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Garmin Approach G8 vs SkyCaddie Touch – Differences between the Garmin G8 and SkyCaddie Touch
There are big differences between the Garmin Approach G8 and SkyCaddie Touch. The Garmin Approach G8 has a better display and better looking graphics than the SkyCaddie Touch because it has a bigger display size (Garmin G8: 1.5″ x 2.6″ vs SkyCaddie Touch: 1.4″ x 2.2″), larger screen diagonal (Garmin G8: 3″ vs SkyCaddie Touch: 2.6″), and better display resolution (Garmin G8: 240 x 400 pixels vs SkyCaddie Touch: 160 x 240 pixels).
The Garmin G8 has several important features that the SkyCaddie Touch does not have including slope-adjusted distances (which account for elevation changes on uphill and downhill shots), club recommendation feature (which tells you which club to use for each shot), Big Numbers mode (great for people with bad eyesight), PinPointer blindshot assistance (tells you which direction the pin is when you cannot even see the green) and automatic Wi-Fi course updates. Also with the purchase of the Garmin G8 you will get free golf course updates for life. Unfortunately, you will have to pay an annual fee to get golf course updates if you purchase the SkyCaddie Touch.
The best Garmin handheld device is the Garmin G80. The Garmin G80 is better than the Garmin G8 because it has a larger display, higher resolution and comes with a launch radar. If you want learn more about the differences between the Garmin G8 and G80, then please read this article: Garmin G80 vs G8
The distances that you get from these handheld units are not as accurate as the distances from the more expensive golf laser rangefinders, such as the Bushnell Pro XE, Bushnell Pro X2 or Garmin Approach Z80, or even the best affordable golf laser rangefinders.
The SkyCaddie Touch has two advantages over the Garmin S8. It is cheaper and it comes with a list of hazard distances. To get hazard information on the Garmin G8, you will have to tap on the hazard on the course map to get the layup and carry distances.
Features for the Skygolf Skycaddie Touch GPS
*The SkyCaddie Touch features a 3 inch color display with 40,000 preloaded high definition maps
*Unlimited access to SkyGolf’s Preloaded 40,000+ error-corrected, worldwide course maps
*Large 3a hi-resolution, sunlight-readable, glove-friendly Touchscreen
*Bluetooth wireless capabilities provides easy access to the most reliable accurate course maps without hooking up a cable to your computer
*Interactive holes with patented auto zoom gives an eagle’s view of the entire hole and gives distances you need to avoid hazards from tee to green
*Digital scorecard and statistical tracking syncs to the free SkyGolf 360 mobile app to upload instantly to the skygolf cloud for analysis of your game
*SkyGolf 360 app allows you to download course updates without ever plugging into a computer
*Club tracking – Measure the distance you hit any shot and learn your club distances
*IntelliGreen displays the exact shape of the green from your angle of approach
*Get front carry and back distances, depth of green, and distances to any other point on the green
*Trueground target list displays a list of distances up to 40 points per hole, to hazards, bunkers, water, carries and layup areas
*Dynamic RangeVuea displays multiple yardage arcs overlay fairway landing areas and greens to allow you to select the best club for every shot much more quickly
*Auto course selection, auto hole, auto zoom, auto distance, auto green depth
*AutoView enables immediate access to IntelliGreen and the Scorecard
*Lithium-ion polymer battery lasts up to 12 hours of play
*40,000 preload course capacity
*Dimensions: 4″ Height x 2.3″ Width x 0.7″ Depth
*Weight: 3.8 ounces
*IXP7 water resistant rating protects against splashes, rain or accidental exposure to water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes
Comparison Chart – Garmin Approach G8 vs SkyCaddie Touch Handheld Golf GPS Comparisons
| Features and Specifications |  Check Price! |  Check Price! |
|---|---|---|
| Display Size (Width x Height in inches) | 1.5" x 2.6" (3.9 x 6.5 cm) | 1.4" x 2.2" (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 |
| 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 |
| Product Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth in inches) | 4.4" x 2.1" x 0.6" | 4" x 2.3" x 0.7" |
| Weight (in ounces) | 3.97 oz | 3.8 oz |
| Display type | 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 (also called PlaysLike Distance) - Gives slope adjusted distances to the target, adjusted for uphill or downhill shots. | 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 locations - You can mark course points of interest on a hole (including fairways, greens, sand bunkers and water hazards) 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 |  | No |
| 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 and if club advice is enabled, the device uses your club information to make a club recommendation for your next shot based on your average shot distance for each club. | Yes | Yes |
| Club Advice Feature - When enabled, the club advice feature will display the recommended club and club distance for your next shot. |  | 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 |
| 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 |  | |
| 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. |  | No |
| Wi-Fi connectivity - lets you update courses automatically and connect to the golf community within Garmin Connect | Yes | 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 |
| Color display | Yes | Yes |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Yardage to front, middle and back of green | Yes | Yes |
| Yardage to layups/doglegs | 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 |
| Club suggestion | Yes | Yes |
| Preloaded Golf Course Maps | 40,000+ worldwide golf courses | 40,000+ worldwide golf courses |
| Course preview (see detailed, hole-by-hole preview) | Yes | Yes |
| Free Lifetime Course Updates | Yes | Yes |
| Fees Or Subscriptions | None | Annual Fee Required |
| 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 |
| Battery Life | Up to 15 hours | Up to 15 hours |
