Sky Caddie (2.5)

[skiffer]

Am considering treating myself to one of these.
It doesn't specify on the website whether any courses are included in the purchase price?
Do you get any? or do you have to pay an annual sub?
Like the idea of calibrating your own yardages but won't be much use in winter on temp greens (unless in can be re-calibrated).
Cheers

 

[birdieman]

You pay an annual £30 sub. I dont recall getting any free courses.
You can't recalibrate the official course you download but you can measure your own course to temp greens if you wish, doesn't take that long. Just set it up on the skycaddie as a new course, you'd have to stand at the back and the front of each temp green for a few moments to get satellite readings - better done on a clear day as satellite signals are picked up easier.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

You don't get any free or pre-loaded and can only get access to the officially marked ones after paying the annual fee. I'm pretty sure you can mark the course yourself but probably not a good idea in the middle of the monthly medal!

 

[smange]

Been thinking about getting one myself but unsure whether to go for the 2.5 or the sg5.

Has anyone either had both or seen both in use and is there any real benefit(colour screen apart) to spending the extra 120 quid or so?

 

[Imurg]

From what I see the only difference is the screen. Its a bit bigger on the SC5 but the 2.5's is perfectly fine.
I've got the 2.5 and it gives me all I need. Can't see the point of the 5.
Quoting something I read somewhere - tongue firmly in cheek - "Good players use the 2.5, choppers use the 5"

Ducks and runs...........

 

[CliveW]

With eyesight like mine I find the SG5 screen easier to read.
Compare the models here. http://www.skygolf.com/skygolf/Products/default.aspx

 

[Up_Point_1]

I've been seriously considering a GPS / Rangefinder device for a while now but am really put off by the annual £30 fee associated with SC's. Yes if you break it down it only works out at 60p ish a week which is hardly breaking the bank I admit. It just irritates me that you fork out the best part of £200 just to buy the thing and then get charged a further £30 a year to be able to use it. Bit of a con in my opinion.

Personally I think a rangefinder is the way to go.

UP1.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I have to say I only looked at the 5 as I was getting it for a great deal at the time. If I was in the market again I'd be looking at the 2.5 on the basis of the cost but I'd definitely look at some of the others on the market. Did I buy in haste? Probably but I got a superb deal on a model I was happy with at the time. I still use it every time I play so I guess I got some kind of value for money.

I don't think there is a justifiable reason to charge so much more for a coloured screen that is only marginally bigger

 

[backwoodsman]

I've got the SG2 (the model before SG2.5 came out). Really don't think it worth paying more for the SG5. Some folk object to the £30 subscription. Fair enough to them, but I think it ok. After all, if you buy a fancy CD player, it doesn't come with CDs. You have to buy them separate. It works out for me just over £1 per course played through the year. And Skycaddie map their courses from the ground, not off maps, which to me is worth a modest fee.

 

[bobmac]

If I can suggest an alternative?
If you are going to pay £200 + £30 subs every year, for £10 more you can get the Sonnocaddie which has a full colour screen, free course download and NO subs, ever.
Sonnocaddie
Sonnocaddie

 

[skiffer]

Played at Lundin in Fife yesterday and discussed this with their pro.
He says that Sky Caddie revisit the course regularly and refine their measurements. So the data seems to evolve and improve over time.
I play 85% of my golf on one course and only visit maybe a dozen courses per year so not sure it's worth the investment.

 

[Dodger]

Skiffer I have the 2.5 and it is a superb bit of kit,worth every penny.I feel that this year the main difference since getting it is managing to get my irons up to the pin instead of 10ft short and that is down to having the confidence in the reading I am getting back from my skycaddie.

My mate has the 5 and for me the extra cash aint worth it,it has a bigger colour screen and you can move the pin position around but in reality it is does the same as the 2.5.

 

[Smiffy]

I purchased one about a year ago.
Once the initial novelty wore off, I found I was hardly using it so sold it about a month or so ago.
The only time I found it was really (really) useful was when playing at Princes earlier this year. A lack of trees, and yardage markers that differed from hole to hole in their colour codes made the SkyCaddie a must have. But on a tree lined course, with lots of reference points I found that I was very rarely looking at it, despite it hanging on the side of my bag.
A good mate of mine purchased one when he saw mine in action, and he loves it. Always uses it.
I might just ask him if I can borrow it when I travel up to Scotland in April as I will be playing a links course (or two) again, so not a lot of trees to go by!

 

[USER1999]

How do the trees give you the yardage? They don't talk to me at all, the selfish buggers. Keep all the info to them selves.

 

[thecraw]

I bought the 2.5 in September and its the best investment I have made.

I tried the 5 as it was what our assistant pro had and gave me a shot, on his advice I went for the 2.5 and do not regret it at all.

Buy it!

 

[Oggie41]

Bought an app called GolfShot for my HTC Hero phone and it's as accurate/responsive as my mates SkyCaddie. Best thing is it only cost me a fiver, and I don't have to pay an annual fee!

Worth considering if you've already got a phone capable of running such software...

 

[skiffer]

Thanks for the feedback.
If you have complete confidence in the club in your hands it must be worth a few shots.
I was looking at the SkyCaddie Plans www.skygolf.com/skygolf/plans/default.aspx
and wondered how the Birdie Plan ('state' coverage) translates on this side of the pond. Is it one county? or the whole of Scotland? or the UK?
Cheers

 

[Dodger]

That covers the whole UK.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I did like the look of the sonocaddie but it is quite bulky whereas the 2.5 or th5 SC fit neatly into a pocket. The birdie plan covers the UK

 

[caf75]

Hi Folks!

Firstly i liked to say hi as i'm new on here, so go easy!

I too am looking at getting a GPS for xmas and have narrowed it down to the Sonocaddie V300 and the new Shotmiser G320.

Am currently leaning more towards the Shotmiser as i like the idea of the software updates. I know it has only just been released, but does anyone know much about this device?

http://www.shotmiser.com/product.html