Shot Scope V5 vs Garmin S70 Golf Watch: Buyers Guide Review

  • By Niro Shan

Published: Monday, May 22, 2025

We have been testing Golf Watches as part of our buyers guide series and this article will compare the Shot Scope V5 Golf Watch and the Garmin Approach S70. Both models offer nice features for casual and serious players, but they cater to different preferences, budgets, and expectations from a golf game tech companion.

 

We wanted to see whether these were one of the best golf gps watches out there, so we took it out on the course for several rounds of golf to see what we could find. Golf watches are known to be generally more accurate than golf rangefinders and can be used as a daily watch as well, so they are becoming more popular as they are combining golf features with fitness and lifestyle tracking.

 

In this buyer’s guide review, we will look at the key differences between the Shot Scope V5 and the Garmin S70 Golf Watch. This will help you see which watch is better for your game.

Jump to section quickly:

  • Shot Scope V5 Golf Watch Review

  • Garmin S70 Golf Watch Review

Shot Scope V5 Review

Smart tracking and simple interface

The Shot Scope V5 is a GPS golf watch built for players who want a clean, stat-rich game experience without an extra cost or fees. Shot Scope are a relatively new brand on the scene and may not have the brand presence of Garmin Golf when it comes to golf equipment but they are known for making some of the best golf laser rangefinders on the market. Compact and lightweight at just 50g, the V5 is golf-first in both design and function, perfect for golfers who care more about their swing stats than smartwatch extras.

Key Features and Specifications
  • Courses: 36,000+ golf coures preloaded worldwide
  • Distances: Front/middle/back, hazards, layups, doglegs
  • Extras: Green View with manual pin location, hole overview maps
  • Shot Tracking: 16 club tags included
  • Display: 1.2" MIP non-touch screen, 240x240 px, with 5 color themes
  • Battery Life: 2+ rounds of golf (~10 hours in GPS golf mode)
  • App: Free mobile app with no subscription

Shot Scope’s real strength lies in performance tracking. With automatic shot detection and advanced analytics like missed shots and shot dispersion, golfers can dive into 100+ stats, completely free of charge. The included tracking tags offer club-by-club shot data with zero setup hassle.

How Well Does It Work?

Shot Scope V5 is incredibly intuitive. The non-touchscreen display holds up well under bright sun, and the 4-button interface is simple, even when wet or wearing gloves. The menu button layout is easy to figure once you get used to the different option. In terms of accurate distance readings, we found it performs impressively and quickly adjusts when you move between holes or changes your current location.

 

Where it really shines is in post-round analysis. The app lays out performance trends in a digestible format that actually helps lower handicaps. Unlike the Garmin S70, everything is included out of the box, no extra sensor purchase required.

Pros and Cons of Shot Scope V5

Pros

  • Free advanced stat tracking with club tags
  • Lightweight and golf-focused
  • Accurate GPS distances
  • No subscription fees
  • Durable and weather-ready

Cons

  • No touchscreen or smartwatch tools
  • Lacks smartwatch features like heart rate or sleep score
  • Smaller, lower-res screen
  • Not compatible with Apple Watch features

Garmin S70 Review

Premium Features, Smartwatch Functionality

When we talk about Garmin, there's not many people who will not have heard about the brand. They have been around for decades and are the elite players when it comes to GPS. 

 

The Garmin S70 is no different, we absolutely love the way it feels straight out of the box. You can tell it is a top-tier GPS golf watch made for players who want elite-level data and seamless smartwatch integration. It stands out with a sharp AMOLED touch screen display, full-colour hole maps, and support for blind shots via real-time wind data and slope-adjusted distances.

 

Beyond the course, the S70 delivers robust fitness tools like sleep score, heart rate monitoring, and stress tracking. This is a serious upgrade from a basic range of watches, especially if you're used to an Apple Watch or fitness wearable.

Key Features and Specifications
  • Courses: 43,000+ worldwide
  • Distances: Front/middle/back, hazards, layups, doglegs
  • Extras: Full-color vector maps, PinPointer, PlaysLike Distance, Wind Speed, Virtual Caddie
  • Display: 1.4” AMOLED touchscreen, 454x454 px
  • Shot Tracking: Garmin AutoShot™ (full tracking via CT10 sensors)
  • Battery Life: 20 hrs in GPS mode, 16 days in smartwatch mode
  • Smart Features: Music, Garmin Pay, notifications, sleep, HR, Body Battery™

 

From wind-aware shot suggestions to touchscreen target yardages, the S70 makes each round feel tour-level. While the CT10 sensors are optional, pairing them unlocks full club-by-club tracking. Off the course, it doubles as a lifestyle and fitness smartwatch, tracking everything from VO2 max to sleep quality.

Performance and Daily Use

The S70 feels like a premium wearable. Its high-res screen is fluid and bright, and thanks to the touchscreen, navigating through maps or data feels seamless. The Virtual Caddie learns from your habits to suggest clubs based on elevation, wind, and past performance, a serious edge on the course.

 

When not golfing, the Garmin S70 functions like a high-end smartwatch. Whether you're running, sleeping, or on a flight, it keeps tabs on your health and schedule.

Pros and Cons of Garmin S70

Pros

  • Best-in-class touchscreen visuals
  • Wind data, elevation, and virtual caddie support
  • Long battery life with dual modes
  • All-day fitness tracking and smartwatch features
  • Premium build with ceramic bezel

Cons

  • Expensive, especially with CT10 sensors
  • Club tracking costs extra
  • Slightly bulkier than V5
  • A more complex interface may not suit all golfers

Which One Should You Choose?
  • If you are a beginner or intermediate golfer where 3 or 5 yards of error here and there doesn't make a difference, then we suggest the Shot Scope V5 is the best option as it's much more budget friendly.
  • If you prefer a premium option that is reputable and known for it's durability and GPS, then we recommend going for the Garmin S70.

Final Verdict: The Best Golf GPS Watch for Golfers

We really enjoyed testing these two golf watches which are considered two of the best options on the market right now. Both the Shot Scope V5 and the Garmin Approach S70 are standout devices in their class for many different reasons and we found each one has their own quirks and benefits. Your choice comes down to priorities: the Shot Scope V5 GPS golf watch is ideal for dedicated golfers seeking powerful analytics at a great value. Meanwhile, the Garmin S70 golf watch is a tech-lover’s dream, bringing together serious golf tools with everyday smartwatch functionality. Which ever golf watch you decide to go with, you have one that does exactly what you will need it to.

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Lightweight and clear screen

Accurate GPS yardages

Over 36,000 courses

Comes with free tracking sensors

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