Garmin Strategy S50 evaluation: a mid-range banger that shoots effectively beneath its handicap

Garmin Strategy S50: One-minute evaluation

Sitting within the mid-range of the model’s golf watch vary, the Garmin Strategy S50 is a wonderful course companion. It contains the entire model’s suite of fantastic {golfing} options, in addition to simply the correct quantity of additional well being and health, and on a regular basis performance to supply a golf-first, near-complete bundle.

It’s {the golfing} pedigree that shines the brightest, in fact, and it places these options into motion brilliantly as a course companion. It enhanced my time and sport on the course with its correct yardages, computerized shot monitoring and rating logging, golf course and gap graphics, and the wonderful PlaysLike function — which components in elevation and climate — is sensible.

The design and construct are of fantastic high quality, too, with the S50 having extra of a lifestyle-friendly design and type than others within the Strategy vary. Mix this with some very pleasant day-to-day performance and a bunch of health and well being options which might be wonderful to make use of, and the bundle turns into even clearer.

I nonetheless reserve a robust dislike for Garmin’s personal proprietary charging technique, which solely will get extra intense when mixed with an excellent quick charging cable, however this can be a wider drawback shared by the S50, not distinctive to it. Elsewhere, it’s simple to make use of on-screen, and its battery life is robust, providing greater than two rounds of golf’s value of juice earlier than needing to even take into account charging.

All in, nevertheless, the S50 might actually give some extra premium gadgets a scare with its general providing, and for individuals who are delay by the higher-end Garmin Strategy S70’s hefty price ticket, this could possibly be the right resolution and new golf course companion.

Garmin Strategy S50 Golf Watch (Black) at Amazon for $324.99

Garmin Strategy S50: Value and availability

Record costs of $399.99 / £349.99 / AU$729Mid-range in Garmin’s lineup Good worth for cash

Coming in proper within the center between the high-end Strategy S70 watch and the finances, entry-level Strategy S12, the Garmin Strategy S50 is focusing on the center floor of its golf watch lineup. And does so efficiently from a value and worth perspective.

The stability of options on supply, its general efficiency, and every little thing that moving into the Garmin Golf ecosystem provides you, all on an AMOLED watch with the model’s greatest on-course parts — whereas nonetheless coming in significantly lower than the S70 is superb. Actually, I’d wager that the S50 might need the S70 frightened from a price perspective, as solely a few compromises might get you right down to the S50 from the S70 and prevent a bunch of money.

The S50 is joined in the course of the Garmin golf watch pack by the S44, launched on the similar time late final yr. This gives a a lot leaner mid-range expertise, with out being a very entry-level gadget. With the S50 being lower than $100 / £100 / AU$180 greater than the extra streamlined-for-golf S44, however nonetheless $250 / £150 / AU$370 lower than the S70 (42mm), it actually does really feel prefer it’s hit the candy spot.

A small wrinkle for me on value was that I discovered the default strap to be actually sub-par and swapped it out for one more from Garmin; this naturally will increase the general price of the S50, however the freedom to vary straps and choose an alternate for one you want is welcome.

Garmin Strategy S50: Design and display screen

1.2in / 30.4mm AMOLED screenTwo-button management system is an acquired tasteLightweight and sturdy construct however default strap is lame