Review: uPro Golf GPS

[bobped]

Thansk, Certfi__able, any idea how long that's been on the FAQ? Here is an excerpt from an email I received from Sean Lightfoot from uPro tech support on Feb 15. Actually now that I re-read, I think the question I asked was whether or not we'd need to buy a new device to get the additional features, and Sean indicated the updates would be via firmware, i.e. that the current device was built to support the voice recognition and shot tracking features. I didn't actually ask if they'd charge us for new firmware updates/features. That probably explains my confusion... I used a PDA with touchscreen for shot tracking before, not sure how they're going to do it with the simple device they have now! Very curious to see...

Thank you for contacting uPro technical support. In regards to
your question below, any up coming modules to be released for the uPro
will simply be firmware updates. So in other words, any existing device
will be able to accommodate shot tracking, voice recognition, etc. We
truly appreciate the kind words you pass along and believe you (and
hopefully your buddy) have made the right choice on selecting uPro, the
golf GPS unlike any other. If you have any further questions or
concerns, please do not hesitate to ask.

[Guest]

This is my first post. I"ll start by saying thanks for the good info on the upro and you have helped make my decision to buy one.
Now for my upro experience (or lack of one).
I bought a upro from edwin watt's on 5-16-09 (saturday) and immediately went home to set it up. Plugged it into my mac and it loaded the site, telling me it was an invalid device (didn't recognize my serial #). STRIKE 1! This problem was fixed on Monday with a phone call.
The website will not allow me to request courses (not sure if it's a mac thing or what -- tried safari, firefox, and explorer with no success). STRIKE 2! I called them again and they tell me that they can enter my requests for me, and that they are working on a new website that should fix the problem.
I knew that my home course was not already mapped, but I wasn't conscerned due to their "4 day home course mapping guarantee". The rep told me that he would put in my request for the home course and 6 other courses in my area. He called me back the next day saying that my home course and most of the others would be mapped within a week. I thought GREAT! However my home course didn't make it within that week even though most of my other requests were done. FOUL TIP! (I'll also add that my home course is sooooo tight, that on the flyovers, you can't see some of the fairways for the overhanging trees... this may have caused a problem with mapping, as you must be able to see what you're mapping)
Well, now on 5-27-09 my home course is finally done as well as 5 of the other courses (4 are done in pro-mode and 1 is only in basic)! I also should have a protective skin on the way compliments of callaway (because they didn't meet the home course 4day guarantee)! GROUND RULE DOUBLE!
The reason I bought the upro is everyone's opinion of their customer service and I can say that it's not bad... I'm really impressed that they got several of my other requests done so quickly. I'll also say that the unit is top notch - way more impressive than any skycaddie i've played with. If the promised shot tracking, etc. ever makes it - it will be leaps and bounds ahead of everything out there.
I can't wait to use it, but won't be able to for a couple of days (just my luck-- my course is coring greens this week!!!)
Anyways, (even after not using it for the first 11 days) I still believe I made a good choice with the upro, but would suggest you check the courses available before you buy. I've been very PO'd about the delays on my home course (I play 98% on the same course), but their support kept me calm while I had a breakdown over the "expensive paper weight" I'd bought.
Thanks again for your reviews, I'll keep reading and maybe once in a while post some knowledge of my own.

[songwriter]

Can anyone give a brief description of what shot tracking is? And voice recognition... how will that work?

[Certifi_able]

Here is what I could find
Well worth a full read .... here is a piece of the article

http://golf-patents.com/2009/03/29/s...s-devices.aspx


Earlier this year Callaway Golf acquired uPlay Technologies and launched the new Callaway uPro website. In the past couple of weeks two uPlay patent applications published giving us the first look at uPlay’s intellectual property.

The applications include US Pub. No. 20090075761 titled “Golf GPS Device and System” and US Pub. No. 20090079625 titled “Golf GPS Device with Voice Recognition.”

That’s right, voice commands! The application goes on to explain:


