We recently received the GolfBuddy VT3 GPS Rangfinder, which was designed to eliminate guessing on the golf course and provide accurate and reliable yardages for the everyday golfer. As golfers, we often times find ourselves on the course speculating which club to use based on distance guestimations instead of rock solid yardage like the pros. And let’s be honest, who has time to chart an entire course and keep a yardage book anyways? If you’re like me, you also find your scrambling to find a sprinkler head or measuring off paces from the 150 yard marker. The VT3 touts itself as a Golf GPS “smartwatch” that has combined the three existing golf GPS categories – touchscreen, audio, and a watch and put them all in a single product. The GolfBuddy VT3‘s biggest selling point is its supposed unmatched accuracy and well there is only one way to make sure they aren’t bluffing – To the course!
Good to Know: Each GolfBuddy GPS rangefinder is packed with features and functions, which are compliant to the rules of golf (USGA and R&A) and which are unique to GB’s products alone.
VT3 KEY FEATURES:
- Full function touch screen with voice
- Over 36,000 world courses preloaded
- No membership or download fees
- Distances to Front/Center/Back of the Green
- Target information
- Pin Placement module
- Dynamic Green View
- Score tracking module
- GPS tracking (time and distance)
- Detachable from wristband and comes with a belt clip
TECH SPECS:
- Size (in)- 1.68″x1.72x.38
- Weight with battery- .95oz
- Micro US 5 Pin port for PC interface
- 1.5″ LCD touchscreen display
- Lithium polymer batter with 10hr life span
- Multi-lingual language feature
This is a genuine GPS golf smartwatch, developed specifically for the sport by a company that only produces golf products – it isn’t a watch that has simply had some GPS functionality loaded in. We are dedicated to redefining ways in which the golfer can interact with our brand and experience the benefits we deliver, especially in the emerging field of wearable technology with the Voice+ and VT3. – John Ennis, GolfBuddy Global Head of Sales & Marketing
– GolfBuddy VT3 Review –
DESIGN:
(8.5 out of 10) I have used GPS golf devices before and one of the most impressive features of the VT3 is the all inclusive nature of the technology. They have really taken three different types of GPS designs and put it into one….That can fit on your wrist! I have used bulky GPS units that look like you are lugging around a brick or satellite phone on the course. What GolfBuddy has done is made it convenient to use your GPS. Also, if you don’t like to golf with a watch, then no problem, it comes with a clip that you can attach to your shirt, shorts, hat, or simply put it in your pocket.
The 1.5in LCD display makes it large enough to see clearly but yet still small enough to not be bulky. Given the varities of how you can wear it and the small size, it allows everyone to find their own perfect fit for maximium comfort. I personally liked it best on my wrist as it updates distances extremely quickly and was always available for a quick glance to ensure I was at the right distance. The only major issue I had was with battery life. It states 11 hours but I only got about 7-8 hours. The life span is nice for at least one round of golf but I played back-to-back rounds on one glorious Saturday and it died on hole 28 and I was back in the stone age where I had to sprint to sprinkler heads to get my distances, like a caveman!
TECHNOLOGY / FUNCTIONALITY:
(9 out of 10) I have used the GolfBuddy VT3 for 6 full rounds and still haven’t used every piece of technology it offers. My favorite was the Pin placement module that allows you to move the pin to exactly where it is on the green. So if you know how to read flag colors you can move the pin to where it is on the green instead of just looking at the standard front, middle, back distances. Also, another great technological feature on the VT3 is the dynamic green view which calculates the distance from the golfer’s angle of approach to ensure you are getting an accurate distance. The VT3 also allows you to keep track of your score and the touch screen is easy to navigate and simple to use.
For you big hitters out there, there is the shot distance measurement feature that will let you determine how far you hit your shots. So when you are bragging to your friends about that 350 yard drive you bombed down the fairway last weekend, you can back it up with evidence! The voice prompts were not a feature I used often or particularly cared for but it is available for those who want it.
ACCURACY:
(10 out of 10) It seriously does not get anymore accurate than this. If the tee box sign said 300 yards than the VT3 said 300 yards. If we were standing at the 150 yard marker than the VT3 said 150. If the tee box said 335 and the VT3 said 320, we did some investigating and found that the tee box had been altered but the tee box sign had not been adjusted yet. I can’t stress enough about how important this is to your golf game. Knowing the right distance gives you confidence when you choose your club and when you swing, knowing you have made the right club choice. Golf is a game of confidence and the GolfBuddy VT3 takes all the guessing and second guessing out of the equation.
GolfBuddy states they used teams of expert mappers to walk coures and create ground-verified data maps that give precision accuracy and they promise precision accuracy for over 36,000 courses. I expected at least a 5-7 yards of variance but in my 6 rounds there was never more that 2-4 yards and in most cases I believed the GolfBuddy VT3 was the correct distance. Overall, impressive stuff from the guys at GolfBuddy.
do you deliver to New Zealand?
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The device has good features, but the battery will not hold for even a “quick” 18 holes.
VERY disappointed
I agree I bought one of these vt3 watches and it took up to 20 minutes to find the satellites and then the battery never lasts more than 4 hours. I was sent a replacement by the shop from which I bought the vt3 , but the replacement battery only lasts 3 and a half hours. I would never buy another. I will add that when the battery is working the unit does give the correct information.
Device failed after 3-1/2 rounds of golf. I played in early February here in Houston TX. I sent it in as it was under warranty. They called and said they could not refund or replace due to “heavy” water damage. They said even mild perspiration would cause the unit to fail. It was in the low 60’s when I played. Even needed a sweatshirt. This is ridiculous. Don’t waste your money. Should not be on the market.
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Had device a little less than 7 months. It failed whiled playing a round of golf on a hot day. Had nothing but trouble with the touch screen from day one. Would not recommend the Golf Buddy VT3.
I have bought a VT3 golf watch recently.
When I used it in slight rain day, the water will seep underneath the surface film, and the watch will stop functioning.
I notice on your web that your VT3 comes with a different wristband then mine, it actually wrap around the 4 edges of the watch, and seems to be more waterproofing.
Can I just buy your wristband only? How much is your wristband?
Larry
Thank you so much for the reviews. It is really helpful for me.
Gerard
My one lasted three rounds and now the battery only lasts one hour. Can anyone tell me the voltage and the (mA) of the charger as I have lost mine and I am trying to match it up with a phone charger. I paid 169.00 Aus Dollars, some waste of money.