GPS check: skycaddie-SG4 vs. Intelligolf

[siennaslammer]

SG4 (intelligreen) vs Treo-650+TomTomGPS+Intelligolf software (V.8)

thought i throw this one out there as an FYI regarding GPS yardage system as they are becoming quite ubiquitous around the golf courses. my home course will not get GPS system due to cost.

1) Intelligolf software ($65) - no other fees.
i had Intelligolf for about 16 months now.
- intelligreen is a software for PDA-based device with internal or external GPS unit
my system comprises: Treo-650(palm version) + TomTom GPS + intelligreen software
so i mapped out my home course greens(F,C,B) + 3 yardage markers + up to 3 hazards
plus downloaded several others with GPS info = all free, ie, share course download/upload (golf community)
quite useful software + lots of stat tracking (scores, distance of each stroke, by club etc....)+++

cons: carrying the extra GPS unit + my treo-650 is also my phone = bad combo so no longer use this

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2) SG4 - got on BST used - cost $225 + annual membership
got it over last summer.
easy to use
lack of stat tracking
download several courses + home course tested out all over - pretty well done
it does take time for the unit to "warm up & get all the satellite signals locked"; so i turn it on when i get our of the car or on the range.


distance comparisions: skycaddie SG4 vs. my own set-up (Intelligreen) on my home course on 3 holes (par 3, 4 & 5).
test points: from tee boxes & another point on the fairway (par 4 & 5)
1) to 150 yd markers (on par 4 & 5)
2) to front & back of fairway bunker (on par 4 & 5)
3) to front, center & back of green (all holes)

the mean distances were within 4.6 yards of each other - ranging from 2 - 15 yards.

i would imagine that both were getting signal from same satellites.
- important for both = both GPS unit requires to have as direct as possible access top the sky; ie, can't throw them in the glove hole or pocket based on my experiences.
- oh yeah, cloudy days are bad for both.
- differences are the position information input at each marker (me versus skycaddie method), relative errors with each GPS chip/program; so remember that most GPS unit will likely have an accuracy of +/- 3yards of any given point (been reading info on GPS devices).

actual test: cookie trails left behind on a stretch of highway completed not yet on GPS map in our Acura MDX, depending what time of day it is & what satellites are up there. the cookie trails that i have left behind over the last 6 months are within 5 - 15 yards a part or more = conclusion = not so precise; defintely "within the ballpark"

bottom line for me
- both are good replacement for missing markers, foreign courses, and no PGA caddie around
- home course = don't need it, only use when my friends are with me (they like for me to call out the distances)
- away courses = yes when i can remember to bring it with me.
- these devices keep me out of trouble on foreign courses + get me as close to the pin (anywhere on the green is fine with me) as best as my ability for that day.

hope that this was useful.

hai