The GPS debate

[NeilTappin]

Afternoon all,

As I'm sure you have already seen, we reviewed 9 GPS systems in the April issue of GM. We've just uploaded these to the equipment blog section of this site, with a holding story on the homepage: http://www.golf-monthly.co.uk/tours-and-news/tournews/311380/equipment-guide-gps-devices.html

Having tested all 9, the GM Team were very impressed and we suspect that in 5 years time the vast majority of golfers will own one.

Please take a look at the different options and let us know your thoughts.

Thanks,

Neil

 

[USER1999]

Whilst I have an SG5, I was interested to read about the rest, however, there doesn't seem to be any conclusion as to which is best/most accurate/ etc. They are all reviewed, but it doesn't make me think, that's the one for me.

The new one, with all the courses already on it sounds like a good buy compared to the rest, but I would be amazed if it has the range of courses available from SkyCaddie. It sounds a bit too good to be true.

I do believe that when the next set of rules comes out in 2012, that they will be in common usage, and that the rules will be changed to allow them in all competitions.

More and more of my friends are buying them, having had a play with mine. It would be a good idea for golf pro's to hire them out, to get people interested, and then may be get a sale.

 

[viscount17]

Think you left out what is arguably the post popular option, the SG2.5
With the same features (except the colour) of the SG 5 and at a lot less it has to be the value for money option. (Particularly if you can take advantage of a well known golf retailer's marketing error!)

 

[CarpeDiem]

I must know this marketing error that you speak of Viscount

 

[heronsghyll]

I must agree with Murph, I also have an SG5 and was interested to read about the rest. I was also disappointed to see zero conclusion as to which is best/most accurate/ etc. They are all reviewed, but it doesn't make me think, that's the one for me.

Why did GM not decide or advise this is the best/value for money/option or whatever etc? Very disappointing........

 

[NeilTappin]

Dear all,

In producing this feature we wanted to introduce golfers to what is available in the market. We talk about all the different features and benefits and how easy they all are to get set up, ready for use.

As with all of our equipment reviews, this is supposed to be a starting point for people searching, so that anyone in the market knows what's out there and what it offers.

I don't think it's as simple as saying, "this is our favourite" as there so many factors to bear in mind - ease of use, portability, accuracy, durability. Different golfers will want different things from GPS Systems and our feature was designed simply to introduce people to the market so they can make up their own minds as to what suits them best.

I hope this explains why we have presented it this way.

Cheers,

 

[Cernunnos]

I've just had a look at the courses available for the new GolfBuddy GPS & the list is impressive. Especially if when it comes to the UK those courses are all preloaded. Talk about convinient & the display looks every bit as good as the Current market leader (SKYCADDIE) & including good features from other brands. When my 3 year subscription runs out on the Sureshot8800 I have just gotten, It'll probably be a GolfBuddy I'll end up with next. Assuming of course the preloaded courses can be officially updated for free too.

Must admit having only used my Sureshot a few times I do find the facility to mark scores, fairways hit greens hit, bunkers escaped from & putts taken ins a fantastic feature. On top of marking drives etc. Though not used this last feature as of yet, though sure as I get used to mine I'll be making more use of the latter facility. So if GolfBuddy does all that stats work & distance marking. If the green system is as good as Skycaddies intelligreen software, then they will have a winner.

 

[Twire]

I would say it was more like letting you know what's out there, rather than a review.

 

[Cernunnos]

I need to pick up this months GM & I really would want a proper statistical analysis of accuracy between units & how quick they adjust to moving from one spot to another before locking in.

Simply saying what is out there & what features each has, for me is not enough. I can find all that out for myself anyway with a few clicks of the mouse.

 

[viscount17]

I must know this marketing error that you speak of Viscount

On two occasions, around Xmas, AG's 'computer dept' apparently quoted the wrong online price, the second even lower than the first. With the order online - pick-up in store option, one or two on the forum took advantage.
(The GPS wasn't the only mis-priced item.)

I'm afraid it is too late to take advantage, though worth watching out for a repeat.

 

[Cernunnos]

Especially as generally the AG price for the Skycaddie are overpriced in general.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I think it was a fair piece based on telling possible converts the options available although I think the SC2.5 should have been included as it is more popular than the SC5 (based only on recent forum opinion). I think it may be worth revisiting in 6 months and doing a more thorough comparison (great idea for a user testing session somewhere!!!) and giving a more definitive view on ease of use, loading ability, course availabilty etc

 

[DCB]

Is GPS the new Custom Fit........

 

[Cernunnos]

Oh & Homer its worth pointing out UK bassed course availability is a must. As I've noticed certain companies claim high numbers of courses covered, but if there are few of those in the UK, then what is the point in everyday golf.

 

[haplesshacker]

I've noticed that my home club is often not featured in the 'courses list' with these devices. Is this down to the course's themselves or to the lack of players from that course requesting that the info be available?

Having seen how GPS systems have changed in 10 years in the marine industry, I think that todays systems will look positively archaic (sp) over the next few years. I think Caddyaid and SonoCaddie are going down the right roads, but as in the case of the Caddyaid, has been poorly executed so far.

Out of the devices reviewed in the link from the OP, the Sonocaddie looks to offer a fair blend of image and info. I did check out their website!

