Nikon Coolshot 20 versus Garmin Approach G10
Laser or GPS Rangefinder? It’s a question that has been asked by many a Golfer. I have recently been able to test both. For Beginners I’d have to say that there is a clear winner. I was surprised with which technology won.
Budget is always a concern when I’m in the market for new Golf equipment. I tend to look for whatever gives me the most value for my dollar. The two contenders were purchased from my local Golf retailer. I was limited to their selection of Rangefinders. I chose the Nikon Coolshot 20 to represent Laser Rangefinders, and the Garmin Approach G10 to represent GPS Rangefinders. The Coolshot 20 was priced at $279.99, and the Approach G10 was priced at $179.99. Obviously the Garmin Approach G10 wins the price category. At $100.00 less that’s a fair amount of money left in the bank for additional Golf accessories. Of course the significantly lower price sacrifices functionality right?
One place it does sacrifice a lot of functionality is at the Driving Range. The Garmin Approach G10 is basically useless when you are at the Range. Three particular Ranges I frequent are The Docks, Launch, and Centennial Golf. All three of these Ranges have target areas. The distances to each target area is unmarked. Using the Nikon Coolshot 20 provides you with an accurate distance to any of those targets. It doesn’t matter which hitting bay you are in, you will have an accurate distance. In some cases the difference to target can be as much as 12 yards from the center hitting bay to the outermost hitting bay. Being able to use the Nikon Coolshot 20 at the Range meant having accurate distance calculations everywhere I play.
Whether I was on a course, at the Range, or in a Simulator, I knew my distances. Of course that means I knew the distances I was hitting with each club as well. Which brings me to my next comparison.
Measuring the distance of that perfect Tee shot
Ever catch one just perfect off the Tee? You can’t help but wonder how far it actually went right? I know I do. Both the Garmin Approach G10, and the Nikon Coolshot 20 can calculate how far you hit that perfect drive. How each device does it is dramatically different. The Nikon requires you to sight in your ball from the Tee, or find your ball and then aim the Nikon back at the Tee box to calculate the Range. Easy enough right. Odds are you will have the Nikon Coolshot 20 Rangefinder out when you reach your ball to figure out the distance to your next target. So just turn around and aim it at the Tee box. What if you cut the corner of a dogleg, and now your sight line is obstructed? Sorry about your luck Chuck. So there will be times that figuring out the distance of that mammoth Tee shot is impossible with the Nikon Coolshot 20. In order to calculate the distance with the Garmin Approach G10. The first thing you need to do after hitting that shot is to switch the unit into Measurement mode. Then you just head over to where your Ball landed. The Garmin Approach G10 then calculates the distance. Line of sight isn’t an issue so basically any shot can be measured. The real issue is with having to switch modes right after making the swing. There have been many times that my Tee shot ended far further than I had anticipated. A lucky kick off a hill, or it rolled down a slope I didn’t know about. By the time I have located the Ball, and realized that I really cranked one. It’s already too late to measure the distance. I found that more often than not it was much easier to measure the distance of monster Tee shots with the Nikon Coolshot 20. You could argue that switching the Garmin Approach G10 into Measurement mode after each Tee shot would be the most reliable method. That would be true. For me though I have enough to think about during a Round of Golf. Measuring each Tee shot isn’t high on my list of priorities. The advantage in shot measurement goes to the Nikon Coolshot 20.
Hazard avoidance
How do each of these devices help you deal with Hazards? The Nikon Coolshot 20 doesn’t vary much with how it’s utilized. In this case you just aim it at the Hazard, and calculate the distance. I can’t stress enough the simplicity of it’s operation. One click, and you know how far you can hit your next shot without bringing that Hazard into play. What if you are interested in clearing it though? This is where the Garmin Approach G10 really shines. Once the unit has been switched into Hazard mode. It will provide you with the distance to each Hazard both front and back. It will also alert you to Hazards that you can’t actually see from your position on the course. This is a huge advantage over the Nikon Coolshot 20. It doesn’t help to cut the corner on a dog leg. Just to end up landing in a deep Fairway bunker. I take a quick look through the Hazards before I Tee off at each Hole. This allows me to plan out exactly how to navigate the Hole with minimum risk. The Nikon Coolshot 20 does help you avoid Hazards. It just doesn’t do it nearly as well as the Garmin Approach G10. The advantage in Hazard avoidance goes to the Garmin Approach G10.
Approaching the Green
When calculating your approach shot into the Green. Having a Rangefinder makes it so much easier. When it comes to attacking the Pin. You will love having the Nikon Coolshot 20 in your hands. Knowing the exact distance to the Pin inspires so much confidence. You will feel like Mickelson with a Wedge in your hand. I didn’t even imagine trying 30 yard flop shots over bunkers until I knew the correct distances. My default shot is more of a Bump and Run. There’s far less room for error when you are basically Chipping the Ball to the edge of the Green, and letting it run out towards the hole. Especially when you are unsure of the distance. When you know the exact distance. Your shot selection practically triples. The Garmin Approach G10 inspires a lot of confidence on Approach shots as well. Though not as precise as the Nikon Coolshot 20. The Garmin Approach G10 provides you with the distance to the front, back, and center of the Green. It does have the ability to position the flag in a number of preselected locations. I found this feature to be a bit clunky. Unless you are able to see the Green, or the course provides a Pin location book. Figuring out the actual Pin locations can be quite difficult. For a Beginner though, knowing the distances to the front, and back can be more beneficial than the actual Pin locations. It doesn’t help me nearly as much to know that the Pin is 164 yards away. If it happens to be set near the back of the Green, and only has 2 more yards of Green behind it. If the center of the Green is 158 yards away. The Front is 150 yards away. The back is 166 yards away. Then I know that if I hit my Approach shot 160 yards. I leave myself with 6 yards of available space to roll out before I am off the Green. In this case, and many others. Aiming for the front or center of the Green is far safer than taking aim at the Flag for a Beginner. Touch shots around the Green we’re almost identical with both units. Approximate distance is more than good enough. I thought the Nikon Coolshot 20 would be the clear winner in this category. I was totally wrong. The additional information the Garmin Approach G10 provides. The distances to the front, back, center, and shape of the Green proved to be far more valuable than exact distance to the Pin. The advantage when approaching the Green goes to the Garmin Approach G10.
Conclusion
After testing both technologies the clear winner from a Beginners perspective is the Garmin Approach G10 GPS Rangefinder. At $100 less it is better suited to deal with Hazards, obstructed view shots, and approach shots into the Green. It’s much smaller than the Nikon Coolshot 20, and easily clips to your Belt or Bag. As an added bonus it includes score keeping software. That way you can analyze your Rounds shot by shot. Something to consider though. If you spend most of your time at the Range. Then the Nikon Coolshot 20 is the only choice for you. It’s definitely a device I would recommend. At $279.99 it’s much less expensive than the majority of quality laser Rangefinders on the market. It’s relatively small, acquires targets quite quickly, and extremely easy to use. Moving forward on my quest to becoming a Scratch Golfer though. I will be using the Garmin Approach G10.