My new SkyCaddie "SG3"...Review

[TD22057]

As far as the yardage differences I have heard about that from only 1 other customer. I know rebooting the GPS will pick up a better signal sometime... basically the only thing I can tell you is if its any bit cloudy outside its going to be off by probably 5 yards or so due to the moisture in the air bending the signals a tad.

Moisture only introduces about .5 meter error. Charged particles in the upper atmosphere are the largest error source (5 m) and they're not a localized source. Wide area augmentation (courtesy of the FAA) nocks those down which is what allows the sky caddie to be good enough for golfing. If you want a good (but geeky) read, head to the wikipedia and search for "GPS" and "WASS".

Another thing to remember is that the sky caddie is giving you front/center/back yardages based on your current approach angle to the green. Sprinkler head yardages were most likely measured to fixed laser reflectors at the front/middle/back as seen from the center of the fairway. Overall I'm pretty happy w/ my SG3. Accuracy seems good enough and every course I play is available and I went to see my parents in Iowa this summer and all the courses (include little 9 hole ones) were in the system and professionaly mapped.

[NXT No. 3's]

that is correct. you may just have to move the crosshairs around a little bit to get the right approach angle into the green.,

[golfchief]

Thats a plus for them. Seems most CSP can't speak ENGLISH very well.

[Guest]

Just bought an SG3 GPS on Ebay for $268. Looks like I won't be disappointed this weekend. Any pointers on how to get started?

[NXT No. 3's]

call customer service and purchase your membership plan (state= $30/ yr). Install the software on your computer, transfer the courses and go!. And please if any of you have to call in to us and when someone answers the phone and says 'thank you for calling the sky caddie sales department' dont proceed with your customer service complaint or anything of that nature. You don't even realize how many people we get that call in on the sales line to get around the obnoxiously long CS line. We cant and wont handle anything other than sales calls.

[golfchief]

That's good to know, So they have a lot of complaints about the skycaddie not working right? and it's a pain in the A$$ to get help, is that what your saying?

[bcp]

Thanks for all the info. I am thinking about getting a SG3 or 4.

[Striper]

I've had my SG3 for about a month and I'm very pleased with it. I have not had ANY trouble with a poor signal, customer service, bad yardages, or unmapped courses.

I almost purchased another unit because of the complaints I read here and in other places. When the manager at PGA super store heard my concerns he gave me his card and said he would give me 90 days to return it, no questions asked. He owns one and loves it.

Perhaps the newer units have resolved some of the problems mentioned. I can only say that my experience has been good.

[bcp]

So the only difference in 3 and 4 is the battery and the expansion slot which is not yet functional on the 4??

I am convinced sky caddie is the way to go, just need to decide on model.

[MGP]

I have an SG3 and just use rechargeable NiMH batteries. I also keep a spare set in my bag when I play. You will get about 2 rounds per charge, about the same as you would with AA Alkaline cells. I use the same 2300 mAH batteries I use for my digital cameras.

Keep in mind that all Li-Ion batteries wear out over time. Most Li-Ion cells will only last 2-3 years, less if exposed to temperature extremes or deep discharged a lot. I'm not sure what the replacement battery cost for the SG4 would be but based on SkyCaddies other accessories I would bet it's pricey.

I would go for the SG3 and save $50 or so.

Other than the batteries and expansion slot they are functionally the same.

[bcp]

I got the SG3. I liked the fact that I can use AA batteries and; thus, keep the unit in my locker so I don't have to worry about transporting it back and forth to charge.

Tried it out yesterday and it works great. I am playing later in the week with a friend who also has one, so we can compare the yardages to assess accuracy.

[bklynbenz]

i bought the sg4 for myself and the sg3 for my brother and its really the same shit

[jaragon126]

Are SkyCaddie/GPS/Range Finders even legal?

I was thinking about getting one, I've seen people playing with them in my local rounds ... but you don't see anyone on the mini-tours or PGA/LPGA using them.

[bklynbenz]

Q: Is the SkyCaddie legal during play?
Answer: The R&A; and the U.S. Golf Association have sanctioned the use of distance measuring devices, including GPS based systems. New decision 14-3/0.5 allows a committee to permit the use of distance measuring devices by Local Rule. This applies to devices that measure distance only, not any other conditions that may affect a player’s game such as wind or gradient. In the absence of such a Local Rule, the use of a distance measuring device remains contrary to the Rules. We’ve recently become a product demonstration partner with the PGA of America and the SkyCaddie was the first electronic device to be used in tournament play on the Adams Golf Tight Lies Tour by adoption of a local rule to allow its use during play. Unless a local rule is adopted, you should check with your golf professional prior to use in a USGA sanctioned event.

[GolfnGriff]

I've had my SG3 for about 4 months now and really like it. I look forward to using it at courses I never played before because I think it gives a great advantage.

[bklynbenz]

yea the skycaddies are nice on the course but what really helped me out was being able to go out on my home course twilight style, hit a ton of balls with each club and use the mark feature to accurately record how far i could hit each.

[joey1234]

thats exactly what i want to do - what courses do yo uguy at twilight???

[jaragon126]

Thanks for the info bklynbenz, but check out this information I got from the USGA Rules of Golf:
----------------
During a stipulated round the player must not use any artificial device or unusual equipment:
(a) That might assist him in making a stroke or in his play; or
(b) For the purpose of gauging or measuring distance or conditions that might affect his play;
----------------

So that seems to contradict what you're saying because item (b) specifically says that you can't use devices for gauging or measuring distance.

Here's where I got my info:
http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/rules_of_golf.html
- click the "Rules of Golf & The Decisions on The Rules of Golf - 2006-07" link to open the popup
- Rule 14-3: Artificial Devices and Unusual Equipment