If you want the newest gadget to go with you on the green, it's best to take a look at Garmin S3 golf watch. The follow up to the forerunner Approach S1, the first golf GPS watch. The Garmin S3 golf watch comes with a touchscreen display and alsoprovides support for 27,000 golf courses around the world. Although it can't improve your swing, you will take advantage of many location-based direction for example layups and doglegs distances, green guides, actual distances to the front, middle amd back of the green and totally free for upcoming course upgrades and updates. The Garmin S3 golf watch is a waterproof gps watch that serves up 8 hours of hours usage without charging, The Garmin S3 golf costs around $350, for boost up your game this could be a wise money spent. Are you ready for more? Check our full review in below.
Garmin S3 Review
The Garmin S3 watch features the high quality touchscreen which is designed to work with both your fingertip or while wearing gloves. The display screen is very responsive but optimized to avoid accidental touches while you play. So you will need to press firmly in order to use the touchscreen.
The Garmin S3 watch features the Green View which combined with the easily-move pin manual positioning. The Green View also show the real shape and layout of the greens. This golf GPS watch also has the distances for layups and doglegs, both printable Stroke play and Stableford digital scorecards, along with customizable yardage points and built in round timer so it's possible to know how much time you have played out.
Garmin S3 Golf GPS Watch Now Available On Amazon.Com
Both Black And White Just $349.99
(as of 27/08/2012 12:55 PST - Details)
How To Use Garmin S3
After you have unboxed the Garmin S3 now you have to fully charge it. Plug the USB end of the cable into the computer or AC adapter. The charger cradle contains a magnet and will easily connect itself to the back of the golf GPS watch and holds the device in place. The first time you connect the device to a power source, the Garmin S3 will turn on and show a list of the various languages available. Swipe through the display to find and select your language. The selected language can be changed in the set up menu. Once you have selected the language, the display will shows the time, date and blinking status bar. Charge the device completely before using it.
While you walk to the ball after your drive, the Garmin S3 will update the numbers instantly. When you stand at your ball the golf GPS watch will show the updated distances to the back, middle and front of the green on the main screen. You can view a list of layups and doglegs for par 4 and 5 holes by pressing the middle of the display. This results will depend on the type of hole and length, the golf GPS watch will calculate the number of distances to doglegs, layups and also display saved custom locations. The Garmin S3 will show three distances of doglegs and layups, in case if more distances are available you can swipe your finger up and down or use the arrows symbol on the top and bottom of display. You can also save and label up to five custom locations on each hole, simply stand in the any location like bunkers or water hazards you want to save then select Save Location menu.
Garmin S3 - Green View
To access the Green View screen, press the three bar icon on the main menu then you will get the menu list which contains End Round, Green View, Odometer, Save Location, and Lock Screen. Press the Green View and you will found a graphic that shows the shape of the green with the pin in the center. If you want to set a new distance you can manually move the pin to the new area with your fingertip. And after that the new distance from the pin will display on the screen, as well as the front, middle and back distances in the main screen will show the modified distances which are updated from the new position of the pin.
Garmin S3 - Measuring A Shot
To know how far you hit your clubs, you can use Measure button on the right side of the golf GPS watch. You can measure the distance of a shot at any time, just simply press the Measure button before drive. When you walk to the ball after drive the GPS watch will display your distance. The distance automatically resets when you move to the next hole. However, you can also hold the Measure button to reset the distance at any time. This feature will help you make your club decision easier.
Garmin S3 - Keeping Score
With the Garmin S3, you can use a digital scorecard to track your scores. Before you begin keeping score, you must start a round then go to the hole view screen and press the Score button on the bottom right side of the golf GPS watch. You will see the scoring screen; on the top of screen is your total score and the hole number and par for the hole on the left side. You can increase or decrease your score by pressing the + or - icon at the bottom of display. After do that your total score on the top of display will be updated. To see each hole scores, hold the Score button and display will show your scores for every hole you have enter. You can select a hole you want and change the score you need as well.
