GPS, Expresso announces PND for the golf course, you'll have to find your own polyester pants
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted July 8th 2010 6:32AM
posted July 8th 2010 6:32AM
PNDs for the golf course aren't exactly unheard of, and if they fail to excite us it might be because we're not really the types that putt in the office while dictating memos to our secretaries (we don't even have secretaries in Engadget HQ). If this sort of thing is your bag, however, we want you to know that a company called Expresso has recently announced the AG1 Automotive and Golf GPS, which promises all the nav info you could ever want for "the freeway, family entertainment and the fairway." That is, they threw in a media player with the usual GPS capabilities. Featuring iGolf maps for more than 20,000 courses and an HD display, we have a lovely video after the jump in case you would like to hear more. The Pro from Dover never had it this good! 
Why would I buy this if I already have a phone with more functionality.
@Discourse
Because you were their only sale demographic. Now they will never sell the device because you have a phone with the same functionality. Woe is the company who made this product specifically for you.
@Discourse - it might help you find your balls ;-)
Judging from the photo, I'm guessing that these devices work in Korea . . .
Also,
@Leachpunk
It's too early in the morning to be such a douche.
"I'm going to give you a little advice. There's a force in the universe that makes things happen; all you have to do is get in touch with it. Stop thinking...let things happen...and be...the ball."
Holy crap that movie was chugging... that kid must not have been very happy with that movie :*(
And my main thought was "WTF is a PND?"
I've been using my iPhone for this purpose for a while now. The better GPS chip in the iPhone 4 has made this ridiculously accurate. I simply cannot speak highly enough of the 4's GPS capabilities. FWIW, I use Golfshot GPS.
The 3GS was alright for certain longer range shots and carry yardages, but I wouldn't trust it inside of 200 yards because being more than about 4-5 yards off is pretty much useless if you're actually a serious player.
That said, I have no idea why anyone would buy this when you have smartphones like the iPhone 4 already breaking into the 0-2 yard accuracy range. Having used golf GPS's for years now, I have a hard time believing that this is on that level.
@ebgolfin
Sorry, but you can't beat a dedicated golf PND for accuracy and features. My playing partner has an iPhone with a golf app, and I have a SkyCaddie SG5. First, he has to keep turning the thing off to ensure that the battery last for the whole round. My SG5 can last 2 to 3 rounds.
The accuracy of SG5 blows away the iPhone. We'll be standing in the fairway at the 150 yard mark, and his iPhone will be showing +/- 3 yards, where's my SG5 will be spot on. Three yards means the difference between being on the green, and being in the front bunker.
Lastly, and most important, the ground-mapped features of the SG5 have no equivalent in the satellite based maps in the iPhone. The Intelligreen feature in the SG5 rotates the green depending on your location, so you get accurate measurements to the front, middle, and back from your angle. Also, the contours of the green are displayed, e.g. false fronts, tiers, etc.
Now, if given the choice between a phone-based app and nothing, I'd certainly take the phone, but one can't compare a phone to a SkyCaddie.
@ebgolfin
Actually, we use a very high-end linear patch antenna which is much more accurate than the chip antennas used in cell phones to receive a GPS signal. That, combined with a SiRFstarIII GPS receiver and Instant Fix II allows for amazing acquisition times and accuracy within 1 yard.
I'm not sure where you live, but if we can set something up - I'd welcome you to play an 18 hole round of golf with us any time (we'll even pay for it) and we can do a side-by-side comparison the entire time. But if your iPhone battery can't last the entire 18 holes, you'll have to pay for the beers :)
@Spiny Norman
I've used a SkyCaddie, and yes they are quite nice. However, for the price on an iPhone app, the accuracy on the iPhone 4 specifically is really amazing. I play nearly every day, and have been comparing the readings against marked sprinkler heads at my home course and have been shocked by the accuracy. Like I said, the 3GS wasn't quite as good and I wouldn't trust it inside 200 yards.
I attribute this to two things. One is OS 4.0 which lets the GPS stay on and keep lock. The other is the new GPS chip in the iPhone 4. My phone has no problem with battery life, and playing an 18 hole round will generally leave me with around 75% battery left.
Traditionally, I have used a Bushnell Pinseeker 1500 Tournament Edition, but it was stolen and I have had to go back to sprinkler heads and GPS. When I started testing my new iPhone, I was blown away by how useful it is. As a skilled player, I have always been a little skeptical about GPS in general. For the average player looking to break 100,90, 80, etc. it is great, but at higher levels I've always considered a laser to be the only way to go.
@ExpressoGPS
Hey, that sounds good to me! I'm at http://www.vbnational.com virtually every day.
Be warned though, it's quite a difficult track ;)
@ebgolfin
Perhaps the new iPhone has better accuracy, but I don't see the apps matching up in the feature set.
Approximately 50% of the courses I play are my first visit to the course. With a new course, the features of the SkyCaddie are invaluable. If I played the same course every week, then basic yardage information would probably be sufficient, as I would already know the shape and contours of the green, and the locations of the various hazards.
@Spiny Norman
Yeah, I can definitely see your point with that. I basically play the same rotation of courses that I know very well, so details like green contours are things I'm already aware off. I'd definitely like one of the new SkyCaddie's but, for the money, the Golfshot app plus the iPhone 4 are an amazingly good value. I definitely want to reiterate that it's only on the 4, the 3GS with its older GPS chip does not provide enough accuracy for serious golf. I mean, it's alright if you're looking for a club to carry a certain fairway bunker, but not if you're trying to carry onto a specific ridge on a green.
When I am playing, I am basically looking for something like the distance to the front edge for example. From there, I'll mentally add how many paces in the hole is cut.
@ebgolfin
Expresso's CEO just said that he likes playing at Virginia Beach and would love to go head-to-head with you... Expresso AG1 vs iPhone 4. Send us your contact information to info at expressogps.com and I'll have him get in touch with you.
@ExpressoGPS
That's awesome. I'll get in touch with you boys.
Only commenting for the M*A*S*H photo. Awesome!
@TonyRockyHorror
Nice catch, I was wondering where the he'll I'd seen that pic before!
@ToeCutter
Misspellings the complement of iPads whacked out dictionary...