Electric carts - remote vs no remote

[bm11]

I have a Foresight Forecaddy, and I love it enough to have just paid to upgrade to the V1.5, even with the multiple failures my 1.0 experienced. If you can potentially afford to upgrade to a follow cart, I highly recommend you consider it. The freedom of walking around while your clubs follow you is amazing.

 

That said, I'd also recommend paying extra for the remote if that option is the only one in your budget. The Forecaddy has four different modes- manual push mode (basically only for when you run out of battery, which only ever happens when I push the limit- IE "I've gone 27 holes on this charge but it'll go another 9" followed by playing 18 when I had intended to play 9.) Power assist mode- I only use this when I have to. Crossing the road, narrow cart paths, and navigating around really hilly greenside bunkers. Remote mode- I use this the second most, follow mode is great but the remote allows me to navigate my cart over to the next hole or at least where I logically would walk off the green (which is often not where I walk on the green.) And finally, follow mode, where 90% of my use is just walking and having the cart follow me. 

[Golfcrzy]

The key to smooth operation of my Stewart Q Follow cart, so there’re no jerky motions, is to hold the left and right buttons down rather than tapping the button. And for longer than may feel comfortable. Skiing more than rolling.
 

I think people figure it out over time, similar to a sports car that is difficult to control at low speeds without experience.
 

And if you can get a Q Follow on their certified preowned section, you will be thrilled. Best money I’ve ever spent on a singular piece of golf equipment. 

Edited October 22, 2023 by Golfcrzy

[klbcec]

Have the motocaddy m7 remote for 18 months.  Would not get the follow or non remote.

 

Very happy with it. Use it once a week.

[Jlender21]

I purchased a Motocaddy m7 with remote this summer.  It’s fantastic.  I play in western PA not super hilly but def has hills. I can go 36+ holes on a charge.  The remote takes some time to get used to but never thought it would make a big over a push cart but def saw a big difference in energy using the Motocaddy.  Great purchase.  

[lefty1978]

I have the Motocaddy M5 with GPS, no remote. Cost was not a factor in not choosing remote as it was almost same price (at the time) as the M7. I've owned it for almost 3 years now, no issues. I'd buy it again.

[bluedot]

On 11/16/2023 at 6:50 AM, lefty1978 said:

I have the Motocaddy M5 with GPS, no remote. Cost was not a factor in not choosing remote as it was almost same price (at the time) as the M7. I've owned it for almost 3 years now, no issues. I'd buy it again.

If the cost was almost the same, I’m curious as to why you opted for no remote.

[lefty1978]

3 hours ago, bluedot said:

If the cost was almost the same, I’m curious as to why you opted for no remote.

I think the remote is overrated, cart walks ahead of me either way. I paid $1400 for my M5, the M7 was $1500. Most folks at my private club use non remote as well and I know cost wasn't a factor either. Maybe one day I'll buy a remote version and like it better.

[jordan2240]

For the mgi zip series, the remote version was $900 more than non-remote when I purchased the non-remote version a couple years ago.  My buddy bought the remote version.  He'd say he'd buy the remote version again, but I can't see where it is worth the extra cost.  One thing mine will do that his doesn't is roll down hills freely when I cut the motor.  His wheels don't roll unless the motor is engaged.  May not be a significant benefit, but it's handy at times.

[jerebear21]

Have the non remote powakaddy c2 for last 5 years.  Have zero issue outside of holding my walking bag.  Yes, I know it’s not supposed to but it was the main reason why I switch to the Bag Boy Nitron.  The nitron easily held my vessel sunday bag without tangling or such.

 

I recently added the V2 Alphard Booster with the nitron.  Best of both worlds.  You don’t need a swivel front wheel for the Alphard.  Turns just fine.  I walk 2x per week along with riding a cart 1x a week. I also carry for a couple holes with my kids every week. So this set up is the best of all worlds for me.

 

Highly recommend the Alphard with bagboy setup and a carrying bag.