golf buddy Archives - Golftlink Everything About Golf Mon, 06 Feb 2023 09:14:10 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://golftlink.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/cropped-GolfTLink-icon-transp-32x32.png golf buddy Archives - Golftlink 32 32 GolfBuddy Voice 2 Review: (New & Improved Model) https://golftlink.com/golfbuddy-voice-2-review-new-improved-model/ Fri, 28 Jan 2022 13:45:47 +0000 https://golftlink.com/?p=554 A good golf GPS device can be an excellent tool to help your game on any golf course. But they are not all created equally. This review is focused on the GolfBuddy Voice 2. We’re going to start with the basics, explaining what it is and what it does. Then we’re going to look at…

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A good golf GPS device can be an excellent tool to help your game on any golf course. But they are not all created equally.

This review is focused on the GolfBuddy Voice 2. We’re going to start with the basics, explaining what it is and what it does.

Then we’re going to look at how this newer model is different from the older or original version. I will then present my personal experience using the device, before summarizing the device’s various pros and cons.

I will then wrap up with my final verdict. Hope you find it useful, let’s go!


What Exactly Is The GolfBuddy Voice 2?

If you missed the original model, you might be forgiven for wondering just what exactly is the GolfBuddy Voice 2. It’s basically a small, portable golfing GPS unit that speaks to you.

I guess the best way to describe it more fully is to start with what the original model did, and expand on that with the features of the newer model.

“GB Voice 2 How To” by GolfBuddyUSA on YouTube.

What Do the GolfBuddy Voice Devices Actually Do?

It features thousands of golf courses from all over the world already downloaded onto the device. And you can download more.

Product overview of the GB Voice 2 (GolfBuddy Voice 2)
Product overview of GB Voice 2 (GolfBuddy Voice 2). Image source: Golfbuddy.com

How it Compares to Regular HandHeld GPS Units

They are significantly smaller than a regular handheld GPS unit, and feature a clip on the back of the device.

This makes it much more lightweight than a regular GPS unit, though the presumably smaller antenna doesn’t seem to affect the ability of the device to get a good satellite signal on the golf course.

The great thing that makes it quite different from regular GPS trackers is that you don’t have to pay any subscription fees in order to use it. And you don’t get charged for extra downloads. All there is to pay is the one-off purchase for the device itself.

What the Device Actually Does

Once turned on, the device will look for a satellite signal, and once found it will detect which hole you are focusing on, and you can press a button for yardages to the center, front, and back of the green.

It can bring up a picture of each hole. And, perhaps more importantly, it can also tell you how far you’ve hit each shot.

And the beauty of having this data conveyed to you by voice, is that you don’t have to go fishing around to look at the display, you can just listen to the yardages, without removing your eyes from your surroundings and preparing for your next shot.

Each device is completely rechargeable, so you can ensure your device is fully charged before you go play a round or two.

Where To Keep Your GolfBuddy Voice Device On The Course

The great thing about the clip on the back of the device is that this means you can just clip it to your cap or to a pocket, or to your belt, or to your golf bag, keeping your hands free for other things, like your clubs or your sunglasses or whatever.

I would argue that the best place to keep the device is clipped to your sun visor. That way it’s right by your ear, so you can hear the yardages crisp and clear.

“GolfBuddy Voice 2 Training Video” by GolfBuddyUSA on YouTube.

What Are The Advantages Of the GolfBuddy Voice 2 Over The Original Model?

In fairness, the GolfBuddy Voice 2 has quite a lot in common with the original model. But that said, it does have a little more to offer as it has been somewhat beefed up.

For example, the Voice 2 has an extra 2,000 more golf courses than the original model, taking the new total to a whopping 40,000 courses altogether, which puts it on a par with Garmin golf GPS devices.

But the upgrade does not stop there. Whereas the original model has a battery life of just 9 hours on a full charge, the battery life of the Voice 2 comes in at more than one and a half times that at a full 14 hours on a full charge.

The Voice 2 model is also available in 11 different languages, including English, Spanish and French. This requires the use of the GolfBuddy Manager, which is free to use. The original model featured only 8 languages.

And another great thing about the Voice 2 over the original model is that it can show you the front, middle and back of the green all at the same time.

Our Pick: Golf Buddy Voice 2

Our Pick
GolfBuddy Voice 2 Bundle GolfBuddy Voice 2 Bundle

PLAY MODE: Provides yards (or meters) to the front, back and center of the green of the course hole being played.

SHOT DISTANCE MEASUREMENT: Measure the distance covered by each golf shot.

DYNAMIC GREEN VIEW: View current hole number, par information, and shape of the green for current hole.

MULTI-LINGUAL: Choose between 11 display languages, 8 preloaded.

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My Personal Experience Of The GolfBuddy Voice 2

I must admit that when I first heard about the GolfBuddy Voice, I had imagined that it hadn’t been built to be sunlight readable, because the manufacturer would concentrate more on the audio rather than the visual aspect of the device.