Overall, I'll think that I'll stick with my Freecaddie on my GPS enabled phone for the time being. Simply because in two years time or so the current units will be so basic by comparison. Oh, and my distance control / ball striking has a lot to be desired!!

 

[Dodger]

Dear all,

In producing this feature we wanted to introduce golfers to what is available in the market. We talk about all the different features and benefits and how easy they all are to get set up, ready for use.

As with all of our equipment reviews, this is supposed to be a starting point for people searching, so that anyone in the market knows what's out there and what it offers.

I don't think it's as simple as saying, "this is our favourite" as there so many factors to bear in mind - ease of use, portability, accuracy, durability. Different golfers will want different things from GPS Systems and our feature was designed simply to introduce people to the market so they can make up their own minds as to what suits them best.

I hope this explains why we have presented it this way.

Cheers,

Neil I don't agree with what you have said there as that is exactly what you do with all other equipment like Irons/Drivers/Hybrids etc,different people want different things with clubs but you still review so come on don't just sit on the fence gives us a real review and tell us your favourite like with Irons/Driver/Hybrids etc!

 

[haplesshacker]

This is how I see it going at any mag.

'Let do a feature on lets say GPSs in the April issue, and to increase advertising revenue we'll approach all the models that we'll probably be featuring and 'offer' them some advertising space at a 'good' rate'.

What's not said in so many words, is 'we'll not slag any of them off for whatever reason, but merely do a 'features' article, whilst giving no opinion. That way we don't upset the advertisers, who we'd like to get back at some point in the future'.

Call me a cynic, but has any mag really 'knocked' a piece of kit? Probably not; they just report on the features of a product, and rarely even cover the benefits of each feature. Lets face it, it's not the mag staffs job to 'sell' equipment; but to 'sell' mags, and advertising space.

Even the crapiest bit of kit has some good points.

Don't expect opinions from those whose living depends on them not biting the hand that feeds them!


I'm not criticising GM, or any mag for that matter, it's just that's how it is, IMHO of course!!

Unless your a columnist and not a staff writer, and then you start to see opinions, but rarely aimed at specific kit or products.

As I said, I'm a cynic and might be completely wrong.

Just to quantify where I'm coming from. I used to get approached by yachting mags, and yes some were IPC, and asked to send XYZ in for a group test, and send in a 'x' amount of words write up on the product. But I had to write it as a third party, (ie. not as someone selling the product, but merely giving its 'features'). I was then asked if we'd like to advertise that product at a special rate for the group test 'donors'.

Therefore I count myself as being a little in the know on these things.

It might be different at GM!

 

[JezzE]

This is how I see it going at any mag.

'Let do a feature on lets say GPSs in the April issue, and to increase advertising revenue we'll approach all the models that we'll probably be featuring and 'offer' them some advertising space at a 'good' rate'.

What's not said in so many words, is 'we'll not slag any of them off for whatever reason, but merely do a 'features' article, whilst giving no opinion. That way we don't upset the advertisers, who we'd like to get back at some point in the future'.

Call me a cynic, but has any mag really 'knocked' a piece of kit? Probably not; they just report on the features of a product, and rarely even cover the benefits of each feature. Lets face it, it's not the mag staffs job to 'sell' equipment; but to 'sell' mags, and advertising space.

Don't expect opinions from those whose living depends on them not biting the hand that feeds them!

Hapless,
While it would be naive to suggest there is no relationship between editorial and advertising, your analysis here is very wide of the mark for this feature, and indeed every equipment feature I ever worked on when I was equipment editor of the mag.

I haven't got a copy of the feature with me right now at home, but my recollection was that there were pluses and minuses included in the reviews for each GPS? Forgive me if I'm wrong, but if I am remembering the feature correctly, then surely these must constitute some sort of opinion because I've never yet seen a manufacturer list minuses in their promotional blurb.

 

[haplesshacker]

Jezz.

As I have pointed out elsewhere I have not yet read the article itself, but I have read the link that Neil provided, and I don't recall seeing any 'minus's' in there. So you'd be entitled to say that I should have no opinion on the subject at all. I was however giving my take on how equipment reviews can go in other mags, and my involvement in them. And from some of the other forum contributors comments. Rightly or wrongly.

To say that a piece of kit, lets use GPSs as an example, has minus's is not an opinion. For example, GPS 'A' is waterproof, and GPS 'B' is not, is not an opinion it is a fact. Why a GPS needs to be waterproof is a benefit because we go out and play in all weathers, and unlike non-waterproof GPSs, won't need to be hidden from the rain, and therefore pretty useful for year round golfers, and always viewable.

Feature (fact), benefit (fact), spiel at the end, opinion justified by facts. In fact, the spiel hardly constitutes opinion either, it's just yet more facts, being described as yet more benefits.

As I have said I have not yet read the article, but I do understand selling. And that is not what you guys are there to do with equipment reviews.

As to manufacturers listing minus's, well of course not, but their list of features is shorter, which is why we as consumers get fed so much BS, and can't tell the useful features from marketing speak, let alone work out what the benefits are!

I'd prefer not to fall out over this issue, as I said at the end of my previous post, - it might be different at GM.

I do truly appreciate everything that you guys have done for me.

(Hope I'm not off the Christmas card list!!)

Ah well here goes!

 

[haplesshacker]

Having re-read some of the posts here, I do believe I'm actually trying to defend the mags position and not attack it.