs to geocaching.com once you return from your day's adventure.eXplorist GC has tons of fun and familiar graphics, such as smiley faces for logs and merit-based awards to show off your geocaching expertise.Additionally, the product comes packed with common outdoor GPS features, such as waypoint creation, a worldwide basemap, active tracking, and trip odometer. ... Read more