As a SkyCaddie owner and user this season, I’ve come to both love and hate my little black box and all that goes with it. Based on my own experience, the detailed review Erik did on the device back in May 2005 is dead on. It’s great, but not without its frustrations.
Some of the niggles that irk me are being addressed as SkyGolf makes a big leap forward introducing not one, but three new models. The result is a product lineup with a lot more options and a lot more affordable range of prices.
The new models won’t be officially launched until the PGA Merchandise Show in January. However, SkyGolf will begin shipping limited quantities to retailers around November 1, presumably to take advantage of some holiday sales. So here’s an exclusive first look at what’s in store…
The SG1
Ever wonder why SkyGolf’s first product was labeled a “2”? Neither did I. But now we know because the company has filled in the missing model number with the SG1. It’s basically a dumbed-down version of the original SG2. Think of it as “SkyCaddie Lite.”
The SG1 is identical in appearance to the SG2, except that it’s grey instead of black. It thus shares all the same hardware attributes like the display, battery, and belt clip.
There is one hardware difference and it’s a definite plus. The SG1 will come standard with a USB cable to connect to your computer instead of that archaic serial cable that shipped with the early batches of SkyCaddies.
But what truly makes it different is the software. Instead of being able to display all the yardage options available on courses that have been professionally mapped, the SG1 will only reveal yardage to the front, center and back of the green.
The trade off is price. SkyGolf’s entry-level unit will launch with a suggested retail price of $249.95 and a MAP (minimum advertised price) of $229.95. At discount, that’s about $120 less than the original price for the SG2.
The new pricing scheme is going to impact the original SG2. The price is likely to drop from its current $349.95 to a MAP of $279.95 after November 1. Strangely, though, it looks like it’s still going to carry a MSRP of $349.95.
The SG3 and SG4
The SG3 and SG4 represent a total redesign of the SkyCaddie. Both feature a larger screen that will show more targets and menu items in four levels of grey at 122×160 resolution. The screen is supposed to be easier to see in bright sunshine and will include a backlight for low-light conditions.
SkyGolf has also added a couple of new buttons. One is a “help” button to provide additional information on a screen or feature. The other is an “info” button that will display more data on a course or hole. And both are fully functional to display all available yardage data.
The biggest improvement I see, however, is the case itself. While bigger than the original SG2 (3.5″ x 2.2″ x 1.1″ vs. 4.7″ x 2.2″ x 1.3″), it’s advertised as impact-resistant and water-resistant. That’s a huge plus as you’ll no longer have to pop for their $24.99 waterproof case or fuss with a Ziplock bag as I do.
Both new units also will come with USB drivers on a CD as well as a USB cable that will plug into a water-resistant USB connector on the case.
Another improvement is the battery scheme, and this is what begins to differentiate the SG3 from the SG4.
The SG3 (solid black, to oppose the silver/grey color scheme of the SG4) is powered by two AA batteries that are supposed to last up to 12 hours instead of the 10 listed for the SG1 and SG2. This might be handy if you travel a lot since you won’t have to lug around a charger. Plus you can always reload batteries during a round if the power dies.
The SG4, on the other hand, comes with a built-in lithium-ion battery also good for up to about 12 hours after a full charge.
While all four models have enough memory to hold 10 courses at a time, the SG4 has an SD card slot so you can boost the memory to a degree that would presumably allow you to carry around as many courses as you want.
I’m guessing that because they’re bigger and heavier (4.8 ounces vs. 5.8 and 5.4), SkyGolf has chosen to make a belt clip an optional accessory.
As you might expect, these two new models are going to be pricier. The SG3 will carry a MSRP of $329 and a MAP of $299.95. The SG4 will go at a MSRP of $379.95 and a MAP of $349.95.
In the End…
Once the USGA approved use of distance measuring devices subject to a local rule permitting them, it seems the golfing world immediately divided itself into two warring camps pitting laser users against GPS users.
While I find my SkyCaddie more than adequate for my needs, I can appreciate the several advantages laser range finders deliver. Still, three or four times this season I played with different range finder users who, by the end of the round, gave up on their device and were using my SkyCaddie.
Hopefully, we’ll have detailed review of these new units in the future. But in the meantime, we can also hope that this new product line will mean the end of that annoying and over-used Peter Jacobsen/Natalie Gulbis infomercial.
When these products hit, you can find them at Edwin Watts.
these look really cool… I used to play with the PDA (PalmPilot) version of the SkyCaddy and my only problem with them is the courses maps availability. Further their process of posting GPS maps is quite long – I created a GPS map for my home course and I didn’t see it posted on their website even 2 months later.It’s been couple of years, I’m sure there are more maps out there – but I don’t think I’ll spend $400 to find out π
Sky Caddie is rediculas, …the idea that it speeds up the game is false. There are no redeeming qualities about this type of device. So boo to the USGA for selling out to allow this moronic tool onto the golf course. Even the GPS in golf carts are an abomination to the game of golf.
No wonder the Euros beat us in the Ryder Cup. They understand the spirit of the game. We think if you throw enough money and technology at a situation, we will conquer. Let’s ask the Yankees how that’s working for them.
Walk when you play get out of the cart and be the ball.
hitt’em straight,
b.
Brad, I think you’ve offered a short-sighted opinion with no solid foundation. “Walk when you play get out of the cart and be the ball?”
I walk when I play. I have a laser range finder. It’s both faster and more accurate than pacing off yardages.
Range finders have nothing to do with the Ryder Cup. Don’t be silly.
Well yes Erik, I guess you can call hundreds of years of solid golf history lacking foundation. But perhaps your silly little laser range finder isn’t really in the best intrest of the game. You may be the guy who also has a ball retriever, a chipper club, and brush tees for all I know. Conspicuous consumerism has always been a part of golf. Allowing the game to be compromised, so that companies can make a few bucks is unacceptable. I absolutly abhore the USGA’s ruling to allow these devices. There was no reason to do this except for somebody to cash in.
As to the referance to the Ryder Cup, you know what I mean, so don’t you be silly.
b.
Brad, hundreds of years of solid golf history don’t apply to your case (and not just for the simple reason that the USGA hasn’t existed for “hundreds” of years). And as a low single digit handicapper, it would be a safe guess to vote “no” on the chipper, ball retriever, and brush tees.
You may believe the USGA is caving to consumerism, but that’s a baseless opinion having nothing to do with “history.” They allowed the rule change because pros have yardages marked, because almost every course has yardages marked, because for $5 I can buy a yardage book, and because yardage is a matter of “public information” on the golf course. It’s information that doesn’t count as “advice” and that everyone can get… but which often takes a great deal of time to get (by pacing it off).
Range finders were always legal for handicap play. I used mine last year before they were put under the purvey of “local rules,” and was within the rules to do so. Markets operate by supply and demand. Companies can’t “make a buck” if they didn’t sell products, and they wouldn’t sell products if people didn’t buy them. Companies were “making a buck” on range finders before it was put under “local rules” and they’ll make bucks after.
And as I said, my range finder helps me play more quickly. One would hope that speeding up play is something you support.
As for what I abhor, bad spelling is right up there…
Erik, it’s obvious you are a little sensitive about the issue of changeing rules around to whore out golf — Whitch you seem to spuprot. But your “baseless” assumption that I suggested the USAG has been around hundreds of years, shows you feel threatened by my oppinion. In that case lets just agree we disagree.
And as for spilling, …who gives a carp?
b.
I really like the sureshotGPS device as it has a color screen and is really clever – how many people these days have a Black & White Screen. Its much easier to read and allows me to improve my game of golf..have a look http://www.sureshotgps.com ..thanks Gina
It’s pretty clear good old Brad is just that – one of the good old boys. Probably still playing rusted 30-year old blades and whining about the kids who are knocking it 100 yards past him off the tee. Some people just hate progress, period.
Making yardage information available via GPS or laser devices is just plain common sense. It requires very little thought to understand how it speeds up play, but such consideration is something some people are incapable of. Fortunately the USGA is governed by more intelligent types (most of the time :)).
Anyway, back to reality – I have been using the SG2 for quite a while now and used the PDA model before that. I found the switch over to the SG2 to be a very nice upgrade and I’m hoping the SG4 will deliver some more improvements. I’m looking forward to some more detailed reviews before pulling the trigger.
Gosh why the product bashing? We come here to find great reviews on the latest and greatest in golf. If you’re not looking for something new then why make a fuss about it.
After all, golf is a target game that requires accurate shots to targets hundreds of yards away. For us weekend guys we have only guesswork to determine yardage. The pros have had accurate yardage for years and would never give it up. Why shouldn’t we get the same advantage. I think the whole GPS idea is wonderful. I can’t wait to get my hands on one… once the price goes down.
Skygolf has just launched their updated website with lots more info about these new models. Fortunately they are also offering an accessory I was hoping for – a conversion kit for the SG2 cartmount so I can use it with the SG4. There is a downloadable user guide on the new website for the new models which gives more details about the new features. After a quick scan the items that jumped out for me were the ability to tell the SG4 when to display targets versus the intelligreen graphics – ie. how far from the green to switch over to intelligreen automatically. Very useful. There are also multiple different ways to display the target lists which is another nice upgrade from the SG2 target list. There are other good changes in there too – I’m sold ! Anyone want a used SG2 ?? π
hello, anyone with the SG3 or SG4, can you tell me what color the backlight is? from pictures, i see a green backlight which is alright. but someone had a SG3 and the backlight was an ugly orange color. are all of the backlights orange? or is it green?
Hi. Lots of posts on other websites about hardware/software problems with the Sky Caddie 2, anyone here having any hardware or software issues? Do these problems seem to be resolved by the newer Sky Caddie 3 and 4? Did you find customer support useful or poor?
Brad,
I agree totally with you, why I can’t believe that we have allowed the total abomination of all that is right to change to all that is wrong with golf! Why the idea that we should allow technology to invade our lives is preposterous! I wish I could find a real leather grip and a sleeve of club specials! But what I really want is for someone to let me know where I can find steel spikes! Mine are worn to the leather!
