Comments on: SkyCaddie Review http://thesandtrap.com/equipment/accessories/skycaddie_review Golf News, Reviews, and Commentary Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:22:25 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: TCummings http://thesandtrap.com/equipment/accessories/skycaddie_review#comment-17848 TCummings Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:58:20 +0000 http://thesandtrap.com/uncategorized/skycaddie_review/#comment-17848 "I'm shooting at least 8 strokes lower since buying the SG3 and enjoying the game more." 8 strokes? What did you do for yardages before you got a gps. Just pull the first club you saw in the bag? "I'm shooting at least 8 strokes lower since buying the SG3 and enjoying the game more."

8 strokes? What did you do for yardages before you got a gps. Just pull the first club you saw in the bag?

]]> By: Jon Poklop http://thesandtrap.com/equipment/accessories/skycaddie_review#comment-17842 Jon Poklop Mon, 10 Aug 2009 15:47:38 +0000 http://thesandtrap.com/uncategorized/skycaddie_review/#comment-17842 [quote comment="6562"][quote comment="6561"]If you're a single-digit handicapper, the front/middle/back isn't always enough, and again, you can't get yardage to random objects (like the lip of a bunker or some tree at the corner of a dogleg or whatever) with the SkyCaddie.[/quote] Actually with my SG3 I can pick any point on the green where my eyes perceive the pin to be and get the exact (as exact as a GPS can be) distance. If you need to aim at a part of the green away from the pin, this is very useful. My SkyCaddie also rotates the display so the green distances are based on the view I have from my ball. I can also set that point to any position on the hole to get a reading. If the course is one mapped by SkyCaddie I get yardages to all the fairway hazards and carry amounts to clear the hazard. It also give "safe" landing distances and the distance to run through the fairway. My home course also has trees marked when they are in play. My SkyCaddie can calculate the distance of each shot so I can track each club for future reference. I figure if it claims I hit my x-iron a certain distance, the GPS error will be the same as the error measuring the hole so I know when the SkyCaddie claims I need 175 yards to the center, I know that is a 5 iron. I also have the upgraded software so I have a virtual scorecard. This isn't a big deal, but I like it. Full disclosure, I have not used a laser rangefinder in many years. The last time I used one was in the days when the flagstick had to have a reflective basket to hit with the beam. While this was great for its time, it was a pain. I love my SkyCaddie. When I don't have a clear view to the green, elevated or blocked by trees for example, I can still get a yardage and decide if I have the shot in my bag to get the ball home or if I need to play safe. I'm shooting at least 8 strokes lower since buying the SG3 and enjoying the game more. I live on the border of my state so I have to buy the nationwide subscription because I play regularly in two states. This does suck and hopefully competition from other GPS systems will force SkyCaddie to lower the cost, but I knew the cost going into my purchase and I'm happy with my decision.

MG said on July 18, 2007:

If you're a single-digit handicapper, the front/middle/back isn't always enough, and again, you can't get yardage to random objects (like the lip of a bunker or some tree at the corner of a dogleg or whatever) with the SkyCaddie.

Actually with my SG3 I can pick any point on the green where my eyes perceive the pin to be and get the exact (as exact as a GPS can be) distance. If you need to aim at a part of the green away from the pin, this is very useful. My SkyCaddie also rotates the display so the green distances are based on the view I have from my ball.

I can also set that point to any position on the hole to get a reading. If the course is one mapped by SkyCaddie I get yardages to all the fairway hazards and carry amounts to clear the hazard. It also give "safe" landing distances and the distance to run through the fairway. My home course also has trees marked when they are in play. My SkyCaddie can calculate the distance of each shot so I can track each club for future reference. I figure if it claims I hit my x-iron a certain distance, the GPS error will be the same as the error measuring the hole so I know when the SkyCaddie claims I need 175 yards to the center, I know that is a 5 iron.

I also have the upgraded software so I have a virtual scorecard. This isn't a big deal, but I like it.

Full disclosure, I have not used a laser rangefinder in many years. The last time I used one was in the days when the flagstick had to have a reflective basket to hit with the beam. While this was great for its time, it was a pain.

I love my SkyCaddie. When I don't have a clear view to the green, elevated or blocked by trees for example, I can still get a yardage and decide if I have the shot in my bag to get the ball home or if I need to play safe. I'm shooting at least 8 strokes lower since buying the SG3 and enjoying the game more.

I live on the border of my state so I have to buy the nationwide subscription because I play regularly in two states. This does suck and hopefully competition from other GPS systems will force SkyCaddie to lower the cost, but I knew the cost going into my purchase and I'm happy with my decision.

