Bushnell Wingman 2 Speaker Review

You'll find the Bushnell Wingman 2 hits all the right notes as a golf speaker, combining premium audio with precise GPS functionality. At $149.99, this durable device offers crisp sound quality, a strong 14-hour battery life, and access to over 38,000 golf courses through its companion app. The improved BITE magnetic mount keeps it securely attached to your cart, while the IPX6 water resistance lets you play through light rain without worry. With clear voice commands for distances, intuitive controls, and dual-mode operation for both golf and music, this versatile speaker makes an excellent caddie companion. Let's take a closer look at what makes this upgrade worthy of your golf bag.

Upon opening the Wingman 2, you'll notice Bushnell's commitment to premium presentation. The contents are thoughtfully organized, with a mini-USB charging cable, clear instructions, and an efficient remote featuring a single button that'll become your new best friend on the course.

You'll be pleasantly surprised by how quickly you can get this device up and running. The Bluetooth pairing is practically instant, and once you've downloaded the vital Bushnell Golf app, you're ready to enjoy both music and GPS features. The voice commands for distances are crystal clear, though you might experience the occasional Bluetooth hiccup if you wander too far from your device. The innovative first golf-specific speaker has certainly paved the way since its 2020 debut. Its 334.6-foot Bluetooth range ensures reliable connectivity throughout most golf holes.

The sound quality won't blow away audiophiles, but it's more than adequate for your round of golf. While the mids and highs are clear enough for casual listening, it's the speaker's ability to project sound evenly to your group that really shines. With ample volume for outdoor use and surprisingly strong features, you'll find the Wingman 2 quickly becoming an indispensable part of your golf bag, especially during those peaceful twilight rounds.

Anyone seeking a durable golf speaker will appreciate the Wingman 2's sturdy construction. The rugged exterior shell, measuring 2.9" x 2.8" x 7.4", can handle those inevitable bumps and drops you'll encounter on the course, while its IPX6 water resistance rating means you won't need to panic when caught in a light drizzle. The device's generous 54-hole battery life ensures you'll have plenty of power for multiple rounds of golf without needing a recharge.

You'll find the BITE magnetic mount system particularly impressive, as it's been improved with stronger magnets that'll keep your speaker firmly attached to the cart. The enhanced pad materials further boost stability during your round. In fact, you'll probably need both hands to remove it - which is exactly what you want when navigating bumpy cart paths. The thoughtful design includes a USB-C charging port for quick power-ups, and there's even a USB-A port that lets you charge your phone when it's running low during those marathon golf sessions.

The unit's build quality shines through in its practical details, including a magnetic remote control attachment and an easy-to-read battery life indicator. At 24 ounces, it's slightly weightier than some portable speakers, but that extra heft translates to reassuring durability that'll serve you well round after round.

The Wingman 2's sound signature provides a warm, balanced audio experience that you'd expect from a $150 Bluetooth speaker. When you're using it indoors, you'll notice clear separation between treble, midrange, and bass frequencies, though it's not going to shake the room with deep bass notes. The outdoor mode kicks things up a notch, helping your tunes cut through ambient noise on the course. The BITE magnetic mount ensures the speaker stays firmly attached to your cart while delivering audio. With limited battery life, you'll get around 10 hours of playback before needing a recharge.

While you'll get stereo playback that can accurately position instruments and effects, don't expect a true 360-degree soundstage despite what the design might suggest. You'll find the sound changes as you move around the speaker, which isn't ideal but won't matter much during your typical round of golf. There are some quirks in the frequency response, with slightly dull vocals and occasionally piercing high notes, and you can't fine-tune these with an EQ. However, when you're out on the fairway getting your GPS readouts, the speaker performs admirably for its intended purpose, providing clear audio that's perfectly suitable for casual listening while you work on your game.

While sound quality matters for any Bluetooth speaker, GPS functionality is what sets the Wingman 2 apart from standard portable audio devices. You'll get precise distance readings for the front, center, and back of every green, delivered through both the speaker and the handy BITE magnetic remote that you can attach to your cart or belt. With its 14+ hour runtime, you'll have more than enough battery life to complete multiple rounds.

The Wingman 2's GPS capabilities are impressively thorough, giving you access to over 38,000 courses worldwide through the Bushnell Golf App. As you play, you'll appreciate the automatic hole advancement and the ability to get distances for up to six hazards per hole with just a button press. You're not just getting basic yardages - the system provides hole numbers, par information, and customizable audio features that'll make you feel like you're playing on tour, especially with those tailored opening-tee introductions. The included Jones Sports Co. case offers excellent protection for your device during transport and storage.

What's particularly convenient is the seamless integration between devices. You can pair the Wingman 2 with another Wingman 2, View, or Mini for surround sound, and the USB-C charging port doubles as a power bank for your other devices, ensuring you're never left powerless on the course.

