OnPar Golf GPS Review

The OnPar golf GPS is the first touchscreen unit to arrive on the golfing GPS market - if one discounts iPhones running one of the golf GPS apps available. The OnPar unit does in fact look very much like an iTouch or iPhone in both form and interface.

OnPar Golf GPS

A touchscreen makes tasks such as identifying a target for a distance considerably easier than scrolling through tabulated targets for a particular hole. The touchscreen works a little different to an iPhone or iPod requiring a touch and drag motion rather than the touch and flick of an iPhone or iPod touch.

The LCD touchscreen display is well sized at 3.5 inches (240 x 320 pixels resolution) and designed with a backlight which adjusts its brightness level for easy reading in both bright sunlight and shade. The OnPar Golf GPS is both a convenient size (4 x 3 x 0.5 inches) and light weight at 4.5 ounces.

OnPar collects, analyses and presents information tailored to assist in decision making and hence lower your score. The device is permitted under the rules of golf and adjustments were made to ensure this. For example, to conform to the USGA , club averages shown on the ClubPower screen are not updated until 1 calendar day after that round of golf.

The lithium ion battery, from full charge, will keep the OnPar going for approximately 7-10 hours which is a reasonable timeframe given the application. Battery life can be extended by using screen lock function regularly during a golf round. Re-charges take about 3 hours.

OnPar uses high resolution aerial and satellite images and proprietary software to render the images for viewing on OnPar. The result is course maps which are accurate and include plenty of detail. As it’s a new device to the market a check should be made that golf courses you would like to use are available (this applies to any golf GPS device really). Owners can lodge requests for particular courses to be mapped but, naturally there is a wait involved. The good news is that map downloads are free and there are no subscription fees. Up to 300 courses can be stored on the device itself.

The OnPar is a well sealed unit to increase water resistance but doesn’t come with a waterproof rating.

A quick overview of the various screens and functionalitites for the OnPar golf satellite GPS is as follows:

Courses – touch a course name and view that course.

Golfbag – use to nominate what clubs are in your golf bag so the OnClub feature will only suggest clubs that you have.

OnClub – displays a club that has an average yardage closest to the remaining distance from your current position to the green (sweet!)

OnMark – enables marking of a specified point on a hole and always displays your distance from it

OnShots – displays tracked shots from your previous round on a given golf course

Score – displays scorecard for a selected course and displays your previous scorecard for that course from your previous round.

Statistics –displays your personal statistics based on shots, scores, or putts you have tracked.

Settings – adjust time zone, measurement units, reset statistics, calibrate touchscreen, reset GPS, and view your information (name, phone number, serial number, and software version)

Yardage –overlays colored yardage arcs on the Hole view (like a contour map)

OnPar Standard Accessories

USB cable, wall charger, protective skin, quick start guide and free course downloads.

Overall the OnPar Golf GPS is an attractive combination of extensive functionality and comfortable usability. It will attract bonus points from anyone who likes using a touchscreen device.