]]> By: Neil Daly Colorado http://thesandtrap.com/equipment/accessories/skycaddie_review#comment-17769 Neil Daly Colorado Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:15:32 +0000 http://thesandtrap.com/uncategorized/skycaddie_review/#comment-17769 Be careful, I dropped mine no more than a foot, the screen broke, and Sky Caddie won't replace it. Be careful, I dropped mine no more than a foot, the screen broke, and Sky Caddie won't replace it.

]]> By: todd mc dougall http://thesandtrap.com/equipment/accessories/skycaddie_review#comment-17732 todd mc dougall Tue, 04 Aug 2009 01:49:01 +0000 http://thesandtrap.com/uncategorized/skycaddie_review/#comment-17732 :razz: Used the skycaddie 2.5 (loner from a friend) and shot my personnel best 70 and won the club championship in a three hole playoff, the best tool i used so far in helping my golf game, ironically i won one for first place, how great is that! :razz: Used the skycaddie 2.5 (loner from a friend) and shot my personnel best 70 and won the club championship in a three hole playoff, the best tool i used so far in helping my golf game, ironically i won one for first place, how great is that!

]]> By: Brad http://thesandtrap.com/equipment/accessories/skycaddie_review#comment-17491 Brad Sun, 19 Jul 2009 00:42:05 +0000 http://thesandtrap.com/uncategorized/skycaddie_review/#comment-17491 [quote comment="17382"]Reply to Brad...You are not alone. Up until a few weeks ago, I had very few problems picking up the GPS Signal. Starting on 5 July, I have been getting a very week signal and the SkyCaddie SG4 has been loosing the signal constantly during the round. A friend of mine has been having the same trouble starting around the same time. Although, his SkyCaddie seems to be working better than mine. We live in Rhode Island. It doesn't seem to be caused by cloud cover, since on 5 July there wasn't a cloud in the sky and I still had a terrible time getting it to pick up the satellite. Yesterday I tried to use it and there were spottie cloud cover and the SkyCaddie only had the signal 25% of the time we played.[/quote] Hey John, Since my post I have had days of use with few issues and days where I have drained the battery looking for a signal. I saw on an earlier post that the GPS software can be upgraded/reset, not the firmware but the GPS? Have you heard of anything? Brad John said on July 10, 2009:

Reply to Brad...You are not alone. Up until a few weeks ago, I had very few problems picking up the GPS Signal. Starting on 5 July, I have been getting a very week signal and the SkyCaddie SG4 has been loosing the signal constantly during the round. A friend of mine has been having the same trouble starting around the same time. Although, his SkyCaddie seems to be working better than mine. We live in Rhode Island. It doesn't seem to be caused by cloud cover, since on 5 July there wasn't a cloud in the sky and I still had a terrible time getting it to pick up the satellite. Yesterday I tried to use it and there were spottie cloud cover and the SkyCaddie only had the signal 25% of the time we played.

Hey John,

Since my post I have had days of use with few issues and days where I have drained the battery looking for a signal. I saw on an earlier post that the GPS software can be upgraded/reset, not the firmware but the GPS? Have you heard of anything?

Brad

]]> By: John http://thesandtrap.com/equipment/accessories/skycaddie_review#comment-17382 John Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:57:06 +0000 http://thesandtrap.com/uncategorized/skycaddie_review/#comment-17382 Reply to Brad...You are not alone. Up until a few weeks ago, I had very few problems picking up the GPS Signal. Starting on 5 July, I have been getting a very week signal and the SkyCaddie SG4 has been loosing the signal constantly during the round. A friend of mine has been having the same trouble starting around the same time. Although, his SkyCaddie seems to be working better than mine. We live in Rhode Island. It doesn't seem to be caused by cloud cover, since on 5 July there wasn't a cloud in the sky and I still had a terrible time getting it to pick up the satellite. Yesterday I tried to use it and there were spottie cloud cover and the SkyCaddie only had the signal 25% of the time we played. Reply to Brad...You are not alone. Up until a few weeks ago, I had very few problems picking up the GPS Signal. Starting on 5 July, I have been getting a very week signal and the SkyCaddie SG4 has been loosing the signal constantly during the round. A friend of mine has been having the same trouble starting around the same time. Although, his SkyCaddie seems to be working better than mine. We live in Rhode Island. It doesn't seem to be caused by cloud cover, since on 5 July there wasn't a cloud in the sky and I still had a terrible time getting it to pick up the satellite. Yesterday I tried to use it and there were spottie cloud cover and the SkyCaddie only had the signal 25% of the time we played.

