Garmin is known for its wide range of fitness tracking products, but it also has a healthy inventory of GPS trackers for cyclists and golfers. Today it’s announcing a new addition to its Approach GPS lineup with the G80 handheld. Along with the usual tracking features, Garmin’s latest also includes a gaming mode that pits users against each other in virtual tournaments whether at home or on the range. All of which is handled on a slick 3.5-inch color touchscreen. Head below for more.
Garmin Approach G80 tracks and plays
At its core, the Garmin Approach G80 is a GPS tracker for golfers. It has all of the usual tips and tricks for keeping track of your shots, score and other key data points. Integrated sensors move beyond the simpler GPS trackers of old with new features like ball and club head speeds, estimated distances and something called the “smash factor.” Basically, you’re getting a score that relays how hard you hit the ball when all factors are considered.
It also relays distances between shots, and allows users to leverage the touchscreen display to see where specific landings may affect their next swing. Another intriguing feature is Garmin’s PlaysLike Distance, which takes into account various elevation changes and makes recommendations on clubs with those factors in mind.
Virtual tournaments are a fun, new feature
What makes the new Approach G80 stand out from the competition (and Garmin’s previous offerings) is a new game-like feature called Virtual Tournament. The on-screen app pits you against other Gamin users in a console-like tournament on some of the world’s most famous courses. It can also be tweaked for the driving range as well, if you’re looking for a more full-featured experience.
If that’s too much for you, a simpler Target Practice mode can be deployed for one or two players with a focus on accuracy. These GPS trackers have been around for a long time and it sure is nice to see Garmin reinventing this category with a few new features.
The Garmin Approach G80 is available for purchase today direct from the manufacturer. But you better buckle in, because it’s costly. Garmin is charging a premium $500 for its latest release, making it largely focused on prosumers and serious golfers.
[9to5-press-release]
Garmin® links radar functionality and golf GPS technology for the first time to bring entertaining gaming experiences to the Approach® G80
OLATHE, Kan.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Garmin International, Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), today announced the all-in-one Approach G80 , a premium GPS golf device that merges the company’s renowned golf GPS technology with launch monitor capabilities to calculate advanced swing metrics. The newly integrated radar capabilities allow golfers to analyze and consistently fine-tune their performance—on the range or during course play—by tracking their club head speed, ball speed, smash factor, swing tempo and estimated distance. The slim Approach G80 offers a 3.5-inch sunlight-readable color touchscreen with a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 15 hours1, a quick access button to unveil the integrated radar features during play, and a sleek rear case divot has been implemented to allow the device to perfectly sit on a golf ball for better screen display viewing. By introducing a variety of new practice and game modes, the Approach G80 lets golfers test their skills on the driving range with the option to partake in virtual rounds on more than 41,000 preloaded full-color courses around the world.
“With the Approach G80, golfers are finally able to take advantage of a golf GPS that integrates launch monitor capabilities to capture the necessary metrics to help elevate their game to the next level,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin worldwide vice president of consumer sales. “The device serves as an all-in-one tutor that introduces advanced radar capabilities that are easy to use, and entertaining game modes that allow golfers to compete with friends on the driving range or even at home using a golf net.”
Providing golfers the opportunity to test and improve skill sets is one of the main pillars of the Approach G80, as it comes equipped with useful practice and game modes— Warm-Up, Tempo Training, Virtual Round, and Target Practice. The device utilizes the built-in launch monitor during warm-ups and tempo training to determine ball speed, club head speed, smash factor, estimated distance, and suitable backswing and downswing timings to evaluate tempo for each individual user. Additionally, the Approach G80 provides new gaming options that are fun for veterans of the sport and newcomers alike. Golfers can enjoy using the device to enhance consistency, to compete with friends on the driving range for bragging rights, or at home with different game modes. For example, Virtual Tournament allows golfers to raise the stakes by competing on famous courses with users worldwide, and Target Practice gives golfers gratifying challenges to zero in on their drives, irons and short game by receiving points for hitting specific targets in a one or two player challenge mode.
Once users are out on the course, they can use the Approach G80 to delve deeper into a feature set that is designed to deliver detailed precision for a thorough golfing experience. Features such as Touch Targeting allow players to touch any significant point shown on the display—whether it’s the front, middle, back of the green, the fairway or even hazards and doglegs—to show the precise yardage to that specific spot. Players can also increase the font size on the Approach G80 to easily read the yardage numbers to the front, back and middle of the green. With Green View, golf enthusiasts can zoom in on the green to adjust the day’s pin location, or shift the flag to the position where they actually see it to improve overall accuracy. Whether golfers are facing an uphill or downhill shot during play, the PlaysLike Distance feature can automatically adjust yardages to a specific target based on the elevation where the golfer is standing. What’s more, the Approach G80’s PinPointer option works like a compass to easily guide users to the green during challenging blind shots.
Golfers can download the Garmin Golf™ app to take advantage of all the connected features associated with the Approach G80 including simulated tournaments on more than 41,000 courses worldwide and automatic course updates. Players will also be able to connect with other golfers by posting and reviewing stats, rankings, saving scorecards, and keeping competition alive by taking part in weekly leaderboards.
The Approach G80 is available now with a suggested retail price of $499.99. To learn more click here, or visit garmin.com/golf.
The Approach G80 is the latest solution from Garmin’s expanding outdoor segment, which focuses on developing technologies and innovations to enhance users’ outdoor experiences. Whether hiking, hunting, trail running, mountain biking, golfing, diving or using satellite communication, Garmin outdoor devices are essential tools for outdoor enthusiasts of all levels.
For decades, Garmin has pioneered new GPS navigation and wireless devices and applications that are designed for people who live an active lifestyle. Garmin serves five primary markets, including automotive, aviation, fitness, marine, and outdoor recreation. For more information, visit Garmin’s virtual pressroom at garmin.com/newsroom, contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200, or follow us at facebook.com/garmin, instagram.com/garmin, twitter.com/garmin, or youtube.com/garmin.
1 Battery life may vary depending on usage.
About Garmin International Inc.:
Garmin International Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN). Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Garmin and Approach are registered trademarks and Garmin Golf app is a trademark of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved.
All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
Notice on Forward-Looking Statements:
This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2017, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983). A copy of such Form 10-K is available at http://www.garmin.com/aboutGarmin/invRelations/finReports.html. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
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