The SG-4 back light is Orange the normal display is green with black lettering/graphics. I never use the backlight under normal playing conditions. Hope that helped!
It’s funny how some people think that they are traditionalists when it comes to the game of golf. You might agree or disagree with Brad but have a look in your own golf bag. Do you see any hickory shafted clubs or a feather stuffed golf ball???
As a member of the PGA myself, I have seen first hand some of these devices help to improve with the speed of play.
Geez I play cart golf. I do not have an option of asking my caddie for the yardage. Although all the tour pro’s always confer with their caddies, they must not be playing the true game of golf because they are getting information that is a guess from a person and not a guess from a machine. I do not want to wander around looking for a yardage marker than counting off the steps. If you want to stay living in the past and not using new tools that are available that is up to you, don’t buy it. The game of golf is played for enjoyment. To tell me or anyone what we are doing lacks the sprit of the game is ludicrous. The evolution of human intelligence is based on using tools. This is a tool. I know that a GPS unit allows me to select my club faster than looking around for yard markers or indicators. I like everyone else have watched people walk back and forth counting yardage from markers. Golf and life are full of choices. I choose to ride a cart, use Gps, hit a 460cc driver, use a 4 piece ball, and embrace technology and to enjoy the age/ era I was born in and not live in the past. The good ole days are behind us were they belong. Start moving forward and embrace change as the USGA and PGA try to grow the game of golf.
Oh and my Sg4 works great in Europe.
The sprit of Golf is what we make it.
Tools and technology are a choice we all must make.
I choose to use the tools at my disposal.
Such as spell checking.
rediculas, intrest ,absolutly, abhore, referance ,changeing ,Whitch , spuprot,oppinion. spilling
I do not know what the USAG has to do with golf? What do gymnasts have to do with a Gps rangefinder?
Intelligence is using the tools we have available.
I give a crap at how words are spelled. Lacking the basic skills in communication by not being able to spell is probably why the Euros beat us. Nope, I read it right here that it was them damn handicappers who don’t have caddies and didn’t play in the Ryder cup that made the USA lose the Ryder. Nope, it was because the Yankees didn’t play in the Ryder cup, Yep thatΓΒ’Γ’β¬ÒβΒ’s what it was. If the Yankees had played in the Ryder cup things would have been different.
One way to live in the past is to be buried.
Good shot Glenn, right down the middle!
Do not buy the SG4, Sky Caddie is advertising the feature that allows you to use an SD card for more memory. This is completely false and untrue. I talked to Sky Caddie after purchasing my SG4 on how to make the memory work. they do not have the software written and have no date as to when it will be ready. I plan to purchase another manufactures product becuase thes guys are false advertising.
American manufacturing at its finest….not!!!!! π
To answer the question above:
It is Orange. Not Green.
Also:
I just got my SG4 and the battery will not charge. customer service will ship me a new battery to see if that is the case.
Choker,
What other product/products are you considering to buy and how do they compare.
It’s people like Brad that create minds like that of the Unabomber! Haha! Bunch of morons!
TECHNOLOGY RULES!!!
Choker, π
I have the SG 4 and have also talked with their customer service about the SD slot. The fact that you can store 10 courses at a time is very nice. How may courses can you possibly play in a week? Did you know that by going back to the website you can keep your software up to date, not to mention get the latest course updates. With any new technology there will be features that you may have to wait on. I hope you buy VISTA for your PC! HA!
Try working on your game.
I play in the Hudson Valley, State of New York. Played Mansion Ridge today, March 28th, and it was very playable! I’m a 9, and there were alot of places I was in that I had no idea how far, not only from the green, but from the the pin I was today. Of course we were playing cart path only, which only made the problem worse. The markings are horrible for a Jack Nicklaus Signature course, but still a great test of golf. I decided I must have a Sky Caddie, to spend some of my tax return. Which model would best suit my needs? The posts I have read here are not helping. I thought that GOLFERS, might have some insight to help me in the choice. Are these things worth the money? Are they accurate? Do they help your score? Which model is best? Seems like everyone just wants to bash each other instead of help each other. I don’t want to debate the spirit of the game, tech or no, etc., just want real opinions on the subject. Thanks.
John,
I have the original SG2. I played yesterday at my home course with two guys who weren’t that familiar with the layout. I caddied (yardages) for both during the round. One guy, in particular, said it saved him strokes.
On the plus side, it works. The yardages, even those entered by owners, are accurate enough. Even better than those on sprinklers at the site. It works at its most basic level.
On the down side, working with the interface to download courses to use is a hassle. Maybe it’s because I’m on a Mac running Virtual PC, but, still, I find their web-based interface a pain.
Were I to do it again, I would. But I would buy the cheapest version available. And I would anticipate frustration downloading courses. Will it work in the Hudson Valley? Absolutely. But if you make the jump, understand the gain comes with a little pain.
John,
We did a comparison of the SG3 and SG2. I have the SG3, a good friend has the SG2. We have compared the two side by side. The distances given are identical. Here in rainy Seattle, he plays with the SG2 in a baggy. The water resistant SG3 has had no problems in light-moderate rain. The graphics on screen of the SG3 are more entertaining than the pure text of the SG2, but the data is the same. I keep a spare set of AA batteries in my bag, his SG2 ran out of juice during the second round of a weekend. I tend to use rechargeables, he likes the idea of a second rechargeable battery from SkyCaddie. The cost is cheaper for the SG2, the data given is the same, but I think the weather resistance is important. Whichever you choose, you’ll be happy with. My friend is now buying an SG3. I don’t know how dialed in your short game is, but knowing the difference between a 60 yard pitch shot and a 45 yard pitch shot has helped me quite a bit in my scores. Ijust wish there was a way SkyCaddie could give you the distance to the pin, and not just front, middle, and back. The laser rangefinders are better in this respect, but useless if you can’t see the pin. Hope this helps.
I’ve just purchased an SG4. I know the SD slot is unable to work at this time but does anyone know where it is located on the unit. I looked and looked and find no slot.
Played my first round with my SG2 yesterday, on a 1 star rated course, and found I loved it! My partner and my opponents found it very helpful as well. By the way, I, (we) won $13.00!!! Not bad for a 2-2-4 nausau with dollar junks. Shot a 2 birdie 78 with the help of my Sky Caddie. Can’t wait to play a 4 star course and see the other features. I am very pleased with the product, and found it very easy to use, even the course downloads, and I am not a computer geek. I encourage anyone who thinks they might want one to pull the triggger and do it. It was especially helpful if you get out of position with no line of sight to the pin. You still have to guess the line, but knowing the yardage is better than guessing both! Hit em’ straight and long………..
Look under the battery. there is a little cover, and on the end of that push gently and it flips open. that’s where it goes.
I played a 3 star course (on my SG4) and the next time I downloaded another course it told me there was an update available for my previous course, since it recently chagned to a 4 star mapping. cool! Now I can’t keep my friends from looking in my cart before each shot – get away people! buy your own!
β Iam thinking about buying a Skycaddie SG3 anyone have any info.Thanks Rick
have owned the sg4 since xmas 2006. The unit is a must have but it has battery issues. I only use it about twice a week and now I can’t charge it. I have contacted customer service and I hope I don’t have the horrible experience with them that I have heard about π
Very laughable…so Brad you are saying the use of a caddie is rediculous….its the same thing…the only thing I see is your “rediculas” (sic) comment.
Has anyone experienced a problem where the SG4 will not connect to the website because the modem drivers fail to load? It is happening on a Dell laptop and I read a thread last month on another site where a person complained that they had the same problem on their IBM Thinkpad.
Thanks,
CRM
Skygolf says they are Vista ready. Has anyone downloaded the software and if so from which site?
πΏ
I’m glad someone other than me realize that this was false avertisment with the sg4 sd card slot, and once you get the membership with the unit you cann’t transpher it the sg3 if you trade it in because of the false avertisement.
Oops. My apologies to the group for answering my own problem. The laughs on me. Anyway, that ws my experience and maybe it will be helpful to someone else down the road
Looking for upgraded software to be able to preprogram the unit before play starts for all 18 Pin Placements by whole prior to teeing off. Then would not have to make adjustmnets when on the course.
Should be simple routine to preprogram, but product development is playing with this issue.
Need anyoner maifacturer to make the change and then all will jump to the change.
– end –
I have a Windows Vista Operating System. Today is 6/11/2007 and I just downloaded the most current version of the skycaddie software. My skycaddie unit (an SG3) would not connect. I don’t care what the Sky Golf people are saying. They still do not have compatable software for the Windows Vista OS.
Has anyone experienced any obvious inaccurate yardage readings from any model sky caddie? A friend of mine told me he was 50 yards from the green, and it was telling him he was over a 100. Is that possible? Could it be a low battery?
I’m stuck between buying the pinseeker 1500 range finders for $400 (yardage to the pin, 9 volt battery that last a long time, no recharging, no downloads, no annaul fee AND useful at the range), or the SG3 (AA batteries, never run out if you keep extras in the bag) or SG4 (lithium, which can run out on the course). It would be ideal to have both, but I can’t afford that. I know Sky Caddie yardages are quicker, and if you’re way left or right, and have trees blocking you, you can still get a yardage, which you can’t with the range finders if you can’t see the flag. I’m in need of suggestions. HELP HELP HELP
Had I, as a Sky Caddie owner, to do it over, I would opt for a different GPS device or a range finder like the Bushnell. SkyGolf, the parent of Sky Caddie doesn’t get it. The device is wonderful, although not as wonderful as a Garmin GPS unit. What sucks appears to be the company. The interface you are forced to use is, even by Windows standards, abysmal. It just sucks.
They’ve spent so much money on Peter Jacobsen and Natalie Gulbis infomercials they apparently had nothing left to spend on software/internet development.
It appears to me like they are a company in serious cash flow problems. The cost to add an extra state to your membership level has doubled from $5 to $10. Their business model seems focused on not so much selling the units at an outrageous price (which they’re doing), but also locking in owners for a continuing yearly subscription.
