Canmore HG500: 2.4 inch colour, big buttons

Display and course data

The 2.4 inch colour screen is described as high resolution with clear icons and readable in bright sunlight. It shows the exact shape of the green and the fairway in colour, which helps with pin positions on long or two tier greens.

More than 41,000 courses are preloaded worldwide with no subscription fees. The listing says you contact Canmore directly to add new courses or report fixes.

Everyday functions

Auto hole advance moves to the next hole as you walk, and the unit gives front, middle and back distances, hazard distances, shot distance, a scorecard and a clock. The buttons are described as spacious, which is the main reason to choose this over a touchscreen.

Build and mounting

The back and sides have a rubberised coating for grip and shock absorption. A strong magnet is included for clipping to a belt or pocket or sticking to a buggy upright, and the box lists a charging cable, a clip and the magnet.

The listing does not give battery life, so check that with the seller if you play 36 holes in a day. Oddly, one bullet calls it the HG200 Plus, so confirm the model on delivery.

Who it does not suit

Golfers who want hole flyovers, green contours or shot tracking will find the HG500 plain. There is no touchscreen, and the listing lists a resistive screen type and push button control. It also does not mention Bluetooth or app syncing, so scores stay on the device. For many club golfers that simplicity is the appeal, but tech lovers should look at the larger touchscreen handhelds.

Compared with Garmin

The Garmin Approach G20 Solar is the other button device here, with a smaller 2.2 inch screen but solar charging and up to 36 rounds per charge. The HG500 gives you a bigger colour screen with green shapes; the Garmin gives you a stated battery figure.