It’s right at your US$400 mark, but if you’re serious about the game, it’s the way to go.

The only drawback is that you have to pay an annual fee to download courses.

-I like the Skycaddie as it gives yardages to points on the entire hole, not just the front/centre/back. If I’m playing a new course, it helps to know how far it is to lay up/clear a hazard as opposed to guessing.
-The other ones I looked at didn’t have the entire-hole numbers.
-While many resort courses might sell yardage books, if you buy 5 of them at $10 a throw, that’s $50 (or your annual skycaddie fee).
-You play a lot faster with one.
-I have found that my Skycaddie has been, in two cases, more accurate than the course’s own GPS system.
-Yes, they’re now legal in USGA-sanctioned events. I played in the Myrtle Beach WorldAm last month and used it.
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If you map your favorite courses it is free. For $400 you could get nearly any of the smart phones they support (an iPhone version is also in the works.)

Real reasons to get GolfTraxx

1 – One device. He HAS to have his BB for email, so why have another piece of electronics to charge, synchronize, etc.
2 – GREAT data. His BB is spot on for every course we have used it on.
3 – Your course! This is really cool – we mapped our private course and in less than a week we had it ready to use. We even used it when we went on a foreign vacation and just sent them the course info a week before we left.
4 – The best price around – Free!

Their site is pretty ugly – but their blogspot is pretty cool.
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I have played with both. Most experienced players have rangefinders, simply for the help with difficult distances, 30, 50, 75 yards.

***I almost forgot…one of the best reasons for a rangefinder over a GPS is getting accurate distances on the range.
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1. GolfLogix GPS by Garmin ($199)
Feature :
* User-friendly, golf-oriented GPS unit for displaying key yardage distances on the course
* Calculates instant, precise distances to the front, center, and back of greens, plus hazards; unit holds up to 20 courses with more than 21,800 available
* 1.25-by-2.25-inch LCD offers excellent visibility in direct sunlight; waterproof and shockproof
* Compatible with Windows Vista, XP, and 2000 and Mac OS X; up to 22 hours of battery life
* Includes belt/bag clip, USB-serial cable, and AA batteries; measures 2 x 4.4 x 1.2 inches (W x H x D)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015IV1Q8?ie=UTF8&tag=garmin.gps.navigator.cheap-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0015IV1Q8

2. SkyCaddie SG5 Golf GPS (Black) ($355)
Feature :
* Full-featured golf GPS with large, color LCD with automatic backlighting
* Includes IntelliGreen technology with full depth and shape of the green from any angle of approach
* Plot greens yourself, or subscribe to one of three SkyCourse memberships for access to up to 16,000 courses
* Water resistant for use in all playing conditions
* Rechargeable battery provides up to 14 hours of continuous use
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015UYEE2?ie=UTF8&tag=tomtom.gps.cheap-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0015UYEE2

3. SkyCaddie SG2 Golf GPS (Black) ($148)
Feature :
* Golf GPS unit designed for avid golfers who want advanced capability
* Includes IntelliGreen technology with full depth and shape of the green from any angle of approach
* Plot greens yourself, or subscribe to one of three SkyCourse memberships for access to up to 16,000 courses
* Large, easy to read numbers; simple to use as a cell phone or remote control
* Rechargeable battery provides up to 10 hours of continuous use
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015UYCMG?ie=UTF8&tag=tomtom.gps.cheap-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0015UYCMG

See bestselling at Amazon.om

http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fs%3Fie%3DUTF8%26rs%3D3410851%26sort%3Dsalesrank%26ref%255F%3Dsr%255Fst%26keywords%3Dgolf%2520gps%2520system%26bbn%3D3410851%26qid%3D1229097400%26rh%3Di%253Aaps%252Ck%253Agolf%2520gps%2520system%252Ci%253Asporting%252Cn%253A3375251%252Cn%253A3410851%26page%3D1&tag=garmin.gps.navigator.cheap-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957

Hope this help.
References :

I went with the SkyCaddie instead of a laser range finder for a couple reasons. First off a range finder should make you speed up your game by not having to count off the yardage. The SkyCaddie made that simple by just looking down on the screen to see your approximate distance to the hole. If I were to have gone with a laser one I would have to take the thing out of my bag, remove the lens cover then try to line it up with the target and then put the lens cover back on then back in its carrying case and back in my bag. Although it may be a little more accurate to the pin than the SkyCaddie I found it to be a bit cumbersome having to do all those steps and trying to keep a steady hand. Knowing that it becomes a chore after awhile and I know I would stop using it because of that eventually. The laser range finder would simply not speed up my play so I went with the SkyCaddie.
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