However, I was pleasantly surprised to see no glare on the display, and I found it clear and easy to read, even under direct sunlight.

GB Voice 2 SE in Blue. Image source: Golfbuddy.com

I was also surprised that the Voice 2 doesn’t weigh any more than the original did. I’d have thought with the extra tech it might be heavier, but that was not the case.

I also liked that it’s available in a choice of colors, namely pink, blue and black options. (My favorite is the pink one).

When I had the device clipped to my belt, I struggled to hear it clearly, but when I clipped it to my visor, I could hear every word crisp and clear.

I also liked the fact that I could switch between using a male or female voice. I found the male voice was much clearer.

I’ve used various GPS devices on the golf course before, so I already knew just how much they can help my game.

I took a Garmin GPS device with me when testing the device, and I found that the yardages always matched, so I’m very pleased with the device’s accuracy.

Pros and Cons of the GolfBuddy Voice 2

Pros

  • It’s very reasonably priced
  • Audio readouts of yardages
  • Choose male or female voice
  • Convenient clip on the back

Cons

  • Poor after-sales support
  • Display is basic and not in color
  • No slope or elevation compensation
  • Relatively short product lifespan

Wrap Up

I would argue that the GolfBuddy Voice 2 is excellent value for money.

It has all the features you would want in a GPS device for the golf course, and with some excellently convenient features besides, such as audio readouts of yardages, and the fact that you can use it completely hands-free.

A worthy investment. And you can use it straight out of the box.


Frequently Asked Questions about GolfBuddy Voice 2

How accurate is the Golf Buddy Voice 2?

The Golf Buddy Voice 2 is accurate to within +/-1 yard, which is about the same level of accuracy you would get with a laser rangefinder.

How long is the battery life on Golf Buddy Voice 2?

The GB Voice 2 offers up to 20-hours of battery life in Golf Mode.

How many golf courses are offered by the GB Voice 2?

Over 40,000 courses are preloaded on the GolfBuddy Voice 2.

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Golf Buddy VTX Talking Handheld Review https://golftlink.com/golfbuddy-vtx-talking-handheld-review/ Fri, 28 Jan 2022 13:18:35 +0000 https://golftlink.com/?p=542 Many golfers choose to rely on a caddy, to help to keep a measured eye over the game, and to provide support and recommendations to the player. But not all of us have a caddy, and nor do we always have the money to afford to pay one. So what do we do without a…

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Many golfers choose to rely on a caddy, to help to keep a measured eye over the game, and to provide support and recommendations to the player.

But not all of us have a caddy, and nor do we always have the money to afford to pay one.

So what do we do without a caddy? Utilize technology! Modern golf is blessed with the invention of countless smart caddy devices that seek to make playing golf relaxing, stress-free, and even more rewarding.

Amongst many of the popular smart golf handhelds is the Golf Buddy VTX Talking Handheld GPS.


How Accurate is The Golf Buddy VTX?

One of the most vital features of this device is its GPS. It’s the reason you’d want to pick it up in the first place!

So how accurate is it? In our tests, we found that the device was incredibly accurate, and gave us a great reading of the course ahead of us. It was also able to give us an accurate sense of our position within a course so that we were always sure where we were.

The map system makes use of both GPS and GLONASS, which is the Russian equivalent to GPS. This gives it double the accuracy compared to other devices of its ilk.

When you’re looking to find out your exact distance from the hole, this is the perfect device to tell you.

Much like a human caddy, the Golf Buddy VTX will suggest which of your clubs you should use, and how much power you should put into your swing, in order to reach the hole with one stroke.

This is great for improving your play in the moment but also helps you to train as a player in the long term, as you can more easily teach yourself how to control your swing.

How Easy Is The Golf Buddy VTX To Use?

This is another area where the Golf Buddy VTX device really shines. The device itself is simple in its design, with only two buttons; one on the face, and another on the side. These help to control basic on and off functions. 

The unit is considerably large but still lightweight. This makes the screen very easy to read while out on the course, while also being easy to place into your pocket or into a bag.

The user interface of the digital display itself is simple and efficiently designed, with great use of shape and color to denote different menus and functions.

Navigating through the various digital menus is a breeze, and simply takes a few button presses.

The main map screen features all of the information you would need at a glance, with advanced and in-depth information being accessible with just a few taps through the various menus.

The map itself uses clear colors to denote the various terrains of the course, with contrasting colors used to display distance and power information.

And it would be foolish to not mention the main attraction with the Golf Buddy VTX; the automated voice function.

With the option to choose between a male or female voice, you can receive spoken advice, recommendations, and information about your play, and the golf course.

This helps you to keep your mind entirely focused on the game, while also feeling like there is a personal element to the GPS device.

“GolfBuddy VTX” by GolfBuddyUSA on YouTube.

