best gps devices???

[Foxholer]

So what was the change?

I think you are deliberately omitting some information and playing with words as you have chosen to shorten that quote which goes on to ask in the same sentence how long they not only knew, which you have answered, but also asks/states "to walk the course"! There's is no way you informed them and they came out the same day to walk a course and update it immediately, I know fully how the process works and that is neigh on impossible.

I would suggest that the change was something that had been in place for some time as the third party satellite imagery information they use was already updated or by some freak chance the satellite for that same third party just happened to be updated at that time so they were able to process the change without coming out, something any of the company's that use third party imagery can do if that information has already been updated showing the said change/s, however, if those third party companies that own the imagery had not updated or had no requirement to do so for 6 months or more, some even only update annually, then and only then would that have been updated, it was nothing less than a fluke as the exercise is done on a regular basis asking directly of those companies who make false marketing promises when they can come out to make changes and if they don't come out or don't have the ability or infrastructure to come out, how long will it be until that said course will be updated, and you know what, none of them can answer or they refuse or avoid the answer, why, because they would rather misinterpretate or state falsehoods on their actual ability to update courses in their marketing!

Only Garmin plays the game fairly, to a degree, they put in there T&C's, although in the smallest writing buried in tiny paperwork, that they do not walk or visit courses and that they rely totally on third party imagery which will not be up to date or correct, they also go on to state that it would be far too expensive for them to do so, so in other words, the difference between a membership and not is for up-to-date information that once known about isn't relied upon by a third party to update which could take many months whereas with us you have total transparency and time frames that can be given & honoured.

It doesn't matter what the change was!

You stated that that SkyCaddy was ALWAYS bang up to date - and that was clearly wrong! End of story!

 

[Fish]

It doesn't matter what the change was!

You stated that that SkyCaddy was ALWAYS bang up to date - and that was clearly wrong! End of story!

Yeah yeah, I didn't use that expression, you produced some very selective wording and editing to try to make a point, well done

 

[Foxholer]

Yeah yeah, I didn't use that expression, you produced some very selective wording and editing to try to make a point, well done

Tosh!

It was YOU that used the wrong wording!

...and is always guaranteed to be up to date with any course changes :thup:

The above statement is simply wrong!

That over zealous claim was all I was correcting!

...
Firstly we can only update when advised of changes and then we come out and walk those holes accordingly... so get your facts right before making such statements.

And the first part of the above quote is your admission that that's the case!

As for the second part of it... well, Yes you should! I certainly had mine right, but you didn't!

 

[Fish]

Tosh!

It was YOU that used the wrong wording!



The above statement is simply wrong!

That over zealous claim was all I was correcting!



And the first part of the above quote is your admission that that's the case!

As for the second part of it... well, Yes you should! I certainly had mine right, but you didn't!

Yeah what ever, you know full well they have only updated via satellite imagery and yet you, just like all those other companies felt the need to avoid being asked or confirm that from the outset, why, because it suited your argument, it's obvious that nothing can ever be updated without prior knowledge, it's a pathetic point you're making, but then were all used to those in the many posts you make

 

[Smiffy]

So much anger and vitriol for this time of the morning.....

 

[Twire]

I think you are letting your allegiance influence you too much!

I've definitely found instances where this has not been the case!

Though they've been relatively quick (a couple of weeks) to make the update when it has been pointed out! Others have actually been faster - same day in fact!

I'd like to know how they update the same day. Skycaddie walk the course for their updates, where most of the others have to rely on up to date aerial photography/satellite images.

 

[Fish]

I'd like to know how they update the same day. Skycaddie walk the course for their updates, where most of the others have to rely on up to date aerial photography/satellite images.

They would have access to a third party imagery company they subscribe to and that would have been luckily updated already showing the reported change, so, they simply rebooted their devices. Changes to courses that are not old would not show and can only be updated when the imagery company decides to update its own imagery, which can be months or much longer dependent on when it was last done, as such, that GPS brand had no control on the time frame of that update other than it was already showing, which was fortunate, nothing more.

Obviously there are scales of changes as well, removing a bunker or any hazard is the flick of a switch, however a complete new green, change or complete new holes or new substantial hazards can be added by imagery companies but they do declare they can be anything up to 10m out! to an experienced accurate golfer, that's trouble! Also, when those companies add those new hazards they will only be "upto", whereas when I and my colleagues walk courses and re-map them we will include exact carry distances and layup distances to give an accurate scale of the size of the said hazard, its no good having anything "up to" a hazard when the ball can roll down a slope into the hazard, so we target where the ball can safely come to rest, that's what you pay for :thup:

 

[Pin-seeker]

I just use an app on my iPhone,it is ok in a comp isn't it?

 

[Foxholer]

I just use an app on my iPhone,it is ok in a comp isn't it?

Currently, it depends which Iphone - and which app!

I believe (not absolutely certain) that 5 onwards are fine - as they don't have the facilities that currently make them non-conforming.

From 1/1/16, I believe the rules will change to allow devices that are currently non-conforming as long as the aspect that is non-conforming is not actually used.