[0075] Several examples of the use of the voice recognition capability follow. The golf GPS device 10 may be configured to allow a user to enter shot information while using the shot tracking mode using vocal inputs, or to enter scores on each hole. For instance, when entering a club selection for shot tracking, the user simply enters the voice mode and speaks into the device, "seven iron" or "driver", or whatever club is being used. For score keeping, the device 10 can be configured to recognize a player's name vocally input into the device, and then the score for a hole for such player. Thus, a user need only activate the voice recognition, then state the player's name and score in order to input the score for a player (e.g. "John, six;" Jerry, four"). The device 10 determines the name and score from the voice input, and then stores the data. The score data can then be displayed on the display 18. The voice recognition feature may also be used to audibly enter commands, such as switching between Basic Mode and Pro Mode, navigating through the devices menus, changing the settings, or any other command within the devices menus. Voice recognition facilitates the use of more advanced features, such as shot tracking, by reducing the amount of inputs that must be made using the input device. The use of voice recognition can also allow faster, and simpler access to certain commands/functions by bypassing menus that might normally be encountered when accessing such commands/functions. For example, a screen brightness setting might require going to the "Settings" menu, and then a submenu for "Display" settings, and then a selection of a "Screen Brightness" setting. Instead, the device 10 may be configured to recognize a voice command, such as "Screen Brightness" spoken into the device 10, in which case the device 10 will skip directly to the "Screen Brightness" setting. Of course, the device 10 could be configured to directly perform any of the functions of the device 10 using a voice command.

[mruseless]

That definitely sounds interesting. Especially the shot/club tracking stuff. I will probably keep using a paper scorecard, since I keep 5 stats and use Scorecard 2 to do the number crunching.

[Guest]

Excellent initial review, and all of the follow-up data make this a VERY attractive unit. Thought I would share the following with everyone who may be considering buying one of these:

$100 Rebate on purchase of a new uPro 6/1/2009 to 7/31/2009

http://www.uprogps.com/mail-in-rebate/

Now if that doesn't sell you, you may as well quit playing golf!

I know I'll be pulling the trigger very soon, and I'm sure all of my playing partners will benefit while I continue to hack about! Cheers!

[Bflynn23]

Just bought one of these today and cannot wait to get home and try it out. Once I saw the $100 rebate my decision was made. My secondary home course was mapped in pro mode, but not my main course, so hopefully it will be in pro soon. Messed around with it a little bit today and the features look great. Can't wait for Voice Recongition to be released.

[inthecup]

I bought a UPRO and played one round with it. Shot my best round on that course. Made different club selections then I had in the past with good results. Smarter layups.

I had trouble understanding how the mark function worked. I would hit mark at the tee (for example) then hit mark at the ball and it would give me a distance. It did not update as I moved from there? I thought it did that? I am thinking my firmware may not be up to date. I assumed it would be updated (if needed) when I hit the website the first time to load courses.

Any help is appreciated.

[fpuagolf]

Go ahead get the uPro, "cause NO PRO IS USING IT!!!!!"

[inthecup]

  fpuagolf said:

Go ahead get the uPro, "cause NO PRO IS USING IT!!!!!"

I must be slow because I don't get it.

[mruseless]

  fpuagolf said:

Go ahead get the uPro, "cause NO PRO IS USING IT!!!!!"

I don't get it either. Just a troll, added to my ignore list.

  inthecup said:

I bought a UPRO and played one round with it. Shot my best round on that course. Made different club selections then I had in the past with good results. Smarter layups.

When you hit "mark", your current distance from the mark should show in a little red box at the bottom right corner of the screen. Sometimes is takes a few seconds after you wake it up to get a lock. If you don't have the red box in the corner, you probably need to update your firmware.

[kfowler]

The mark feature did change with the new version release so check it.

[inthecup]

  kfowler said:

The mark feature did change with the new version release so check it.

I am in SE MI where are you?

[fpuagolf]

  mruseless said:

I don't get it either. Just a troll, added to my ignore list

  inthecup said:

I must be slow because I don't get it.

I WAS JK!!!

It's the Callaway uPro, I was basically saying I don't like it. No pros use it so thats where the NO Pro came from. (bushnell's!!!) Sorry, you guys can't take a joke...

[iacas]

  fpuagolf said:

Sorry, you guys can't take a joke...

No, I don't think that's it. I think it's more like "it wasn't funny" or "it didn't even make sense."

[Abs777]

Does anyone know the current firmware version? If you download a course will it automatically update the firmware? If it does, does it prompt you or does it just update?

Also, I am giving another 'shout out' for this thing. I have used it over 10 times in a little over a month and have not had ANY issues (knock on wood). Also, it is so nice to download courses you only plan on playing once or so for free. Just off of basic mode, a person in my foursome last week went out and bought one. I didn't have time to show him Pro Mode. He is in for a treat when he sees that. In my opinion this device can't be beat.

[kfowler]

  inthecup said:

I am in SE MI where are you?

I'm in Canton. You?

[kfowler]

  Abs777 said:

Does anyone know the current firmware version? If you download a course will it automatically update the firmware? If it does, does it prompt you or does it just update?

I believe it's 3.0. When you login, go to uPro Home and you can see your version.

You can also tell by the mark feature allowing multiple marks (it changes as you move) and the outlining of option for greens.