Golfshot app users

mooseman76 · March 13, 2011

What are the settings you use on the GPS settings screens? I'm particularly interested in the background gps setting and auto lock. I'm wondering what the optimal setting is for accuracy as well as battery life. Any other battery saving tips that are not in the user manual? I'll be playing in a scramble next week and will be the first time I'm using this gps. Thank you.

KevCarter · March 13, 2011

It's been a long winter, can't remember the settings. If you let the GPS sleep to save battery life I think it takes too long to wake up and get an accurate reading. The iPhone 4 will not be a problem battery wise, but if you have a 3 like me you will want an external charger.

mooseman76 · March 13, 2011

Thank you, I do have the 4 so we'll see how that goes. Does the background gps setting have to do with the gps going to sleep? I imagine in a scramble there will be plenty of times that I'm waiting between shots. Should I increase the background gps time? I think the default setting is 5 min.

finalist · March 13, 2011

My only complaint about the app is how long it takes to give a distance. A few times I've walked up to my ball, waited for the reading, hit the shot, watch it up come up a club short, look at the app again and find it has changed the reading due to more time.
You have to give it about 20 secs sometimes for an acurate distance read. 20 secs can feel like a loooong time while standing around. I'm using an iPhone 4. I also have a uPro which is lightening fast compared to the GOlfshots app.

KevCarter · March 13, 2011

[quote name='finalist' timestamp='1300048905' post='3051965']
My only complaint about the app is how long it takes to give a distance. A few times I've walked up to my ball, waited for the reading, hit the shot, watch it up come up a club short, look at the app again and find it has changed the reading due to more time.
You have to give it about 20 secs sometimes for an acurate distance read. 20 secs can feel like a loooong time while standing around. I'm using an iPhone 4. I also have a uPro which is lightening fast compared to the GOlfshots app.
[/quote]

In fairness, I would have to say that is the fault of the phone rather than the app... I have several apps, and GolfShot is no slower than the others... if not so darned convenient to use my phone, I would buy a dedicated gps system for the speed and accuracy...

Kevin

NWS Alpine · March 14, 2011

[quote name='finalist' timestamp='1300048905' post='3051965']
My only complaint about the app is how long it takes to give a distance. A few times I've walked up to my ball, waited for the reading, hit the shot, watch it up come up a club short, look at the app again and find it has changed the reading due to more time.
You have to give it about 20 secs sometimes for an acurate distance read. 20 secs can feel like a loooong time while standing around. I'm using an iPhone 4. I also have a uPro which is lightening fast compared to the GOlfshots app.
[/quote]

Do you leave the GPS running in sleep mode or do you just hit the lock button and wait for it to become active again. If you use the apps sleep mode it's still locked and distance is spot on if you see the green symbol.

aaronsnow · March 14, 2011

I use sleep mode between shots and with my iPhone 4, the distance pops right up once I start up the phone. I use up about half of the battery for a 4 1/2 hour round.

KevCarter · March 14, 2011

[quote name='aaronsnow' timestamp='1300116461' post='3054031']
I use sleep mode between shots and with my iPhone 4, the distance pops right up once I start up the phone. I use up about half of the battery for a 4 1/2 hour round.
[/quote]

I really need to upgrade, I understand both GPS and Battery are much better in the iPhone 4. I'm trying to hold out for the release of iPhone 5 this Spring...

Kevin

mooseman76 · March 14, 2011

Can anyone tell me what the background gps means?

finalist · March 15, 2011

[quote name='NWS Alpine' timestamp='1300115610' post='3053989']
[quote name='finalist' timestamp='1300048905' post='3051965']
My only complaint about the app is how long it takes to give a distance. A few times I've walked up to my ball, waited for the reading, hit the shot, watch it up come up a club short, look at the app again and find it has changed the reading due to more time.
You have to give it about 20 secs sometimes for an acurate distance read. 20 secs can feel like a loooong time while standing around. I'm using an iPhone 4. I also have a uPro which is lightening fast compared to the GOlfshots app.
[/quote]

Do you leave the GPS running in sleep mode or do you just hit the lock button and wait for it to become active again. If you use the apps sleep mode it's still locked and distance is spot on if you see the green symbol.
[/quote]

I'm on an iphone 4. what settings should I use for the quickest readings?

I have
[list][*]GPS Active: ON[*]Focus View: ON[*]Background GPS: 5 minutes[*]Auto-Lock: Disabled[/list]

I'm going to set Background GPS to 20 minutes and see if that helps. Even the user guide says it needs about 1 minute to find a distance if it's waking from sleep mode. The uPro needs about 2 seconds from it's sleep mode.

Ktown · March 15, 2011

For those that are having problems with the distances being off (immediately after starting or wake-up). The GPS needs to be moving to get an accurate reading. If you wake the device and try to get a reading, it can be up to 10-15 off. Once you start walking a bit, it will quickly update. I normally leave the timing on 5 mins, but if it goes into sleep mode, I just wake it on my way to my ball. Hope this helps.

finalist · March 15, 2011

[quote name='Ktown' timestamp='1300246217' post='3059478']
For those that are having problems with the distances being off (immediately after starting or wake-up). The GPS needs to be moving to get an accurate reading. If you wake the device and try to get a reading, it can be up to 10-15 off. Once you start walking a bit, it will quickly update. I normally leave the timing on 5 mins, but if it goes into sleep mode, I just wake it on my way to my ball. Hope this helps.
[/quote]

well that's an interesting bit of info. Thanks!

So it's best to be on the move while first looking at Golfshots. For example I should pull out my phone and wake it before I get to my ball rather than waking it once I get to my ball.

Ktown · March 18, 2011

Yep, that would allow it to update quicker and more accurately. By the way, this is the same for all GPS systems, so it is good practice with any unit. Most of the time the distance is only off a few yards, but occasionally it can be over 10 yards difference.

xXsnowXx · March 18, 2011

I just installed this app. I'll be putting it to use on Sunday for the first time. Hopefully it'll impress me. I'll let you all know what I think when I'm done.

finalist · March 19, 2011

[quote name='xXsnowXx' timestamp='1300498858' post='3068025']
I just installed this app. I'll be putting it to use on Sunday for the first time. Hopefully it'll impress me. I'll let you all know what I think when I'm done.
[/quote]
Be sure to use the scoring function for yourself. Select club used etc. After a few rounds the amount of stats and the way they are presented is incredible.