The Loop

A global rangefinder in a smaller package

January 10, 2012

Rangefinders continue to evolve, as technologies always do, getting smaller and operationally easier. One such device is the Garmin Approach G6, which is being introduced today at the Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas and again in two weeks at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando.

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Garmin is billing it as taking golf "to a whole new level." The Approach G6 is preloaded with more than 25,000 courses internationally and requires no subscription or other fees. Course updates and new courses will be update throughout the year, available free to the user. It features a rechargeable battery that accommodates a weekend's worth of golf on a single charge, up to 15 hours, the company said. And it weighs slightly over three ounces and is said to be small enough to fit in a shirt pocket.

Rather than simply providing yardages to the front, middle and back of greens, it has a touch screen that allows the user to adjust the pin placement on the screen to get more accurate yardages to the flag. It has at-a-glance layup yardages in arcs to 100, 150, 200 and 250 yards to accommodate layup decisions. The user can also use the touch screen and simply touch the area on the map to which they wish to lay up and get a precise yardage. It features a zoom function for a better look at landing areas.

The Approach G6 also has a feature that allows the user to keep statistics on his round, including fairways hit, greens in regulation and putts per round.

The Approach G6 is expected to go on sale on Feb. 12 and has a suggested retail price of $299.99.

-- John Strege