Golf GPS Rangefinders
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Golf GPS Rangefinders are used to determine the golfer's distance to the green and other points of interest. They generally are a device which contains GPS capabilities combined with data about the golf course to provide reliable distance information to the golfer. Knowing your distance to the green can improve the pace of play, eliminating pacing off a distance from a yardage marker or consulting a yardage book for the course.
Laser rangefinders are a competing technology that have the advantage of not requiring any course data. The disadvantages of laser-based systems are time and ease of use.
[edit] Commercial Manufacturers
Skygolf (SkyCaddie) operated by SkyHawke Technologies and iGolf operated by L1 Technologies pioneered the market for consumer Golf GPS Rangefinders in the early 2000's. Each started with personal digital assistant software and migrated to all-in-one standalone golf GPS handhelds. There are now several other companies that compete in the market but SkyGolf and iGolf retain majority market share. SkyGolf has several models including the SG1, SG2, SG3, SG4, and SG5. iGolf released the GPS Caddie and subsequently the GPS Caddie 2. Their most recent introduction is the iGolf Neo. Both companies have mapped the majority of the United States, Canada and some parts of the UK and Europe.
Other Golf GPS handheld companies have since started up or recently entered the consumer Golf GPS market. They include Golflogix which uses a Garmin eTrex model modified for golf as well as other companies such as Sureshot, SonoCaddie and Golfbuddy.
[edit] External Links
Golf GPS System Manufacturers
Mobile Phone Software
