Bushnell Phantom 2 GPS Review

Bushnell Phantom 2 GPS Review

Bushnell makes some of the best golf GPS (opens in new tab) devices out there and the new Phantom 2 GPS reinforces that position while also accounting for significant improvements on its predecessor. The first thing we noticed when picking up the Phantom 2 is the size - it's 40 per cent larger than the original Phantom. 

In our opinion it's the best change Bushnell has made in the new device and, despite the larger size, it's still a relatively small device that easily fits into the palm of your hand. With the larger frame comes a larger screen and this displays much clearer graphics when compared to the original Phantom as well as other basic GPS devices on the market.

This larger, clearer screen meant we could quickly scan the device for our yardage, rather than have to go up to our bag and inspect it closely. It also comes with Bushnell's updated Bite technology, a magnet on the back of the device that allows to stick to any magnetic surface - a feature that would be  useful on a buggy, for example. While we didn't actually take it out for a spin on a buggy, we can see how useful it would be and the Bite magnet has seven pounds of pulling force so is strong enough to stay in place. In fact, you'll find this tech on many of Bushnell's best golf rangefinders.

The most significant new feature on the Phantom 2 is Dynamic Green Mapping, which provides you with front, middle and back distance measurements no matter which direction you are approaching the green. This is especially useful when you find your golf ball well off the beaten track - don't worry we've all been there - and conventional 100 or 150 yard markers are well out of sight.

Whether you're playing your home course for the 100th time or you're playing a new track for the first time, we found having these accurate yardages from any angle gives you the confidence to pull out the correct club and execute the shot. Another feature on the Phantom 2 is GreenView pin placement distance, allowing you to get an even more precise yardage to an exact pin location, and is accessible with the simple press of one button on the side of the device.

It's this and other simple ergonomics of the Phantom 2 which make it such a pleasure to use. The main front, middle and back yardages are always present on screen and then its just takes a press of one button to place the pin, find out how far away a hazard is or log your score on a hole.

Our only qualm with the Phantom 2 is the integrated app. The app has been given a significant update since the original Phantom GPS was released and allows for course updates to take place, provides additional course information and allows you to keep track of score.

While the app itself is pleasant to use, it doesn't offer enough extra information to make it worth having your phone out all round alongside the Phantom 2. All the main information you need is already on the device itself - dynamic yardages, pin placement and score etc. - so what's the need for the app?

We struggled to answer that question over multiple rounds with the Phantom 2 and when we realized just how much of our phone battery was being drained, we quickly put our phone away and got on with using the device on its own. e

Overall the Phantom 2 offers users a simple yet data rich experience at a very competitive price. But if you want to go down a different GPS route then why not take a look at our guides on the best golf watches (opens in new tab), or best golf rangefinders (opens in new tab) as well?