50 Words or Less
The Bushnell Phantom 3 Slope GPS is accurate and easy to use. Touchscreen and slope compensation offer a big upgrade from the previous model. Stat tracking and strong magnet add to the value and desirability.
Introduction
When you think of distance measurement devices in golf, Bushnell is certainly a household name. And while laser rangefinders like the Pro X3+ [full review HERE] may be top of mind, Bushnell’s GPS units are popular alternatives. My personal favorite has been the Phantom 2, which I use nearly every time I play. Learning Bushnell added slope and a touchscreen display to the new Phantom 3, I couldn’t wait to give it a try.
Setup & Ease of Use
In the box I found the Bushnell Phantom 3 Slope GPS, long USB-C cable, belt clip, carabiner, and Quick Start Guide. The Phantom 3 came partially charged, and I was able to turn it on via the single side button and jump right into discovering all the features. One huge difference from the previous model is the touchscreen, which makes navigation much simpler. Other than responding to screen prompts, the only function I had to remember was to use the side button to go ‘back.’
At the course, hitting the main Play Golf icon engaged the GPS satellite search which took a minute or two to find the nearest course. After selecting the course, the Bushnell Phantom 3 displayed the distance to the middle of the first green, along with front and back distances underneath. Those distances are slope adjusted unless you turn that feature off. If all you are interested in are distances, there’s no need to touch the unit again – it will automatically advance holes. But the Phantom 3 has a ton of additional features worth exploring.
To start with, you can adjust the pin position, view distances to hazards, and set the home screen button function (including shot distance calculator). And as you play, you can keep score, track putts, note hit fairway or miss direction, and note green hit or miss location. Plus in the background the Bushnell Phantom 3 has a running round timer and odometer.
Accuracy & Performance
The main thing most of us want in a GPS device is accurate distances, and the Bushnell Phantom 3 performed very well. Checking yardages against my Garmin S70 Smartwatch [full review HERE] I occasionally found a yard or two difference, but the majority of the time they were in agreement. Same went for sprinkler head comparisons as captured above. I had the similar results checking yardages with my laser rangefinder in conjunction with the pin sheet. Front or back were off a yard on a couple holes – but that could also have been reflective of the pin sheet accuracy.
There are three main reasons I use and like the Phantom device. First, it’s great for arriving at the ball – mine or my playing partner’s – and knowing the middle distance. It just keeps the process flowing. That’s not to say I don’t often pull out my laser rangefinder to obtain some additional yardages, but I already have a good idea of what club to pull. Second, and this is a biggie on one course I frequent, two holes have mounds that block line of sight. I may still scramble to determine my target line, but with the Bushnell Phantom 3 Slope GPS I have the yardages that would be cumbersome to derive with a laser rangefinder. And finally, I love the strong BITE magnet for mounting on the cart frame. I find my cart mates often looking at my Phantom or asking about distances – again, keeping the playing process flowing.
The belt clip functioned great, it’s just not something I’d use. If I’m carrying, I don’t want something on my waist – and that’s where the carabiner is a perfect option. For me the Phantom 3 is ideal for cart use. Plus the compact size is excellent for grabbing off the cart and sliding into my pocket when it’s cart path only.
Value
The Bushnell Phantom 3 Slope GPS retails for $150 – a $20 bump from the Phantom 2. With the added touchscreen, slope, and stat tracking features, that’s a reasonable increase and still makes the Phantom 3 a good value.
You can get the same features in the base Bushnell ION watch, if you’re ok with sacrificing screen size for wearability. And if a watch is a consideration, the Bushnell ION Elite [full review HERE] for $50 more is going to be enticing. For a comparably priced GPS device the Shot Scope H4 [full review HERE] adds true shot tracking.
Conclusion
The Bushnell Phantom 3 Slope GPS is a brilliant alternative to a GPS golf watch or laser rangefinder for its size, design, and price point. The accuracy and ease of use make it a great device for golfers looking to make smart decisions on the course. The additional stat tracking features are a nice addition – especially when synced with the Bushnell Golf app.
Buy the Bushnell Phantom 3 Slope GPS HERE
Senior Writer at Plugged In Golf
Matt – aka ‘Meeks’ – lives in the beautiful Lowcountry of South Carolina with his wife who allows his golf obsession to stretch the limits of normalcy.