UPDATE: We have video (see below)!
Garmin has announced the Approach G5, their first in-house GPS for golfers. Built on the Oregon platform, the Approach G5 will come with thousands of pre-loaded courses in the U.S. I suspect that Garmin has worked out a deal to get course maps from GolfLogix, who partnered with them on the GolfLogix GPS device based on the eTrex platform, but that’s just conjecture on my part. The Approach G5 is expected to be available in the second quarter of 2009 at a MSRP of $499.99.
More from the news release:
“The Approach G5 shows golfers the precise distance to the center of green or other key course features, which can eliminate the guesswork and make club selection easier – key factors in improving any golfer’s score,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales. “There’s no other existing golf device that combines the ease of use, large color touchscreen and preloaded information featured in the Approach, all with no annual fees. Within minutes of opening the box, you can be ready to tee off.”
The waterproof Approach will feature a touchscreen 3″ color display, which offers two simple options once powered on: Play and Preview. While playing, golfers will see detailed course maps with precise distance information from their current location to fairways, hazards and greens. As you move about the course, the Approach continuously updates your position and distances to each target. During the course of play, the touchscreen interface helps you decide the best tactic in many situations. Worried about that fairway bunker? A single tap on the map will show you how much club you need to carry it – or how little if you decide to play it safe. Perfected your 90-yard wedge shot? By dragging your finger on the map, you can find the precise distance needed to lay up for your perfect shot into the green. Is the pin placed in the back today? By simply touching the corner of the screen, you can focus on the green and reposition the flag to correspond with that day’s placement of the pin. Whether you’re tracking your improvement or simply want bragging rights, the Approach makes it easy to measure the distance of your last shot. Also, you can easily keep the scores for your entire foursome using the intuitive touchscreen digital scorecard.
Even when you can’t make it to the course, you can use the Approach G5 to preview any of the thousands of preloaded courses in the United States
Having preloaded courses, complete with detailed vector mapping unlike anything used before on a golf course, saves time while eliminating setup complications and computer frustrations. Golfers can go to www.garmin.com to check if their course is among those already available. Additional courses will be available at www.garmin.com, giving golfers the latest set of courses in one downloadable update.
Weighing only 6.8 ounces and powered by two AA batteries, the Approach G5 features a high-sensitivity GPS receiver and conforms with the rules of the R&A and USGA.
About Rich Owings
Hi When will the G% be up and running for Europe?
Many thanks, John.
No telling. I haven’t heard anything about a European edition. But if the G5 is successful, I expect that they will port it across the pond.