 

[Foxholer]

I'd like to know how they update the same day. Skycaddie walk the course for their updates, where most of the others have to rely on up to date aerial photography/satellite images.

Actually, quite a few changes to courses do not need to wait for an update of aerial photography as such things as new greens, or other large groundwork changes, are very likely to have been available for some time! The same applies to bunkers that are removed! It's minor changes to bunkers and the like where walking the course may capture the changes before aerial mapping is released.

 

[Pin-seeker]

Currently, it depends which Iphone - and which app!

I believe (not absolutely certain) that 5 onwards are fine - as they don't have the facilities that currently make them non-conforming.

From 1/1/16, I believe the rules will change to allow devices that are currently non-conforming as long as the aspect that is non-conforming is not actually used.

I've got 5s so should be fine.
I also like to play flappy bird Between shots or whilst waiting on the tee.

 

[drdel]

Back to the question...

I use a Garmin S2 never had flat battery after 27 holes. Gives me basic data which is all I need and only really when playing a course for the first time.

 

[Deleted member 15717]

Raising a thread from the dead, rather than starting a new one..

I've wondered if a GPS unit is a better way of doing things. I currently use a laser, so can get the yardage so to pins etc, but there is a niggle (or just a want to spend money) that a GPS may help. I am really not sure though. Do Skycaddie (preferably..been lured in by the Touch) do a 'trial' option to test units out etc? Probably a stupid question...I feel like I should give them the option to convert me...

 

[palindromicbob]

Raising a thread from the dead, rather than starting a new one..

I've wondered if a GPS unit is a better way of doing things. I currently use a laser, so can get the yardage so to pins etc, but there is a niggle (or just a want to spend money) that a GPS may help. I am really not sure though. Do Skycaddie (preferably..been lured in by the Touch) do a 'trial' option to test units out etc? Probably a stupid question...I feel like I should give them the option to convert me...

Slap Freecaddie or similar onto your phone and see if GPS features are going to be of use to you.

 

[Deleted member 15717]

Slap Freecaddie or similar onto your phone and see if GPS features are going to be of use to you.

Cheers. Just paid £2 for the pro version. Will give it a go at the weekend and see how it goes! I was going to use Golfshot...but they have changed the way they operate and now you have to pay a yearly or monthly fee for GPS

 

[Fish]

Cheers. Just paid £2 for the pro version. Will give it a go at the weekend and see how it goes! I was going to use Golfshot...but they have changed the way they operate and now you have to pay a yearly or monthly fee for GPS

As it's the winter with little golf being played at away courses, I'll happily lend you my Touch if you want to try it 👍🏌⛳️

Where I find an advantage of using my laser inside 165 yards and quickly glancing down at my Touch which I've set for the green display at 165yds using intelligent green is I can tell how much green there is at the back of a pin to work with, and even both sides, especially when there not traffic light colours and there's trouble immediately to the back of the green.

The pin on the laser will be 150yds with the back of the green on my GPS displaying 153yds, in that instance I won't go for it as I can be comfortably either side of 150 with a flushed 6i, so I'll be happy with being safely on the green with my 7i.

Let me know if you want to borrow it

 

[seochris]

I have had both Skycaddie (S5 i think it was) and the SC Touch. I found the Skycaddies and bit 'clunky' and slow in response to the point where it was downright frustrating to get it to do anything. A bit big to put in your pocket but had a nice belt clip. No problems with battery charge. Weekend no problem. Be prepared for the 30 quid annual sub!

Anyway bought a Garmin G6 and its great....small, fairly quick and hangs off your bag. Problem with that was somebody nicked it so just bought another one of Ebay...120 quid.

They will last two rounds plus a little bit. Recommend the G6 and you don't pay fees. Been all round the world with it including India as it had all the courses... i was amazed!

Recommend unreservedly!

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I have the Sky Caddy SGX and can't fault it (aside from the annual fee but thats another matter). As I go to exotic parts of courses where lasers fear to tread, it's my best chance of getting a read to nearest obstacles or a way back to my own fairway

 

[Jack_bfc]

my tom-tom watch was great.. now it just gets hot when i charge it and then turns itself off.

Bought a snooper rangefinder whilst i try to get tom-tom to suggest a fix on my watch....

 

[palindromicbob]

Cheers. Just paid £2 for the pro version. Will give it a go at the weekend and see how it goes! I was going to use Golfshot...but they have changed the way they operate and now you have to pay a yearly or monthly fee for GPS

Should give you the gist of GPS and if it will be useful to you. I personally find the app quite accurate and I travel to play a lot. Only had one occurrence where yardages weren't right and this was because the course had changed layout for a few holes and this would have been an issue for any GPS as the changes had only been made over the winter, were still to be finalised and we were playing in January.

I did have a dedicated GPS phone that complied with the rules but now things are simplified I can just use my main phone and keep a power bank handy so change isn't an issue.

If you do decide to go for a dedicated GPS unit then I highly recommend you stick with big brands like Garmin or Skycaddie. Avoid small brands even if they look like bargains. I had a Shotmiser and they went under. This pretty much killed the device because future updates where finished with.