SkyCaddie question

[ElWagonne]

Morning all,

I'm trying to see if anyone knows if the newer SkyCaddie models (SG5 and up) have the same issues as the SG4 with syncing.  I've now got to enter the golf GPS market b/c my SG4, which has been replaced once already, will not sync to a PC and SkyGolf wants me to pay $70 for them to send me a third refurbished unit.  Any advice, even if it's a different brand to consider would be appreciated.

[showtime583]

Get a laser range finder....no uploads, no syncing - just point and shoot! This won't help for mapping the entire hole, but can be used to measure distances to trees, bunkers, etc.

[Kapanda]

OP, please post in the "rate the avatar of the poster above you" thread, so I can give your av an 11

[lumpuckeroo]

I've had a SG5 for about 3 years and never had a problem syncing, have you tried to delete and reload your Caddiesync software?  It's possible it's your PC, if you have had 2 GPS units that won't sync and you are using the same computer, chance is the problem is your PC.  If you have a second PC, try loading the Caddiesync software on it and see if you can sync, that might give you an idea of where the problem lies.

[ElWagonne]

Originally Posted by lumpuckeroo

I've had a SG5 for about 3 years and never had a problem syncing, have you tried to delete and reload your Caddiesync software?  It's possible it's your PC, if you have had 2 GPS units that won't sync and you are using the same computer, chance is the problem is your PC.  If you have a second PC, try loading the Caddiesync software on it and see if you can sync, that might give you an idea of where the problem lies.

I tried deleting the software, disabling my antivirus, tried different cables, even tried syncing the thing to my work PC but no dice.  I found some SG5 listings on Ebay for less than the $70 that SkyGolf wants to charge for a refurb SG4, so I may go that route, since it's built differently.

[3putt53]

Uninstall your caddiesync software, clean your cookies and delete your temporary internetfiles. Restart your computer. Close all open running programs including your antivirus software and then reinstall your caddiesync software. Download a good registry cleaner like cleaner and run that once a week or so as well. I have an sg5 that gets a glitch once in a while as well,but running cleaner first seems to take care of the problems.

[blue72ss]

Skycaddie has one hell of a customer support department that will remote into your computer and get you up and running asap.  I know this because my wife and I have Mac's at home and I had problems syncing with mac.

[TexasVine]

I have had issues syncing my SGX with my Mac but not my Dell.

[Tuflehundon]

Looking into getting one of these. Found an SG4 on EBay for around $60 shipped. Are they nice units? Use one like this at the Chi Chi Rodriguez course last weekend, it was nice knowing the distance to trouble.

[Matt Gawley]

Originally Posted by Tuflehundon

Looking into getting one of these. Found an SG4 on EBay for around $60 shipped. Are they nice units? Use one like this at the Chi Chi Rodriguez course last weekend, it was nice knowing the distance to trouble.

I would pass on the SG4.  See if you can find an SG5.  It was and still is the best SkyCaddie of them all.  The SGX was a complete failure and they knew it because they had to release the SGX-W, which isn't much better.  The SGX and SGX-W just have too many features.  Personally I want yardages to front/middle/back and to hazards if there are any.  Don't get me wrong, I think SkyCaddie does an excellent job mapping golf courses, I just don't think their latest units are any good.

[Tuflehundon]

Originally Posted by Matt Gawley

I would pass on the SG4.  See if you can find an SG5.  It was and still is the best SkyCaddie of them all.  The SGX was a complete failure and they knew it because they had to release the SGX-W, which isn't much better.  The SGX and SGX-W just have too many features.  Personally I want yardages to front/middle/back and to hazards if there are any.  Don't get me wrong, I think SkyCaddie does an excellent job mapping golf courses, I just don't think their latest units are any good.

The SG4 I am looking at has the same software as the SG5. If the SG5 is that much better though, I don't mind getting it. It's only $40 more.

[Tuflehundon]

After doing a little research, I am just going to try using an Android app instead. I have an old Garminfone that I now use as a stand alone GPS. I'll try some apps on there first, then if I don't like them, I can just get the Skycaddie later

[Matt Gawley]

Originally Posted by Tuflehundon

The SG4 I am looking at has the same software as the SG5. If the SG5 is that much better though, I don't mind getting it. It's only $40 more.

SG5 features over the SG4

• Color screen
• Better and bigger controls
• A proper USB interface.  (The SG4 uses some goofy plug in.  The SG5 uses a standard mini USB port.)

Originally Posted by Tuflehundon

After doing a little research, I am just going to try using an Android app instead. I have an old Garminfone that I now use as a stand alone GPS. I'll try some apps on there first, then if I don't like them, I can just get the Skycaddie later

You can definitely do that.  The downside to the Android app is that it's also your phone.  What kind of battery power are you going to have left at the end of 18 holes?

[Tuflehundon]

Originally Posted by Matt Gawley

SG5 features over the SG4

Color screen

Better and bigger controls

A proper USB interface.  (The SG4 uses some goofy plug in.  The SG5 uses a standard mini USB port.)

You can definitely do that.  The downside to the Android app is that it's also your phone.  What kind of battery power are you going to have left at the end of 18 holes?

I was wondering about the battery life to. I'll try it out for a few rounds, and may end up getting a skycaddie anyways.

[meenman]

Originally Posted by Tuflehundon

I was wondering about the battery life to. I'll try it out for a few rounds, and may end up getting a skycaddie anyways.

Your phone will be useless by the end of the round(if it makes it). Price hunt on the SG5 - i picked one up for my father in law for fathers day for $135 shipped.

I agree with the others that said the sgx(w) has too many features. I used to get pissed at one of my playing partners thinking he was slowing us down by answering work emails on the course. I kind of laughed when one of the other guys informed it was the fact that he couldnt figure out his sgx

[Tuflehundon]

I was doing some looking around on Ebay and found a SG5 for $70, with buy it now. I snatched it up. Should be here in time for my round this weekend.

[ghalfaire]

Originally Posted by blue72ss

Skycaddie has one hell of a customer support department that will remote into your computer and get you up and running asap.  I know this because my wife and I have Mac's at home and I had problems syncing with mac.

I agree with this.  I had a problem with my old SG3 and called the Support at Sky Caddie and they got it fixed.  The did a "reset" to my Sky Caddie and loaded some new software on my computer to do the sync.  Never had a sync problem with it after that for several years.   The brass insert on the SG3 finally gave up the ghost the other day after 7 years of use and I replaced the SG3 with an SGX.   Have not had it long but lots of improvements and so far I see it as a superior unit to the earlier SG units.

[jaybo]

I have had the sg5 for 3 yrs now and hadn't had any issues.  Now 2 other guys I golf with have the sg4 and theirs act up all the time.  Mine will read 100 yds on the marker and theirs will say 326 yds or so, theirs are always off 10 or so yds.

Quote:

Get a laser range finder....no uploads, no syncing - just point and shoot! This won't help for mapping the entire hole, but can be used to measure distances to trees, bunkers, etc.

If you have shaky hands like me there not really effective.