The Garmin G80 is the newest handheld device from Garmin and it has the largest screen of any handheld device and a launch monitor as well. The Garmin G80 ‘s launch monitor does not measure as many metrics as the SC300, Mevo, or Rapsodo radar-based launch monitors. If you want to read more about the Garmin G80, then please read this article: Garmin Approach G80 vs G8 vs G30.
The biggest differences between the Garmin Approach G8, G7 and G6 include the following:
(1) The Garmin Approach G8 and G7 come with slope compensation whereas the Garmin G6 will not compensate distances for elevation changes.
(2) The Garmin Approach G8 and G7 come with club recommendations whereas the Garmin G6 only comes with club tracking.
(3) The Garmin Approach G8 comes with pinpointer blindshot assistance whereas the Garmin G7 and G6 requires you to line up your own shot if you cannot see the green.
(4) The Garmin Approach G8 comes with Wi-Fi and USB connectivity for course updates whereas the Garmin G7 and G6 only come with USB course updates.
(5) The Garmin Approach G8 and G7 come with Bluetooth-enabled smartphone notifications and big numbers mode whereas the Garmin G6 is missing both of these features.
Garmin Approach G8 vs G7 vs G6 – Differences between Garmin Approach G6, G7 and G8
There is a big difference between the Garmin Approach G8, G7, and G6 in terms of their displays. The Garmin Approach G8 has a 240 x 400 pixel display resolution while both the G7 and G6 have a lower 160 x 240 pixel resolution. The G8 has a larger 3-inch touchscreen while both the G7 and G6 have a 2.6-inch touchscreen.
Only the Garmin G8 comes with pinpointer blindshot assistance and Wi-Fi connectivity for automatic golf course updates. Also both the Garmin Approach G8 and G7 come with features that are missing in the Garmin S6 such as slope-adjusted distances, club recommendation feature, Bluetooth-enabled smartphone notifications and big numbers mode.
You cannot use slope-adjusted distances, club recommendation feature and pinpointer blind shot assistance during tournaments because they will give players an unfair advantage. The slope compensation feature will give you target distances that take into account the elevation changes on uphill or downhill shots and the club recommendation feature recommends a club for your next shot based on your previous shot distances. The pinpointer blind shot assistance provides you with an onscreen directional arrow that will point you in the direction of the pin whenever you cannot see the green.
All three handheld devices (G6, G7, and G8) come with a club tracking feature that will allow you to save the distance information for each club type. The bluetooth-enabled smartphone notifications will enable your device to receive email, texts and alerts from your iPhone (4S or later) on your handheld. The big numbers mode will increase the font size for distances to the front, back and middle of the greens which will make them much easier to see.
Both the Garmin Approach G8 and G7 come slope-adjusted distances, club recommendation feature, Bluetooth-enabled smartphone notifications and big numbers mode while the Garmin S6 is missing all of these features. Also the Garmin G8 comes with pinpointer blind shot assistance and free Wi-Fi enabled automatic golf course updates while the Garmin Approach G6 and G7 are missing all of these features.
1. Slope Adjusted Distances (also called PlaysLike Distances) – This slope measurement feature will give you the slope corrected distances to the targets by accounting for the elevation changes due to uphill or downhill shots
2. Club Recommendation Feature – If the club advice feature is enabled, the device will recommend a club for your next shot based on your previous shot distances. The club tracking feature (available for the G8, G7 and G6 handheld devices) will allow you to save the distance information for each club type. The device will figure out the average ball distance for each club and make the appropriate recommendation.
3. Bluetooth-enabled Smartphone Notification – lets you know you have an email, text or alert from your iPhone (4S Or Later) and displays the full text on its own screen whenever you’re ready to read it directly on your golf handheld
4. Big Numbers Mode – You can increase the font size for distances to the front, back and middle of the greens which will make them much easier to see. This is great for people with vision problems.
1. Pinpointer blind shot assistance – An onscreen compass with directional arrow will point you in the direction of the pin whenever you are in the woods or sand trap and cannot see the green
2. Wi-Fi connectivity for Automatic Golf Course Updates – Device automatically updates golf courses and software with a Wi-Fi connection for no additional charge and connects you to the online Garmin Connect golf community where you can view your golf stats on your device.