This company was supposed to make a formal presentation to the Metropolitan (New York) Golf Writers Association a few weeks ago. They bailed. They claimed “management restructuring” or something like that. Jeesh. I hope so.
Here’s my official take: It works on courses that have been well mapped. But that’s not every course they have in their database. If you are a skilled and patient Windows user, you have a chance at navigating their obtuse web site. Otherwise, prepare for pain.
It’s a great idea that works most of the time on the courses they have listed. But it’s my opinion somebody else is going to do it better. I wish I’d have bought a Bushnell.
I was hoping to get some real help from this site. I am probably bent on getting a SkyCaddie, although it appears that all is not wonderful with the device and the company.
I have a question about the SG3 and SG4 – is the only real differnce the recharable batteries vs. the replaceable ?
Is there a waterproof advantage to the SG3?
Would appreciate any constructive help…
Thanks
The only difference between the SG3 and SG4 is the battery. Unless you like to buy batteries every other round, and travel all over the place without an outlet, get the SG4 so you can re-charge in the hotel room at night. It’s not a big deal. As for the waterproof – neither are “submersable” they are water “resistant” but I’d keep it out of the rain. some people use a ziploc bag over it, but eh – for $350 use it when it’s not raining. π‘
And the detachable cart clip is a must. Just keep an eye on it!
and you can take out when you go on the green in case you don’t trust anyone “playing through” and taking your new toy! πΏ
β My family wants to buy me a “Sonocaddie” for father’s Day.
Anyone used one or can comapre it to skycaddie?
Has anyone been able to connect using the Windows Vista OS. I have a GS3 and really like it, but I just got a new laptop with Windows Vista and the Direct Connect option says it cannot connect to my unit. Anyone else having the same problem?
Got mine working on Vista today. I have the SG4. You need some new software, see below for the support mail I received and for the link. It asked me 5 or 6 times to install if I trusted the software, jsut keep saying yes or install.
IN addition, in the device manager it listed the sky caddie as invalid drivers. So you have to right-click on the sky caddie in device manager and choose update drivers… From here browse to the folder C:\Program Files\SkyGolf\SkyCaddie Desktop\Drivers, then hit next. It will install the drivers although there is no folder for Vista. After I did this it moved the sky caddie up into the modem section in the device manager and no londer has the warning icon on it.
From here, I just logged in to the site, no rebooting, and downloaded my courses. If you have issues call tech support.
Support mail:
SkyGolf is pleased to inform you that we now offer Vista Support! We have launched a new WebSite and you will be prompted to download the new desktop as you Direct Connect. The layout is slightly different but the majority of what you are used to seeing is the same.
If you have any problems, please complete the following instructions.
Type in this link in order to download the drivers properly:
skygolfgps.com/software/SkyCaddie Drivers Setup.exe
For more assistance, please contact us via the support request form on our WebSite or by phone @ 1-866-759-4653 between the hours of 7 AM-7 PM CST,Monday through Friday and 10am- 3 pm on Saturday.
I just purchased the SG4 yesterday afternoon (6/23/07). I had absolutely no problem installing the drivers and connecting the website on my Vista machine. One thing to note is that you must install the software before connecting the device to your computer. If you connect the device before the drivers are installed on your computer, then you may end up with problems trying to get the right driver working.
I don’t know about upgrading the software from previous “non-vista” versions but as for a fresh install, as long as you follow the directions, you should have no trouble with Vista.
I don’t know what all the trouble is about the SkyCaddie. I recently purchased the GS-3 and yes some courses aren’t in the database, and there is a slight problem with downloading courses, and yes it was slightly expensive, but it does a great job and it definitely speeds up the pace of play. It also more accurate than the sprinkler heads/yardage markers at most courses. The only drawback is the other three guys in the foursome always asking for yardage. I am a walker and sometimes it is frustrating walking to the other guys ball to give him yardage.
Hi Bill:
Here’s what I do when I’m in a group that wants their yardages given to them. I tell them the yardage from where I am standing, and let them figure it out relative to their distance from me. All yardages are given to the center. Two others in my regular foursome have since bought their own Skycaddies.
Duane
I think you are stubborn and don’t understand technology. This is the first negative comment I have ever heard and I know many guys using them on the pga tour in practice rounds and don’t have anything bad to say about the product. After all, almost every course in the country like the product and is having their course mapped fo the product because the pros like it. The problem you have is that you hve been beat by someone who has the product. If you think that the product gives someone an advantage, then the tour pros have an advantage over you because all the caddies know exactly what the yardage is, even if they don’t use a SkyCaddie. Also, you still have to hit the ball straight.
I just purchased the SG4–registered it, downloaded my courses-went to one of them and powered up the unit. It continued searching for a satalite the entire round but never found one. Got home went on line and decided to reset the unit. It says to go to a course and push menu. I did that but I don’t get to the menu screen. eamiled SkyCaddie but have not heard back from them
Does anyone know a tech help number you can call? I don’t see one on their site.I
I have a SG3, and a friend has an SG4. My SG3 consistently gives yardages that are five yards shorter than his SG4 on shots 150+ yards out. Another SG4 does the same thing. I compared mine with a friend’s Bushnell laser rangefinder, and our yardages match.
Does anyone have any reasons why the units would be different?
Burt,
If you go to this URL it will open a form that if you complete it and send it to them they will give you an toll free number to call for assistance. I haven’t actually tried it since I haven’t had any real issues with my GS-3. Hope this gets you in the right direction.
Bill
Burt,
Sorry about that. I inavertently hit the wrong key before I could provide the URL. Try this:
http://www.skygolfgps.com/SG_Company_ContactUs_RequestSupport.aspx
I have an original serial connection SG2 that has served me well for two years, until a week ago. Although the interface (both hardware and software) is challenging, I’ve eventually, with patience, made it work. Not long after I bought my SG2, I got an aftermarket connector that converted my serial plug to a USB plug and it works great. (I might also add that I use an old Timex Ironman Velcro watchband around the windshield post of my golf cart and then use the belt hook for my SG2 ΓΒ’Γ’β¬Òβ¬Ε itΓΒ’Γ’β¬ÒβΒ’s a heck of a lot cheaper that $70 for their removable mount.) HereΓΒ’Γ’β¬ÒβΒ’s my issue: a few weeks ago, my GPS started occasionally going blank before I finished my round and I thought maybe I forgot to charge it well enough. Then, last week, I noticed a message on the screen that said ΓΒ’Γ’βˆ βPower Reset RequiredΓΒ’Γ’βΒ¬ΓΒ ΓΒ’Γ’β¬Òβ¬Ε so I did. Then it told me to wait 10 seconds before restarting ΓΒ’Γ’β¬Òβ¬Ε so I did. After I turned it back on, the same thing happened again. It happened again the next day so I finally called SkyGolf at their 866-759-4653 toll-free tech support number on Thursday. I talked to Mike who allowed that it was probably a battery issue and he would send me a new one and I would have it by Monday (they still had my old address, but supposedly corrected it). I asked if that was all I needed to do and Mike said yes. Late Friday afternoon, Nicole called and told my wife, she needed to talk to me about my battery. By the time I got home from work and got the message, Nicole was gone and I left a voicemail for her. Monday morning I called Nicole at the number she gave me five times and left two more messages. I finally called the main SkyGolf number and eventually talked to Mark who put me on hold for ten minutes before I hung up. A little later, I called back again and talked to Betsy, who explained to me that I needed to pay for the battery. I told Betsy that I had talked to their agent, Mike, and he had never asked for a credit card number, but if he had, I would have gladly paid. Will they overnight it to me? Only if I pay for it (I have my club championship starting Friday) even though it was their error that they did not ask for payment. Ten more minutes on hold and Nicole finally came on the line to tell me the same ΓΒ’Γ’βˆ βitΓΒ’Γ’β¬ÒβΒ’s not our faultΓΒ’Γ’βΒ¬ΓΒ story and ΓΒ’Γ’βˆ βItΓΒ’Γ’β¬ÒβΒ’s Monday and IΓΒ’Γ’β¬ÒβΒ’ve been too busy to answer your voicemail message.ΓΒ’Γ’βΒ¬ΓΒ She reiterated that even though Mike told me I would have the replacement battery today, they would not pay to have it sent overnight ΓΒ’Γ’β¬Òβ¬Ε some customer service . . . Although disgusted with the companyΓΒ’Γ’β¬ÒβΒ’s arrogance, I decided to order a battery and have it overnighted at my expense. I asked Nicole to find out the price of overnight shipping, and she asked me to hold ΓΒ’Γ’β¬Òβ¬Ε again. Fifteen minutes later, with the Muzak still going I hung up. Needless to say (but I will), my experience with the Skygolf staff was deplorable. IΓΒ’Γ’β¬ÒβΒ’ll probably order the battery online, but if there were any other reasonable alternative, IΓΒ’Γ’β¬ÒβΒ’d buy from someone else.
Any update on this?
Will the thing work on Vista???
Al and Ian, I finally got my skycaddy to work with vista… if you have the new version of the desktop it contains the drivers neccessary to add the device to vista. What you should do is unplug the skycaddy and add put it in a different port. Vista should try and install it. It will not find drivers. What you should do is right click on my computer and click properties. Then you select device manager from the leftside menu. You will see the skycaddy under other devices right click and select “update driver software.” Click manually select driver and then navigate most likely to “C:\Program Files\SkyGolf” because that is where your skygolf drivers are. Once you do that click next and it should auto install.
You should be ready to use direct connect and sync your skycaddy.
Sorry that the directions are kinda complex…
Let me know if this helps.
Techncial Support:
Garmin is the best GPS company on earth. And they have the best Tech Support department. I’ve owned 3 Garmin GPS units since 1998, and everytime that I’ve had to deal with Garmin GPS, they provided excellent email and telephone support. They even fix broken units for miminal cost.
If you want the best, go with Garmin.
