The new Garmin Approach G7 and G8 golf GPS models
Garmin has announced two new touchscreen high-end golf units, the Approach G7 and G8. These new models include Smart Notifications and other new features like WiFi, PlaysLike Distance, Club Advice and PinPointer.
Features common to both models
Smart Notifications
We’ve seen this feature roll out on a few Garmins lately. Smart Notifications allows you to receive email, call and text notifications on the screen of your Approach, when paired with an iPhone 4S or later. And get this… Android compatibility is expected in Q2 2014!
The G7 and G8 include Garmin’s smart notifications feature
PlaysLike Distance
This new feature adjusts your distances for uphill and downhill shots, to give you more accurate yardage measurements.
Big numbers mode
This feature should make for easier viewing without having to resort to reading glasses!
Club advice
Not what drinks you should order afterwards at the clubhouse, the other kind of club! These new models keep track of how far you hit with each club and and makes recommendations based on your shot distances.
Garmin Connect compatibility
These new models are compatible with the updated Garmin Connect website, bringing new functionality to the feature mix…
With the recent revamp of the online community, owners with Approach G7 and G8 will now be able to upload, analyze and share their scorecards, as well as other data like fairways hit, greens in regulation, shot distance and number of putts. Users can keep track of whom they’ve played against, and who won each round. They can even analyze course data, and see hole-by-hole details to understand their own trends and tendencies to improve their game.
Other features
In addition to these new features, you’ll get 30,000 preloaded international courses. Both devices give precise yardage to the front, back and center of the green, and provider dogleg and layup distances. The digital scorecard options include Match Play, Stroke Play, Stableford and Skins, with scoring for up to 4 players. The rechargeable battery allows for 15 hours of play on a single charge.
Garmin Approach G7
The G7 includes all the above features and offers up a 2.6″ display.
Garmin Approach G8
The top-of-the-line G8 adds a slightly larger 3″ display and blind-shot assistance with a new PinPointer feature. Garmin devices have traditionally pointed the way, so why not do the same for golfers?
This unique feature shows the user exactly where the center of the green is, even if it’s not visible, and points them in the right direction for more accurate blind shots.
The G8 also adds WiFi and will automatically update courses when connected.
Availability
Availability is expected by the end of March, with the G7 listing for $299.99 and the G8 for $399.99.
UPDATE: Here’s the full news release.
Here’s a promo video for the G8:
http://youtu.be/gh3DpS6NRKU
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