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Today’s golf is more than just about the swing and clubs. To stay competitive, you need accurate distances, hazard awareness, and smart club selection. Modern devices now act as your golf buddy, providing the info you need, eliminating guesswork and outdated maps. We’re comparing three popular GPS devices based on screen size, value, features, portability, and battery life to help you find the best one for your needs.
The Competitors at a Glance
The Caddie by Pinned Golf
Pinned golf the caddie
The Caddie is the first-ever portable GPS golf tablet. It comes with a large 8″ high-resolution screen, and it has over 45,000 preloaded courses. Other standout features include a built-in magnet for golf carts and no subscription fees for map updates or course-specific information.
SkyCaddie
SkyCaddie Pro 5X
Produces many well-known GPS devices for golfers. Their flagship model, the SkyCaddie Pro 5X, comes with several advanced features that help golfers play. However, some considerations include a smaller screen and a subscription-based pricing model.
Garmin Approach G80
Garmin Aproach G80
The Garmin Approach G80 stands out for its compact design and robust feature set. It combines precise course mapping with advanced tools and comes with some health-tracking features. This device is more costly than the others on this list, and the screen size is also smaller.
Screen Size & Visibility
Pinned golf the caddie
The Caddie: Stunning 8″ touchscreen, the largest in its class, with a high-resolution display that is bright and crystal clear, making it easy to use in virtually any condition. It is perfect for players who want clear views of the course from anywhere, featuring course flyovers, hole images, pin positions, real-time hazard mapping, and much more.
SkyCaddie: Compact 4″ screen, which is convenient and easily portable, fitting into your pocket. However, the smaller screen size doesn’t provide the same immersive experience that other brands offer.
Garmin Approach G80: The smallest screen of all, with a 3.5″ touchscreen that is bright but limited in space. This smaller screen can make detailed visuals and flyovers harder to appreciate due to the size constraints.
Winner: The Caddie
Its large, high-resolution display makes it the clear choice. Larger screens make it easier to plan for unique situations like downhill shots, hazard avoidance, and assessing yardage.
Price & Value
Pinned golf the caddie
The Caddie: The best value at $450. One of its key advantages is its pricing mode. There are no add-ons or subscriptions. It comes with over 45,000 preloaded golf courses, and updates are free.
SkyCaddie: Priced at $399.99, but it requires a paid subscription costing $30-$50 annually for course maps, updates, advanced hazards, and performance insights. While the price may seem appealing, the smaller screen and ongoing fees may make it less attractive for golfers seeking clarity without extra costs.
Garmin Approach G80: Priced at $499, offering premium features such as a virtual caddie, club recommendations, ball speed metrics, scoring functions, and health tracking. However, golfers focused on course data at a lower price may find these features excessive.
Winner: The Caddie
The Caddie strikes a perfect balance between advanced features and excellent pricing. The low price, large screen size, and lack of a subscription make The Caddie more cost-effective both in the short and long term.
On-Course Features & GPS Accuracy
Pinned golf the caddie
The Caddie: On-course features, offering flyover previews, live hazard distances, layup yardages, and shot strategy visuals to assist with club choices. Equipped with accurate GPS and built-in course maps, it’s ready for any course. Tested by over 50 golfers, The Caddie has received praise for its reliability and user-friendly interface.
SkyCaddie: High-quality GPS with customizable maps, including pin positions and green data. Its subscription offers additional features like basic yardages, shot history, and green undulation mapping, though the added costs may deter some golfers.
Garmin Approach G80: Touch targeting, a pinpointer for blind shots, club recommendations, and real-time hazard updates. It also grants access to the Garmin golf app for tracking rounds, performance stats, and club data.
Winner: The Caddie
While all three devices offer solid accuracy and useful features, The Caddie is the winner, thanks to its combination of real-time features, no membership, and clear visuals, making it more accessible.
Portability & Mounting Options
The Caddie: Offers the same portability and mounting options as other devices but stands out with its built-in magnets for attaching to golf carts, making it the first portable golf tablet with this feature. Its robust, weatherproof build resists wear and can withstand the rigors of the course.
SkyCaddie: Compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry in your pocket, but it lacks the convenience of attaching directly to a golf cart. To mount it, you need to purchase a separate cart mount, unlike The Caddie, which has built-in magnetic attachment.
Garmin Approach G80: Compact, handheld GPS golf tablet with similar portability and mounting limitations, requiring separate accessories for golf cart attachment.
Winner: The Caddie
While all three devices offer portable, handheld convenience, The Caddie wins again due to its innovative built-in magnet.
Battery Life & Charging
Pinned golf the caddie
The Caddie: Up to 15+ hours of battery life, making it ideal for 36-plus holes, golf weekends, or tournaments. It charges quickly, providing peace of mind during long sessions without worry.
SkyCaddie: 10 hours of battery life, sufficient for a round, but it may need recharging midday or between rounds.
Garmin Approach G80: Up to 15 hours of battery life in GPS mode, enough for multiple rounds of play. However, it doesn’t compare to The Caddie’s 15+ hours of battery life while supporting a screen more than twice as large.
Winner: The Caddie
Conclusion: Who Comes Out on Top?
Feature
The Caddie
SkyCaddie
Garmin Approach G80
Screen Size
8” crystal-clear touchscreen
4” screen
3.5” screen (handheld), smaller wearable
Course Coverage
45,000+ preloaded golf courses
Membership unlocks extra courses
Preloaded courses, Garmin Golf app sync
Subscription Fees
None
Required for advanced features
Optional/additional fees
On-Course Features
Flyovers, live hazard distances, game modes
Accurate GPS, pin positioning
Touch targeting, virtual caddie, health tracking
Portability
Built-in magnet for carts, weatherproof
Handheld, cart mount sold separately
Compact handheld/wearable, no magnet
Battery Life
15+ hours
10 hours
15 hours
Price
$450
$399.99 + membership
$499+
Final Thoughts: Why The Caddie Stands Out
Largest, clearest display offering better course visualization.
No subscription fees.
Preloaded golf courses, hazard data, and flyovers without hidden fees.
First-ever GPS golf tablet with a built-in magnet.
Durable, weatherproof design for all playing conditions.
Pinned Golf
$450
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