IZZO Golf Inc. was founded in 1990 and now specializes in creative and innovative golfing products.
If you’ve already had a chance to use some of their products, you know how important they are to your golfing success.
IZZO brought to us the Swami line which consists of a variety of golf GPS devices.
In this line, we saw models such as the IZZO Swami 3000 and 4000.
Now IZZO brings to us the new and improved Izzo Swami 5000.
The IZZO Swami 5000 is an advanced technological device that uses cutting-edge technology to greatly improve scores on the green.
If you would like to learn more about this state-of-the-art GPS device, then continue reading this Swami 5000 review.
Rangefinder
Features
Price
- Preloaded Courses: 30,000+
- Battery Life: 12 hours
- Weight: 2.7 oz
Izzo Swami 5000 Golf GPS Review
- Preloaded Courses: 30,000+
- Battery Life: 12 hours
- Weight: 2.7 oz
Despite being a technologically advanced GPS unit, the IZZO Swami 5000 is fairly simple to operate and guarantees your success on the course.
From the simplified navigational buttons to the large color LCD, the Swami 5000 is a faster and more accurate unit than its predecessors.
This compact and user-friendly unit gives you everything you need from distances to the front, center, & back of the green and distances to the front and back of hazards
Best Features on the Swami 5000
If you are looking to improve the consistency of your strokes and create more effective strategies, then the Swami 5000 is the device for you.
The technology integrated into this unit that fits into the palm of your hand monitors clubhead speed, ball speed, stroke energy, swing rate, and estimated distance.
Let us take a look at some of the best features of this IZZO Swami 5000 GPS unit.
Automatic course recognition
Upon turning on your unit, select the Play option from the Start menu and watch in awe as this Swami GPS device automatically recognizes the golf course.
The unit comes preloaded with over 30,000+ courses so take the Swami 5000 with you everywhere you go.
Toggle through the detected courses to select the correct one and start getting accurate measurements in mere seconds.
The preloaded course library on this device receives about 2 to 3 updates per year at no cost to you.
Play mode
Play mode displays the distance to the landing area or the Front, Center, and Back edge of the green for the current hole.
Auto-advance hole feature
This feature allows the unit to automatically switch to give you accurate measurements to the next hole without you having to use any buttons on the unit.
This feature can save a ton of time and gives you more time to enjoy the sport.
Note that it can only move to another hole if the Scorecard feature is turned off.
When the scorecard feature is turned on, you will need to enter your score before the device advances to the next hole.
ScoreCard Feature
You will also enjoy the New ScoreCard feature that keeps track of your strokes and your score as you go from hole to hole.
These features can also store the last 10 rounds of play so you can go back and see how much you’ve improved or if you need to keep practicing.
Using the free app, store, and view multiple rounds on the unit itself with the readings displayed at the bottom of the screen.
PinPointer Feature
The PinPoint feature displays adjusted distances to the target.
This particular feature adjusts for strokes up and down through distance and shows the location of the green in blind shots
Shot Distance Mode
With the New Shot Distance feature, you can measure how far your shots go and accurately determine who in your group has the longest drive.
Hazard Distances
The Hazard Distances feature gives you accurate measurements of the fairway, obstacles, and all other hazards.
You get the most accurate distance to the location of whatever it is you want to measure at just the touch of a button.
Display
The Swami golf GPS 5000 is readable in direct sunlight which is something that can be a problem with other models of GPS devices.
The two-inch display screen comes with large easy to read numbers and simple icons for easy understanding and readability.
Design
The Swami 5000 is much slimmer than its predecessors and is a sleek looking unit that fits into the palm of your hands.
It comes in black and yellow color which very much reflects the look of a Camaro that has the bumblebee stripes.
This IZZO Swami unit can be used anywhere at any time due to its small and compact size.
The device weighs only 2. 72 ounces with dimensions of 3.7″ (L) x 2″ (W) x 0.8″ (D).
