14 August 2014

REVIEW: Garmin Approach G8 Golf GPS

Fore!

We've already been impressed by the awesome Virb EliteAction Cam, so we were excited to try something else from navigation experts Garmin. So grab your clubs, jump in a buggy, and we'll meet you on the fairway. The Approach G8 Golf GPS is a handheld digital buddy that helps you get yourself, your clubs and your caddy around a golf course. Smaller and lighter than most smartphones, it features a three inch touchscreen and a battery than can last up to 15 hours.



The incredible thing about the Garmin Approach G8 is that it already knows the way around your golf course. The gadget knows the layout of 30,000 international courses and Garmin promise free updates (via the built-in WiFi) for life. This means all you have to do is turn up at the course in your neatly ironed tartan slacks, and the G8 knows where you are and, more importantly, where the damn hole is.



But the Garmin Approach G8 is more than just a GPS mapping device. It will record the distance you walk between shots, building a database of your technique and handicap and therefore offer advice before the next swing. It will also tell you the exact distance between you and the green, regardless of trees and other obstacles in your way. It also includes a handy scoring feature, allowing you to keep track of the game score and, once finished, generate statistics from the match based on your and your buddies' performance.


We were a little concerned at first about having to take another phone-sized gadget out with us for a game, especially when pocket space is at a premium in most pairs of golfing pants. Fortunately the Garmin Approach G8 Golf GPS can wirelessly connect to your phone to display texts, emails and other alerts, quite like a Smartwatch. This means that your phone can stay safely stowed in your caddy or club bag, while the Approach takes pride of place in your pocket. Also, thanks to it being shockproof and waterproof, if you are going to handle either gadget while out on the course, you'd no doubt prefer the Approach.


We were extremely impressed with the Garmin Approach G8 Golf GPS, especially when it instantly gave us all the info we needed about any golf course. The size and weight make it perfect for keeping on you while playing, as anything bigger and heavier (such as most phones running golfing apps) would cause a distraction. We found the screen, while being smaller than what we're used to 2014, was just right, with clear, large images and text, and being nice and readable in bright sunlight. For diehard golfing fanatics who are looking to improve their game, this is essential.

£299.99

Available from www.amazon.co.uk




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