Reputation of Garmin:
Having owned three Garmin GPS units, since 1998 which I used primarily on my motorcycles…and having used them for over 120,000 miles, I will only spent my GPS bucks on Garmin devices. They have an excellent reputation and the best Customer Service unit on earth. They are an American based company, and have been in business for over a decade. They do it right. Currently they have the Garmin GolfLogix GPS unit.
From what I hear about the SkyGolf SkyCaddie, I’d not spent any of my money on it. Knowing what I know about Garmin, I’d buy any GPS product that they make over SkyGolf. Customer Service is important, and you want to know that the product will last, and that the company will be around.
It’s too bad that we have to pay subscription fees for these golf GPS units. The automotive GPS units don’t require annual fees. I gotten a lot of hours using my GPS units traveling around the USA/Canada and even used it in Paris without having to pay any fees for it. So, why is it that SkyGolf insituted the subscription fees, and then do not follow up with good Customer Service? They set the revenue stream model for subscription fees and every other company has followed their model.
What we need is a company that will sell the units based upon the purchase price, and gain the golf GPS market share.
I have an SG3 and haven’t had any issues yet with it except sometimes it takes quite a while to find all the satellites. I went with the SG3 over the SG4 because of the batteries. I’ve always got rechargeable AAs around for our digital camera so I wouldn’t need to be buying a lot of batteries for this and after reading about the eroding lifespan of the rechargeable SG4 battery. The savings paid for the year long membership.
π‘ I’ve enjoyed my SG2 up to now. The lithium-ion battery failed after only one year! It costs $61.55 to replace! Every potential buyer should be aware of this. In addition to the exhorbitant subscription fees, this is a real kick in the head. This added expense, I’m sure Skygolf probably refers to it as a revenue stream, is outrageous and a true indication of how they really see their customers. I’m not very excited about this product or company anymore. Let’s see how much better the competition treats its customers.
Nobody here has mentioned about yearly fee that people have to pay…. SkyCaddie has necessary set up(I don’t care if it’s easy or not, still need to set up), need to pay additional(other than unit itself) yearly fee and need the computer to set up and download the courses. No thanks….I have many friend who has SG4. They are constantly charging the unit, connecting to computer for download, complaining that the unit doesn’t work well on foggy day or rainy day…… I own Bushnell pinseeker($299). It is so accurate and easy to use with no set up!! just batteries which last long time. It tells exact yardage to the pin unlike skycaddie. Pinseeker mode is great, even you have shakey hands, it pinpoints the target. Overall, Skycaddie is overpriced and is not worth it in my opinion.
Golfpher, Your friends must be rather slow. I haven’t had any problems with downloading data to this unit. It works well in most weather conditions that I would play golf in. I have tried the pinseeker and sent it back. You almost need a tripod to keep it steady enough to focus on the actual target. The pinseeker will pick up on trees in the background and give you a false reading. To each his own, and I will choose skycaddie everytime over those point and click models (pinseeker). I have many friends who have pinseeker models and they are not at all happy.
Exhorbitant subscription fees? Tell me what do you pay for a round of golf, if you think these yearly fees are exhorbitant? Golf isn’t cheap however I find these subscription fees to be more than fair.
I am happy that there are so many folks who are to anti skycaddie to buy one that just means the satellite won’t be busy fooling with them and I will get my yardages when I need them. Personally, I think they are great and a number of folks in my golf leagues have decided they are pretty nice also. After playing with my group they want to buy one. Many already have. Maybe Skycaddie needs to give an IQ test before they sell one. Some folks just can’t figure it out. One other comment concerning Garmin. I agree they have/manufacture great units but they are primarily interested in auto units. I love it in my vehicle but not sure I would want one of their units on the golf course.
Just got my SG4 yesterday. got it new on EBay. I have been looking for a couple years since my playing partner got the SG2. I was waiting until they had some of my local courses mapped. They now do and so I went for it. After I bought it I began doing some additional research and I was scared to death by all the complaining and problems listed. I was sure I was going to have to go through H**l to get the thing to work. When I got home from work there it was, bracing for the worst I got it out of the box, followed the quick start sheet, got on line followed the directions exactly. Within 1 hour I had ten courses downloaded and I was ready to go. It actually worked flawlessly. I am going out to the course tomorrow for my first round on a 4 star course, can’t wait. If I maintain this level of function I will be quite pleased.
Regarding the SD slot, it is the reason I went with the SG4, I did not see any false advertising. they clearly said the SG 4 has a SD memory card slot that will allow future upgrades, I’m ready. Everyone who opted for the SG3 will be gripping big time when the upgrade comes and they can’t get it. I hope the SD card will allow some additional features and memory to store more courses. We’ll see. Ain’t this fun. PLay on!!!
I was going to buy a SG4 but was advised that a new series of units would be coming out in the Fall 2007 by SkyCaddie (SkyHawke).
I also was advised to get the SG3 as the unit is powered by two AA batteries that are supposed to last up to 12 hours. This might be handy if you travel a lot since you won’t have to lug around a charger.
**** Plus you can always reload batteries during a round if the power dies.
The SG4, on the other hand, comes with a built-in lithium-ion battery also good for up to about 12 hours after a full charge.
I am not suggesting that a round will take more than 12 hours, but what happens when one plays 2 rounds .. cuttiing it close… also when your wife or girl friend want revenge and unplug the unit being charged to make their point.
In the future I would like to see a program enhancement to allow one to preprogram the unit with the courses PIN placements for the day prior to the start of play. That would save time and guesswork if the flag is not visible on each hole. This could be entered for the days play once the course is slected with no need to retain the information in the unit. Would not require someone to have to adjust the unit on each hole to identify the flag position and yardage to the Pin. Many courses that randomely change their Pin places daily could post the placement information in the Proshop for each hole. Seems simple to me and what a great upgrade and sales tool for the manufacturer.
I got two rounds in this weekend with my SG4 and both were 4 star courses. It is a great device and worked like a charm. Being able to move the on green target will get you very close to the kinda of yardage you can get with a laser. I took my bushnell laser with me and I was within a yard or so when time permitted me to “geek out” and play with both. Not something I want to do all the time but it was fun. I also ordered an additional Lithium battery for $29.00 which I will charge up and keep with me. Easy fix. I don’t worry about my wife unplugging the charger. That worry would indicate a bigger problem than getting out for golf causes most guys. If she does that for revenge or to make a point you probably aren’t going to get in enough rounds to justify the GPS anyway (just kidding)LOL. good luck with that!
I am a scratch golfer and a computer professional. I purchased the SG4 about a month ago. I can summarize this entire message list based on my experience.
If you are a chop (errr, I mean high handicap) buy this piece of crap. You will not know the difference when it gives you yardages that are +/- 15 yards. You likely never hit the same club +/- 15 yards on consecutive swings any way. Hell, it may even give you some false sense of confidence and you may lower your scores from hackerville to chopsville like some of the posts here.
If you are a low handicapper, buy the laser based unit. I made the wrong decision and now will pay to correct it.
All the complaints here are true. The unit often displays yardages that are not even close to correct. I played in a tournament where another competitor had the same SG4. Many times we compared yardages. Never were they closer than 4 yards to matching. Most cases showed differences of 8-12 yards. I see posts about the laser based units taking too long to use. What about needing to wait for at least 60 seconds before the SG4 finally settles on a distance. I have seen mine switch between yardages 30 yards apart from the time I stop walking, look at it, hit a shot way short or long, and look back to see a completely different yardage.
The web site was not difficult for me to navigate based on my experience, but this does not mean that it is even acceptable. It is probably the worst developed web site and SkyGolf should be embarrassed by it and the frustration it causes its non-technical customers.
Which brings me to customer support. Or should I say lack of. Absolutely the worst customer support I have ever tried to contact. I sent an email regarding the issues mentioned above. I received an email several days later with one canned response that didn’t even directly address any of my issues. The other issues were, and have continued be, totally ignored.
This is a bad company with a worse product. I do not work for a competitive company, but I would highly suggest any of the other products mentioned in the above messages over a SkyGolf product. If you are convinced you want a GPS product, do not choose this one. You will be sorry, like I am.
Sorry for the long post. I only hope I can save others from the same mistake I made.
Scott,
W_O_W !!
I haven’t heard anybody gripe like that since my ex-wife…..You need some cheese with that wine Bro! Take a breath and settle down a bit before you have a stroke and we find you in some bunker…..:) It sound like you have a bum unit. I have 2 other friends that have an SG3 & SG4 respectfully. I have the SG4 and we have compared them side by side when we play.They seem pretty exact on distances, so I’m sorry you have problems with yours. Also, I’ve never waited more than 5-6 seconds for mine to acquire and lock on to a distance…… Have a shot (tequila or Jagermeister) before playing next time ~ and don’t forget this is supposed to be fun!
Good luck –
Yeah yada, yada, yada. I met scratch golfers like you before. 15 foot gimmee’s and two or three mulligans per round etc. Anyway get over yourself Scott. Golf is meant to be fun. If I find it fun to use a skycaddie who the heck are you to talk down to me. I may not be a scratch golfer but I count every stroke and play by the rules. I don’t agree with a lot of things people do on the course but I don’t feel like it is my life mission to tell them about it, unless it has a direct impact on me. I have met guys like you on the course and frankly although I think they are making an ass of themselves I would never tell them so. I am willing to bet you system is just fine. Most likely it’s an operator error.
There’s a new kid coming to town in the handheld gps for golf industry. This new device is called the GPS Golf Guru. It will be available sometime between now and the end of October, and will be packed with features golfers have been asking for at a very good price. It was designed by the original inventors of golf course GPS and the holders of the “093” GPS for golf patent. No one in the industry has more experience than the Golf Guru designers in GPS for golf course distance measuring.
I won’t go into a lot of details about the unit and how it compares to the competition, as you can learn more about it by going to their website (which is evolving rapidly). Take a look at what they have to offer and judge for yourself. The website is http://www.gpsgolfguru.com.
