Reviews of Best Golf GPS Devices - Garmin Approach G3

One nice feature is that by touching the par listed for a hole, the user can edit the par - handy on courses where there are different scores for par depending on which tee box is utilized. Unfortunately, the device does not track statistics for fairways hit, greens hit in regulation, or putts.

Auto-advance. The user can choose whether the device will automatically advance to the next hole or require the user to manually advance.

Course Storage. All courses come pre-loaded on the Approach G3, so users never have to worry about whether they've loaded the correct courses on to the device before leaving the house.

Preferences. The Garmin Approach G3 has a limited set of adjustable preferences: measurement unit (yards vs. meters); battery type (alkaline, lithium or rechargeable NiMH) and auto-advance (automatic vs. manual). These preferences can only be viewed or modified prior to starting the round - the user otherwise must quit the current round, which will erase any scores that were recorded during play.

ACCURACY

SCORE: 93

GRADE: A-

We tested the Garmin Approach G3 on a variety of courses and found the accuracy readings to be within 3-4 yards of sprinkler head markings and our laser readings. This was a bit better than we experienced with the G5, but we suspect that we just had lousy satellite reception on the days we were testing the G5, since we presume that the two devices share exactly the same course maps and GPS chipset. One thing we liked is that the G3 continues to provide distance readings no matter how close the user is to the target, unlike some competing devices.

COST / VALUE

SCORE: 92

GRADE: A-

Retail Price: At a retail price of $349.99, the Garmin Approach G3 comes in below the typical price point of $399.99 for competitive devices with hole views, such as the Callaway uPro, SkyCaddie SGX, OnPar and Golf Guru 4.

Fees for Access to Course Database: An additional bonus for the G3 is that there are no fees for access to Garmin's course database.

Three-Year Total Cost of Ownership: Since there is no cost for access to the course database, the three-year total cost of ownership of the Garmin Approach G3 is $349.99 (the cost of the device itself), which makes it one of the less expensive devices in our cost comparison of golf GPS devices.

Value: The Garmin Approach G3 gets a strong value rating, delivering the wealth of features that we loved in its big brother, the G5, but for $100 less. Our definition of "value" is getting the most for your money - with the G3, you get a premium golf GPS device with a rich feature set at an attractive price, and with no fees for access to the course database. Go to the head of the class!

Garmin is a name well associated with many GPS systems, especially in cars. Garmin makes two popular brand of Golf GPS systems- the Garmin Approach G3 and the Approach G5. Both are preferred by many consumers because they are rugged, waterproof and have a great screen display image.

The Approach G3 has a 2.6 screen and is thin enough to fit in your back pocket or, because of its slightly curved design, to rest comfortably in your hand.