It can fit comfortably in your pocket without weighing it down or you can strap it to your wrist or use it with the included belt clip and get going.
The unit is waterproof and has a rating of IPX6 on the IP scale.
This means that this IZZO Swami unit can withstand high pressure or heavy sprays of water.
So feel free to use this GPS unit when it is raining and not worry about causing any damage.
Battery
The IZZO Swami 5000 comes with a rechargeable lithium battery and can last up to 12 hours on a single charge.
12 hours is long enough for approximately 2.5 rounds of golf but it will all depend on how many times you use the GPS unit.
The battery of this unit can be charged with the easy-charge magnetic charger.
However, charging the device can take up to 7 hours when the unit is drained.
You can charge the device between uses so that it does not drain fully which will lessen charging time
To save power, the IZZO Swami Golf GPS 5000 comes with an auto-shutoff function.
The auto-shutoff function will turn the turn off after a certain period of inactivity.
You will need to manually enter the amount of time that the device should shut off if no activity is recorded.
Warranty
If for any reason your IZZO Swami GPS 5000 isn’t performing well, the company offers a 1-year limited warranty from the date of purchase.
This warranty states that IZZO will repair or replace the item if the issue is due to the manufacturer’s defect
Pros: Swami GPS 5000
Cutting edge technology
With features such as PinPointer, auto hole advance, and hazard distances, the Swami 5000 is your best bet for accurate distance measurements.
Large and simple display
The Swami GPS 5000 comes with a 2” inch LED display which is larger than the previous models.
It features large numbers and simple icons that make it easy to read and understand what is being displayed.
Lightweight and compact
Slimmer than those before it, the IZZO Swami 5000 is lightweight and compact enough to fit into your pocket or strapped to your wrist or on the included belt clip.
Cons: Swami GPS 5000
Long charging time
The Swami GPS 5000 takes 7 hours to get to a full charge.
This is significantly longer than other models in the same class that take about 3 hours to charge fully.
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IZZO SWAMI 3000 vs 4000 vs 5000
Izzo Swami 3000 Enhanced Golf GPS
- Preloaded Courses: 19,000+
- Battery Life: 12 hours
- Weight: 3 oz
The IZZO Swami 3000 is your basic entry-level GPS unit.
It can only provide distances to the front, center, and back of the green.
The device weighs 3 ounces which makes it lightweight enough to fit comfortably in your hand or pocket.
Using the Swami 3000 is easy, thanks to the large display screen, simple buttons, and menus.
The GPS unit is powered by a rechargeable lithium battery that can last up to 12 to 15 hours.
- Preloaded Courses: 28,000+
- Battery Life: 12 hours
- Weight: 3.17 oz
The IZZO Swami 4000 is a step up from the basic IZZO Swami 3000.
You cannot call it a feature-rich device but it does come with a few extra features than the Swami 3000.
The Swami 4000 similar to the 3000 provides accurate distances to the front, center, and back of the green.
The few improvements from the previous model is a 1.8” display screen, auto-advance hole feature, and a shot distance measurement feature.
Like the Swami 3000, the Swami 4000 uses a lithium battery that can last for 12 hours on a single charge.
This affordable unit though loaded with a few features still lacks in certain aspects that the IZZO Swami 5000 took care of.
Features Comparison
So to put them up against each other, the Swami 3000 is your pretty basic GPS device while the Swami 4000 has a few features but not as much as the Swami 5000.
The Swami 3000 only gives you distances to the front, center, and back of the green while the Swami 4000 comes with an auto-advance hole feature and shot distance measurement.
The IZZO Swami 5000, on the other hand, comes with everything included in the Swami 3000 and 4000 but also comes with a PinPointer, Scorecard, and Hazards Distances feature.
Pre-loaded courses
The IZZO Swami 3000 with 19,000+ courses, a rather small amount compared to the 28,000+ of the Swami 4000 and the 30,000+ of the Swami 5000.
