Bushnell Phantom 2 Slope GPS review
What’s new? How much does it cost? And how does it perform? Nicola Slater brings you the low down on the new Bushnell Phantom 2 Slope GPS
The Phantom 2 Slope is the latest handheld GPS device from Bushnell. Renowned for their best-selling laser rangefinders, I put the Phantom 2 Slope to the test to see if it could pack the same punch.
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Bushnell Phantom 2 Slope GPS review: NCG Summary
NCG SUMMARY
For something that fits in the palm of your hand, this little gadget is packed with plenty of tech!
In slope mode, the Phantom provides numbers with the slope automatically adjusted.
Unlike most GPS devices the Phantom 2 Slope allows you to select a pin position, input your fairways hit, putts, and score. It also tells you how far hazards and bunkers are.
PROS
- Very small
- Records your stats
- Loads up quick
- Slope mode is handy
CONS
- Not touchscreen
First Impressions
The Phantom 2 Slope is as per the name the slope edition of the Phantom 2. This handheld GPS device can easily fit in the palm of your hand which is incredible for something with so much technology. It comes with 38,000 pre-loaded courses!
Unlike some GPS devices, this one isn’t touchscreen. There are four buttons overall that control the Phantom and once you figure out what does what, which didn’t take too long you’re good to go. For me I didn’t think the graphics on the Phantom were great but it was clear enough to read.
Like all of the new products Bushnell has produced the Phantom 2 Slope comes with a magnetic back meaning that it can be easily stuck to your clubs or cart. In the box, you also get a case that locks onto the back of the Phantom and then a clip that can be used to attach it to your bag.
NCG Review
Getting to the course and setting the Phantom up was quick and easy. I didn’t really have to wait for it to load which is great for those get out of the car and go golfers. When you get out on the course the main screen displays the par, hole number, and in the top right corner, your score. The middle left button can be pressed to display the hazards as well as the time and the pin position option. Unlike some devices, there isn’t a visual display of the hole, just a list stating the hazard and its distance.
Bushnell has been my go-to rangefinder for many years, and I wholeheartedly trust whatever numbers it displays. My current Bushnell laser is the Tour V4 slope edition, which was great to be able to compare the numbers, especially the slope. Unlike my laser the Phantom doesn’t display an original distance, the numbers are automatically adjusted to include slope. It’s easy to tell if the slope setting is on or off as a small slope symbol is displayed in the top left corner. This setting can be turned off for competitions and it’s quite easy to do that in the settings.
Out on the course, the numbers were basically identical between both my laser and the Phantom. The Phantom was so quick and easy, considering I didn’t even have to touch it when I got to my shot unless I wanted to check a hazard distance or alter the pin position. If you just wanted the front, middle, and back distances, the automatic hole progression means you wouldn’t have to touch it at all.
Unlike most GPS devices the Phantom 2 Slope has great added features. I really liked that you can select a pin position and the numbers would alter according to your selection. You can also record your hole-by-hole scores as well as if you hit or missed the fairway. From this, you can say if you missed it left or right. There is an option to record how many putts you had too and at the end of the round, the Phantom creates a summary of your statistics. These stats can be viewed in the Bushnell App…which is a minefield of information in itself.
Bushnell states that the Phantom 2 Slope has up to 18 hours of battery life, equating to 4 rounds of golf. I charged it after each time I took it out but there was a good amount of charge left after I used it for a round.
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Bushnell Phantom 2 Slope GPS review: The Details
Available: Now
RRP: £169.99
More information: Bushnell Golf
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Nicola Slater
Nicola recently graduated from Stirling University where she studied Sports Studies, she wrote her dissertation on barriers to participation for women in golf.
Nicola plays her golf at Hickleton and she currently plays off +3. Having played for Yorkshire Ladies and has represented England at junior and senior level, she will soon be beginning her professional career on LETAS.
