To make this comparison concrete, this page compares Garmin's premium Approach S70 with NAVO W1 and the broader category of dedicated golf GPS watches. Garmin is strong if you want one premium wearable for golf, fitness, and daily smartwatch use. A golf-first watch is often better if you want faster distances, fewer distractions, and less friction during the round.
The goal is not to crown a universal winner. It is to show which device fits your actual playing style, budget, and tolerance for complexity.
This is the fastest way to understand the buying difference. Garmin data here was reviewed against Garmin's official product page, battery manual, and Garmin Golf app documentation on March 31, 2026.
Sources: Garmin Approach S70 product page, Garmin battery information, and Garmin Golf app membership notes.
| Category | Garmin Approach S70 (47 mm) | NAVO W1 / dedicated golf GPS watch |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $599.99 | $119.99 |
| Preloaded courses | 43,000+ courses | 42,000+ courses |
| Battery | Up to 16 days in smartwatch mode or up to 20 hours in all-satellite mode | More than 2 full rounds of golf, with up to 12 days of standby |
| Golf features | Front / middle / back, CourseView maps, PlaysLike Distance, and club suggestions based on performance and wind | Front / middle / back, hazards, green view, shot distance, and scoring |
| Smartwatch and fitness depth | Strong. Built for golf plus fitness tracking and everyday smartwatch use | Minimal by design. Built primarily for golf use |
| Subscription ecosystem | Core watch use does not require a subscription, but some Garmin Golf app features such as green contour data are membership-linked | No subscription required for maps, distances, or course updates |
| Best fit | Golfers who want one premium wearable for golf and everything else | Golfers who want lower cost, lower friction, and faster on-course decisions |
Garmin models such as the Approach S70 are built for golfers who want a full smartwatch experience on top of serious golf features.
Garmin is strongest when you want one device to cover golf, workouts, and everyday watch tasks. That breadth is the main reason golfers keep coming back to the Approach lineup.
For a broader look at Garmin's lineup, see Breaking Eighty's Garmin golf watch roundup.
The same depth that makes Garmin powerful can also make it feel less direct during live play, especially if you mainly want a quick distance and the fewest possible steps.
A dedicated golf GPS watch focuses on one thing: helping you play faster and make better on-course decisions.
Instead of trying to be your running watch, swim watch, message center, and golf device at the same time, it keeps the experience centered on the few functions golfers actually use during a round.
This is the real buying decision. Garmin gives you breadth. A dedicated golf GPS watch gives you focus.
| Feature | Garmin watches | Dedicated golf GPS watch |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy | All-in-one smartwatch with golf built in | Golf-first device built for the round itself |
| Feature depth | Very extensive, especially for multi-sport and stats | Focused on the yardages and views golfers use most |
| Ease of use | Moderate. Powerful, but with more interface to learn | Very easy. Designed for fast reads and low friction |
| Speed on course | Good, especially once you know the interface | Very fast, because the essentials are always front and center |
| Distractions | Possible, especially if you use broader smartwatch features | Minimal. Built to keep attention on the shot |
| Best fit | Golfers who want one premium wearable for many activities | Golfers who care most about simplicity and quick decisions |
The better watch is the one that matches how you actually use it, not the one with the longer spec sheet.
Start with how you play, not with which brand is louder.
If you want versatility across sports, Garmin is a strong choice. If you want a simple golf-first experience, a dedicated golf GPS watch is usually the better fit.
The key question is whether you want a smartwatch that also plays golf, or a golf watch that helps you play with less friction.
If you want the broader category breakdown first, see our golf GPS watch guide. If you want the wider multi-brand roundup, see our best golf GPS watch guide. If you already know you are comparing Garmin with a simpler golf-first device, this page is the more specific buying guide.
Choose based on the job you need the watch to do most often.
NAVO is built around a simple idea: golf should feel simple on your wrist.
Instead of layering on more modes and more system depth, NAVO focuses on the core actions that matter during a round: quick distances, fast interaction, clear visibility, and minimal distraction.
Learn more on the NAVO product page, or see why many golfers prefer a no-subscription golf watch.
Ongoing costs are easy to ignore when you are comparing devices, but they matter over time.
A watch that includes maps and updates in the purchase price is simpler to own, easier to recommend, and less likely to surprise you later with locked features or added fees.
That is why golfers specifically looking for a golf GPS watch without a subscription often prefer dedicated devices built around straightforward value.
Modern golf GPS watches are highly accurate for normal play. Most provide distances within a few yards of the actual number, which is more than enough for the majority of golfers.
In practice, the biggest difference between watches is often not raw accuracy but how quickly and clearly the number is presented when you need it.
For most golfers, usability matters more than tiny spec differences.
Final verdict: Garmin is the better fit if you want a premium multi-sport smartwatch with strong golf features. NAVO is the better fit if you want a dedicated golf GPS watch built for simplicity, speed, and focus. Ask yourself one question before you choose: do you want a smartwatch that plays golf, or a golf watch that helps you play better?
No. Many golf GPS watches do not require a subscription for core distance features.
NAVO includes free course updates with no subscription.
Some competing ecosystems reserve certain advanced features for app-linked or premium plans, so it is worth checking the details before you buy.
Yes. Garmin watches such as the Approach S70 are powerful, polished, and feature-rich.
They are especially strong if you want golf plus fitness tracking and broader smartwatch features in one device.
For some golfers, that same depth can feel more complex than necessary during the round.
Most golf GPS watches are accurate within a few yards, which is enough for the vast majority of golfers.
In real play, mapping quality, signal stability, and usability usually matter more than tiny spec differences between devices.
Yes. Most golf GPS watches, including NAVO, work independently once the course is loaded on the watch.
That is one of the main reasons golfers prefer a watch over checking a phone during the round.
Speed and ease of use.
A simple golf GPS watch lets you get the distance immediately, make the club decision faster, and move on without extra interface friction.
NAVO is built for clear distances, fast decisions, and no subscription.