TESTED BY: Steve Keipert, Golf Australia deputy editor (GA handicap 2.8). COST: $250 each.

MODEL USED: Bushnell Neo iON GPS rangefinder watch.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: I’m big on rangefinders but not big on watches, so to me one of the bigger adjustments stands to be playing golf while wearing something on my wrist, which I haven’t done since I was a kid. The set-up process is simple – far simpler than some other GPS units I’ve used – and requires only a good charging before it is ready for action.

HOW IT PERFORMED: The Bushnell Neo iON GPS rangefinder watch straddles perfectly that fine line between too basic and being overly complicated. The features are plentiful but not overwhelming and you can make it as simple or as detailed as you like. Leave it as purely a to-the-green distance source, or make it a pedometer, odometer or everyday watch as well. It didn’t take me long to get used to having a strange object on my wrist as I played and it’s far quicker to get the three primary distance measurements (back, front, middle) than a handheld point-and-shoot rangefinder or a smartphone app that has to stay in your pocket.

I much prefer GPS units that automatically advance to the correct hole, which the Neo iON does, as it’s easy to forget to do manually hole after hole. Another plus is knowing how far it is to the green or certain hazards that aren’t visible – something line-of-sight rangefinders cannot replicate. No more walking to the top of the hill on that blind hole to work out the distance.

THE SPECS

KEY TECHNOLOGY & FEATURES: Play three rounds between charges, instant course recognition and auto hole advance, easy-to-read front/centre/back distances, up to four hazard lay-up distances per hole, shot distance calculator, round time and distance travelled information, new integrated step counter, odometer, new charging clip and standard band size (can use aftermarket watch bands).

BUSHNELL SAYS: “Bushnell Golf, No.1 in electronic measuring devices, unveils the next generation of distance-made-simple golf products with the introduction of the Neo iON Golf GPS watch. The Neo iON, Bushnell’s lightest and thinnest golf watch, has been redesigned to meet the ever-changing needs of golfers wanting wrist-mounted devices and comes pre-loaded with more than 35,000 courses in more than 30 countries. In addition, it’s equipped with a new integrated step counter and charging clip design while boasting market-leading battery life. The Neo iON is an easy-to-use GPS rangefinder with instant yardage measurements in a simple, fashion-forward design and with no membership fees.

“Neo iON’s predecessor, The Neo-XS, offered golfers more battery life than any other GPS watch on the market. Now, the Neo iON takes it one step further by delivering an even longer battery life, expected to last for more than three rounds of golf, and even more benefits.

“The Neo iON is capable of instantly recognising courses. It features an auto-hole advance feature that automatically changes from one hole to the next. A new integrated step counter has been added, allowing golfers to track distance, speed and total activity time throughout their round.”

Contact Champion Sports on (08) 8239 1122 or visit www.championsports.com.au