]]> By: Ron http://thesandtrap.com/equipment/accessories/skycaddie_review#comment-17354 Ron Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:08:20 +0000 http://thesandtrap.com/uncategorized/skycaddie_review/#comment-17354 I have the Skycaddie SG4 model. I have had battery issues with the unit that the company corrected. However when I received my unit back, the charger cable wouldn't screw in to port on the unit. I think they stripped the port when they had it. I didn't send the cable to them. I explained the problem to them, and they ask me to send it to them. So I box it up, pay the shipping charges. Then I get an email stating they need $35 for them to release my unit. I call and talk with a lady in customer service, and tell her what happened. She says she has to check with a supervisor and she will call me back, as they hadn't found anything wrong with the unit, but were going to charge me $35 for checking it. Well after 6 days I called them back. Found out she no longer worked for the company. So I started all over with another guy. He put me on hold, and went and talked with a supervisor. He comes back and he says she just sent him an email, and they were going to wave the $35 charge. However I needed to pay $24.95 for a new cable to charge it with. The cable on the SG 4 is a horrible design in my opinion anyway. The screw that pieces the unit and the cable can be pulled out, and pushed back in. I ask them if they would just sell me the screw, but the service rep told me they didn't sell screws, only the cable. So the last thing i told him was to have them check the inner port with one of their "new" cables, and if it worked to send the unit back. Maybe i can find a screw at a hardware store, unless someone on here has a better suggestion. Before I sent it back to them I found that duct tape did a pretty good job. I just didn't feel like paying $25 for a screw. My cable is fine. I told the rep maybe they should get a few screws, for probably .10 each, and sell them for a couple of bucks. A lot of profit, and I for one would be happier!!!!!!!!!!!Right now I'm feeling like I've been "screwed" so to speak.............. I have the Skycaddie SG4 model. I have had battery issues with the unit that the company corrected. However when I received my unit back, the charger cable wouldn't screw in to port on the unit. I think they stripped the port when they had it. I didn't send the cable to them. I explained the problem to them, and they ask me to send it to them. So I box it up, pay the shipping charges. Then I get an email stating they need $35 for them to release my unit. I call and talk with a lady in customer service, and tell her what happened. She says she has to check with a supervisor and she will call me back, as they hadn't found anything wrong with the unit, but were going to charge me $35 for checking it. Well after 6 days I called them back. Found out she no longer worked for the company. So I started all over with another guy. He put me on hold, and went and talked with a supervisor. He comes back and he says she just sent him an email, and they were going to wave the $35 charge. However I needed to pay $24.95 for a new cable to charge it with. The cable on the SG 4 is a horrible design in my opinion anyway. The screw that pieces the unit and the cable can be pulled out, and pushed back in. I ask them if they would just sell me the screw, but the service rep told me they didn't sell screws, only the cable. So the last thing i told him was to have them check the inner port with one of their "new" cables, and if it worked to send the unit back. Maybe i can find a screw at a hardware store, unless someone on here has a better suggestion. Before I sent it back to them I found that duct tape did a pretty good job. I just didn't feel like paying $25 for a screw. My cable is fine. I told the rep maybe they should get a few screws, for probably .10 each, and sell them for a couple of bucks. A lot of profit, and I for one would be happier!!!!!!!!!!!Right now I'm feeling like I've been "screwed" so to speak..............

]]> By: Chris http://thesandtrap.com/equipment/accessories/skycaddie_review#comment-17350 Chris Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:45:43 +0000 http://thesandtrap.com/uncategorized/skycaddie_review/#comment-17350 I am done. I went out and got the Garmin Approach G5. I gave my SG 2 to my brother. He has had it 2 weeks and already talking about it took till the 4 hole before he got a signal. I have played 2 rounds with Approach so far it is nice I am done. I went out and got the Garmin Approach G5. I gave my SG 2 to my brother. He has had it 2 weeks and already talking about it took till the 4 hole before he got a signal. I have played 2 rounds with Approach so far it is nice

]]> By: Tony http://thesandtrap.com/equipment/accessories/skycaddie_review#comment-17202 Tony Sat, 27 Jun 2009 23:36:14 +0000 http://thesandtrap.com/uncategorized/skycaddie_review/#comment-17202 I recently purchased an SG4 with the newest v2 updates for 180 dollars of ebay. I live in South Carolina and I have really enjoyed using it. So far I have played 6 rounds and the battery life was approximately 13 hours. The device worked the same even when the battery charge got low. So far so good perhaps the new updates and my location are making the difference. The only thing I don't like is the stupid screw in hook up for the power cord. Really a dumb idea. I have read in the previous posts it has the potential to strip out so I am being careful not to over tighten it. Fairways and Greens I recently purchased an SG4 with the newest v2 updates for 180 dollars of ebay. I live in South Carolina and I have really enjoyed using it. So far I have played 6 rounds and the battery life was approximately 13 hours. The device worked the same even when the battery charge got low. So far so good perhaps the new updates and my location are making the difference.

