8/09/2011

SkyCaddie SG5 Golf GPS (Black) Review

SkyCaddie SG5 Golf GPS
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I was one of their early adopters (way before USGA and R&A made them legal) and had their original SkyCaddie.Back then, it was a technological breakthrough and I benefitted (and my buddies) on the course.And last year I started my quest to find the latest golf GPS.Of course, the first place to look was at SkyCaddie.SG5 was their first color display, improved GPS reception, bigger display...but nothing really new in terms of features.I guess they figured they had the market cornered as their competition was range finders.Meanwhile, I was starting to get tired of their limitations such as I can only load 10 courses at a time, their customer service (or lack of) and their annual membership.

However, while they sat on their rear, this product sector evolved and other competitors jumped in.This year there are whole suite of new GPS with next generation features.I looked at uPro Golf (now owned by Callaway).Cool flyby like what you see on TV, but noticed from other users that it had several common issues mostly with their display and battery life.So my search continued.I then looked at OnPar Golf.It looked like my iPhone with the similar touchscreen and icons.That UI works for iPhone, but not for golf GPS.Then I looked at Bushnell Yardage Pro XCG.I thought this was it.It had everything I wanted, no major issues mentioned by other users/reviewers.One of my buddies bought one and I had a hands-on experience on a course.I was actually one click away from owning it (from Amazon, of course) and I decided to make one last google...and then I found Garmin's Approach G5 unit.Yup, it's most expensive GPS unit but it's made by Garmin, the GPS expert.I've been very happy with their Nuvi GPS units.They currently have 9,400+ courses and they're FREE.NO ANNUAL MEMBERSHIPS!You simply download new courses from their web site and you can load all those courses on your unit so no more shuffling courses onto my unit.Best of all, it's waterproof!Unlike Skycaddie, you're not limited to the 40-targets on each hole (though,I typically only see a handful).You just drag a circle with your finger on a birds-eye-view and it will tell you how far you are to that.It also keeps scores up to 4 and you can download it to your PC afterwards.I also like that you use batteries instead of rechargeable.I lost count of time I forgot to charge my SkyCaddie and when my buddies call me last minutes I couldn't use it the whole round.Now, I just keep spare batteries in my bag.

So, the bottom line is before you consider SkyCaddie units, research the other GPS models before plunking down your hard earned money.I'm confident that you'll find one with much better features for a similar price.If you're interested in the Garmin G5, there are ton of videos on YouTube so check them out! If money is not an option, then definitely go with Garmin Approach G5.Otherwise, the Bushnell Yardage Pro XCG is your best bet.

Also, for those that own iPhone 3G/3GS there are quite a few apps you can use to make your iPhone into Golf GPS.I've been tinkering with Golfshot (the $29.99 version.Don't bother with their 99 cent version) and I have to say it's damn good app.It even comes with statistical report so you know which part of your game you should be working on.But I'm sticking with my Garmin G5, because the Golfshot depletes my iPhone battery like crazy.My iPhone is not rugged and waterproof either so I'll use it as my backup, but not as my main golf GPS.

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Product Description:
Ideal for golfers who want top-of-the-line GPS assistance on the links, the SkyCaddie SG5 Golf GPS is integrated with the very best Swiss engineering to provide unmatched reliability. It features, a large color display with automatic backlighting to ensure easy readability indoors and outdoors, and a long-lasting rechargeable battery (with up to 14 hours of continuous use). It's also equipped with the patented IntelliGreen technology, enabling golfers to measure the full depth and shape of the green from any angle of approach, both on or off the fairway. Part of SkyCaddie's exclusive, professional 4-Star SkyCourses, IntelliGreen graphics provide an eagle's eye view of the green with an indicator representing a direct line-of-play from wherever you are on the course.
With an annual SkyPlayer Club Membership Plan (not included with purchase of device), you can easily download thousands of our professionally enabled SkyCourses. Three different levels of memberships are available, based on how many courses you want to store and play. If you do not want a membership and your course is not already available, you can record the front, center and back of each green with your SkyCaddie's quick set-up module, which takes about 10 seconds.





Specifications:


    Display: 220 x 176 pixels
    Fairway targets: Yes
    IntelliGreen: Yes
    Accuracy: <2.5 yards
    Course memory: 10 courses
    Water resistant: Yes
    Conforms to USGA/R&A ruling
    Compatible with Microsoft Windows 2000/XP/Vista (requires USB port and Internet access)
    Power: Rechargeable battery, up to 14 hours of continuous use
    Weight: 5.5 ounces
    Dimensions: 5.4 x 2.2 x 1.0 inches

What's in the Box?
SkyCaddie SG5, AC charger, USB cable, belt clip


Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Can the SG5 give me the distance to the pin?
A: The SkyCaddie, using the IntelliGreen graphics found on our professionally recorded SkyCourses, provides more information than just the distance to the pin. Once the line of play is selected on the graphical green outline, it provides the minimum carry to get on the green, the maximum limit you have to the back of the green, plus you can adjust to obtain the third distance of the approximate flag location. All three distances are provided simultaneously from any direction as you approach the green. You can then frame your shot in a much larger target area and select the best club. You will hit more greens and have shorter putts than a single number can provide.


About SkyGolf
SkyGolf is a solutions integrator that leverages the convergence of proven technologies, including GPS, Internet, mobile handsets, and proprietary content to provide an instant answer to the oldest question in golf: "How far?" While respecting the game's traditions and history, SkyGolf is committed to using its advanced technology responsibly to improve pace-of-play, enhance golfers' enjoyment of the game and ultimately increase participation for the good of the game.


The SkyCaddie, developed by SkyGolf, is used on over 14,000 golf courses in 45 countries around the world. Weighing less than 5 ounces, the SkyCaddie utilizes the same global positioning system used by the U.S. military, but in a high portable handheld device, about the size of a cell phone, to compute distances to any point on a golf course. SkyGolf uses professional, high-performance GPS engines, satellite-based accuracy augmentation, plus proprietary accuracy enhancements to provide golfers with the distances needed to play smarter, faster and have more fun.


The proven reliability and accuracy of the SkyCaddie handheld, combined with the precision of SkyGolf's vast course library, gives golfers the trust and confidence they need to play their best golf.



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