Still Money: 8 Older Golf Tech Devices That Keep Delivering (For Less)
Think all great golf tech has an expiration date? Think again—these eight older devices still perform like champs and cost a fraction of the latest gear.
If you follow golf tech, it can feel like there’s a new “game-changer” every week.
Fun?
Sure. We all love to track the continuous innovations. It’s exciting for any hardcore golfer. And to think of the tools and toys we have available now that we couldn’t have even conceptualized a handful of years ago is pretty wild.
But this constant latest-and-greatest parade can not only be exhausting, it can be frustrating. You start wondering, “If I buy today, will next week’s version instantly make me sad?”
Here’s the good news: Not all great gear ages out. Some products hit such a sweet spot of performance, price, and practicality that they keep earning bag space long after the launch hype fades.
Our buddy Gabe from YouTube’s Let’s Play Thru channel released a video a couple of months ago touting the Garmin G80 as a device that, while six years old, is still a regular in his rounds.
It was a great video. And it got me thinking: What other aging golf tech devices are still kicking ass?
Below are the warhorses I still love. Tools that continue to deliver, are easier on the wallet, and that won’t ghost you after one season.
Does this list include every outdated model still worth owning? Of course not. Believe it or not, I’ve got a life (mostly I’ve got golf to play, but still…). I can’t scour the internet for every last golf gadget that’s still operational. Instead, I’ve limited this to the ones that I consider no-brainers.
And as we approach the holiday season, I also think this list might offer some nice value options for shoppers who may experience some sticker shock when they check out the newest models.
Listen, the newest stuff is generally the best. Not always, but generally. It’s innovation. It’s evolution. But that doesn’t mean that some of the older gear isn’t still awesome. Trust me, everything on this list definitely still gets the job done.
Garmin S42 ($299.99) — The “Looks Good, Works Great” GPS Watch
The S42 is a mid-range Garmin that keeps doing exactly what you want a golf watch to do: Be easy, accurate, and look good off the course.
You get a bright color touchscreen, 42,000-plus preloaded courses, AutoShot game tracking, and legit battery life.
The S42’s not trying to be a tiny supercomputer. It’s a reliable yardage machine with enough smart features to feel modern without getting crazy.
Why it’s still money: Comfortable, intuitive, and super consistent on distances. If you’ve been tempted by fancier wearables, this one reminds you why “simple and solid” will always have its place.
Garmin S12 Golf Watch ($199.99) — Still Simple, Still Reliable
Look, AMOLED touchscreens sure are nice. And detailed color hole maps definitely are a pretty sweet luxury.
But you know what else they are?
Completely unnecessary for a lot of golfers!
I’m serious. Listen, I love me some super-powered golf watches. Believe me, I do.
But let's get a grip. There are plenty of golfers who just want a solid, reliable, simple workhorse. They don’t need all the frills. They may not even want them.
And if that’s you, there ain’t a damn thing wrong with the Garmin Approach S12.
Is the S12 as good as the watches Garmin’s released since it came out? No, not even close.
But that doesn’t mean you need to fall into the FOMO trap. What’s wrong with clear numbers, 42,000-plus courses, and a battery that just refuses to quit?
Why it’s still money: Because reliability is a feature. The S12 is proof you don’t have to spend big to get rock-solid GPS and marathon battery life.
Bushnell Tour V5 Shift ($319.99) — The Laser You Don’t Have to Baby
The Tour V5 Shift is the “it just works” rangefinder. Point, press, number. Slope-adjusted yardages, PinSeeker with Visual Jolt that buzzes and flashes when it locks the flag, 6x optics that are crisp even at dusk, and a BITE magnet that sticks to the cart and never budges.
There’s no labyrinth of modes to accidentally toggle. And by today’s standards, it may feel relatively simple. But I ask you again: What’s so bad about that?
Is this the newest Bushnell? Nope.
Does it still peg pins with fast, repeatable yardages every single round? Absolutely.
Why it’s still money: Rock-solid distance confidence without fuss. Buy it once, use it forever.
Bushnell Wingman Mini Golf Speaker ($109.99) — Perfect for Walking
I’ve had a lot of good times on the golf course with the original full-sized Wingman speaker and its successor, the Wingman 2. And both of those products absolutely still get the job done. But I’m not recommending them here because the new Wingman HD puts them both in the dust for about the same price.
But the Wingman Mini provides the same party trick with a smaller footprint. And it’s still plenty relevant.
Clip it to your bag, stick it to a push cart, or toss it in a cup holder on ride days.