Built into the Wingman 2's rugged frame sits a powerful lithium-ion battery capable of providing up to 14 hours of continuous use - enough juice for more than three full rounds of golf. You'll appreciate the convenience of the USB-C charging port, which keeps your device powered up quickly and efficiently, while a handy LED ring indicator glows red during charging and switches to green when fully juiced. For optimal performance, remember to check light indicators regularly to monitor your battery levels.

What's particularly clever about the Wingman 2 is its dual-purpose charging capability. Not only can you charge the speaker itself, but you'll also find a USB-A port that lets you use the device as a power bank for your phone or other gadgets during your round. The upgraded USBC port design represents a significant improvement over the original Wingman's outdated USB mini connection. Whether the speaker's powered on or off, you can keep your devices charged, which is a lifesaver during those longer tournament days.

The battery's durability matches its impressive performance, with an IPX6 water-resistant rating that'll keep your speaker safe through unexpected rain showers or accidental beverage spills. You'll get through 54 holes of golf without breaking a sweat, power-wise.

Thanks to its extensive database of over 36,000 pre-loaded courses worldwide, the Wingman 2 changes into your personal caddie on virtually any golf course you'll encounter. You won't need to fumble with manual course selection, as the device automatically recognizes where you're playing, instantly providing accurate distances to the front, center, and back of each green through its speaker or remote.

The integration goes deeper when you pair the Wingman 2 with the Bushnell Golf app, which opens up a wealth of course information. You'll get detailed hole layouts, stunning 3D flyovers, and vital hazard information right at your fingertips. Whether you're plotting your approach shot or deciding which club to pull, you'll have all the data you need to make confident decisions.

The system's seamless integration into your game truly shines with features like custom audio announcements and the ability to wirelessly connect with other Wingman devices for surround sound. When you're not getting GPS readings, you can enjoy your favorite tunes or even take hands-free calls without missing a beat in your round.

During countless rounds on the course, the Wingman 2's IPX6-rated construction proves its resilience against the elements. You'll appreciate how the woven mesh covering and sturdy plastic construction protect the speaker's internals, while the rubber-sealed ports keep water from sneaking in during those unexpected light showers. The speaker's got enough grit to handle splashes and brief water exposure for up to three minutes, though you'll want to keep it away from heavy downpours.

The BITE magnetic mount system really shines in terms of durability, firmly securing your speaker to the cart without any worries about it taking an unexpected tumble. While it's not exactly built like a tank, you won't need to baby it either - the Wingman 2 can handle the bumps and jostles of regular golf course action. With its impressive 14-hour battery life and power-saving auto-shutoff feature, you're looking at a reliable companion that'll last through multiple rounds. Plus, the added bonus of charging your phone through its USB-A port means you won't be left high and dry when your device needs a lift mid-round.

The Wingman 2's control system balances simplicity with versatility through its dual-mode operation. You'll find the remote control particularly intuitive, with single clicks for play/pause in Music Mode and instant yardage readings in Golf Mode. The speaker's body features vital controls, including volume buttons, power, and the distinctive "B" button that's your gateway to both Bluetooth pairing and yardage information.

Setting up your Wingman 2 is straightforward, though you'll need to follow these key steps:

1. Download and log into the Bushnell Golf app

2. Pair both the speaker and remote through your phone's Bluetooth

3. Select your course from the nearby options when you're ready to play

You'll appreciate how the remote's functionality shifts between modes. In Music Mode, you can browse tracks with multiple clicks, while Golf Mode alters the remote into your personal caddie, indicating front, center, and back yardages at the press of a button. There's even a fun feature that lets you record custom messages through the app, which you can trigger with multiple clicks - perfect for adding some personality to your round.

Price of the Wingman 2 reveals a strategic $149.99 price point that matches its predecessor while providing notable improvements. You'll find improved magnetic attachment and the same rugged build quality, making it a durable companion for your golf outings, rain or shine.

When you're considering your options, you'll notice competitors like the Wingman View and Blue Tees Player+ offer built-in displays, which might make you pause. However, the Wingman 2's clear, balanced sound quality and reliable GPS distance callouts through the Bushnell Golf app make it a worthy contender. You're getting up to 10 hours of battery life, which should cover a couple of rounds, though you'll want to keep it charged for those marathon golf weekends.

For the investment, you're looking at a versatile speaker that pulls double duty - it's just as comfortable on the course or at your backyard barbecue. While it's not breaking new ground in sound customization, with just Indoor and Outdoor presets, the Wingman 2's combination of durability, sound quality, and golf-specific features makes it a solid value proposition for tech-savvy golfers.

While the Bushnell Wingman 2 isn't hitting it out of the park in every category, you're getting a solid piece of golf tech that'll be your faithful caddie companion. At $169.99, you're investing in a versatile speaker that delivers clear audio, reliable GPS features, and strong course integration. Despite some minor control quirks, its durability and multi-function design make it worth your green fees, especially if you're looking to upgrade your on-course experience.