Differences in product dimensions and display size between the Garmin G8 and G7 handheld devices
1. G8 has bigger product dimensions (Width x Height x Depth in inches) – 2.1″ x 4.4″ x 0.6″ (G8) vs 2.1″ x 3.7″ x 0.8″ (G7)
2. G8 has a bigger display size – The Garmin Approach G8 has the bigger display size (1.5″(W) x 2.6″(L) (3.9 x 6.5 cm) vs 1.4″ x 2.2″ (3.6 x 5.5 cm))
3. G8 has a bigger screen diagonal – Garmin G8: 3.0″ diag (7.6 cm) vs Garmin G7: 2.6″ diag (6.6 cm)
4. G8 has a longer length – Garmin G8: 4.4 inches vs Garmin G7: 3.7 inches
5. G8 has a slimmer (thinner) design – Garmin G8: 0.6 inches vs Garmin G7: 0.8 inches
6. G8 has a better display resolution – Garmin G8: 240 x 400 pixels vs Garmin G7: 160 x 240 pixels
7. G8 weighs more – Garmin G8: 3.97 oz vs Garmin G7: 3.37 oz
Comparison Chart – Garmin Approach G8 vs G7 vs G6 Handheld Golf GPS Comparisons
| Features and Specifications |  Learn More |  Learn More |  Learn More |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display Size (Width x Length in inches) | 1.5" (W) x 2.6" (L) (3.9 x 6.5 cm) | 1.4" (W) x 2.2" (L) (3.6 x 5.5 cm) | 1.4" (W) x 2.2" (L) (3.6 x 5.5 cm) |
| Screen Diagonal (in inches) - measured diagonally from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner | 3.0" diag (7.6 cm); 3-inch color capacitive touch display | 2.6" diag (6.6 cm); 2.6-inch color multi-touch display | 2.6" diag (6.6 cm); 2.6-inch transflective color TFT touchscreen |
| Display resolution (Width x Height) - the number of distinct pixels in each dimension that can be displayed | 240 x 400 pixels | 160 x 240 pixels | 160 x 240 pixels |
| Product Dimensions (Width x Length x Thickness in inches) | 2.1" (W) x 4.4" (L) x 0.6" (T) | 2.1" x 3.7" x 0.8" | 2.1" x 3.7" x 0.8" |
| Weight (in ounces) | 3.97 oz | 3.37 oz | 3.37 oz |
| Display type | Transflective color TFT touchscreen | Transflective color TFT touchscreen | Transflective color TFT touchscreen |
| Green View (Allows you to zoom in on the green; Precise distances to the front, middle and back of the green plus layups and doglegs) |  |  |  |
| Slope Measurement Feature (also called PlaysLike Distance) - Gives corrected distances to the target by accounting for the change in elevation for uphill and downhill shots. Only available in Garmin Approach G8 and G7 | Yes | Yes | No |
| Hole View (Displays layup arcs that indicated the distance to the pins. Four arcs appear for par 5 or higher at 100, 150, 200, 250. Three arcs appear for par 4, and zero arcs appear for par 3.) |  |  |  |
| Touch targeting - touch any target on the sunlight-readable touchscreen to see the precise distance from where you are standing to the target location (fairway, hazard, landing area, or the front, middle, and back of the green) | Yes | Yes |  |
| Save missing locations - You can mark course points of interest on a hole (including fairways, greens, sand bunkers and water hazards) that are missing on the course map using your current location or Touch Targeting for future reference. You can select the Use Current Location option to place a marker at your current location on the hole or you can select the Use Touch Targeting option to select any location on the map. | Yes | Yes |  |
| Big Numbers Mode - increases the font size of the front, back and center distances |  |  | Features Not Available In The Garmin Approach G6 |
| Shot distance measurement - The device measures distance in a straight line from your starting point to your ball location. The device can save the shot in the scorecard and add the shot distance to your average shot distance for the club. | Yes | Yes |  |
| Club tracking and average club distance - You can save distance information for each club type. Before you can view club averages, you must measure your shots and add the shots to your club. Keeps a record of how far you hit the ball with each club. | Yes | Yes |  |