The Mini still speaks distances and still sounds plenty loud without stealing half your storage.
If you’ve wanted the Wingman vibe without the bulk, this is the sweet spot.
Why it’s still money: All of the convenience, none of the real estate.
Bushnell Phantom 3 ($169.99) — Big Numbers, Zero Learning Curve
This is the glance-and-go GPS. Giant, high-contrast yardages, hazards, auto hole advance — it’s got all the essentials you need and none of the extras you’ll end up ignoring anyway.
The magnet lets it live on the cart bar, or clip it to your belt and forget about it. No smartwatch to charge. No screen gymnastics to navigate. Just the info most golfers actually use, everywhere you play.
Why it’s still money: Clear distances that never get in the way.
Bushnell Launch Pro (Ball-Data Only) ($1,999.99) — Pro Reads Without Going Full Tour-Level Crazy
If you’ve been simulator-curious, are serious about getting incredibly accurate data, but don’t want to light the budget on fire, the Launch Pro in ball-data-only mode is the smart play.
You get true photometric measurements that make gapping and practice real, indoors or out. It’s the same base technology that’s in the monster GCQuad and QuadMAX launch monitors you see scattered across the PGA Tour driving ranges.
It isn’t “cheap,” but measured ball data at this level ages well and holds value.
Plus, this thing is built like a tank. I think this is what we should bury for future civilizations to find, because it’s likely to still be working long after we’re all gone.
Why it’s still money: Accuracy doesn’t go out of style, and this is the accuracy tier that changes practice.
Garmin R10 ($599.99) — The Launch Monitor That Started a Craze
Before the Garmin R10, “affordable” and “golf simulator” never, ever belonged together in the same sentence. This is the device that changed everything. The first launch monitor under $1,000 with full-blown golf simulator capabilities and data accuracy that went far beyond what anyone thought was possible in a $600 device.
It’s true, the R10 came out in 2021. And it’s true that by golf launch monitor standards, that’s a long time ago. But it’s also true that the R10 still works like a champ.
Seriously. There is absolutely nothing wrong with jamming with one of these things if you want to have a ton of fun playing simulator golf, get serious-but-not-quite-pro-grade feedback, and get in on the whole golf simulator craze.
The R10 is still plenty legit.
Why it’s still money: It’s the original, and in a lot of ways, it’s still the standard-bearer in affordable golf simulators.
Shot Scope Pro LX ($299.99 - On Sale for $199.99!) — Clean Optics, Fast Locks, Great Price
If you want a straight-up laser that nails the basics without bloating the budget, the Pro LX (first released in 2022) gets the job done.
The optics are crisp and bright, the body feels secure in hand, and target-lock vibration gives you that reassuring buzz when it grabs the pin.
Slope can be turned on for practice and off for tournaments, and scan mode makes it easy to sweep bunkers and forced-carry points before you commit.
This is another product that just gets the job done quickly and consistently. No apps required, no extras to fiddle with, just point, press, get your number.
I’ve got to say that if you’re looking to save some money, the entire Shot Scope line is really worth investigating.
Why it’s still money: Pure laser value. Reliable yardages that hold up from a brand that doesn’t have to pass on a ton of marketing expenses.
Stretch It Further: Open Box = “Still Money” Prices
If you like value without compromises, check out PlayBetter’s open-box pages (here and here) for launch monitors and more. Same trusted gear, friendlier price tags, fast shipping, easy returns.
Seriously, you can find some killer deals here. And I’d recommend checking back occasionally to see what shows up. For a lot of shoppers, this is the smart way to gear up.
The Bottom Line
Golf tech keeps sprinting forward, but the good stuff doesn’t suddenly turn into a pumpkin. The watches, lasers, speakers, and launch monitors on this list are still doing the job, and for less cash.
Who are these products for? Anyone who wants dependable yardages without babysitting a gadget. Anyone who wants simulator fun without spending thousands. Anyone gift-shopping for a golfer and hoping the present actually gets used.
Don’t overthink it. If a device checks your boxes and it’s on this list, you can buy with confidence. No, you’re not getting the latest and greatest. But in a lot of cases, you’re almost all the way there while saving a ton.
Doesn’t that sound money to you?
About PlayBetter Golf Reviewer Marc Sheforgen
Marc "Shef" Sheforgen is a golf writer whose passion for the game far exceeds his ability to play it well. Marc covers all things golf, from product reviews and equipment recommendations to event coverage and tournament analysis. When he’s not playing, watching, or writing about golf, he enjoys traveling (often golf-related), youth sports coaching, volunteering, and record collecting.