Garmin Approach S62 Vs. Garmin G80 Comparison Overview

When it comes to golf GPS devices, one can’t help but wonder what would be more beneficial: a handheld device or a watch? Some like the convenience of a watch while others like the larger display of handheld devices.

Our opinion on the matter is that it is really subjective. What is best for you will come down to your own preferences and needs. To help you sort through your options, today we will be comparing two popular Garmin golf GPS devices.

Garmin Approach S62

The Garmin Approach S62 is a light and handy golf GPS watch with periphery fitness and health tracking features.

What we liked the most about the S62 is it doesn’t sit heavy or awkward on the wrist. The worst thing a golf watch could do is affect your shot and the S62 doesn’t do that. With a 1.3” display diameter and a weight of just 2.2 ounces, we sometimes forgot it was even there.

The S62 provides a ton of helpful course and shot data like pin position, distance to hazards, custom targeting, plays like distances, full vector maps, distances to front/middle/back of the green, shot distance calculator and even handicap scoring.

The S62 also has the Virtual Caddie feature which suggests clubs to use in certain situations. You can connect the S62 with the Garmin Golf app for even more in-depth data.

Garmin Approach G80

The Garmin Approach G80 is a handheld GPS device with a 1.8” by 3” touchscreen display.

This device fits easily into your pocket or your golf bag and is big enough to see from far away. We liked that it’s a touchscreen interface too which makes setting the pin to the day’s position much easier.

The full color display and overhead views of the courses really make it clearer what you’re in for on each hole too. But the coolest thing of all is the G80 has basic launch monitor features as well. Using radar, it can track things like club head speed, ball speed, smash factor and estimated distance.

While both of these devices are the same price ($500) we actually liked the larger screen and clearer readings we got from the Garmin Approach G80. It doesn’t have all the periphery health and fitness monitoring features; but it certainly gives you what you need on the course in a clearer package.

Garmin Approach G80 In 20 Words or Less

In 20 Words Or Less

The Approach G80 is one of the most useful Garmin devices we have ever tested.

Garmin S62 Golf GPS Watch

In 20 Words Or Less

The undisputed king of premium golf watches with a ton of features and extended battery life, offering excellent value.

Garmin Approach G80 First Impressions

The setup for the G80 to be used as a launch monitor was a bit complicated but as a GPS device, it worked as well as any Garmin GPS we’ve tested.

It’s definitely more reliable as a golf GPS device but it can also give you some basic shot metric data as well.

Key Features

Of course, the best feature is that it operates as both a launch monitor and a golf GPS device.

As a golf GPS device, the G80 can give you all the basic information like distance to hazards/layups, full course maps, manual pin positioning and digital scoring.

It also has some more advanced GPS features like “plays like” distances, handicap scoring and custom target distancing.

As a launch monitor you have to set it up very precisely to get accurate information. It provides you with data on club head speed, ball speed, smash factor and total estimated distance. There are also tempo training modes and game modes.

The Approach G80 works much better as a golf GPS device but still performs admirably as a launch monitor.

Garmin S62 Golf GPS Watch – First Impressions

The Garmin S62 has an awesome set of features and the first thing you have to notice is the large 1.7″ color touchscreen and the sleek design of the watch.

The watch comes in white, black or charcoal color and the bands are quick change so you can have a different look and feel every time you leave the house. There is also downloadable watch interfaces that can suit the bands you chose on the day.

When you arrive at the course, the course name will pop up on the screen to be paired and it does that considerable faster that competitors watches.

Key Features:

The features of the watch are immediately apparent and navigating the screens could be a bit tricky for older and less tech savvy players.

The virtual caddie calculates slope and wind, making a club selection on your behalf based on the data you have built up in the free Garmin App. If you connect the CT10 sensors to each club, you can also gain more valuable insights into your game that build up over time.

You can pick any position you want on each hole to gain masterful insights on how you are going to approach your course strategy including layups on doglegs and avoiding any hazards. You also have the option of manual pin positioning for exact distances.

The heart rate monitor is excellent and there are separate profiles for sports like running, walking, cycling and even swimming.

The Garmin pay feature on the watch is also excellent, you can pay in the clubhouse or in your local shop when wearing the watch which is easily stylish enough to wear at all times.

Garmin Approach G80 Selling Points

  • Compatible with the Truswing App
  • Touchscreen interface
  • 282 x 470 pixel display resolution
  • 15-hour battery life
  • Displays smartphone push notifications
  • Garmin Golf App compatible

Garmin S62 Golf GPS Watch – Selling Points

  • Large Color Touch Screen 1.7″ x 1.7″
  • Virtual Caddie System
  • 46,000 Courses Load Automatically
  • Pinpoint Location To Any Point On The Hole
  • Manual Pin Position & Greenview
  • Free Garmin App And CT10 Sensors
  • Heart Rate Monitor
  • Garmin Pay
  • Drive Accuracy, Fairways And Girs
  • Compass To The Green With Distance Even When Can’t See it
  • Quick Change Watch Bands & Downloadable Interfaces

Who is the Garmin Approach G80 for?

The Garmin Approach G80 would be great if you need a golf GPS device and not so much a launch monitor.

The launch monitor data is pretty basic so don’t expect too much from the G80 on that front.

Pros:

  • In-depth golf GPS data
  • Auo-detects which course you are on and loads hole data quickly
  • The color display looks great and is easily readable
  • Includes round timer and odometer

Cons:

  • Only a few launch monitor metrics (Most Important Ones)
  • Hard to set up as a launch monitor

Overall Score: 95/100

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Who Are The Garmin S62 Watches For

The Garmin S62 is for anybody that is in the market for the very best watch in the market. It is for someone who wants all of the premium features along with laser like accuracy, outstanding battery life and top shelf performance.

This is also for somewhere with considerable budget that perhaps wants to wear the watch at all times, although the watch has recently dropped in price to around $400.

This is not for somewhere who just wants the basic features and accuracy without spending a fortune.

Garmin S62 Pros And Cons

Pros:

  • 1.7″ large Color Touchscreen
  • Pinpoint Any Position On The Course
  • Fast, Accurate And Effective
  • Virtual Caddie
  • Heart Rate Monitor
  • Compass To The Green
  • Excellent Value With Price Reduction
  • Connection To Excellent Garmin App
  • Quick Change Bands & Faces

Cons:

  • Not For Technophobes
  • More Expensive Than Basic Watches
  • Slope Makes It Illegal For Tournaments
  • Little Bulky For Skinny Wrists

Overall Score: 98/100

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