| Club Advice Feature - When enabled, the club advice feature will make a club recommendation for your next shot based on your average shot distance for each club and display the recommended club and club distance for your next shot. |  | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth connectivity - Enabling Bluetooth notifications will reduce battery life while in watch mode. You must bring your Bluetooth-enabled smartphone within 10 m (33 ft.) of your Approach G7 or G8 device. | Yes | Yes | No |
| Smart Notifications - lets you receive emails, texts and alerts right on your handheld, even if you’re in the middle of the fairway. The device receives the wireless signal from your Bluetooth enabled iPhone 4s or later, let’s you know you have a message, and displays the full text on its own screen whenever you’re ready to read it |  |  | Feature Not Available In The Garmin Approach G6 |
| PinPointer - This feature is a compass that provides directional assistance when you are unable to see the green. It can help you line up a shot even if you are stuck in the woods or in a deep sand trap. |  | Feature Not Available In The Garmin Approach G7 | Feature Not Available In The Garmin Approach G6 |
| Wi-Fi connectivity - lets you update courses automatically and connect to the golf community within Garmin Connect | Yes | No | No |
| Stat tracking - Enhanced stats keeps track of strokes, fairways hit, greens in regulation and putts per round. Check your stats during the round, or download and print them from your computer afterwards. | Yes | Yes |  |
| Digital scorecard | Yes | Yes |  |
| USB interface - Connect the handheld to the computer with the included USB cable to download the free golf course maps and CourseView database updates from Garmin. You have to also download the free Garmin Express map updater program. | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Color display | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Yardage to front, middle and back of green | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Yardage to layups/doglegs | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Touch-targeting (touch any point on the sunlight-readable display, and it shows the precise distance to that exact spot — fairway, hazard, landing area, or the front, middle, and back of the green) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Club suggestion | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Preloaded Golf Course Maps | 40,000+ worldwide golf courses | 40,000+ worldwide golf courses | 40,000+ worldwide golf courses |
| Course preview (see detailed, hole-by-hole preview) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Free Lifetime Course Updates | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fees Or Subscriptions | None | None | None |
| Battery Type - You can charge it by plugging the USB cable into the AC charger and insert the charger into a standard wall outlet or just connect a USB cable between the handheld and the USB port on your computer. | built-in lithium-ion battery | built-in lithium-ion battery | built-in lithium-ion battery |
| Battery Life | Up to 15 hours | Up to 15 hours | Up to 15 hours |
| Comparison of the displays in the Garmin Approach G6, G7 and G8 units | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Models | Physical Dimensions (W x H x D) | Display Size (W X H) | Diagonal | Display Resolution (W X H) | Weight |
| G8 | 2.1″ x 4.4″ x 0.6″ | 1.5″ x 2.6″ (3.9 x 6.5 cm) | 3.0″ (7.6 cm) | 240 x 400 pixels | 3.97 oz |
| G7 | 2.1″ x 3.7″ x 0.8″ | 1.4″ x 2.2″ (3.6 x 5.5 cm) | 2.6″ (6.6 cm) | 160 x 240 pixels | 3.37 oz |
| G6 | 2.1″ x 3.7″ x 0.8″ | 1.4″ x 2.2″ (3.6 x 5.5 cm) | 2.6″ (6.6 cm) | 160 x 240 pixels | 3.37 oz |
• 40,000+ preloaded course maps
• Course preview (see detailed, hole-by-hole preview)
• Internal rechargeable lithium polymer battery
• Touchscreen
• Transflective color TFT touchscreen display
• Color display
• 15 hour Battery life
• Yardage to F/M/B (distance to front, middle and back of green)
• Yardage to layups/doglegs
• Save locations – You can mark course points of interest on a hole using your current location or Touch Targeting for future reference. You can select the Use Current Location option to place a marker at your current location on the hole or you can select the Use Touch Targeting option to select any location on the map.
