Bushnell Wingman 2 GPS Speaker

The Wingman 2 is Bushnell’s audio-only GPS speaker: press the remote and it reads out front, center and back distances while it plays your music.

Why it made the list

Bushnell calls the original Wingman the first of its kind, and the Wingman 2 keeps the same simple idea. There is no screen. Pair it with the free Bushnell Golf app, press the remote or the Bushnell button on the speaker, and you hear the distance to the front, center and back of the green. Music keeps playing the rest of the time.

The second version fixed several things golfers wanted. It has stronger magnets and new pad material on the BITE mount, a BITE magnetic remote, a USB-C charging port and an external battery indicator.

What it does well

• Yardages come from the remote or the speaker itself, at more than 38,000 courses.
• The BITE mount snaps right onto the cart bar.
• A USB-A port lets you charge your phone from the speaker.
• A built-in microphone handles quick calls.
• First tee introductions and custom sound bites add some fun to a scramble.

The battery indicator sounds minor, but it tells you at a glance whether you need to charge before the next round.

Who it’s for

This fits cart golfers who like hearing a number and do not need to see the hole. It is also a good choice if you want Bushnell’s magnet and app but would rather not pay for a touchscreen.

Who should skip it

If you want hazard maps or hole layouts, you need a screen model. Walkers will find it heavy at 24 ounces. The GPS runs through your phone, so if your phone dies, so do the yardages. If you already carry a rangefinder, a music-only speaker costs less.

Key specs, explained

Bushnell rates the battery for up to 14 hours, which it says covers about three rounds. Your number will vary with volume. IPX6 means it can take strong water spray, so rain is fine, but do not submerge it. The speaker measures 7.4 by 2.9 by 2.8 inches. The remote runs on a CR2032 coin battery.

How it compares

The Bushnell Wingman View GPS Speaker adds an LCD screen that shows distances and up to six hazards per hole, at a higher price. The Bushnell Wingman Mini GPS Speaker is much smaller and clips to a bag, with a shorter battery. The Wingman 2 has the longest battery rating of the three and is the pick for cart riders who are happy with spoken numbers.

Good to know

TWS pairing links the Wingman 2 with another Wingman 2, a Wingman View or a Wingman Mini for stereo sound. The box includes the speaker, the remote, a USB-C cable and a quick start guide. Bushnell offers a one-year limited warranty.

Questions about the Wingman 2

Does the Wingman 2 need a subscription?

No, Bushnell says the Wingman 2 does not require a subscription. The audible distances come through the free Bushnell Golf app.

Does the Wingman 2 work without my phone?

No, the speaker pairs with the Bushnell Golf app on your phone for GPS distances. Without the app, it works as a regular Bluetooth speaker.

How does the Wingman 2 attach to a cart?

It uses Bushnell’s BITE magnet, which snaps onto a steel cart bar. The remote has its own BITE magnet too.