Golf Buddy Platinum GPS 2013 Review

2013 GPS Test

Last year’s Gold Award winner retained its title by offering a slick, feature-packed device with good value. Everyone liked the hole graphics, being bright and showing just enough information without cramming the display. Stephen, prone to a handful of wayward drives a round, found the green rotation technology especially useful off the fairway, while Joel loved the hazards function, giving him exact distances to the front and back of hazards off the tee and on approach shots.

Its accuracy against the range finders was a common theme throughout and the battery was still going strong after two rounds. Brian wasn’t sold on the aesthetics like Joel and Stephen, but the size meant it fitted perfectly in their hands.

Ratings (out of 10):

Ease of use: 9  Functions: 9  Styling: 8  Value: 8.5  Accuracy: 9.5   

 

Long Term Review

The background
I’m a rangefinder lover but in our recent GPS Test I was surprised with how straightforward the Golf Buddy was and wanted to try it for a longer period of time.

What did you like about it?
The classy aesthetics impressed me as did the clarity with which information is presented. You can also place the pin on the green using the intuitive touch screen. It always found the course quickly and there are no hidden costs.

Anything you didn’t like?
It’s hard to pick fault but when doing a manual search for a course the keypad is very small. I got around by using a tee peg and could have used the scroll function so it really is a minor gripe.

Who would it suit?
The distance purist will still say the rangefinder is better for more skilled players because it can pinpoint the flag, but for most players, this is perfectly acceptable. I also liked the fact I could hang it on the outside of my bag and just take a quick glance.

Did it ever let you down?
After six rounds with it, I’m still yet to get a dodgy distance and I’ve played four different courses too.

Ratings (out of 5)

Looks: 5  Ease of use: 5  Accuracy: 5  Value: 4

The GPS and rangefinder category is one of the most exciting in golf, and while we’ve always liked the GolfBuddy brand and their products, we have had our reservations at times about the screen. That is, until now.

The touchscreen, that first launched last year, was impressive in itself but now the screen has been upgraded to be brighter and the resolution clearer. In fact, the manufacturer says the full-colour course maps are the brightest ever.

And it’s not just the sharper display that is new. The Korean-based electronic experts have made the screen response times a great deal quicker, especially when it comes to changing the location of the pin using the innovative Touch N Move flag function.

The Platinum model now features a long-life lithium battery which offers an impressive 15 hours of playing time, essentially enough for three rounds. The waterproof and shockproof outer casing has also been modified, making the device a lot more durable.

You’ve probably seen a huge surge towards making golf equipment white, ever since TaylorMade launched their original R11 driver in January 2011 – and GolfBuddy have also released their new Platinum in a brilliant-white finish.

One of Golf Buddy’s most impressive features is that it doesn’t charge golfers to
download courses – and despite the enhancements to the Platinum, this is still the case.

“We continue to refuse to make golfers pay for any additional fees or subscription
charges to use the Platinum. All of our worldwide maps, the largest database of any handheld golf GPS Brand in the world, are 100% free – not just for a year, but next year and forever,” said John Ennis, General Manager of GolfBuddy Europe.

Contact: www.golfbuddy.eu

GPS locations
Additional download fees
Colour screen	Yes
Subscription fees
Touchscreen	Yes