There is also an introductory offer at http://www.ushandicap.com where they are going to offer the first 500 members of their handicapping service the Guru at $199.
π― Crap! Now what do I do? I just started golfing about 3 months ago, taking lessons, and will continue, just got my handicap from USGA at 33.6, no laughing please, IΓΒ’Γ’β¬ÒβΒ’m 64 and learning (have no idea how I use the .6). Anyway, two other golfers, last one talked to me yesterday on the course and had nothing but high praises for his SG3. I looked a month ago and then stopped because the SG4 was not available when I thought I wanted/needed one. I know a handicap of 33.6, why do I need one. I found this web site looking for SkyCaddie and read all the posts and the consensus I think is to get one.
I see the difference between SG3 and SG4 is about $50, has anyone been able to actually use the additional features talked about for the SG4 and if so, worth the money, besides the rechargeable battery feature?
Trying to make a decision to see if I can get under 100, been close 104 and if this will help, got to get one.
Thanks for your help. I used spell check, tried to stay away from being attacked, will see.
I keep saying when IΓΒ’Γ’β¬ÒβΒ’m on the course, ΓΒ’Γ’βˆ βThis is fun, IΓΒ’Γ’β¬ÒβΒ’m having fun.ΓΒ’Γ’βΒ¬ΓΒ
Need to purchase more golf balls before I head out this morning again. Enjoy.
π From Jess: There’s a new kid coming to town in the handheld gps for golf industry. This new device is called the GPS Golf Guru. It will be available sometime between now and the end of October, and will be packed with features golfers have been asking for at a very good price. It was designed by the original inventors of golf course GPS and the holders of the “093” GPS for golf patent. No one in the industry has more experience than the Golf Guru designers in GPS for golf course distance measuring.
I won’t go into a lot of details about the unit and how it compares to the competition, as you can learn more about it by going to their website (which is evolving rapidly). Take a look at what they have to offer and judge for yourself. The website is http://www.gpsgolfguru.com.
There is also an introductory offer at http://www.ushandicap.com where they are going to offer the first 500 members of their handicapping service the Guru at $199.
Jess, I looked at the Golf Guru web site and liked what I was able to gleam, and the product seems very promising but it looks like the only way to purchase one is through the USHandicap company and pay their fee for calculating your golf handicap. I already belong to another scoring company and do not like being forced to move in order to purchase one.
I looked at the comparison and found it very interesting the SG3 and SG4, according to GolfGuru are no longer being shipped.
Has anyone purchased one of these and if so, would you share your thoughts?
Thank you.
Otto
Otto,
I think Golf Guru was a little premature in saying that SG3 And SG4 were no longer being shipped. At this time they are. They are, however, frequently out of stock.
I don’t believe that purchasing from ushandicap.com will be your only option. Guru’s are supposed to start shipping on Nov. 6th. Keep watching the Guru web site. It is being worked on and will have more information over the coming days.
Even if you had to purchase from ushandicap.com, you would save a few bucks, even if you had no plans on using their handicap service. The Golf Guru will eventually allow you to upload your score directly into your ushandicap membership area and have it added to your handicap calculation.
The Guru toll free number is up and running. If you’d like more information give them a call. (866) 654-GURU (4878).
I bought a SG4 7 months ago and have had poor operating results from day 1. And a few days ago half the screen went blank. SkyCaddie tells me I need a new screen and it may cost $50 to repair. I will not waste my money on this unit again.
Buzz,
I purchased an SG4 about ten months ago and have had wonderful results from day one……Until about three weeks ago. I am experiencing a problem where it will lock on the satellite, then drop it. It will do this as much as two to three times per 9 holes. I reprogrammed it but it is still acting ridiculous. In addition, Saturday while playing the screen went blank as if the batteries where dead, but they were fresh batteries. I am beginning to wonder if I made a good decision. The product was terrific for a short period of time but now it is a nusiance more than a help. When it is working it works great, but………………………………………
Bill,
When you say that the SG4 will lock onto a satellite, then drop it…what kind of problem is that causing for you? The satellites a gps receiver uses come and go throughtout the day. A satellite that is low on the horizon may go in and out a couple of times before it drops off all together, but as one is going out, there’s usually another one coming in. As long as you are “using” (not just seeing) at least 4 satellites, you can get distance information. It doesn’t mean it is “accurate” distances. That depends greatly on the quality of gps receiver being used.
The GPS Golf Guru is using a 16 channel receiver with high sensitivity (works around trees and typically indoors). It will be the most accurate in the business.
Did your screen ever start working again?
Screen comes back but has to go throught the power up process. LIsten the problem is even when the satellite is locked on the distances keep dropping off and after several sconds or more the come back, but the reading is abnormally high and then it counts down slowly until it gets approximate distance. It causes a problem because for the first several months this didn’t happen (nor should it). I understand the satellite being low on the horizon and it’s impact but at some point it should drop the satellite after it goes below the horizon and then pick up another satellite that is higher (stronger signal) and lock on to it until it goes below the horizon. This is happening while on the same hole, and two to three other holes per nine.
From Jess:
Otto,
I think Golf Guru was a little premature in saying that SG3 And SG4 were no longer being shipped. At this time they are. They are, however, frequently out of stock.
I don’t believe that purchasing from ushandicap.com will be your only option. Guru’s are supposed to start shipping on Nov. 6th. Keep watching the Guru web site. It is being worked on and will have more information over the coming days.
Even if you had to purchase from ushandicap.com, you would save a few bucks, even if you had no plans on using their handicap service. The Golf Guru will eventually allow you to upload your score directly into your ushandicap membership area and have it added to your handicap calculation.
The Guru toll free number is up and running. If you’d like more information give them a call. (866) 654-GURU (4878).
Thank you Jess, I will give them a call to see what they have to say.
I did send an e-mail to the Guru web site and will see if they are any more receptive and responsive that what I see Sky doing for their user community.
Otto
If you want to waste you money like I did then go ahead and buy a Sky Caddie. They are the worst customer service organization I have tried to do business with in a long time. If they don’t like your question they just leave you hanging on the phone for 45 minutes. While that it what happen to me and I hung up after waiting 45 minutes of a 75 minute phone call of which total time on hold was 70 minutes of the 75 minutes. They told me it is my new Windows Vista computer that will not work with their system. After a quick Google I found they have had problems with Windows Vista from day one.
Using this Sky Caddie SG2 for two seasons I can tell you that it only works correctly on clear days. Cloudy days it can be off as much as 15 yards. They tell you that if three subscribers ask to have a course mapped they will map it. That is an out right lie. Three of us at my private course have asked for 2 years and it still has not been done. We only use our own mapping with minimum distance markings of front, back and middle of the green.
If I was to replace this piece of crap, I would buy the Golf Logix unit built by Garmin, the leader of GPS consumer goods. They say they will map course within 5 days of being asked. They do it from GPS satilite maps they have in their file base.
If any one has a fix for their Windows Vista problem please let me know.
Has anyone come up with a way for skycaddie to inface with MAC’s???
I bought the SG4 back in August and downloaded one course, in which I had no problem. A few months later I tried to download another course, I the SkyCaddie Desktop cannot connect. It can not find my SkyCaddie. I have contacted the support, with no help. They told me to try another computer, I did that and it had the same results. They told me my cable was bad, I tried a new cable on 2 different computer and nothing.
I am fed up with this company support and help pages. π
Is there a source out there to share golf courses mapped on the SkyCaddie but not available from the company? Also, the website mentions a 2-star level of personal mapping but I can’t find anything in the manual about how to map anything other than front middle and back of the green. Thanks.
Sky Caddies are really poor products in my opinion. I’ve used mine for a year now.
Lets be honest, they do give you the distances quickly, but in my group there are three sky caddies and none of them agree on the distances which all vary by 5-10 yards. However its very useful to know distance to the front and back of the green or to a hazard. In fact its very useful to know how much to layup to your best approach distance. I will say it probably does help speed up play some what, but not a lot. It does help tremendously with club selection.
However sky caddies is a poor product for the following two reasons, that almost no reviewer talks about or takes the company to task.
A) Non standard USB cable. Holding consumers hostage is a poor practice and we should punish the company severely for doing so. The cable is designed deliberately to insure you must rebuy from them.
B) The annual plan tethering you to them. Why no let me buy the 20 courses I play and let me go on my way. Win me over by better services instead of holding me hostage.
For example, why not allow me to specify what my best approach shot distance is and then offer that as a layup distance. Or how about letting me program my club distances into my profile and then offer club suggestions for given distances and so on. What about offering the topology of greens. Notes for each hole and so on. Like caddies do for pro golfers.
I am sure engineers will complain about this or that on my suggestions, but why not challenge them to do it, as Apple Inc. does with its engineers. Sky caddie is a marginal product at best, solves only one problem instead of being what it could be. Consumers should punish the company and not buy its products. I am selling mine on ebay.
I don’t to reward companies that make me a hostage to their product or service and shame on the SandTrap for not mentioning the cable issue anywhere in their review. If you are unaware of these issues bring in a technologist to advise you on technical issues to make your reviews honest and not just mouth pieces for the company.
Mohan Paul
I couldn’t agree more with you Paul. They are not the best product on the market. I liked it at first but as you said if your have four in your group they are all showing different distances by as much as 7-10 yards. That really blows my confidence level in this product. Now I find myself second guessing the distances because they are all off so much. I am comptemplating buying a Bushnell Rangefinder. It’s a shame that they have so much potential that they could be a very useful tool. I am not certain what the problem could be with them all showing a different distance?
I have been trying to down load my skycaddie and I can’t download the course I need because the internet keeps blocking it. what can I do I turned of the popups and disabled my fire wall for about 15 seconds but still it won’t remove the yellow bar at the bottom of the download sight. please help
You guys and Ladies waste you money on this piece of crap company’s product that has no customer service. I left my sky caddie on a golf cart at a public course. I called Sky Caddie to report loss Sky Caddie. They told me they would shut it down so no one could use it. I call the course twice after loosing it and they always said no one found it or turned it. Well; on the way out of town, as I was headed home from my vacation, I stopped at the golf course just to check for myself and sure enough their it was on the counter of the Pro Shop. It was still operating and had not been shut down like Sky Caddie customer service told me. All they did for me was offer to sell me a new one for $50 off the list price.
