Shot Scope’s product range seems to be getting larger every year, with the Scottish-based brand adding the likes of rangefinder and even portable launch monitors to their collection in recent years.
However the things that they really made their name on are GPS and shot-tracking devices.
Their new new H50 GPS adds to that, as an eye-catching new handheld device which offers full hole mapping, shot tracking and a whole host of other features to give golfers more chance of shooting better scores out on the course.
With the rise of smartphone apps offering GPS mapping and shot tracking at relatively cheap prices, is there still space in the market for the handheld GPS? I took the new H50 out on the golf course to find out…
Who Is It Aimed At?
I think it’s understandable that GPS devices aren’t going to be for everyone. Some golfers don’t want that level of information before every shot, some don’t like the idea of having to rely on another device and get that out of their bag/pocket, and some people just prefer the precision that a rangefinder offers.
I can see the H50 being particularly popular with golfers who use a trolley or buggy to play golf, as that will really help with ease of use.
These kind of devices also seem to lend themselves to dedicated golfers who are members of golf clubs, playing regularly, and like to have plenty of gear. More the golfer with the trolley, a bag full of spare clothes, towels and rain gloves, rather than somebody with a pencil bag and a half set of clubs.
I think this is reflected in the price too. Considering you can get plenty of smartphone apps for free or a small subscription fee, if you’re willing to pay nearly £250 for the H50, you’re going to be a devoted golfer.
The Tech
The headline technology in the H50 GPS is a 4.3-inch AMOLED touchscreen. Shot Scope say that this is bigger than in most rival handheld devices, and is said to offer crisp, high-contrast visuals in all conditions.
It’s IPX7 waterproof rated too, so there are no concerns when the weather turns.
Powering the visuals is GPS combined with Shot Scope’s own course mapping technology, mapped yard by yard for exceptional accuracy. You get the usual front, middle and back yardages, but also dynamic ‘plays like’ distances that account for elevation changes. This is something that can be extra useful when trying to select the right club.
One of the key aspects of the H50 is giving golfers a clear visualisation of each hole. Interactive hole maps give a full tee-to-green overview with satellite imagery, automatic hole zoom and multiple viewing modes.
Green contour data and elevation maps add even extra detail, while you can also drag to different points on the hole to quickly measure hazards, doglegs and layup areas.
As always the devices syncs up with the Shot Scope app for round review and performance tracking, and a built-in digital scorecard helps you keep track of your progress during the round. There’s also a competition mode which disables the slope features.
In total there are more than 42,000 courses available, amounting to more than 600,000 holes.
Looks
As has become the norm with Shot Scope products these days, you get a really smart looking overall package with an iPhone-esque white box. Inside things are pretty simple – the device, along with a charging cable, a strap to hook onto a bag or trolley, and the instruction manual.
The device is pretty much the same size as your standard smartphone, which means you could easily slip it into a trouser pocket, or attach it to your golf bag or buggy without worrying about losing it.
The screen is a pretty generous 4.3 inches, which makes it really easy to read, especially when in the most simple Front/Middle/Back setting. You could leave this on your bag or attached to a buggy via magnet and still be able to read it from a few yards away, which is a bonus for usability.
Compared to Shot Scope’s previous H4 handheld GPS, which was essentially the size of a large watch face, the H50 is much larger. This means its much easier to see, although it is clearly much bulkier too.
Setup
This was a little more fiddly than I’d have ideally liked.
You have to connect to the Shot Scope app on your phone, then pair the device to your Shot Scope account in the app. This is all fine, but then I had to wait about 15 minutes as the device needed to update it’s firmware, which was a little frustrating.
Once done though, the device restarts and you can finally get into the main menu. Everything is clean, clear and pretty intuitive, with options to start ball tracking, use GPS mode and even keep score whilst you play.
On first use it did take a good few minutes to locate satellites and find my golf course, but once connected I found it to be easy enough to select the tees and round type, and get going.
If you’ve used GPS or Shot Scope devices in the past, you should have no issues getting it setup, although I would say it’s worth making sure you turn the device on and try and set it up from home before you get to the golf club, just to save any stress.
Performance
To be honest, I felt that the H50 was a little bit basic when it came to overall graphics, expecting to see something a little more immersive and modern. It reminded me a bit of the kind of golf video games you’d have seen in the early 2000s – functional, but not exactly rich or complex in terms of the visuals.
The battery life also left me expecting a bit more. Shot Scope promised 15 hours of life, but I used nearly 40% of the battery life in just 3 and a half hours during my round of golf, which is a bit disappointing. If you’re someone who often gets to the golf course before realising they’ve forgotten to charge their device, you may find yourself caught short at times.
