First thoughts on my new SkyCaddie SG4

[AbsoluteZero]

I had a chance to use my SG4 on Tuesday this week. My plan was to get a uPro, but my wife got me the SG4 (half the price) for our anniversary.

So I took it out on Tuesday and here are my thoughts:

Pros

1. easy to use
2. Synced Quickly
3. On the course it connected quickly and was able to figure out what hole I was on
4. Distances seemed right on

Cons

1. Hate the proprietary connector used on the back
2. it's a little bulky - won't fit in pocket
3. no way to pick point on fairway for layup

so those are some standard pros and cons. The one thing I'll add though is that while I wanted the uPro and all of the cool features it has, while using the SG4 I realized if I was playing a course I had played before I wouldn't use many of the features. The only feature the SkyCaddie didn't have that would have been nice exactly 1 time in the round was the ability for me to pick a layup spot on the fairway and check the yardage to it.

To be perfectly honest all I really needed/cared about, was the ability to see the front and back of the green as well as the ability move the cursor to the actual pin position. I didn't even really look at or use the carry distance or layup distance features that much.

So I guess my point is that for me, I could probably get by with the cheapest GPS unit on courses I've played before. I could see something more advanced being useful on new courses, but after playing once or twice, I'm not sure how much it would actually matter.

[jrwingate6]

What is the pro's and cons of a sky caddy over a range finder? To me, a good range finder would be better because you could point it at anything.

[McIlroy_man]

  jrwingate6 said:

What is the pro's and cons of a sky caddy over a range finder? To me, a good range finder would be better because you could point it at anything.

that however in my opinion is the only advantage of having a rangefinder over a skycaddie. If you cant hold your hands completely steady then it can be hell trying to pick up small targets like pins. also from 200 yards away you could easily think your pointing at the flag but actually its reading the yardage to the trees off the back of the green because your just off target with the scope.

Id take the skycaddie over any rangefinder everyday of the week just for ease of use and reliability

[AbsoluteZero]

  McIlroy_man said:

Id take the skycaddie over any rangefinder everyday of the week just for ease of use and reliability

I agree - It's just easier. Plus you get multiple readings at the same time on the same screen (front, middle, back).

[tjy355]

  AbsoluteZero said:

... The only feature the SkyCaddie didn't have that would have been nice exactly 1 time in the round was the ability for me to pick a layup spot on the fairway and check the yardage to it.

Wondering if hazards are mapped such that one can see the distance to the front edge or carry distance ?? (bunkers, water hazards, etc...) These are things that would be useful for judging if you need to go for it or layup.

[AbsoluteZero]

  tjy355 said:

Wondering if hazards are mapped such that one can see the distance to the front edge or carry distance ?? (bunkers, water hazards, etc...)

The skycaddie has that, but honestly since I had played the course several times before, I knew all of the bunkers and water that I could carry vs. the ones I needed to lay up before.

I imagine i'd use that more on a course I hadn't played a lot.

[jrwingate6]

Is there a monthly fee for the sky caddie and has anyone ran into problems with your golf courses not being available?

[AbsoluteZero]

  jrwingate6 said:

Is there a monthly fee for the sky caddie and has anyone ran into problems with your golf courses not being available?

annual fee (30 bucks for your state) and every one of the courses I've needed is on there

[Guinness23]

  McIlroy_man said:

that however in my opinion is the only advantage of having a rangefinder over a skycaddie. If you cant hold your hands completely steady then it can be hell trying to pick up small targets like pins. also from 200 yards away you could easily think your pointing at the flag but actually its reading the yardage to the trees off the back of the green because your just off target with the scope.

Actually that is not the case at all. I spent an enormous time figuring out what to go with and I decided on a Bushnell 1500 Rangefinder. It takes all of 2 minutes the first time to get the hang of hitting your targets, including flags. As for far away things, I can tell you the steeple on the church outside my window is 610 yards away. My wife hates when i make that comment, but it is very versatile. The rangefinder also has a pinseeker mode, which basically allows you to aim at the pin and it will take the closest thing between you and the thick forest behind the green, which should be the pin. Could not be easier picking up pins. I absolutely love the thing, my only issue I have is that blind shots become a little trickier, but you improvise and you can still get close readings, and I rarely have blind shots. Bottom line is they both have pros and cons, its just whatever works best for you. And to top it off, it has shaved at least 20-30 strokes each round of my game!

[uniongolf]

bushnells are the way to go for sure

[AbsoluteZero]

  guinness23 said:

it has shaved at least 20-30 strokes each round of my game!

what?!?!?!

[zubady]

I agree with two main points of the original poster and will add one. 1) If you play the same course or courses you don't need one of these at all. 2) The handheld ranger finders are difficult to use; and my add, they contribute to slow play. I asked to never be paired with a person that is an avid user of a hand held ranger finder; I spent one of the most miserably slow rounds in years with such a person. He knew what he was doing, he was a low handicapper, but his sloth using the ranger finder was discourteous to all other players.

[kevntri]

I use a 1500 Bushnell. It takes no time at all. It is just a respect thing to have it ready when you get to your ball. I walk all the time. I get it out about 10 steps before I get to the ball, shoot it, and toss it in its dedicated pocket. No time wasted at all. It has nothing to do with picking up the target. It is very simple use after a round or two.
The slow comment can also be pointed towards someone who takes too many practice swings or is not ready when it is time to hit.

[erock9174]

Anybody have any follow-up thoughts on the SG4 after using it for a while? Any reliability issues or faults with them? Looks like Golfsmith.com still has them for $179.99.
Seems like a really good deal being they once sold for over $300.

The reason I'd like a GPS unit is many of the courses I play around my area are horrible at marking distances in the fairway. So you never know if you are 180 yds out or 150 yds.

[erock9174]

Also
Does anybody know of a better price than $179 on the SG4 ?
Somebody mentioned Costco in another post but I don't have a membership.

[lumpuckeroo]

My 2 cents, and it's probably not even worth that much! I had one of the original Bushnell golf range finders. I used it initially but found it to be very difficult to get distances to the pin, of course it did not have the pinseeker technology, and other hazards as you could not be sure of what the lazer was bouncing off.

I have since bought a SG5 and while I have only got to play 2 rounds with it, I find it quicker and more convient to use. I do play on a lot of course with blind shots, the SG5 works better in those conditions. Also, I play a lot on older courses, with basically round greens. I don't pin hunt, middle of the green is perfect so that I am more concerned with the distance to the middle and not the flag.

So for me, I prefer the SG5, but easy to see why there are options.

[FHopper]

I play local courses and bought a used Skycaddie SG2. I like the ball mark feature as I am still learning distances in general. Of course it has shown me I consistently hit 20 yds shorter than I thought I did. The distance to the green is always nice to know. Like the OP I think simpler is better and quicker if you already have local knowledge.

[granitegolf]

I use a SG3 and a rangefinder.

I have mapped(skycaddie) the range pins at my two local ranges which is great for practicing. When I'm at a new range the rangefinder is very nice. Of course the ranges usually have some sort of markers but I find them to often be off as the hitting positions are changed etc... Distance control is one of the main things I work on and having the rangefinder for practicing is key.

The one nice thing about the skycaddie is the ability to mark drives etc... so you can start to get averages for actual course play.

Cheers, DR