Dynamics Remote Control Caddy

[CarlSpackler]

Has anyone used or know of someone who has used an electric cart from Sun Mountain Dynamics. There is one for sale locally for $300 and would like input before getting it.

Thanks!

[Mr3Putt]

Has anyone used or know of someone who has used an electric cart from Sun Mountain Dynamics. There is one for sale locally for $300 and would like input before getting it.

If it's the Sun Mountain powered speedcart, than it's a good cart. I never heard it called Sun Mountain Dynamics, make sure that Sun Mountain really means Sun Mountain.

If it is, than $300 sounds like a pretty good deal. Are you sure it's remote controlled? Here's one that Eric from this site reviewed. http://thesandtrap.com/accessories/s..._e_cart_review Is that the cart? I don't think that THE Sun Mountain made a remote version. I have a remote controlled cart. I love it. No carrying, no pushing, no pulling.... Just play.

[CarlSpackler]

If it's the Sun Mountain powered speedcart, than it's a good cart. I never heard it called Sun Mountain Dynamics, make sure that Sun Mountain really means Sun Mountain.

They call it a Dynamics remote controlled cart. I saw in other ebay posts of the same thing that it is made my Sun Mountain. Here is a link to the ad:

http://dayton.craigslist.org/spo/1168614201.html It is remote controlled and can be steered via remote as well. It looks like the main downside would be the ability to push it if the battery dies before the end of the round since it has two wheels up front with a single in the rear.

[Mr3Putt]

Go check it out. It looks like he has two, get the best one and offer him cash, maybe he'll deal.

Bring your (over) loaded golf bag and take it for a long test drive ON GRASS. These things work great on asphalt, but tall grass and hills can be an issue.

Good Luck!

(I'm still not seeing the Sun Mountain connection, I checked out the auction, I think the Ebay guy is using the name to generate hits)

[CarlSpackler]

Go check it out. It looks like he has two, get the best one and offer him cash, maybe he'll deal.

It may not be Sun Mountain, but it does look like a decent deal. My friend has one that does not have the steering capability and he is constantly having to catch up to it and change directions. I would love one that homes in on a remote and follows you, but I have to win the lottery first. :)

[PiKapp23]

Check this out. These were being used at Weatherwax Golf Course in Middletown and the guy decided to sell his inventory of them. They are only $229 right now, which is a good deal. It's close enough you probably wouldn't have to get it shipped:

http://www.cincigolf.com/cart.htm

[Eeryck]

Pretty neat.

My co-worker and I (both Electrical Engineers) were discussing during our last round making a cart that would follow a golfer based on a RF badge worn on the belt.

The major 2 obsticles that we identified on our 18-hole discussion were, greens identification / avoidance and hazard avoidance. We thought we could incorporate GPS and work off that, but the programming would be a nightmare especially with the margin for error in gps survey of golf courses.

A remote control seemed too clunky to be really effective.

Regards,
-E

[CarlSpackler]

Check this out. These were being used at Weatherwax Golf Course in Middletown and the guy decided to sell his inventory of them. They are only $229 right now, which is a good deal. It's close enough you probably wouldn't have to get it shipped:

Thanks. I will look into it. I looked at several walk behinds before, but didn't like the fact that they had a single handle that came straight back, but this is a two handed design and might work better.

[CarlSpackler]

Pretty neat.

Interesting. I work for an electric motor company, and we were discussing using a variable speed motor that would apply more power when going uphill and less on downhill/level operation. As far as green avoidance, a kill button that would signal an all stop would probably be more practical but having an integrated GPS rangefinder would be cool. I would also recommend a sensor on the beverage holder that automatically signals the beer girl when it starts to get too light.

[iacas]

I'm anxious to see what Sun Mountain comes out with later this year. Their Speed E-Cart was great, but they discontinued it. I'm not sure why... maybe they just didn't sell many? I don't know. I reviewed it on the site and still use it.

[Eeryck]

A kill button that would signal an all stop would probably be more practical but having an integrated GPS rangefinder would be cool.

Full automation was the goal, folks would forget then you would have motorized carts chasing people around greens.

I would also recommend a sensor on the beverage holder that automatically signals the beer girl when it starts to get too light.

This could be useful.

-E

[CarlSpackler]

Full automation was the goal, folks would forget then you would have motorized carts chasing people around greens.

The question would be, would a vast majority of people be willing to pay for the full automation feature. I think the automatic beer cart signal would be a clincher for most people though. :)

[Eeryck]

The question would be, would a vast majority of people be willing to pay for the full automation feature. I think the automatic beer cart signal would be a clincher for most people though. :)

Since GPS is needed for hazard avoidance that opens up about $300 for replacement of golf GPS with the one in the automated caddie.

With good pushcarts going at $200 and figure in an extra $100 or so for motorized. Looking at maybe $600 for a novelty item that follows you arround on the golf course. Maybe I will pitch it to the Roomba guys. The full automation bit is just payback on software after you have developed the algorithims. There are always college kid Sr. Design projets that can be exploited for this sort of development to get you close. -E

[CarlSpackler]

Since GPS is needed for hazard avoidance that opens up about $300 for replacement of golf GPS with the one in the automated caddie.

Sounds interesting for sure. Let me know how it goes.

[Mr3Putt]

Since GPS is needed for hazard avoidance that opens up about $300 for replacement of golf GPS with the one in the automated caddie.

The technology you speak of already exists.... to a point. The shadow caddy will follow you while you are not facing it, it keeps a few feet between the robot and the operator so when you stop it stops, when you go it goes. You then push a button to make it stay put when you enter greens and such.. They are only available as fleet rentals at this point.

[Eeryck]

Honestly I am not suprised that is already exists. It seemed like it would be an easy thing to do as a hobbyist.

Most of the time when something tech seems like an easy thing to do for a hobbyist someone on the bleeding edge has already built a prototype and has something marketable.

Thanks for linking the video, I would not be suprised then if in a generation or two of that product that they find a way to get rid of the need to push a button. Look at the automated car races they had in the desert and I think they are planning one to go through city traffic soon with no drivers.

Applying some automated car software to that product could easily remove the need for button pushing.

Of course I noticed they did not include the key feature. No cup holder with auto call to the beer girl.

-E

[Eeryck]

They are at:

www.shadowcaddy.com

Right now they have no listed time frame for coming to the US. I would not be suprised if they are running into some patent issues here. Just speculation though of course.

Seems like a reasonable franchise opportunity for someone states side though if you had the coin and they were willing.

Regards,
-E

[Mr3Putt]

Thanks for linking the video, I would not be suprised then if in a generation or two of that product that they find a way to get rid of the need to push a button.

I agree, but I don't think the button pushing is really an issue, I mean most of the time you have to touch the device to pull a club anyway.

I would like to see this incorporated with a remote as well. I like to send mine to the next tee box when there's downtime on the green. Having to walk around the green all the time just to electronically tow your clubs could get old. A hybrid of sorts, one that follows you but then you can drive it remotely. We are in the infancy of all this technology believe it or not. One day an option like this will be part of the bag, just snap on the wheels and go.