When I called customer service on other ocations, I have been left on hold for over an hour more than once. Purchase a new windows Vista software computer and you will have all kinds of problems until you only use Mircosoft One Live anti Virus software. There are to many problems problems with 4 of the mail anti virus companies to make the download work for the Sky Caddie course loading web page.
Good luck, I think most all of these GPS untis are off by + or – 5 to 10 yards. I here the Garmin Golflogix is the closest to be accurate, but it also eats batteries a lot faster than they say too.
Contact Sky Golf help and they will send you a phone number to call and they will try to help you over the phone. I had to do this, but that still did not work. It is a place to start. I ended up sending mine in for repairs.
I called them a number of times and have been left on hold over an hour at times. Customer NO SERVICE is what I call this company.
I’ve had a SC2 for two years. As long as I was using Win XP, I had no problems downloading courses & the unit worked well. After installing Vista I cannot get my PC to recognize my unit for downloads. The “Customer Service” is not commensurate with the price of this unit. It is a bad joke!! SG2 UNITS DO NOT FUNCTION IN WIN VISTA OS; yet, this company will not acknowledge this fact & apparently does not have the wherewithal or inclination to provide a software patch.
I will be Ebaying this unit with the disclaimer, re VISTA, and will bid farewell & good riddance to this company & its products.
The way I solved the windows vista problems was to get rid of all the anti virus software and install Microsoft windows live anti virius. It worked with Windows Vista Home Premium then. Doing this also cut out some of my other conflicts with windows vista. $49 covers 3 PC units too.
Thx Maddog for that info; however, I’m not going to trash my Norton anti-virus suite and make a new investment with less protection, because of SC2. I have had no other problems with my system, which is Vista Home Premuim, also.
I have been able to designate which programs my anti-virus software will allow to run in VISTA with no problems encountered – except, again, with SC2.
Thx, again, Maddog; but, I’m moving on. Will check out the iGolf Neo, first.
I have been using the Guru for a month. It is easy to use, has a long battery life, has never lost signal quailty enough to affect performance, exactly matches the sprinkler heads. I requested a course and they had it avalailable for dload in 5 days.
Alas…I went to use it today and it would not turn on despite having been charging overnight. I guess this is where we will find out how good their warranty is. I will report back when the issue is resolved.
Problem resolved. It was user error. I played today without my guru and greatly disliked the head hunt involved in finding yardage. Now that it is up and running again, I will continue to sing praise.
I played in my member-guest last summer my partner had a skycaddie 4 and I had the best round of the year. Im going to order one they really work. Also your at a disavantage if you dont have one Im 50 and been playing golf since I was 8,my handicap is 14 been the same for the last couple a years but with skycaddie my handicap will drop.
I also purchased the SG4 last year and for a while it was a real asset then the trouble began. First some of the other members of my foursome bought one and we soon notices that the distances on each of them was differnt by as much as 10-15 yards. Then mine started acting all difficult and losing the satellite connection (even on sunny days). Over all I am just not sure they are all that much of an aid. If you have to fool with them resetting them, and then not sure if they are accurate you began to lose concentration on the game and are fussing too much with the gadget. I think I am going to start looking for a Pinseeker rangefinder. Not to mention the annual fee to access the data base. Hope I didn’t burst your bubble but think twice and seek some other comments.
My Golf Guru can see more satelites than the Skycaddie and has never lost signal. I check every sprinkler head I pass and have found it to be within 2 yards every time. Granted, I have only played 5 rounds, but I am amazed and thrilled with the performance. I get free downloads til the end of 2010 and best of all, I paid less than 250.00 with shipping for everything. It has an IPod battery that charges off of a usb cable connected to my computer or an wall or lighter charger. I mapped a hole in my yard (2.5 acres) Now I can tune in my short game with great distance accuracy.
These guys are in Austin, Tx and seem like really neat businessmen in the mold of the Google guys. That appeals to me. I can not imagine why the Guru would not be your first choice, but it is the american way to pay extra for less if it is packaged nicely. I use OpenOffice and it lacks a spellcheck,so you are stuck with my feeble spelling.
GURU? I never even heard of it, and when I saw your previous post I wasn’t sure what you were talking about. The reason I never looked at Guru is that I didn’t even know it existed. One thing about your latest posts ” I check every sprinkler head I pass and have found it to be within 2 yards every time?” I have found, using both Bushnell Rangefinder and Skycaddie, very few of the sprinklers or on course markings are accurate.
I have not had a problem with Skycaddies customer service. I did have to wait on the phone just like I have to wait to talk to my phone company, my cable company, pretty much any customer service. This is the state of customer support we live in these days. If a company is able to answer your calls quickly, it just means they are not that busy. Wait until their market share goes up , I guarantee their wait times go up. Inregards to my experience, I dropped my SG3 and cracked the screen. It still got yardages I was just unable to see the bottom half of the screen. I called them up they told me they could fix it. They charged my 60 dollars to replace the screen, and I had it back in my hands in one week.
If you look at the nubers on this site there are relatively few people who are complaining, compared to the numbers of units they have sold. Show me one device that doesn’t have a forum filled with people complaining about their device. Apple has it, Microsoft, Sony, Dell… In all it usually works out to 1 percent of the users who end up having issues. And 90 percent of those problems are user related.
Every piece of technology will have issues, Bill your problem sounds like a common issue with devices using a lithium ion battery. I bet if you bought a new one your issues would be solved.
The accuracy, it turns out will be the same on all gps as it is a system. The difference is the price, features, number of satelites, continuous updates which improve the device without having to pay, 2 years free downloads, prompt (no power company treatment) phone service with a guy who talks daily with the creator of the device, and a huge difference in price. I cannot speak for lasers of other imaging devices, but I sure love mu GOLFGURU and club selection is not even an issue.
Well I solved the problem of piss poor customer service from Sky Caddie. I left my SG2 with portable mount on a rental cart at Heron Creek Golf Club last week and it was never turned into to the Pro Shop. I call customer service and the only thing they said they can do is put it on a lost list is someone tries to download new courses to it.
When I purchased it the literature said if lost they would shut off service to the unit. I was told that is not true, they only do not allow new courses to be download to the unit and who knows if that is true or not with all the lies they have told me in the past.
I can tell you that I will not be buying a new Sky Caddie that is for sure. I may purchase a golflogix from Garmin, who seem to be more interested in proforance than being the leading advertiser for a marginal product in the first place.
So bite me Sky Caddie your not getting another $59.95 for this next years service from me. You may just get a lawsuit for false advertising instead. That is if I can find the orginal sales literature and instructions.
Mike,
Well I understand new technology and the issues associated with it, but I have an IPOD, Garmin GPS for my vehicle, XM Satellite radio, numerous cell phones and frankly I haven’t had a problem with any of them. I guess you may be correct about buying a new one but frankly, I am not willing to take that chance. You heard the old saying “Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me”?
Well Maddog, they won’t be getting $59.99 from me either. I just placed an order for a Bushnell rangefinder with pinseeker technology. No more annual fees associated, and I can check distances to flags on the driving range, and the course. I guess I will put my SG4 on Ebay, with thedata concerning the issues, including weak tech support.
Mike,
One other thing all is well unless you are in the one percent having issues. Good luck with your SG3 and I hope all works well for you.
I played last summer with a SG4 and played my best round,Ive been playing for 42 years I have a SG3 now
I just purchased the SkyCaddie SG5, I found it voerly simple to sign on, register and download courses. It has virtually every course that I play and they are 4 star mapped courses. I see some say they use satellite images but have actually met a guy walking one the new local courses with a large backpack with antenna. He said, as does their website, that they walk each course as that is the most accurate way to map them.
I found the device simple to use on the course, yardages were accurate, hit al four satellites quickly after I turned it on and as I sit her inside my house it is telling me I am 508 yards from the center of #1, a course I mapped myself today! It was easy. I am not a tech person, I bought one for me and my wife an dit is just not hard to set up or use. I would recommend it.
D.T. I wish you well and I hoope you can still say the same after several months. I really liked my SG4 initially but after spending $300.00 plus dollars I expect a little more, plus the annual subscription isn’t something I look forward to. I believe I may have gotten one that is a lemon or something? It worked fine for about 6 months + or -. Then the problems began. I tried to think of anything that I may have done to cause it but honestly I take very good care of my toys. I keep fresh batteries in it, I do not store it under extreme conditions. I carry it in a leather case to protect it, I haven’t dropped it or gotten it wet. I just can’t understand what could be the problem. Anyway I bought a Bushnell Rangefinder and played with it a little over a week ago. I like it. The pinseeker technology has removed the issue of holding it steady, and it gives precise distances. I hope it lasts longer than the skycaddie. Plus I don’t need a subscription, and I can find distances anywhere (not just where they mapped it), like a driving range, etc.
Hmmmmmm. Makes you wonder what this site is supposed to represent. I’ll tell you right now if you’re looking for something good being said about the SkyCaddie….go somewhere else! You won’t find it on this site.
I had 3-4 posts on this site in the last 2 months and now all of a sudden my posts are deleted. I was courteous and polite to all….the only thing I figure I did wrong was “defend” the SkyCaddie as a good unit.
Too bad people look at the info printed on sites like this and think it’s gospel!
I have to pass this on. You have heard me ragging on the Skycaddy recently about the distances between my skycaddy, and those of my fellow players. I bought the GPS rangefinder by Bushnell. I have played two rounds using them both and determined that the Rangefinder and the skycaddy are exactly on with regards to yardages. I downloaded software update at the beginning of the year and the skycaddy is working perfect. No problem though because I plan to use the skycaddy for all courses marked and use the bushnell for driving range and to confirm distances when in doubt. So I guess I have to eat some humble pie with regards to the Skycaddie and I hope it continues to work well. Both have pro’s and con’s. I like the Skycaddie because it has the information readily available, whereas with the bushnell I have to point and lock on targets. I like the bushnell because it doesn’t come with an annual charge to download courses.
