GPS Systems

[PeterPumpkinEater]

I am really tempted at the moment at getting myself a GPS system, the ones that I have been looking at are :-

* CaddyAid (Includes PDA) = £299.99 No subscription
* CaddyAid Mobile = £9.99 No subscription
* Sky Caddie 2.5 = £144 £29.95 Annual Subscription
* Golf Plus Caddie Lite = £129 No subscription

So do you own one of these or know anybody else who owns one? as I am quite interested in purchasing one soon or for Xmas. I went to AG yesterday and the guy there swears by the Sky Caddie. 90% of my golf is played at my home course.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I have the sky caddy 5 which is their top one. It gives you the information in a more 3D format than the basic 2.5 version and is ideal especially when palying your home course regularly. As a top tip, I used a current yardage book for my course and went out and added my own yardages using the SC so that I had an accurate reference for use in competitions where these are not permitted.

The other great thing about SC is that you can store up to 10 courses at onece so if you are a bit of a golfing nomad you can have your favourites on there. It is a simple process to delete and add different courses.

I know there are others on here that use pretty much all of the others and all have their reasons why. I went for the top of the range simply because my pro had just got SC in and made me an offer way below RRP or the best price on the internet. I've seen the 2.5 version and it is perfectly functional

 

[PeterPumpkinEater]

Homer - When you say its 'Pretty Functional' what do you mean? Obviously I can read the different functions on various sites but does the 2.5 give you lots of information or just about enough. You see for me the CaddyAid looks amazing and I can also give it to the good lady to use as a Sat Nav when I'm not golfing

 

[HomerJSimpson]

From what I remember the basic 2.5 has a black and white display whereas the 5.0 is a colour screen which is much easier to read especially in the sun. My advice would be to have a quick look at the Skycaddy website and weigh up the options ofr yourself dependant on your needs and budget

 

[Imurg]

Does anyone know of anywhere that hires these things out? I'd like to have a go with one without splashing out.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

My pro lets the members take his version out on the course to try. I guess you'd need to see if your has one (or any other model) and whether he would let you give it a go. If they smell a potential sale I don't see a problem.

 

[haplesshacker]

PPE.

I have a pocket pc phone with integrated GPS antenna, and are trying freecaddy, which is free for it's basic functions of distence to front, middle and back of green. It's free to use, so is quite a useful guage as to whether you'd use it or not. If I do like it then a will probably plump for Caddyaid, it has pictures, lay up distences etc. And I can just buy the software for £99 and not have yet another dedicated GPS unit sat at home. I already have 3 for the yacht racing, and one for the car. The only real disadvantage that I can see with going this route is that the phone is not waterproof or 'drop' proof.

 

[John_Findlay]

PPE,

I know you said a GPS system but it might be worth considering something else. I've had a laser rangefinder for a few years now and I have to say they are far better than any of the GPS systems I've seen in operation.

I have the Bushnell Pinseeker 1500 slope edition. Here are some on ebay which compare favourably in price to CaddyAid

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/items/_W0QQ_nkwZbushnellQ20pinseekerQQ_armrsZ1QQ_fromZR40QQ_mdoZ

The main advantage I see with the rangefinders are sheer accuracy. They are what the pros use after all. No GPS system tells you where the pin is on the green...and when you're playing courses like I often do, with 50 yard long greens, you'll soon see the difference.

I was playing Gullane the other day with a guy who had a GPS system attached to his trolley. We were comparing with my rangefinder and frankly I was amazed at how inaccurate his was. He would have 170 to the green for example. My rangefinder, allowing for slight upslope and the pin being on 30 yards said 210. There were a few more examples of how much more accurate the rangefinder was and it showed in who hit the green.

Plus..they work on every course in the world..and at the driving range to show how far you carry the ball.

Worth a thought.

 

[vig]

Hasn't sureshot just released a new version and relatively cheap in comparison.

I have to say that I have considered buying one on a few occassions. Never been sure which to go for.
Would only consider one that would allow me to record distances that I hit each club to aid dlub selection for shots.
It's no use knowing how far the target is if you don't know exactly how far you hit each club.

 

[PeterPumpkinEater]

PPE,

I know you said a GPS system but it might be worth considering something else. I've had a laser rangefinder for a few years now and I have to say they are far better than any of the GPS systems I've seen in operation.

I have the Bushnell Pinseeker 1500 slope edition. Here are some on ebay which compare favourably in price to CaddyAid

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/items/_W0QQ_nkwZbushnellQ20pinseekerQQ_armrsZ1QQ_fromZR40QQ_mdoZ

The main advantage I see with the rangefinders are sheer accuracy. They are what the pros use after all. No GPS system tells you where the pin is on the green...and when you're playing courses like I often do, with 50 yard long greens, you'll soon see the difference.

I was playing Gullane the other day with a guy who had a GPS system attached to his trolley. We were comparing with my rangefinder and frankly I was amazed at how inaccurate his was. He would have 170 to the green for example. My rangefinder, allowing for slight upslope and the pin being on 30 yards said 210. There were a few more examples of how much more accurate the rangefinder was and it showed in who hit the green.

Plus..they work on every course in the world..and at the driving range to show how far you carry the ball.

Worth a thought.

Thanks John, you've got the old cogs going now! It certainly does make more sense, but I can think of two problems straight away:-
1. Doglegs
2. How do you know the depth or width of the green? Ok it will measure to the pin, but on an elevated green where you can only see half of the flag how could you tell.
I do like the the comparison that you made and that could certainly swing me over to a Range Finder.

 

[John_Findlay]

Hi PPE,

Yes, doglegs are a problem. But you can get a range to the nearest trees so problem solved unless you're cutting the corner.

Uphill, no problem. So long as you can see any of the flag the laser bounces off it and gives you a yardage to within less than a yard. Basically you're looking through binoculars so you can see whether you can afford to be long or short.

Why would you want the width of the green? Do you plan to be off-line?

 

[PeterPumpkinEater]

Never plan to be but always am! No. Good point. I am watching one on ebay now. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[SammmeBee]

I have a Sky Caddie 5 and it's the mutts. The 2.5 is a non-colour version but does the same thing.

Sky Caddie are the most accurate as they are the only lot that actually measure the course by man power and so the measurements are actually right rather than measured using googleearth type things.

I have heard that Sky Caddie are also bring out a nice package for Christmas with a carrying case and a free round of golf at Marriott courses I think....

 

[TonyN]

I think i will be getting a skycaddy 5 for xmas. My club allows them in comps aswell as general play so will be a great investment. But am i right in thinking I have to pay £30 a year to use it?

 

[madandra]

I have the Caddy Aid and they charge £40 per year or £10 per course after you have downloaded your 2 free tracks.

Its okay but I have had a few yardage discrepencies over the lasy few months.

 

[John_Findlay]

PPE,

If you want to know what you see through the rangefinder have a look at this advert.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=QvHfO-tELp8

Mine also allows form upslope and downslope so it gives an actual yardage to whatever you aim at as well as an adjusted yardage because of the built in accelorometer. It doesn't get any easier or more accurate than this. Very handy and should last me a lifetime. 3 years now, hundreds of rounds and I'm only on the 2nd battery.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

There is an annual charge on skycaddy but then the courses are free to download and you can have up to 10 onthe machine at any one time

 

[PeterPumpkinEater]

Must admit I am very tempted to go into AG tomorrow and pick up the SkyCaddie 2.5 now. Hell, its only money!

 

[madandra]

AG are doing free case and charger with sky caddy

 

[PeterPumpkinEater]

Yeh, i'd noticed this. + There's another internet site that are doing them for £144.00 so hopefully they will price match.