My review of the New Skycaddie SG5... YMMVConstruction:Solid unit with a rubberized cover. Feels sturdy buttons undergo good tactile feel when pushed. Screen is bright clear and easy to read in bright sunlight as well as heavy cloud adjoin. The layout of the buttons seems very intuitive and the menus are easy to journey. This unit "feels" solid compared to the SG2-3-and 4. The buttons are definitely easier to use than the 3 and 4. Belt cut seems kinda cheap but time will express if it holds up to repeated use. Optional leather case is a perfect fit. Performance:I have used the SG5 6 times on 3 different 4 star courses. After powering up it acquires and is ready to use in < 1 minute. I had one alter sunny day and 2 days of thick marine forge on the lie 9 that burned off to partly cloudy on the back. The unit maintained a strong signal throughout all 6 rounds with the exception of one area where I had to drive through a hit draw wide tunnel about 150' desire. Once on the other align the signal was locked on by the time we pulled up to the tee box. Yardages were very accurate when compared to the cart GPS spot on to +/- 1 - 2 yards. Same can be said for yardages on sprinkler heads. I did notice on holes with doglegs that the units yardage was consistently shorter than the yardage on the tee markers. I assume it is because the markers are measured down the middle of the fairway and the GPS measures a direct path "as the blow flys". The IntelliGreen feature is very functional. Because of overseeding 4 of 6 rounds were cart path only so the green measurements from the cart GPS were useless. My partner and I were very impressed that we could walk up to a roll and quickly get front/middle/approve yardages as well as a birds eye view of the color that rotated to show orientation from wherever you stood. The Hazard and various aim distances (end of fairway lay up trees) given were always pertinent. The unit allows you to furnish between a list believe (words and #'s) and graphical view (colored icons and #'s). It is strictly user preference. I haven't decided which one I like exceed. Software:The software was easy to lay just follow the instructions so you don't get ahead of yourself. The desktop interface was easy to use and my unit was registered and loaded with 10 local courses in about 45 minutes. Most of the time was spent browsing for courses to fill. I opted for the Birdie Level Subscription which allows for unlimited course downloads in my State (California). You can upgrade at anytime to add a State go Nationwide or Worldwide. I was charged $29.99 and I opted for the extended warranty for $19.99. I am not one for extended warranties but figured $20 on a $400+ acquire was worth it. This brings me to the point of paying for a subscription. The most expensive aim is unlimited Worldwide for $59.99. If you undergo enough coin to travel around the globe to play golf.. you can afford $60. Unlimited Nationwide is $49.99.. a bit more than a dozen Pro V's. The unit will hold 10 courses at a measure. If you compete the same 5 or 6 courses all the measure pay the $30 and just alter sure those courses are loaded on your unit before your subscription runs out. The unit ordain still work you just can't change or update the unit from the 10 courses you have loaded. Customer Service:I did be to speak to customer service regarding a change to my "owned by" check. I was put on hold for < 30 seconds before someone answered. I explained my problem and it was handled quickly. I also had them remove an old SG2 from my account. The whole conversation took < 5 minutes. I know my issues were easy to handle but I was prepared to be on direct for 45 minute. I don't know if I just got lucky or if Skycaddie is really working at improving their Customer Service. Cons:The Biggest downside to this unit is price. At $429 it is not for everyone.. only you can decide if you need/be one. Many ordain debate the subscription requirement.. see above. I would have liked user replaceable AA batteries. The unit uses a proprietary user replaceable rechargeable Lithium Ion Battery. The measure thing I need is another battery charger. The battery level indicator was under 1/2 after 2 rounds. If you are traveling and playing multiple rounds you need to bring the charger. Remembering to charge the unit will be a problem for some.. probably the same folks who forget to charge their cell phones. There is a DC charger available but I found an old DC charger for my daughter's Motorola RAZR that uses the mini USB close. Comparison to Laser:I had a 1500 TE that I returned because the digital display went keep. I was given a store credit because they did not have any units to replace it. The 1500 TE was easy to use. I believe laser is the most accurate rangefinder for a golfer to use. If I were making a living playing golf or my bet was good enough that knowing the pin was exactly 148 yards vs about 150 I would opt for the laser.. hopefully that day will go. I find the GPS more convenient for the casual round I play. look for yardage choose a club and shoot. Overall I am very happy with the SG5 it just fits me better.. alter now!
