Sky Caddie Questions?

[schneck1977]

I have made up my mind that I am going to get myself a Sky Caddie for myself. Please do not try to sway me to something else. I have a few questions for those of you that have and use one.

 

SG3 & 4 users. Have you had the chance to use one with an external antenna, been with some one with one to see if some of the signal issues are better with the external antenna?

 

SG3 users, ~ how long are you really seeing with a fresh set of batteries? Number of rounds?

 

SG5 users, dose the color screen really make that big of a difference outside? Been able to compare to grey scale screens?

 

I did and am still searching, but this is all so scattered, if any of you have links to older threads please post as well.

[superT]

I have a SG4 and while I have been happy with it for the most part. I sometimes have to do a gps reset because of bad reception and the battery life is not great. Not sure if I have a bad battery but if I was playing 36 holes I am not sure if the battery would last.

[scottm]

I had an SG3. Batteries were good for 2-3 rounds and I also had to reset the GPS once in a while. I now have an SG5. The GPS locks much quicker and holds the signal better. Color is nice but it is the better reception that sold me on the upgrade.

[Cuda Kota]

I had the original 2.0. It was servicable but I had a good increase in income so I decided to buy an SG5.

 

The larger color screen was very nice in all lighting conditions. After a couple of months I decided it was overkill (for me) and sold it.

 

Took the sale proceeds, bought an SG2.5, and $$$ left over to spend elsewhere. Haven't looked back since.

 

There are times when I think a 5 would be nice, but no information that me 2.5 can't give me. The color is nicer than greyscale, but color TV is better than B&W.

 

It just depends on what your budget can handle. I've even switched to a GPS "competitior" but quickly went back to Sky Caddie.

 

Good luck!

[sandwedge59]

I have a SG3 with no external antenna and to be honest i do not have any issues with connectivity , as for the batteries i am currently using duracell rechargables that work great but i change the batteries after each round , dont waste your time with regular batteries as they get used up easily , i do notice at times on overcast days it takes a little longer at times to find the satellite signal but otherwise mine works good and i am glad i purchased it ..

[toddnt]

Only problem with my SG4 is the crappy battery life. I charge it for ten hours and by the 18th hole its telling me to recharge soon!

[longshotrisk]

I have the SG2.5 and it lasts at least two rounds, easy to charge, and with the new upgrade holds 20 courses. Great price and very quick to lock on to satellites and it gives quick readings. All in all, a good unit :D

[golfdad907]

Owned SG3 for about 2 years, had to be serviced twice, then fell off mount, hit cart path, done for.....thanks goodness, wasn't too impressed, it was nice but................

then I got the SG5, the firmware is leaps above that magellan based crapola in SG3. Color screenw ith Onyx theme is awesome...can't recommend anything but worth it...and on EB can get pretty cheap. Battery charge lasts about 12-14 hours depending on temperature. (figure 3 rounds, though I have car charger too).

 

Get the temp cart mount, it's great, on sale for under 50 most places.

 

SG5 is awesome, and on courses I know, I've lasered with my scout 1000 and ware within a yard, so obviously pretty accurate.

[mul1gan]

off topic but even after reading the manual I dont understand what the pro-front means?

If I have it set, it puts a square box at the front of the green. But what does that do? It says something about giving you the center of the green reading as teh front. Is that accurate? Doesnt make sense to me. Is it just a safety so aggressive players never come up short????

 

Are the sg users setting it to center or front?

 

also, why do they only suggest selecting 2 target views? is it possible to select 3 or all 4 views?

 

And with the new website and sw, they discontinued the playlist right?

 

thanks guys

[tgolfer]

off topic but even after reading the manual I dont understand what the pro-front means?

If I have it set, it puts a square box at the front of the green. But what does that do? It says something about giving you the center of the green reading as teh front. Is that accurate? Doesnt make sense to me. Is it just a safety so aggressive players never come up short????

 

Are the sg users setting it to center or front?

 

also, why do they only suggest selecting 2 target views? is it possible to select 3 or all 4 views?

 

And with the new website and sw, they discontinued the playlist right?

 

thanks guys

 

 

I think the Pro-Front feature is for use when a daily pin position chart is issued by the golf club, which indicates how many yards/metres on and how many from left (or right) of green the pin is situated. So you take the Pro-Front reading and add the 'distance on' to the flag therefore giving you a more accurate pin distance than manouvering the cross-hair in the iGreen screen which will only give you an approximation to the pin.

 

This is my 'guess' rather than a definitive answer. Hope it helps.

 

TG - in the UK

[rshelton_99]

I've had the SG3 for 2 1/2 years. It had problems acquiring and locking on to the signal (especially on cloudy days), so much so that I was getting ready to ditch the SG3 and get another GPS. However, after upgrading the firmware recently, I've had zero problems and the accuracy has even gotten better. I get about 10 hours per set of AA batteries, which around here is about 2 1/2 rounds. As far as color, I'm sure it's nice, but I don't miss what I've never had. I do like being able to use AA batteries. I always keep an extra set of batteries in the bag so I don't have to worry about charging the unit.

[mul1gan]

thanks.. i guess i'll just leave it in the center and turn the pro front mode off.

another question that have already been answered.

Whats the number pn the upper right hand side of the screen? It fluctuates a little but always hovering on 22-29. And where is this counter everyone is talking about after you mark your ball?

 

 

thanks again

[ballshagger]

My guess is thats the number of satellites that your picking up. 22 out of 29.Technically, you only need three to get a triangulation, or to get a fix. The more satellites the more accurate.

[phil75070]

My guess is thats the number of satellites that your picking up. 22 out of 29.Technically, you only need three to get a triangulation, or to get a fix. The more satellites the more accurate.

 

I think the receiver they use can only pick up 16 satellites max. From what I have been reading, is it possible that number is the depth of the green number they added with the upgrade?

[23muc]

I believe phil75070 is right...if you are talking about the Intelligreen screen (green outline) the upgrade puts the green depth in the upper right corner and the distance from the last marked location (running number) in the lower right corner

[Oldnavycdr]

I was ready to chuck my two year old SG3 until I downloaded the recent firmware upgrade, version 1.0 to 2.0. The improvement in acquisition and accuracy has been dramatic and I'm very happy with it now. I use rechargeables and swap them out after every round and I keep a backup set of regular batteries in the bag just in case. As for attaching to a cart, I picked up a device that inserts into the cupholder. It has an extension arm that holds the SkyCaddie up where you can get a good view. I think it was $10 off the bay. Much cheaper than the the SkyCaddie cart attachements and better IMHO.

[mul1gan]

thanks guys... i guess thats handy information to know, i dont have to do math while aiming at the pin..hahaha

 

I didnt notice the running number inthe lower right hand corner. I will have to look for that next time. So after I hit mark on the tee box and start walking, the numbers should increase to say 280-320? hahahhaha (wishful thinking)