• Measures shot distance (calculates exact yardage for shots from anywhere on course)
• Digital scorecard – (score up to four players with optional adjustable handicaps; scoring options include Stroke Play, Stableford, Skins and Match Play)
• Computer scorecard review (save and review scores on computer)
• Stat tracking (strokes, putts per round, greens and fairways hit and average shot distance)
• Green View with manual pin position
• Touch-targeting (touch target on display to see the distance to any point)
• High-sensitivity receiver
• USB Interface
Garmin Approach G6 Handheld Touchscreen Golf Course GPS Unit
In golf, innovation can really improve your game and lower your score. The software and design innovations packed into the Approach G6 are designed to take your game to the next level. With more than 40,000 preloaded worldwide courses (no annual fees or subscriptions) and an internal rechargeable battery, the Approach G6 is the ultimate instrument for the serious golfer. The G6 introduces a sleek, slim design for better playability. Still featuring a glove-friendly, colorful touchscreen, Approach G6 adds 2 buttons for instant access to Green View, Shot Measure and Digital Scorecard. Plus, it’s waterproof and tough enough to take the rigors of the game.
Product Features
• Sunlight-readable display
• Water resistant golf GPS with 2.6-inch transflective color TFT touchscreen
• Preloaded with over 40,000 worldwide courses (all without an extra annual fee or subscription)
• Green View – You can tap the flag on the map to zoom in on the green. You can also drag the flag to position it where you see it, giving you more accurate yardage
• Course preview (see detailed, hole-by-hole preview)
• Enhanced stat tracking feature keeps track of fairways hit, greens in regulation and putts per round. Not only can you check your stats during the round, but you also can download and print them from your home computer.
• Digital scorecard for a foursome with scoring options for Stroke Play, Stableford, Skins and Match Play with adjustable handicaps
• Colorful layup arcs at 100, 150, 200 and (when applicable) 250 yards let you know exactly how far you need to hit it when laying up
• Touch-targeting lets you touch any point on the sunlight-readable display, and it will show you the precise distance to that exact point – fairway, hazard, landing area, or the front, middle and back of the green
• Internal rechargeable battery lasts up to 15 hours so you can play an entire weekend on a single charge
Product Specifications
• Product Dimensions 3.7 x 0.8 x 2.1 inches
• Item Weight 3.4 ounces
• Batteries 1 Lithium ion batteries required. (included)
• Customer Reviews 4.1 out of 5 stars based on over 500 customer reviews
• Date first available: January 9, 2012
What is in the Box:
• Garmin Approach G6 golf gps unit
• USB cable
• AC adapter
• Belt clip
• Manual
Garmin Approach G7 Handheld Touchscreen Golf Course GPS Unit
You can use the Garmin Approach G7 GPS Unit for an entire weekend of low-scoring golf on a single charge. Experience precise distances for more than 40,000 worldwide courses with free lifetime updates, PlaysLike Distances, Smart Notification, Big Numbers Mode, a rechargeable 15 hour battery and access to the online share-and-compare golf community within Garmin Connect.
Product Features
• Water resistant golf GPS with 2.6-inch transflective color TFT touchscreen
• 2.6” color multi-touch display; compact design, tough and durable
• Preloaded with more than 40,000 worldwide courses
• Green View – You can tap the flag on the map to zoom in on the green. You can also drag the flag to position it where you see it, giving you more accurate yardage
• Course preview (see detailed, hole-by-hole preview)
• Enhanced stat tracking feature keeps track of fairways hit, greens in regulation and putts per round. Not only can you check your stats during the round, but you also can download and print them from your home computer afterwards
• Digital scorecard for a foursome with scoring options for Stroke Play, Stableford, Skins and Match Play with adjustable handicaps
• Colorful layup arcs at 100, 150, 200 and (when applicable) 250 yards let you know exactly how far you need to hit it when laying up
• Touch-targeting lets you touch any point on the sunlight-readable display, and it will show you the precise distance to that exact point – fairway, hazard, landing area, or the front, middle and back of the green
• Precise distance to the front, back and middle of the green, plus layups and doglegs
Product Features only found in the Garmin Approach G7 and G8 and not the G6
• PlaysLike Distance gives golfer distances to the target, adjusted for uphill or downhill shots
• Smart Notification – lets you receive emails, texts and alerts, directly on your handheld golf gps, even if you’re in the middle of the fairway. The G7 receives the wireless signal from your from Your Iphone (4S Or Later), let’s you know you have a message, and displays the full text on its own screen whenever you’re ready to read it.
