In cart GPS vs Optical Range Finders

[paw4447]

Our club has begun to provide carts with state of the art GPS with 9 inch screen. I have found them to be very accurate based on double checks with my optical.

The obvious question becomes what is the future of optical hand held devices relative to continuing improvements in the in cart GPS systems?

[cnosil]

1 minute ago, paw4447 said:

Our club has begun to provide carts with state of the art GPS with 9 inch screen. I have found them to be very accurate based on double checks with my optical.

The obvious question becomes what is the future of optical hand held devices relative to continuing improvements in the in cart GPS systems?

All I need to say is: cart path only

[Kenny B]

3 minutes ago, cnosil said:

All I need to say is: cart path only

Certainly cart GPS is no good for wet locations.  Three years ago I played one CPO round in Phoenix of all places; that was miserable.  However, no CPO anywhere in my area.

[rbgntx]

The course near Dallas where I play quite often did away with the GPS on the carts.  I am not sure if it was the cost, the device ran a lot of ads during the round, or the fact that more players were carrying their own devices.  I'd go with my own rather than depend on the course to provide.

 

[Dr Tee]

Your cart is not always where your ball is, maybe due to cart path only, tee box far away from cart, partner has taken cart while you walk to your ball etc.    Therefore GPS watch or handheld clearly better.  Rangefinders are usually optically magnified and can give you eyes on exact pin position and green side features or measure distances to various hazards.  A new rangefinder, the Caddytalk Cube enables you to triangulate and measure ball to pin distance from wherever you stand (or sit) but is priced at about $400 bucks.

[RickyBobby_PR]

It’s expensive to put gps in carts. Handheld isn’t going anywhere anytime soon

[Rosey31]

So being that this is a 2 year old post and most courses in my area do not have in cart GPS, I would think the handheld is going to stay dominant. I would think that in cart units can create extra costs for upkeep and repair that most courses don't want to take ownership. At my home course, where I play 70% of my rounds, I go old school yardage book and range finder for flags when I'm inside 110 yards. If I am playing away I'll use the USGA app for distances to bunkers, etc. and the range finder for the pin. 

[ctg44]

I prefer a magnified handheld laser rangefinder.  I love being able to see the wind direction and how the slope of the green is around the flag.  I currently use the Nikon CoolShot Pro (gen 1) and it's great.  Only negative is no built-in magnet, but the Spigen universal magnet strap fixes that.

Edited September 22, 2023 by ctg44