Inconsistent SkyCaddie Readings

[Sickman]

I held my SkyCaddie SG2.5 next to a playing partner's SkyCaddie SG3 and got different readings. While they were almost never in sync, the differences were not consistent, varying by as little as 2 yards to as much as 8-9 yards. I'm not even sure who's was right, but when we stood on a red 100-yard dot, the SG3 gave 100 yards to the center and mine gave 94.

 

What gives?

[blade_man]

Did you look to see if the "pin marker" was in the same place? I have seen this happen, confusing at first but if you look at edge of green and back of green see what those readings are. JAT

[Sickman]

Did you look to see if the "pin marker" was in the same place? I have seen this happen, confusing at first but if you look at edge of green and back of green see what those readings are. JAT

 

If I understand you correctly, you're asking if either one of us moved the little cross-hairs around the green with the thumbpad. The answer is no. The readings would also be different to front and back, and the difference would be the same for each of the three points. IOW, front-middle-back might be, for example, 100-110-120 for one and 105-115-125 for the other.

[SMAKCruiser]

I've never compared to sky caddies, but compared mine to the Garmin one and found nothing unusual. Maybe a yard or two off here and there but thats no big deal.

[nivekrob]

I would trust the SG2.5 every time. I have an SG4 and have had nothing but problems with it. My buddy has an SG1 and it works perfectly all the time compared to my terrible SG4. From what I understand the gps manufacturer in the SG3 and SG4 is different than the gps in the SG1 and the SG2.5,3.5, and 5 models. And by different I mean it sucks. I tried to get skycaddie to replace my crappy SG4 with a 2.5 and they wouldn't do it....so right now I have my 4th SG4 on its way...hopefully this one works.

[78Staff]

I would trust the SG2.5 every time. I have an SG4 and have had nothing but problems with it. My buddy has an SG1 and it works perfectly all the time compared to my terrible SG4. From what I understand the gps manufacturer in the SG3 and SG4 is different than the gps in the SG1 and the SG2.5,3.5, and 5 models. And by different I mean it sucks. I tried to get skycaddie to replace my crappy SG4 with a 2.5 and they wouldn't do it....so right now I have my 4th SG4 on its way...hopefully this one works.

 

 

+1...

 

SG2/2.5/3.5/5 are all rock solid on yardages...

 

SG3 and SG4 had/has accuracy issues...

[loomsey]

I've never had any issues with my 2.5

[mcmski]

I've heard the 3 and the 4 don't pick up as many sats which would make sense for the accuracy issues but I don't know 100% that it is the only reason.

[blade_man]

Did you look to see if the "pin marker" was in the same place? I have seen this happen, confusing at first but if you look at edge of green and back of green see what those readings are. JAT

 

If I understand you correctly, you're asking if either one of us moved the little cross-hairs around the green with the thumbpad. The answer is no. The readings would also be different to front and back, and the difference would be the same for each of the three points. IOW, front-middle-back might be, for example, 100-110-120 for one and 105-115-125 for the other.

 

Ok, there is a "reset" or something like that for the sats so you might try that and see if that helps. I had the SG2 and now the SG5 and couldn't be happier, got the SG5 because of larger screen, it's heck to get old!

[Oldnavycdr]

Be sure you download the firmware upgrade to your next SG4. I had similar problems with my SG3 until SkyCaddie put out the 2.0 firmware and the accuracy and stability improved dramatically. And while I've never compared it to readings from an SG 2.5, I have with the uPro. My SG3 was far more stable and accurate than my buddy's uPro on my home course.

[stratjb]

I have an SG3 and My Bro In Law has an SG5. We compare from time to time during a round and I can honestly say that niether is better than the other. Sometimes they are only a yard or two off but most times the difference is in the 3 to 5 range. Not bad considering the accuracy for each unit is estimated at +-3 yds.

[Williams5203]

Lesson In GPS,

 

In short, buy a range finder, much, much, much more accurate if you spend the same money. I am a computer mapping tech by day, and an avid player at night.

 

Professionally speaking, the gps is a good tool for general yardages, it's not valid within a yard, I don't care if you get lucky every now and then, or it claims to be +/- a yard on screen or by the manufacturer. I have a $5000 GPS sitting on my desk that is a sub-meter commercial GPS. This is when using, a base station, backpack antenna, and real time correction software. I highly doubt, that your $400 dollar sky caddie is capable of attaining such accuracy. The best bet on your home course, get a good laser ranger finder, and make a yardage book.

[Bob McClain]

You are "spot on" Mr. Williams!

 

GPS is great technology for "locating things" not "measuring things".

 

There is a reason why NO PROFESSIONAL golfer on the face of the earth is using GPS to prepare for a competition -- they all use laser!

 

Check out www.laserisbetter.com

[RichB]

OFF TOPIC...my apologies.

 

 

Lesson In GPS,

 

In short, buy a range finder, much, much, much more accurate if you spend the same money. I am a computer mapping tech by day, and an avid player at night.

 

Professionally speaking, the gps is a good tool for general yardages, it's not valid within a yard, I don't care if you get lucky every now and then, or it claims to be +/- a yard on screen or by the manufacturer. I have a $5000 GPS sitting on my desk that is a sub-meter commercial GPS. This is when using, a base station, backpack antenna, and real time correction software. I highly doubt, that your $400 dollar sky caddie is capable of attaining such accuracy. The best bet on your home course, get a good laser ranger finder, and make a yardage book.

 

Uh, thank-you for staying on topic.

The laser vs GPS discussion is in another thread.

But, since you are here.....

They are each tools. They each work in different ways.

Lasers are more accurate, if you can properly acquire your target, which, of course,

is impossible if you cannot see it.

For the vast majority of GPS users...it is more than accurate enough. GPS only

users are not accurate to within 5 yards, myself included. I don't believe the majority

of laser users are any more accurate.

 

For me, there are too many targets that I cannot see, to make a laser more useful to me than GPS.

 

Each is a tool. Each does its job. Each has its limitations, and its benefits.

It is up to the user to determine which works better for what that user needs to accomplish.

 

Different tools for different requirements.

 

End rant, and off topic.

 

To the OP...I have the SG2 (original serial version) and have found it to be as accurate

as all other units I've compared it to, including my laser.

Don't have any idea which GPS set is in it.