• Garmin Connect Online Golf Community – lets you play, then share and compare your round. Download your round and contrast it to your last round, track improvements to your handicap for every course you play. The Garmin Connect golf community can even assemble your ideal round, combining your best score for each hole to get your ideal 18 for that course. You can visit connect.garmin.com to find out more
• Club Advice – Remembers how far you hit each club, and makes recommendations on which club to use based on your shot distances
• Big Numbers Mode – For easier viewing on your screen, increase the font size for the distances to the front, back and middle of the greens
Product Specifications
• Product Dimensions: 0.8 x 2.1 x 3.7 inches
• Item Weight: 3.4 ounces
• Batteries: 1 Lithium ion batteries required (included)
• Customer Reviews: 4.1 out of 5 stars based on over 100 customer reviews
• Date first available: January 9, 2012
Garmin Approach G8 Handheld Touchscreen Golf Course GPS Unit
The Garmin Approach G8 has a slimmer profile than other Garmin handheld devices but it also comes with a substantial range of features including Slope Adjusted (PlaysLike) distances, Smart Notification messaging, PinPointer blind shot assistance, a rechargeable 15 hour battery, and the online share-and-compare golf community within Garmin Connect. The sleek, lightweight and durable Approach G8, with a 3” multi-touch color display, is Garmin’s most feature-packed handheld. The G8 will give you precise distances for more than 40,000 international courses and free Wi-Fi course updates for life.
Product Features
• 3” color multi-touch display; slim and sleek design, tough and durable
• Preloaded with more than 40,000 worldwide courses
• Green View – You can tap the flag on the map to zoom in on the green. You can also drag the flag to position it where you see it, giving you more accurate yardage
• Course preview (see detailed, hole-by-hole preview)
• Enhanced stat tracking feature keeps track of fairways hit, greens in regulation and putts per round. Not only can you check your stats during the round, but you also can download and print them from your home computer afterwards
• Digital scorecard for a foursome with scoring options for Stroke Play, Stableford, Skins and Match Play with adjustable handicaps
• Colorful layup arcs at 100, 150, 200 and (when applicable) 250 yards let you know exactly how far you need to hit it when laying up
• Touch-targeting lets you touch any point on the sunlight-readable display, and it will show you the precise distance to that exact point – fairway, hazard, landing area, or the front, middle and back of the green
• Precise distance to the front, back and middle of the green, plus layups and doglegs
• PlaysLike Distance gives golfer distances to the target, adjusted for uphill or downhill shots
• Smart Notification – lets you receive emails, texts and alerts, directly on your handheld golf gps, even if you’re in the middle of the fairway. The G7 receives the wireless signal from your from Your Iphone (4S Or Later), let’s you know you have a message, and displays the full text on its own screen whenever you’re ready to read it.
• Garmin Connect Online Golf Community – lets you play, then share and compare your round. Download your round and contrast it to your last round, track improvements to your handicap for every course you play. The Garmin Connect golf community can even assemble your ideal round, combining your best score for each hole to get your ideal 18 for that course. You can visit connect.garmin.com to find out more
• Club Advice – Remembers how far you hit each club, and makes recommendations on which club to use based on your shot distances
• Big Numbers Mode – For easier viewing on your screen, increase the font size for the distances to the front, back and middle of the greens
Product Features only found in the Garmin Approach G8 and not the G6 or G7
• PinPointer – Tells you where the pin is, even if you are in the woods or deep in a trap and can’t see it. Provides blind shot assistance by pointing you in the right direction when you are unable to see the pin (G8 only)
• Automatic Wi-Fi Course Updates – Wi-Fi lets you connect to the golf community within Garmin Connect and update courses automatically. Device automatically updates courses with a Wi-Fi connection for no additional charge (G8 only). There are no annual fees or subscriptions
Product Specifications
• Product Dimensions Size (LWH): 0.6 x 2.1 x 4.4 inches
• Item Weight: 4 ounces
• Batteries: 1 Lithium ion batteries required (included)
• Customer Reviews: 4.0 out of 5 stars over 100 customer reviews
What can you do on the online Garmin Connect golf community?
