We are reader supported. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.

Bushnell Phantom vs Phantom 2 (2022): What’s New?

The Bushnell Phantom has been one of the most reliable golf GPS devices in the market. It’s a no nonsense gadget that gives you accurate distance measurements to speed up your round and enhance your golf game. Replacing it is the newer Bushnell Phantom 2, which has a new look and some new added features. In this post, we’ll compare the two to find out what the Bushnell Phantom 2 adds to the table.

Bushnell Phantom vs Phantom 2 Comparison Chart

ModelBushnell Phantom Bushnell Phantom 2
 Amazon productAmazon product
PriceAmazon productAmazon product
Dimensions2.3 x 2.3 x 0.8 inches3 x 2.3 x 0.7 inches
Display1.38 x 1.38 inches1.46 x 1.46 inches
MountClip
Magnetic
Clip
Magnetic
WaterproofIPX4IPX7
Pre-loaded Courses36,00038,000
FeaturesDistance to front, center and back of green
Distance to up to 4 hazards per hole
Auto-course recognition
Auto-hole advance
Shot distance measurement
Dynamic Green Mapping
GreenView with moveable pins
Distance to up to 6 hazards per hole
Auto-course recognition
Auto-hole advance
Shot distance measurement
AppBushnell Golf App (via Bluetooth)Bushnell Golf App (via Bluetooth)
Battery Life10 hours
Micro USB
18 hours
USB-C
Color OptionsBlack, Blue, Green, Blue/RedGray Camo, Black, Blue, Orange

Design

The Bushnell Phantom 2 has a bigger screen than the Phantom.

bushnell phantom vs phantom 2 design
Both the Bushnell Phantom (left) and Phantom 2 (right) have four color options.

The Bushnell Phantom and Phantom 2 are highly portable golf GPS devices due to their compact and lightweight build. Measuring 2.3 x 2.3 x 0.8 inches, the Bushnell Phantom is the smaller unit. In contrast, the Bushnell Phantom 2 measures 3 x 2.3 x 0.7 inches, so it is taller, but slimmer. Both units come with a strong built-in magnet at the back that allows you to mount them to any metallic surface. They also come with a mounting clip accessory to attach them to your belt or your bag, for easy carrying.

One of the improvements with the newer Bushnell Phantom 2 is with its screen size. The older Bushnell Phantom has a screen size of 1.38 x 1.38 inches, while the Phantom 2 sports a 1.46 x 1.46 inch screen. The difference in size allows the Phantom 2 to have a larger font, which is easier to see under sunlight.

One other improvement with the Phantom 2 is its IPX7 waterproofing. The older Bushnell Phantom has an IPX4 rating, in comparison. With an IPX7 rating, the Phantom 2 is completely waterproof, while the IPX4 Phantom is only water-resistant.

As for color options, both devices give you four options. The Bushnell Phantom is available in black, blue, green and red/blue, while the Bushnell Phantom 2 comes in black, blue, orange and gray camo.

Features

The Bushnell Phantom 2 comes with a couple more features than the Phantom.

bushnell phantom vs phantom 2 features
The Bushnell Phantom (left) gives you four hazard distances per hole while the new Bushnell Phantom 2 (right) gives you six.

There are a couple of new features that are available only with the Bushnell Phantom 2. The first one is its Dynamic Green Mapping, which gives you the distance to back and front based on your line of play or which direction you are facing. Another new feature is its GreenView with moveable pin placement. With this feature, you can cycle through set pin locations to get a more accurate distance to the hole.

The Bushnell Phantom 2 also gives you more hazard distances per hole. With the Bushnell Phantom, you only get up to four hazard distances, while the Bushnell Phantom gives you six, which can be handy. Both devices come with auto course recognition, auto hole advance and precise shot distance calculators.

The two GPS devices are Bluetooth enabled, allowing you to pair them to your smartphone to access the free Bushnell Golf app. With the app, you can access more features such as yardage information, as well as view your stats and course updates.

Check out our Izzo Swami 6000 vs Bushnell Phantom comparison here

Performance

The Bushnell Phantom and Phantom 2 are both accurate, but the latter is more user-friendly.

bushnell phantom vs phantom 2 performance
Back and side view of the Bushnell Phantom (left) and Phantom 2 (right).

Both devices are accurate and will give you precise measurements. However, the Bushnell Phantom 2 is much easier to use due to its Dynamic Green Mapping, as well as its GreenView with moveable pins.

Their buttons are responsive and you shouldn’t encounter any issues with them. One other thing that makes the Bushnell Phantom 2 a more user-friendly device is its larger screen. Having a larger screen means that the font is bigger, so it’s easier to see even at a distance. The screen on the Bushnell Phantom is good enough, but the Phantom 2’s is even better.

As for battery life, the Bushnell Phantom can last for 10 hours on a full charge. It takes around 4 hours to charge it from an empty state. Meanwhile, the Bushnell Phantom 2 has a battery life of up to 18 hours, which is excellent. It also takes less time to charge it. You only need less than 3 hours to charge it from an empty state.

Verdict

There’s no reason to get the Bushnell Phantom over the Bushnell Phantom 2, as the latter is better in every way.

Amazon product

To sum things up, the Bushnell Phantom 2 is better than the Phantom across the board. The former has a larger display with bigger font, along with more dynamic features for ease of use. Plus, it has a longer battery life and it also improves on some of the features that were first introduced with the latter. They are also priced the same. It’s a no-brainer that you should get the Bushnell Phantom 2 over the Phantom.

FAQs

๐Ÿ“Œ What’s the difference between the Bushnell Phantom and Phantom 2?

There are many differences between the two. The Bushnell Phantom 2 has a bigger screen than the Phantom. It also has a longer battery life. Furthermore, the Phantom 2 also has more features than the older Phantom.

๐Ÿ“Œ Is the Bushnell Phantom tournament legal?

Yes, you can use the Bushnell Phantom during tournaments.

๐Ÿ“Œ Is the Bushnell Phantom waterproof?

It has an IPX4 rating so it is water-resistant but not completely waterproof.

๐Ÿ“Œ How do you turn off the Bushnell Phantom 2?

You can turn off the unit by pressing and holding the orange power button on its right side.

RELATED  CrazyCap vs LARQ (2022): Which Self-Cleaning Water Bottle Is Better?
Carlo Salvador

Senior Editor at Compare Before Buying. Writer and researcher passionate about fitness, gaming and music.