What Is The Battery Life Of The Golf Buddy VTX?

Despite its incredible wealth of features, the Golf Buddy VTX actually boasts an incredible 15-hour battery life, when in GPS mode.

This is an incredible length of time, which would more than account for multiple games in a single day.

And to make the deal even better, the device can easily be recharged, in around 1 to 2 hours. This means that should you ever have to charge it mid-game, you won’t be waiting around too long for it to reach full charge!

You could even easily charge the device with a portable charging device, to allow you to increase its 15-hour lifespan even more!

We cannot possibly gush anymore about how good the battery of this device is. It’s that impressive.

Can You Track Your Score With The Golf Buddy VTX?

Another potentially troublesome element of any game of golf is keeping track of your score. Luckily the Golf Buddy VTX helps to make scorekeeping as simple as a few button presses.

The digital scorecard makes it easy to keep track of your score, and compiles your scores over the course of a game so that you can quickly see your finishing score without having to calculate it yourself!

The digital scorecard can also be used to track the scores of 3 other players so that you can host some competitive matches easily, and all on one device.

The digital scorecard also allows you to save your scores to the device’s memory, so that you can compare scores from match to match, in order to gauge performance improvements.

However, the only scores that can be saved are your own, which might be disappointing for some, but won’t prove too troublesome.

Overview of the Golf Buddy VTX, front and back. Image source: BunkerRed

Can You Connect The Golf Buddy VTX To Other Devices?

Yes! One of the best features of the Golf Buddy VTX is its ability to connect to other smart devices. The Golf Buddy VTX makes use of Bluetooth to wirelessly connect to smart devices that have the Golf Buddy smartphone app installed.

The Golf Buddy app is incredibly simple and easy to navigate and allows you to access even more in-depth map and GPS data, to improve your day-to-day golfing.

You can also use the application to find any Golf Buddy devices that you may have lost.

Through the use of Bluetooth, your phone can search for the paired Golf Buddy device. However, this can only be done at a close range, such as if you lose it at home, or in a bag.


Our Pick: GolfBuddy VTX Talking Handheld Touchscreen GPS

Our Pick
Golf Buddy VTX Talking Handheld GPS Golf Buddy VTX Talking Handheld GPS

Golf Buddy's handheld comes jampacked with features like voice audio and bluetooth connectivity. It's slim, lightweight design make it the ultimate rangefinder that offers the fine golf GPS experience. Pre-loaded with an 38,000+ global courses, the Golf Buddy VTX continues to innovate in the handheld category.

Automatic course and hole recognition. Option of male or female voice. Plastic holster included. Distance to hazards. Automatic course update wirelessly with Golf Buddy Smartphone App. Preloaded with over 38,000+ global golf courses. Colored hole layout with current position of the player. Slim, lightweight design. Rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides up to 15 hours in GPS mode.

Pros:
  • Incredibly large and vibrant screen
  • The VTX can connect to a compatible smart device
  • Automated voice function
  • The VTX is truly a valid replacement for a caddy
Cons:
  • Cost of the device is quite significant
  • Searching for a missing VTX device on the smartphone application can only be done at close range
  • The device does not always last for 15 hours on a full charge
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Specs For The Golf Buddy VTX Talking Handheld GPS

  • Weight: 5 Pounds
  • Maximum Battery Life: 15 Hours
  • Battery Recharge Time: 1 – 2 Hours
  • Display Type: LCD
  • Dimensions: 8 x 6 x 4 Inches
  • Battery Type: Lithium-Ion Battery
  • Screen Size: 2.7 Inches
  • Screen Type: Touchscreen

Pros:

  • The VTX boasts an incredibly large and vibrant screen but is still incredibly lightweight, and perfectly sized for pockets or bags.
  • The VTX can connect to a compatible smart device and the associated application to access more in-depth map data. Using the application also allows you to search for missing Golf Buddy devices.
  • The VTX’s greatest feature is its automated voice function, which communicates, through sound, how you are playing, and gives recommendations for which club to use, and how much power to put into your swing. The VTX is truly a valid replacement for a caddy.

Cons:

  • The cost of the device is quite significant, and this could be a major downside for some.
  • Searching for a missing VTX device on the smartphone application can only be done at close range, which makes a lost VTX difficult to find while out on the green.
  • Some users have reported that the device does not always last for 15 hours on a full charge, despite the battery life that has been advertised.

Conclusion – Is The Golf Buddy VTX Talking Handheld GPS Worth It?

We can say, without a shadow of a doubt, that the Gold Buddy VTX device is well worth the price of admission.

Though it may have quite a hefty price tag, the features, such as the spoken information, and the Bluetooth connectivity, make it all well worth it.

The device is easy to use and to read thanks to the large display, and its unassuming design.

The device is easy to control, with a touchscreen and a simple UI, as well as minimalistic buttons across the surface of the device.

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