Gosh…after reading all of the comments concerning the poor SkyCaddie customer service, the inferior technical GS units, why would anyone want to buy a SkyCaddie.
Instead, I went with GolfLogix made by Garmin. After owning 3 different Garmin StreetPilots since 1997, I knew that Garmin was a great company that made great GPS units.
So, I went with the Garmin GolfLogix GPS-8, which is easy to use, tracks 20 courses with annual fee of only $29.95 for all worldwide golf course. None of these $29 to $59.00 annual membership fee’s charged by SkyCaddie.
If you only play on one course, you can download that one course free at no charge. Instant on depending on what golf course you are on, as it will know which course you are on, automatically. Marks and tracks distance from last ball strike position.
GolfLogix works on XP, Vista OS, and also Macintosh OS with no problems.
GolfLogix have excellent Customer Service. You can call their toll free 800 number in Phoenix, and they will call you back. And they respond to all email questions.
There are two models. The one that came out in 2007 that retailed for $349.00 which will probably be discontinued. And the newer and improved GPS-8 that came out in March 15, 2008, retailing for $299.00.
So, what do you want to buy? GolfLogix by Garmin, or 5 different SkyCaddies from SkyCaddie. I say buy GolfLogix by Garmin.
π
Well so far so good, I ahve played 6 different courses and the SkyDaddie is doing great so far!
I should say that I have used bushnell rangefinders on the course for about 5 years now. So I think I can compare the two. I liked my rangefinders and the opinseeker technology was pretty good However, shooting at the pin on each approach was something I hoped to avoid with the SkyCaddy and it is working. It was okay to know the yardage to the pin if I knew the size and shape of the green. The Sky Caddie has helped me decide on smart shots rather than at the pin each time. I also really like knowing the distance to a hazard and the carry yardage to carry the hazard. On my SG5 I love being able to move the pin on the display to any spot on the green. Then I know the yardage to the pin itself (pretty much) and the yardage to the front and back of the green both in front and behind the pin itself. Now I know if I can trully shott at the flagstick and what my chances of going off the back are, I can avoid being off the green at least. Depending on the shot, I say you probalby hit 3-4 of 10 shots the best you can with each iron. So I can now figure an Iron that goes to the back when I truly hit it well, and that same iron will get me to the pin or at least on the front if I don’t quite hit it my best. I really like the intelligreen technology which gives me the shape of the green also. I still use my rangefinder some to compare, and the distances are generaly the same to most targets. Okay so no I want them to put some type of sensor on top of flagsticks so the skycaddie becomes a true pinseeker and can measure to the hole and place it on the intelligreen exactly where it is at! hey, maybe I should have patented that idea before I spoke…lol
After a little more than a year, possibly like 16 months, my SG3 no longer gives accurate distances. Not sure why this is, I haven’t dropped it or spilled anything. Its off by anywhere from 75-110 yards now, reporting I am 246 yards from the center of the green, but I am standing right next to the 150 marker on the fairway.
Its happened now on two consecutive rounds. I am going to give it another shot on the weekend and after that get rid of it.
Anyone else have or having similar problems? I won’t be buying another sky caddie. I cannot honestly recommend their products or service.
=======
What should one do, if we are experiencing problems with the sky caddie, unhappy with their service, cost of subscription to maps of the course, the fact that no two sky caddies agree on distance even when next to each other, should we just ignore all this and say only positive things? Give me a break, I have said it can speed up the game, but even that is suspect.
Bill, Where can you find positive comments about SkyCaddie?
Jim,
I guess you can find them here, just not many. It appears this site was/is all about people who are having trouble with the product. I can sympathize with most of them as I had a period where my GPS was flaking out, and when you can’t get assistance, or in many cases even find someone to talk to about it, it is frustrating. My SkyCaddie has since been behaving itself. I am not sure what the problem was but it seems to have corrected itself? Anyway SkyCaddie could do better in the customer service department, but some folks who post on this page are really angry. I guess $300.00 – $400.00 is a lot of money for a product that isn’t doing what it was advertised to do. Not to mention the issue of the annual subscription price. Overall I can only say this is a good product when it works.
Any word on activation of the sd card feature?
A pain in the butt to download..not a lot of help from customer service.
Had 3 Sky Caddies, the last one an SG4 I threw last week into the lake, I’m not joking.
The unit is poor, the accuracy isnt great, the download courses a hassle, the software crappy, the battery life not even lasting 2 rounds of Golf, half of the time the SG4 wouldnt find any sattelites, the connector on the back to the SG4, sick, you break your fingers to try to screw it on and off all the time. So I threw it in the lake, said thats it, never any device like this again…
Until I saw the Sonocaddie V300, I said, heck, lets try it. Ordered, shipped in 2 days, unpacked, wow. Fits in the hand, great display, battery was charge, regular USB cable, software connects immediately to the device. Has scorecard on it, is accurate, played 5 rounds without even recharging. Full maps on courses, free one year membershit, you dont even have to pay yearly and can use it.
This is compared to a Skycaddie like a Dual Pentium and the Sky Caddie is the IBM XT.
Maped a course (they just added 9 holes to our 18). Sent a short email at 2am, wondering if they would upload my course… Dang, reply.. Not one, three!!!!! Call this number, coursse uploaded…
5 Star, forget anything out there, buy a V300!!!!
Oh I forgot to mention that when I unpacked the Sonocaddie and turned it on in my house (were I have barely cell phone reception) the Sonocaddie found 11 sattelites INSIDE my office within less than 2 minutes. On the course I have constantly 10-12 sattelites and it works FAST!
Pat
This is the answer to the question I posted a year ago. My family wanted to buy me a Sonocaddie for Fathers’ Day.
I went ahead and bought a Pinseeker Laser device and am satisfied. Good to know that someone is satisfied with a golf GPS system.
DonΓ’β¬β’t buy SkyCaddie or other SkyGolf Product!
I am on a quest to warn people about SkyGolf / SkyCaddie. I bought an SG3 mainly because of the SD RAM expansion slot which I have several adds saved where it is promised that this slot allows you to save more courses; LIE, the slot does nothing, never did.I have called SkyCaddie about this many times and have been promised a solution over and over. At this point it is too late, there are way too many better technologies on the market.
uPro is the unit I like best and, after I purchased it, I sent them an e-mail support question and they got back with me within 24 hours Γ’β¬β ON A SUNDAY! I waited for weeks and never received promised call-backs from SkyGolf. Their customer support is a joke; I suspect that their business model will not be obsolete since they will soon not be able to rape people for $50.00 a year. I believe that this puts SkyGolf at risk of going out of business as their business model requires that people continue to be willing to pay this outrageous fee.
I have never used the GolfBuddy, but plan to buy one soon for traveling as it has 20,000 courses pre-loaed. There are others, such as iGolf, which are far less expensive than the SkyCaddie.
I think that SkyGolf thought that their iGreen patents would give them a sustainable advantage; fortunately uPro has blown that technology out of the water.In short, SkyGolf was early, but is not the technology leader , pricing leader or customer service leader (in fact I have rarely, if ever, dealt with a company with worse customer service).
BTW, if anyone wants a used SG3 for Cheap, I got one that will be placing on e-bay!
I have a SG3 and I love it .Plus The foursome that I play with cant get over it
I have last years version of SG4 and I love it also especially with the special golf cart bracket. Should have an attachment for my reading glasses, however! π
Was interested in the uPro from the previous email. Looks kool but also a bit delicate. As for no membership fee – true, but each course is purchased with the single course fee of $10 – yipes! Also, I assume a renewal fee if the course is upgraded. Finally not a lot of courses available yet – many say 10/08….but that is probably like the prediction date of a contractor!
Has anybody had experience with replacement batteries for SG2 from batterybob @ $25.99 with free shipping? Or, has anybody successfully found a workable replacement from Radio Shack or other local battery shop?
i just recently bought an sg2 off of amazon for $169. I read almost all of the comment left on this sight and find it ridiculous of all the bitching people do. I am 17 years old and a single digit handicapper. I feel as though this will get me lower scores and i also think that you are entitled to buy whatever you want to buy regards of how good you are at golf. Hell, i may even asking for one of the more pricier skycaddies for christmas. All i can say is that i have used GPS before in a cart and found it nice to have the yardage right at my fingertips. I will mainly use my sky caddie to see how far i hit shots on average with different clubs. hope everything works out right for me!
Have had a SG-4 for about 6 months now, and generally like it, even though there is somewhat of an accuracy issue. I can live with a 5 yard error or so, such that if I’m shooting at a pin listed at 150 yds, a shot +/- 5 yds is okay by me. In any case, was wondering if anyone has had issue with the Caddie locking up ? There are occasions where I will be walking from one hole to the next, and when checking yardage, will find the system has frozen. The only way to reset, is to remove and replace the battery.
This is because you can’t map hazards, bunkers, traps and etc. This information is ONLY available through the golf courses you download from online. There are different levels of golf courses online, they are one star, two star, three star and four star. The number of stars tell you how much information you will get concerning a golf course. When mapping a course yourself, you only have access to map the front, back and center.
Okay, I had a problem. I bought 2 of the SG5 models and both my wife and I have loved them. Hers locked up on me awhile back and I could not seem to get it going. It probably just needed the battery removed or something but I called the folks at SkyGolf anyway.
I could not be more pleased with the response. They told me to send it to them so they could check it out. I can’t recall wether it was in or out of warranty but I sent it to them, email comunications with them were great. They gave me a specific time frame and sent it back well within that timeframe. They send a new one, I think. Everything about the experience was good, I do not expect every product I buy to not have some trouble now and then, especially an electronic device. I have dropped it several times, (the belt clip system could be better) etc., I have not been gentle with it.
