We've reviewed some excellent handheld GPS devices to far this year. While it's still a smaller category compared to the size of the GPS watch or laser rangefinder market, the likes of the Blue Tees Ringer and SkyCaddie Pro 5X have proven the handheld market still has a lot to offer golfers. Another offering in this part of the market is the new Bushnell Phantom 3 Slope, the third generation handheld device from a brand more famed for its rangefinders.
While the move from the original Phantom to Phantom 2 saw the addition of sloped distances for the first time, Phantom 2 to Phantom 3 sees the addition of an all-new touchscreen. It has made the device much easier to use than before - where you had to use the side buttons - and scrolling between the various screens when in play is easier than ever before. For sure, the screen isn't as premium as something, but it reacts quickly to any commands. The new touchscreen is especially useful for the Greenview feature, which gives you an accurate shape of the green ahead, which angle you're attacking the green from and the ability to place the pin for a more precise yardage.
Otherwise, to be honest, not much has changed in terms of out and out functionality. One pleasing change has come in the shape of new graphics on screen. We criticized both previous generations of Phantom devices for the somewhat rudimentary view you'd get on screen. The 8-bit style numbers and dull screen made the device feel a little less than premium. That's all changed for Phantom 3, with a backlight and cleaner number graphics allowing the display to match the premium nature of the casing itself.
As for data, the Phantom 3 covers all bases. Front, middle and back yardages are the main three numbers you'll see on screen, but scrolling through the pages via the touchscreen will allow you to look at the distance to hazards, access Greenview mode, use the shot distance calculator and enter your score. Having the slope adjusted distances available is incredibly useful, and can be turned on and off so you can use the device in competition.
Returning from the last two generations is Bushnell's Bite magnet, a vital feature for those who play a lot of cart golf which allows you to place the device on the side of the cart for the duration of the round. The magnet is superbly strong and you can leave the device to operate without really having to touch it. The UI includes auto course and hole recognition, auto score prompt and auto course updates which makes it even easier to use. For those who carry, the Phantom 3 also comes with a case and carabiner clip that allows you to attach it easily to the side of your bag. Such is the brightness of the screen, you can easily scan over to your cart or bag to get the key data you need. The battery lasts for 4 rounds of golf roughly, which is a good amount of time, and can be recharged via a USB-C cable that comes in the box.
Overall this is a steady improvement on the last two generations. Those with the Phantom 2 Slope will likely see plenty of benefits from upgrading while those still in the original Phantom will want to jump on to this new device ASAP in my opinion. Sure, it doesn't offer the full hole mapping of some handheld GPS devices, but with with the RRP at $149 (£149.99), you can't expect that level of functionality. The biggest compliment I can give it is how little I noticed it when I was playing, such was the ease of use. The Phantom name, therefore, seems rather appropriate for this excellent GPS device.