The Swami 5000 also receives 2 to 3 updates per year for free.
These updates include more courses or update information on existing courses and also give you the option of uploading your course.
Display
The IZZO Golf GPS 5000 also beats the IZZO Swami 3000 and 4000 model by integrating a larger display screen with large numbers and simple icons.
The larger screen allows the golfer to read their information faster and easier even in direct sunlight.
Design
What is more, is that the Swami 5000 is slimmer and lighter than the 3000 and 4000.
The Swami 5000 weighs just 2.75 oz while the 3000 weighs 3 oz and the Swami 4000 weighs in at 3.17 oz.
This makes the Swami GPS 5000 easier to carry around in your pocket or strapped to your wrist.
Battery life
While all three models are marketed as being able to last for up to 12 hours, the Swami 3000 and Swami 4000 seemed to only last up to 8 hours according to some users.
The IZZO Swami 5000 lasted the full 12 hours but charging the unit was an issue for many users since it takes 7 hours to reach a full charge.
In the end, putting these 3 IZZO Swami golf GPS units against each other clearly shows that the IZZO Swami 5000 as the winner.
Swami Golf GPS 5000 FAQ’s
1. What is a golf GPS device?
A golf GPS device uses satellites to pinpoint your exact location.
This GPS device provides golfers with valuable information including distance to the front, back, and center of the green.
Some models can even give you distances to hazards so you can have the most accurate shot.
2. How accurate is the Swami Golf GPS 5000?
This unit is accurate to the exact yardage or within one yard to the target when compared with other GPS devices on the market.
3. Is the Swami 5000 tournament legal?
The Swami GPS 5000 meets all of the USGA regulations that are needed for tournament play.
In other words, yes, this device is indeed tournament legal.
4. Is there any subscription or update fees for the IZZO Swami 5000?
There is absolutely no subscription fee or update fee for the Swami 5000.
You get 2 to 3 updates per year absolutely free.
5. Does the IZZO Swami 5000 come with a storage case?
This unit does not come with storage or carrying cases but it does come with a belt clip.
The belt clip swivels which allow you to use the GPS unit in any direction without loosening the screw connection.
6. How does the magnetic charging cable work?
The magnetic charging cable includes magnetic pins that connect with the magnetic pins in the charging port at the back of the device.
At the end of the magnetic cable is a USB connection which allows you to plug into a USB connection or A/C adapter.
No adapter is included in the purchase and must be purchased separately if you need one.
Final verdict: IZZO Swami 5000
All in all, the IZZO Swami 5000 is an affordable and accurate GPS device that comes loaded with some pretty advanced features.
It gives you distances to the front, back, and center to the green as well as distances to hazards and stores your scores for at least 10 rounds of play.
It is small and lightweight enough to carry with you and can be used on many courses in the world since it comes with 30,000+ courses preloaded.
You get free updates a few times per year and there is absolutely no subscription fee.
The device comes with a one-year limited warranty that covers the manufacturer’s defect for peace of mind when purchasing.
When selecting a GPS device, you want one that is simple to operate and displays information in such a way that it is easy to read and the Swami 5000 provides that.
The battery life is great and lasts up to 12 hours which then needs to be recharged with the magnetic charging cable.
The only downside to this unit is the charging time which is 7 hours which is why it is recommended to charge the unit up between uses.
If you can look past the recharging time, then this is possibly the GPS device for you.
To go hand in hand with your GPS device, here is a list of rangefinders in this best golf rangefinder or the best rangefinders under 200 posts.
Rangefinder
Features
Price
- Preloaded Courses: 30,000+
- Battery Life: 12 hours
- Weight: 2.7 oz
I think the magnetic charging cable was a bad idea. If it moves it looses connection . The magnet is not strong enough. I hate it. My friend can’t keep it charging .
Yeah, the price of progress is sometimes they ship products before the technology is really figured out. Sorry your friend is having such trouble!