My SkyCaddie has worked great with no problems, my wife’s had the problem described above. They sent it back and charged me nothing, they sent me some SkyCaddie hats and apologized for any inconvenience. They have been great to me and so I have no complaints.
I just don’t have a problem with the subscription for all the golf courses (practically) in North America and Canada. My wife and I are fortunate to travel and play now and then. We just got back in July from a Golf Made Simple golf school in Nevada, the Sky Caddie’s worked flawlessy, in the high mountains and has worked flawlessly on the Gulf Coast. With the exception of the problem described above, I have no complaints and really no complaints about that as customer service came through with flying colors as far as we are concerned.
Just wanted to put an honest update here for those considering purchasing a SkyCaddie.
I decided to go with the golf logix from Garmin, since I have a bad habit of dropping stuff, and getting stuff wet. Although the USB cord did not work, I got right thru to customer service, and they sent me a new one right away. The annual fee is $30 bucks, and you can store up to 20 courses. They seem to do a lot of updating throughout the year. Every time I go online to download a new course, it shows enhancements to the courses I previously had downloaded. It seems the updates are additional yardages to bunkers, water hazards, etc. If it’s a lay up hole, you grab the logix and it’s already up on the screen “262 to water” and “305 to carry water”, etc. Very handy. I do question a few yardages, because I’m standing at the 100 stake and my logix will say 108 or 92, but that’s pretty rare. Overall, I’m very pleased with the golf logix, and I think I made the right choice. I may get a laser finder at some point, to use on the range, or to use when my logix yardage is off from the course markers a little bit. However, it’s great to have a GPS when you have a blind shot and can’t shoot the flag. Or you’re a fairway over without a laser. The golf logix also uses regular batteries, so I’m never without power. I carry an extra package of AA’s in my golf bag, and also have rechargeable AA’s that plug into my car. Works out great.
I’ve had my SG4 for 22 months. I’m on my 2nd rechargeable battery (I think SkyGolf charges $39.99 + S&H for replacements). Although SkyGolf claims the battery will work for 12 hours I’ve never had that experience. It is true, however, that when the batteries were new I could play 36 holes (in one day) with a battery before recharging it. Unfortunately it doesn’t take long for “battery wear” or whatever to get to the point where I cannot get 36 holes out of a recharge. So, the battery has used all its juice in less than 9 hours. For this and several other issues I’ve had with the unit itself and with SkyGolf Customer NoService at the end of ’08 when my $49.99 (or however much it is) runs out, I’m going another way and either get a range finder or maybe a Golf Logix. Like another earlier poster said, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” December 31 and I’m done with SkyGolf/SkyCaddie.
I just loved the darn thing (SG4) when I got it, but the honeymoon doesn’t last so long . . .
Yeah!
It is easy for the Pros to like the Sky Caddie because they get free batteries! that make the Sky Caddie easy to like!
per my post of Oct. 28 (above) I ordered and received a GolfLogix GPS-8. As soon as my ’08 subscription for SkyCaddie courses expires, I’m retiring my SkyCaddie for good.
I have two SG2 Sky caddies. Each has a seperate type of up/download cable. One has the normal usb cable and the other has a female opening. Ski caddie has discoutinued this unit and download cables are on back order? They could not provide me with information in regards to the type of cable as well. Any ideas as to the type of cable this is Or where i can get this replaced? thanks
Well, I love my running water and electricity in my home and love my SG4. Takes some getting used to, but is accurate and speeds up play.
My home is a 9 hole course and is quite busy on weekends. Quick pace is key and these devises are all over our course and my hats off to the designers of these things.
Allows more people into the game by making room for them by quick pace.
Okay, I have now owned the two SG5’s for over a year and no problems other than the one described above. No battery problems at all.
Now I get scoring on my Sy Caddie, counts strokes and putts. I love it! 3D greens on the way now from what I understand… wow! The subscription seems to be the only knock anyone really gives the SkyCaddie consistently. Any electronic device will have some problems with some units. The major battery problem is just not a problem for anyone that I know that owns a sky caddie. I have seen, nor heard of any persistent problems that are widespread. I am glad to see gps growing on the golf course, it speeds play and I hope helps others games as much as it has helped mine.
I play on a small semi-private 18 hole course that is really 9 holes with 2 sets of tee boxes. I did not think Sky Caddie would send someone with their equipment to walk our little course but I put a request in on the website anyway. Wow, they showed with the big gps back pack and hand helds and mapped our litttle course for all 18 holes even though they had to (i guesss they did not but did) walk the same holes twice to make sure that everything was accurate from each tee box. Probably just measured target areas the second time around but it was really nice of them to come walk our little course. Most members were surprised and thought we had to pay them to do that. Other than my subscriptions, nothing was paid to them to do this but they want to have the most complete course library and provide customers home courses to them professionally measured.
I am a fan! I hope others find the GPS they like but my experience is that some golfers will never actually like gps units just as some despised the move from persimmon woods.
SG5 is a great product….but caddiesync software is worthless. (Can’t resize display, can’t see buttons to renew, SG5 still gives warning that it will expire AFTER you finally suffer through caddiesync and get it renewed.) Scrap caddiesync and start over – every single line of code. Finally, the support phone number should not be answered by a fax machine – it’s the final slap in the face.
Once again in the interest of full disclosure and wanting to give anyone considering a SkyCaddie my experiences for whatever they deem it worth to them.
I had a problem with my SkyCaddie, you may recall from above I had a problem with my wife’s SkyCaddie and was very pleased with the service from the company in getting the problem resolved. (see my post about it above)
Last week I noticed the screen of my SkyCaddie SG5 was very light and hard to see. Part of that may have been due to the scratches as I have used the fire out of mine since purchasing it. I contacted SkyCaddie and they had me check a couple of settings and asked me to send it to them. I did, overnight as I can’t live without for long, I really enjoy the information at my fingertips and I have some new irons and am still getting my yardages down.
Once again everything about my experience with customer support was pleasant, email communications were timely, clear and concise. They emailed to tell me it had arrived and once again sent it back to me well within the time frame they gave me. (actually a week early) This time the SkyCaddie was out of warranty for sure. When I opened the package I notice what appears to be a new SkyCaddie now. I did not see a bill and emailed them today as I received it back today.
I just got a message from them that the repair was no charge! I got my SkyCaddie back repaired and in all other respects better than when I sent it to them. (I really give my SkyCaddie a workout and it was very used.) I just have enjoyed both experiences with customer support with this company and really have no complaints at all.
If I had to complain about something it would be the belt holder as my SkyCaddie has fallen several times, may be my large gut but a better way to secure it to your belt would be nice. Perhaps Otterbox will make a cover for it, that would be great! (have an Otterbox on my Blackberry and it has hit the ground many times and when you take the Otterbox off the Blackberry looks brand new.
So, for what it is worth, I am very please with my SkyCaddie and the company. I do not expect to own electornics and not have any problems with them ever. I have always been treated well and been very please with the service when I do have a problem or question.
How does the auto shot display work on the upgrades?
Thanks
Oh Please Brad! you try to front as if your a real golf purist. I don’t buy it for a second… If you are such a purist then ask yourself why you use the ball that you use when you play and why is it that your driver is made of metal instead of the wooden kind? If you need attention go and line up next year for the American Idol tryout…you would fit perfectly there. π π
Anyway with regards to the real topic of the thread…. I prefer the SG5, it totally speed up my game because me or my playing partners don’t have to scramble around the fairway looking for the sprinkle markers.
Look, i use to think this was the dumbest most pathetic game ever!!! until 3 years ago my new neighbors took me to our local golf course. Long story short, i got hooked and got the bug..big time!!! i’m no purest but i feel that golf was not a sport of choice for minority kids in the inner city, we had football (100) a season, Basket ball (75), baseball (60 ). Golf was seen as an old whiteman elitest game. I think the reason golf is not flourishing as it should is because of the Good ol’boys so called golf purest. But to each his own..My wife recentlt bought me the SG5 for fathers day..and you know what..i play faster and more accurate , not wasteing time second guessing which iron to use..and though it’s only been 3 years since i picked up those sticks i’m consistanly shooting in the mid to low 80’s.
I have a SG/2 and I have been having trouble with it advanceing to the next hole. Ihave to push the hole button to advance it to the next hole I am playing. Can you advise me on what can be done.
I have the SG/5 model and am extremely DISAPPOINTED. First, I get a late call from my buddy to go play at a course not on my skycaddie. No problem I’ll just download it and be on my way. WRONG!! I have to contact skycaddie to upgrade my SG/5 which I don’t have enough time as it is a last minute tee time. Second, my skycaddie shuts down between shots!! I mean every shot, so that equates to 20 or 30 times!!! I call skycaddie and one of their “gurus-says I need the upgraded firmware which I can print out when he e-mails it and proceed. NOTHING. I call again and another guru-says it is my battery. The cost is $40 {same as Radio Shack} I ask how come my SG/5 will stay on for an hour at the driving range but not on the course? He doesn’t know, but says; send it back and skycaddie will fix it for no more than $100. I telll him I’ve spent over $400 for it and $30 for the original set-up and 1 year later another $30 and the damn thing is 14 months old. Now I have to spend another $100 to fix a bad product. They won’t tell you what’s wrong with it just make sure you send the $100 with it. They will pay for the shipping, to and from-YIPPEE. This is my last skycaddie EVER. I want one that when you turn it on it is at the course you are playing period. No yearly fees either.
The SkyCaddie SG4 has a lot of problems. Mine had cord connection problems, which they replaced. But, the real problem is the GPS satellite hook-up, which is a common problem that SkyGolf will not admit to. It continually drops the conection & will not give you the yardage. There is an obvious design error that they (and the consumer) are stuck with. When you call in, the tech support people are usually very nice (once you get thru), but they wonΓ’β¬β’t admit to the problem & will do nothing to help you.
I would have my doubts on anything SkyGolf makes as a result of this. There are too many other brands out there now. Check carefully before you buy.