Setup the Scoring Method
You can change the method the golf GPS watch uses to keep score between Stroke play and Stableford. When you select the Stableford scoring method, the scorecard will shows points instead of strokes, points are granted based on the number of strokes taken relative to par. At the end of round, the highest score wins. The Garmin S3 awards points as specified by the United States Golf Association.
You can view and print saved scorecards on your computer by connecting the Garmin S3 golf watch to a USB port on your computer via the charging cradle.
Garmin S3 - Using the Odometer
You can use the built-in odometer to record both time and distance. The odometer will automatically starts and stops when you star and end your round, however you can use the odometer outside of golf for measuring your running, walking, cycling distance with manual mode.
Garmin S3 - Customize Your Golf GPS
The Garmin S3 Golf GPS Watch is a customizable device. You can turn audible on/off, sets the scoring method, language, distance units and change the background color to black or white.
The Garmin S3 is a few thicker compared to other sport watches and features normal watch functions, so it's comfortable to use the S3 as the daily-use watch. The wrist band is very adaptable and easy to get the best suited size. By default, the time on the Garmin S3 is set automatically when the device acquires satellite signals, however you can set the time manually, change the time format to 12 or 24-hour and setup the alarm.
Garmin S3 - Updating Software and Courses
Updating firmwares and the latest golf courses iis really important. Garmin provides a software to complete the updating process, Garmin CourseView Updater will upgrade your golf GPS watch with up-to-date firmware, add the new courses and even update any changes of existing courses from all over the world. The updating method is very easy and most of the steps are automated, once download and install Garmin CourseView Updater connect the golf GPS watch to your computer via USB port, then start the software and follow the on-screen instructions. When the processes are finish you will see the notification screen that you can register to receive notification by email when future updates are released.
PROS :
- 27,000 pre-loaded golf courses from all over the world, no subscription costs for new course updates.
- High resolution touchscreen with glove-friendly.
- Green View menus shows the real shape and lay out of the green and the pin can move to any location manually.
- Features with normal wrist watch functions and odometer work well in daily life.
CONS :
- Not outstanding design.
- Battery life is good for about two rounds.
- Cheap and non-durable materials.
Garmin S3 Golf GPS Watch Now Available On Amazon.Com
Garmin S3 Golf GPS Watch Customers Reviews
"Battery life is acceptable. I had about 70% of battery life left after a three and a half hour round. It should be able to get through a two round day."
"The S3 is an excellent device with one important issue. You will possibly not have your course shown if you do not stay in an urban area. Garmin upgrades their courses database every quarter, and you have to give them a call to see if they'd like to add the golf course you want."
"You will find not many courses mapped in the north of Toronto. This really is disappointing as this is a very large and active cottage and vacation location. Almost all other golf gps devices cover this area."
Garmin S3 Golf GPS Watch Specs
Dimensions : 2.6 x 5.4 x 5.4 inches ; 12.3 ounces
Display : 128 x 128 pixels 1-Inch Hi-Resolution Touchscreen Monochrome LCD
Battery Type : Rechargeable Lithium-ion
Battery Life : Watch only 4 weeks, Playing golf 8 hours
Water Resistance : IPX7 (submerged in 1 metre of water for about 30 mins)
Pre-loaded Courses : Yes
Course Capacity : Unlimited
Color : Black or White
Color : Black or White
In Box :
- Garmin S3 Golf GPS Watch
- AC adapter
- USB/Charging cable
- User manual
Price : $349.99 >> Check Special Offer On Amazon.Com <<
Price : $349.99 >> Check Special Offer On Amazon.Com <<
Garmin S3 Golf GPS Watch Pros and Cons
- 27,000 pre-loaded golf courses from all over the world, no subscription costs for new course updates.
- High resolution touchscreen with glove-friendly.
- Green View menus shows the real shape and lay out of the green and the pin can move to any location manually.
- Features with normal wrist watch functions and odometer work well in daily life.
CONS :
- Not outstanding design.
- Battery life is good for about two rounds.
- Cheap and non-durable materials.