The only thing I don't like is the stupid screw in hook up for the power cord. Really a dumb idea. I have read in the previous posts it has the potential to strip out so I am being careful not to over tighten it.

Fairways and Greens

]]> By: Tedd http://thesandtrap.com/equipment/accessories/skycaddie_review#comment-16954 Tedd Sun, 14 Jun 2009 13:53:24 +0000 http://thesandtrap.com/uncategorized/skycaddie_review/#comment-16954 [quote comment="15349"][quote comment="13903"][quote comment="13696"]It has now been over a month since Skygolf replied to this post and as they requested, I phone to help resolve the issue. As I predicted, they have not resolved it. I have tried many times to upload my own course, and yet it has never been added. The website clearly states: "If you’ve searched our network for SkyCourses, you may have noticed that other golfers have uploaded their self-created courses for others to use. You can do the same with your course. Your owner’s manual provides complete instructions on how to conduct the mapping. Once you have used your SkyCaddie to map a course, return to this site to upload it to our network." I'm hoping a hungry lawyer sees this and decides to help prosecute them for false advertising![/quote] It is now Oct. 28,2008 and I posted my first course request on May 4, 2007. I have spoken with Skygolf several times and they keep assuring me to be patient for a few weeks while they add my uploaded course to share with others. After more than 17 months, you would think they could find time to honor my request and add my own course. (and no, I don't want to spend another 30 minutes on the phone waiting for someone at Skygolf to tell me that my course will be added in a few weeks, so please don't ask)[/quote] It is now March 10, 2009 and I am still trying to get my local course uploaded. The SG2 manual states: ------------------------------------------------------- • Share Courses with Other Users. Members can submit courses they have created with the SkyCaddie to us to share with other members. The more members share, the more courses everyone will have access to. --------------------------- Now SkyGolf Tech support say that although I have uploaded the course, they need to check it, and send their people to verify the course details, and ....get this.....get the course owner's approval!!!!!!! Why don't they just admit they made a mistake in offering to let their customers upload their own courses![/quote] June 13, 2009 and finally Skygolf have added one of my 2 local courses. After years of trying, something happened and now I can actually use all the features of my SG2 on a local course. That leaves only one more course for them to add. Hopefully it won't take another 3 years! Tedd said on March 10, 2009:

Tedd said on October 28, 2008:

Tedd said on October 12, 2008:

It has now been over a month since Skygolf replied to this post and as they requested, I phone to help resolve the issue.
As I predicted, they have not resolved it.

I have tried many times to upload my own course, and yet it has never been added.
The website clearly states:
"If you’ve searched our network for SkyCourses, you may have noticed that other golfers have uploaded their self-created courses for others to use. You can do the same with your course. Your owner’s manual provides complete instructions on how to conduct the mapping. Once you have used your SkyCaddie to map a course, return to this site to upload it to our network."

I'm hoping a hungry lawyer sees this and decides to help prosecute them for false advertising!

It is now Oct. 28,2008 and I posted my first course request on May 4, 2007. I have spoken with Skygolf several times and they keep assuring me to be patient for a few weeks while they add my uploaded course to share with others.

After more than 17 months, you would think they could find time to honor my request and add my own course. (and no, I don't want to spend another 30 minutes on the phone waiting for someone at Skygolf to tell me that my course will be added in a few weeks, so please don't ask)

It is now March 10, 2009 and I am still trying to get my local course uploaded. The SG2 manual states:
-------------------------------------------------------
• Share Courses with Other Users. Members can submit courses they have created
with the SkyCaddie to us to share with other members. The more members
share, the more courses everyone will have access to.
---------------------------
Now SkyGolf Tech support say that although I have uploaded the course, they need to check it, and send their people to verify the course details, and ....get this.....get the course owner's approval!!!!!!!

Why don't they just admit they made a mistake in offering to let their customers upload their own courses!

June 13, 2009 and finally Skygolf have added one of my 2 local courses. After years of trying, something happened and now I can actually use all the features of my SG2 on a local course. That leaves only one more course for them to add. Hopefully it won't take another 3 years!

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