You can connect with your golfing buddies on Garmin Connect. Garmin Connect gives you the tools to track, analyze, and share your data. You can record the events of your active lifestyle including golf games, hikes, runs, adventures, and more. To sign up for a free account, go to www.garminconnect.com/. You can upload your scorecards and club data to Garmin Connect for comprehensive analysis, and you can share your scorecards with friends. You can view your overall statistics, statistics from one round, or statistics on one course. You can also edit club information for clubs that are used for club advice. You can connect to the Garmin connect golf community by either connecting the device to your computer using a USB cable or using the Garmin Connect Mobile app and the Garmin G8’s Bluetooth or WiFi connectivity.
One of the most difficult sports to master is golf. It is a game that requires both physical and mental toughness. It is the only game where the lowest score wins so you cannot make too many mistakes and perfection should be your goal if you want to succeed. There are plenty of golfers who are looking to record their lowest 18-hole golf score ever. You can achieve this goal and maybe even get a hole in one if you practice enough and if you use the right equipment. You do not have to be a pro golfer to score in the 70s. You can shoot a low score if you use a handheld Golf GPS system such as the Garmin Approach G6, G7 or G8 handheld touchscreen golf course GPS units.
Why You Should Buy a Garmin Approach G8 Handheld Touchscreen Golf Course GPS Unit?
The Garmin Approach G8 has a larger display screen and nicer looking graphics than the Garmin Approach G6 or G7 because the G8 has the highest display resolution (G8: 240 x 400 pixels vs G7: 160 x 240 pixels vs G6: 160 x 240 pixels), largest display screen diagonal (G8: 3.0″ vs G7: 2.6″ vs G6: 2.6″), largest display screen size (G8: 1.5″ x 2.6″ vs G7: 1.4″ x 2.2″ vs G6: 1.4″ x 2.2″), and slimmest (thinnest) design (G8: 0.6″ vs G7: 0.8″ vs G6: 0.8″).
The Garmin Approach G8 handheld unit is a great gift for any golfer who wants help lowering their golf score. If you give this to a golf lover for the holidays or their birthday, it will become their favorite gift because they will use it all of the time. If you are on a tight budget and want to save approximately $100, then you should purchase the Garmin Approach G6 but be aware that it comes with a few less features such as Smartphone notifications.
You don’t have to spend a lot of time setting this unit up. It comes pre-loaded with over 40,000 golf course maps from around the world. There are no annual fees with this unit unlike with some of the other GPS systems. Even though it comes with a lot of maps, you can download even more maps from the Garmin website at http://wwww.garmin.com.
Garmin handheld units are durable and safe. With the Garmin Approach G8 GPS-enabled Golf Handheld, if it falls it into a water hazard, it won’t be the end of the world – because it is waterproof.
The Garmin Approach G8, G7 and G6 units come with an anti-glare touchscreen that is easy to read. So ever under bright sunlight, you will be able to easily read the screen. You will get a lot of useful information about the layouts of tens of thousands of golf courses around the United States and the rest of the world. You will even get information about the water hazards. All of these things will definitely improve your score.
It even comes with a way to keep track of the scores for four golfers. Getting a system like this means you erase all of the wondering and guessing and replace it with knowledge.
Only the Garmin G8 and G7 come with a club recommendation feature. You’ll be able to see what’s up ahead and you’ll know the yardage you have to make as the game continues because the system will keep you in touch with how far you have to go, enabling you to select the right club for each shot.
No more trying to figure out in your mind how far that ball needs to fly. You would think with a great tool for golfers like this that there would be some kind of huge cost to get started, but there’s not one single extra fee after the initial purchase. You can purchase one of these handheld units and hit the fairway with the kind of navigation and knowledge professional golfers get from years of playing.
You will find that either the Garmin Approach G8, G7, or G6 GPS Golf Handheld units will make any person a much happier golfer because they will be able to shave many strokes off their score as their expertise with one of these GPS devices improves.
