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The Garmin Approach S42 is an established touchscreen golf watch whose value depends on the unit and offer you are considering. Assess it as an S42 with documented capabilities, rather than assuming it has every function of a newer Approach model. For a used purchase, working controls, battery condition and the correct charging equipment deserve as much attention as the original feature list.
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Guide checked: 8 September 2026. This article uses the linked manufacturer documentation. We have not carried out hands-on product testing. Check the exact model and current buying terms before ordering.
| Question | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Touchscreen | Can you navigate the views comfortably? | The everyday interface matters more than a photo |
| Green information | Which reference is the distance using? | Mapped green points differ from a lasered flag |
| Shot recording | Which shots are captured or entered? | A recorded round may need review |
| Older unit | Battery, charging, buttons and strap | Original specifications do not prove present condition |
Table of Contents
Identify the S42 and its documented functions
Garmin provides a combined S40/S42 owner manual covering the touchscreen, green view, hazards and scoring functions. Its shared title is a documentation arrangement; it is not an invitation to substitute whichever model a seller happens to have. Ask for the watch’s own model identification and clear photographs of the actual item.
Keep the comparison at the level of functions you will use. If you want a quick distance reference plus a screen you can interact with directly, demonstrate those tasks first. If you are buying specifically for an advanced map or recommendation feature, find that feature in the exact manual before paying. Similar-looking Approach watches should not be treated as interchangeable.
Make green references part of a landing plan
Use the green view to understand the target area, then relate the displayed references to the shot in front of you. A number to the middle does not necessarily describe the flag, and the safest part of the green may be elsewhere. Decide what distance you need to carry and what miss you want to avoid before narrowing the choice to one club.
When comparing a watch number with a laser reading, first establish whether both describe the same point. A difference between a mapped reference and the actual flag does not by itself diagnose an inaccurate device. Keep the source of each distance clear, especially on a large green or where you cannot confidently identify the daily pin position.
Set realistic expectations for AutoShot
The S42 documentation includes Garmin AutoShot and a procedure for adding a shot manually. Read those sections before assuming an automatic feature creates a complete, error-free record. The useful question is what the watch detects in your routine and what information you still need to enter or correct.
Review a recorded round before using it to make an equipment decision. Confirm that the sequence reflects what happened, including the clubs and unusual shots where relevant. Distances between recorded positions should not be confused with independently measured carry distances. A tidy dashboard is helpful only when the underlying record supports the conclusion you want to draw.
Inspect a used watch beyond its appearance
Ask to see the touchscreen and button operate, the unit charge and the expected golf view open. Check the strap and attachment points, and confirm the supplied cable belongs to that model. A watch that powers on briefly has not yet demonstrated that it will last through the type of round you intend to play.
Garmin’s S40/S42 specification page states up to 15 hours in GPS mode and up to 10 days in watch mode. These are manufacturer limits for those modes, not a test result for a second-hand watch. Ask the seller about actual recent use and compare the return arrangements if the battery condition remains uncertain.
Compare the complete cost with alternatives
Add any missing charging equipment or strap to the purchase total. Compare that complete amount with another watch meeting the same requirements, including condition and support. An older model can be sensible value when it works well and supplies the functions you need, but age alone neither makes it a bargain nor makes it unsuitable.
Our golf GPS watch guide helps narrow the alternatives by interface and use. Choose the S42 when you are satisfied with the actual device, its documented features and the seller’s offer. If the demonstration leaves an important function or battery question unresolved, settle that question before ordering.