There’s a good level of features, as you’d expect from Shot Scope. Responsiveness was exxcellent, something that I have seen across a number of Shot Scope devices in recent years. The touchscreen is as good as something you’d find on a mobile phone, and whilst in GPS mode there is instant movement in the yardages every time you move. There’s no waiting for the device to catch up, the yardages are there for you and this gives you full confidence that it’s correct.
The magnet is excellent too, which makes it easy to attach to your trolley or buggy and this makes it much easier to glance at when you reach your ball, without having to get it in and out of your bag.
My ‘standard’ viewing mode was the full hole map, which shows you where you are on the hole as well as any upcoming hazards or dangers, making it pretty easy to plot your path.
The drag and drop fiunction makes it really easy to pick a certain point on the hole, to check things like carry distances over hazards, layup points and fairway runouts.
This is also really useful when you’re on the green view too, as you can get yardages specifically to where the pin is placed rather than just the front/middle/back. This is great when hitting to big greens or for finding out distances to back pins, or flags that are tucked in certain portions of the green over bunkers.
One feature that is really smart, which you don’t often see elsewhere, is the green contour map. This shows the shape and severity of different slopes on every green, which could be really helpful to understand the break on both putts and and approach shots.
If you want to keep things simple, you can just stick to the classic Front/Middle/Back screen, which is displayed in large text and provides uncluttered yardages, allowing you to focus on your shot without worrying about everything else.
Verdict
As you’d expect from Shot Scope the H50 GPS is a good overall product, but I do think that GPS devices like this may be a bit of a dying breed within the golf equipment space. Smartphones are so good and so powerful these days, and there are so many great GPS apps that cost a fraction of the price of these devices, that I’m not sure how many golfers are going to keep using them.
I was hoping for some slightly nicer graphics, and the setup was slightly fiddly, but it’s hard to fault the overall quality of the device along with just how responsive and easy to use it was. It’s also pretty packed with features, giving you plenty of information on the hole layout as well as helping you to navigate the greens.
As always with Shot Scope, you also get the ability to track all of your shots whilst playing, which provides the opportunity to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of your game. It can also help you to make better decisions on the golf course, particularly when it comes to shot selection. If this helps you to lower scores, then it could be money well spent.
Would I Use It?
I typically prefer to use a rangefinder, but if I was playing at a new golf course and felt like I could benefit from the extra information of a GPS device, this is one of the ones I would be reaching for.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many courses does the Shot Scope H50 have?
The H50 has over 42,000 courses available, covering more than 600,000 holes worldwide. Courses are mapped yard by yard by Shot Scope for accuracy, including green contour data and elevation information.
How long does the Shot Scope H50 battery last?
Shot Scope claim up to 15 hours of battery life, though in testing the battery didn’t always reach that figure in real-world use. It’s worth charging the device fully before a round to be safe, particularly if you’re playing 36 holes or a longer course.
Is the Shot Scope H50 waterproof?
Yes, the H50 carries an IPX7 waterproof rating, meaning it can withstand being submerged in water up to one metre deep for 30 minutes. It’s fully protected against rain and wet weather conditions on the course.
How does the Shot Scope H50 compare to a smartphone GPS app?
The H50 offers a dedicated, always-on screen with a larger 4.3-inch AMOLED display, elevation-adjusted distances, green contour data and built-in shot tracking – features that most free or low-cost smartphone apps don’t match. However at £249.99 it’s a significant investment compared to apps available for free or a small monthly fee, so it’s best suited to committed golfers who want a dedicated device rather than relying on their phone.
Does the Shot Scope H50 track shots automatically?
Yes, the H50 includes automatic shot tracking which logs your shots during the round and syncs to the Shot Scope app afterwards for detailed performance analysis. This allows you to review your round, identify patterns in your game and track improvement over time.
Is the Shot Scope H50 easy to set up?
Setup requires connecting to the Shot Scope app and pairing the device to your account, which is straightforward. On first use you may need to wait while a firmware update downloads and installs, which can take around 15 minutes. Once that’s done the interface is clean, intuitive and easy to navigate during a round.
How does the Shot Scope H50 compare to the H4?
The H50 is significantly larger than the previous H4, moving from a watch-face-sized unit to a full smartphone-sized 4.3-inch touchscreen device. This makes it much easier to read at a distance – useful when the device is mounted on a buggy or trolley – but it is noticeably bulkier to carry. The H50 also adds AMOLED display technology, elevation-adjusted distances and improved hole mapping compared to its predecessor.
