How We Test: Setup

We tested each device to see how quickly a user can get up and running. Most all of the devices require either installation of software on a computer, registration on the web, or both – can a normal person do this without tearing their hair out? As a side note, one of reviewers has no hair- so we tested if he could complete the setup without throwing his computer out the window.

Setup for devices ranged from opening the box and taking the device straight to the course, to more involved setups requiring software downloads, installations, driver updates, membership registration and course loading. And don’t forget to check if your computer is supported – only slightly over half of the GPS devices tested are compatible with Macs, see Table 1 below. Our tests were conducted both on PC and Macs, if supported.

Table 1. Golf GPS Device Support

Golf GPS Device Windows Support Mac Support
Bushnell Neo 2000/XP/Vista 10.4+
Callaway uPro 2000/XP/Vista 10.4+
Callaway uPro Go 2000/XP/Vista 10.4+
Garmin Approach G5 2000/XP/Vista 10.4+
GolfBuddy Tour 98/NT/2000/XP/Vista No
GolfLogix GPS-8 2000/XP/Vista 10.4+
Golf Guru 4 2000/XP/Vista No
Golf Guru Color Guru XP/Vista 10.4+
IZZO SWAMI 2000/XP/Vista No
OnPar Touchscreen GPS 2000/XP/Vista No
SkyCaddie SG5 2000/XP/Vista 10.3.9+
Sonocaddie V300 2000/XP/Vista No