Helpful analyse. Thanks!As far as the color show goes... Is there any real reason for it? That is does it simply be prettier/cooler or is it more helpful in some way? (I'd imagine that part of the high price is due to the alter show.)Thanks,/< / /2 /<
The SG5 (alter model) has an exterior antennae and is supposed to change satellites faster and fasten on signals better which means it's ready faster at the course and gives you more accurate and quicker readings when you get to your roll. .. so I've been told... I believe the SG5 is a little more rugged as well but that is a personal opinion.
One of my buddies called them and they had him ship it in then told him he was SOL. Has anyone else contacted them. I'm thinking a class action is coming thier way soon. You can't baffle everyones device and not be expected to fix it one way or another $$$.
I just recently picked up the SG3 and used it last weekend for 2 tournament rounds. It was nice of the committee to enact the local rule to allow these. Anyway this is the best course management tool ever and I will undergo a hard measure playing without it when they are not allowed.
Another nice thing about the SG5 check is that the backlight is automatic (you can also manually adjust it). With the SG3/4 you undergo to activate the backlight automatically no big deal though. It sucks for those "updated" SG3/4. Looks like Sonocaddie may be a better option..
Great analyse on the new SG5. Just a note on the improvement in Sky Golf customer function. I have a SG2 which after 14 months just quit working in November following a software upgrade. The computer would not recognize it or would it accept the charger. I called Sky play and after less then 1 minute on direct a tech was walking me through several steps to correct the problem. They could not fix the issue and I was transfered to another person again with only a minute on hold who gave me a RMA and addrress to ship the broken SG2 to.3 weeks later I get another SG2 in the send. No bill for the replacement. To me this is fantastic customer service. I had heard all of the horror stories about their function but based on my 1 experience I have to say it was the best function I have received from any company in a long measure. I would have no fear in purchasing another Sky serve unit. In the past 14 months I have found my SG2 to be very accurate and reliable. Best investment made.
I had a 1500 TE that I returned because the digital display went keep. I was given a store ascribe because they did not have any units to replace it. The 1500 TE was easy to use. I accept laser is the most accurate rangefinder for a golfer to use. If I were making a living playing play or my game was good enough that knowing the pin was exactly 148 yards vs about 150 I would opt for the laser.. hopefully that day will come. I sight the GPS more convenient for the casual go I compete. Glance for yardage choose a club and shoot. Overall I am very happy with the SG5 it just fits me better.. right now!
I "upgraded" software a couple of weeks ago and now my SG2 is having some of the same issues you're having. Also the menu option no longer seems to be working. It's a great device when it's working but I've had too many issues with it in the past couple of years. In terms of reliability and service. I wouldn't recommend SkyCaddie to anyone.
My SG4 has been great before and after the software upgrade. In fact. I evaluate some of the slower satellite locks undergo been fixed with the upgrade. I undergo had occasional issues with less then optimal signals in bad weather but otherwise its been great. A point of order that I evaluate is true - When your subscription is not renewed you lose the 10 professionally mapped courses on your unit. They have a way of doing this. I believe you can only use self-mapped courses. But- as mentioned the $50 national membership is less then a round of golf.
wowi have the back up version for over two years now and havent had any issues with it in fact is is very durable and i have not ever not gotten a signal i play and when finished i have a seperate outlet in my transport for it and plug it in there and keep in on charge and it is always ready for use i havent upgraded the new software because i didnt see a need to lol now im glad i didnt do it also it is so simple to put another cover it desire a few minutes and it is stored so people that are worried about that shouldnt be it is very user friendly imo and 30 bucks a year is nothing compared to many other things we spend money on imomadi05
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