New Golf Guru 4

[jwknow]

Well.......I currently own the G2 and was gonna preorder the G4 a few weeks ago but held off for some reason. Then with all the posts about issues that everyone was having, I was glad I didn't order.

Then I get the email about the 100 FREE AerVu credits.....$29 navigation software....fixing the issues people were having.... and now I'm back to reconsidering ordering the G4.

Ya gotta at least give the folks at GolfGuru credit. It looks like they are tryin hard to fix the problems with the G4 and sure have "sweetened the pot" with the current email offer.

Hopin to see some more info posted concerning the new software update from those that kept the G4. Did it fix everything?

JW

[h2ohzrd]

[quote name='dmartin1976' post='1879047' date='Aug 10 2009, 08:48 PM']I got the email too, 100 free credits for aerovu courses, so that's essentially 50 courses which is more than I think I will really ever need as I only play about 10 courses fairly consistantly, that'll leave 40 for those times I play a different course. and the intro offer for 30 bucks, even if the nav works somewhat decent, and from the reviews it looks like it'll be better, that's a great price. I think that it goes to show they acknowledge the setbacks and are more than making up for them, AWESOME CUSTOMER SERVICE AND APPRECIATION!![/quote]

yeah but there still ain't a course within 50 miles of me that is aerovu mapped

[ChoppingBrocolli]

Yeah, I was ready to send back the G4, but after they fixed the bugs and sweetened the AerVu pot, I am likely to keep it. I need to test out the Smart Green feature on the course.

I am skeptical on how quick they can [u]add[/u] an [u]unmapped AerVu map[/u]. It [u]was[/u] taking 2 weeks when they cost $10. Now that they are free, the backlog will be huge unless they have some kind of request priority system set up for a new course that you will play soon.

The sudden availability of the Nav system is a biggie in my decision. I wonder how quick they can get it out once ordered. Shouldn't be a problem since its only software.

[phil75070]

[quote name='h2ohzrd' post='1880814' date='Aug 11 2009, 03:26 PM']yeah but there still ain't a course within 50 miles of me that is aerovu mapped [/quote]

A couple of weeks ago, there was about a two week backlog in getting AerVu courses mapped. I think the wait time has been reduced since then. Why not just request the course you want?

[Rickochet]

[quote name='ChoppingBrocolli' post='1880964' date='Aug 11 2009, 05:26 PM']Yeah, I was ready to send back the G4, but after they fixed the bugs and sweetened the AerVu pot, I am likely to keep it. I need to test out the Smart Green feature on the course.

I am skeptical on how quick they can [u]add[/u] an [u]unmapped AerVu map[/u]. It [u]was[/u] taking 2 weeks when they cost $10. Now that they are free, the backlog will be huge unless they have some kind of request priority system set up for a new course that you will play soon.

The sudden availability of the Nav system is a biggie in my decision. I wonder how quick they can get it out once ordered. Shouldn't be a problem since its only software.[/quote]

GG dangled enough carrots for me to hang with my G4. I downloaded the new software today and ordered the nav module. I also got 100 credits in my account for AerVu and ordered several maps.

I think it was a pretty good strategy on their part to stop the bleeding on G4 returns. We shall see if they come through with the promises on the AerVu mapping. It would seem like a monumental task. But, Golf Guru's customer service reputation got me into this so I guess I will see it through.

[phil75070]

From the email from Mr. Cornish:

"We have corrected some initial problems with the AerVu map system, and our mapping team is now cranking out AerVu maps at a record pace."

[dmartin1976]

Ok, so right when I got the GG4 I paid 70 for the aervu credits 10 of them, yesterday I got the email notifying that I'm getting 100 for free, so I called them today and asked if since they did this I could get my money back for the credits and they did!!! that was really great. I ended up just getting the 2 year extended warrentee for 60 and then 10 towards the nav. software, but still they didn't have to do that, I wasn't really expecting it, but it's really nice they did!

[Rickochet]

[quote name='phil75070' post='1881547' date='Aug 11 2009, 09:28 PM']From the email from Mr. Cornish:

"We have corrected some initial problems with the AerVu map system, and our mapping team is now cranking out AerVu maps at a record pace."[/quote]

Things are looking up. So how do we know when an AerVu course has been mapped. Do we get an email?

[PlaneMaker]

Well I am now on the fence. I have been wanting to buy a Road Navigation GPS but, if the Guru 4 can perform as well as a Navigation specific unit I'm sold.

Does anybody have any experience with the company that is providing the Navigation software?

[ChoppingBrocolli]

[quote name='Rickochet' post='1881607' date='Aug 11 2009, 08:47 PM'][quote name='phil75070' post='1881547' date='Aug 11 2009, 09:28 PM']From the email from Mr. Cornish:

"We have corrected some initial problems with the AerVu map system, and our mapping team is now cranking out AerVu maps at a record pace."[/quote]

Things are looking up. So how do we know when an AerVu course has been mapped. Do we get an email?
[/quote]

It's coded under the My Guru "add courses" tab. When you select a course, the deep blue ([color="#9932cc"]indigo[/color]) button signifies the status. [u]A button with a $ means that you can buy a mapped course now[/u]. A ? means that you can buy it now but you will have to wait until they map it to show up on your My Guru list. (Your My guru list will show the course in [color="#00bfff"]blue[/color] if your AerVu is paid and available for download. It will be [color="#9932cc"]purple [/color]if you have paid and you are still waiting for them to map the course.

Back to the blue buttons...an X means they are not going to map it or it is not available on your model. And a check mark means you have bought it and it is on your list already. An ! means you have requested and paid for the map but are waiting for them to map.

If you have paid and are waiting for the map to show up, you just have to [u]keep checking back[/u] to see if the purple changes to blue.

That's all I know.

[Howie]

[quote name='ChoppingBrocolli' post='1881739' date='Aug 11 2009, 10:38 PM']Back to the blue buttons...an X means they are not going to map it or it is not available on your model.[/quote]

So if one has an older model (e.g., GG2) and is curious if certain courses are available in the AerVu format, is there a way to make this determination?

Thanks,

[Howie]

[quote name='PlaneMaker' post='1881719' date='Aug 11 2009, 10:29 PM']Well I am now on the fence. I have been wanting to buy a Road Navigation GPS but, if the Guru 4 can perform as well as a Navigation specific unit I'm sold.

Does anybody have any experience with the company that is providing the Navigation software?[/quote]

And does anyone know how updates to the maps will be handled? Are these updates free or will there be ongoing charges for more recent information?

[phil75070]

It has been my experience in the past with the "basic" course maps that if you make a request to have a course mapped you will get an email when that mapping is completed. The design of the original utility was to download every course on your device every time you synch to make sure you have the latest version. For example, someone else plays the same course that you have downloaded, and requests a re-mapping to correct an error. Once that correction has been made, the next time you synch the corrected version will be downloaded. The new utility changed the process to speed up synching and now, instead of all courses being downloaded again only those with changes are downloaded.

I have to assume that the process would be the same for AerVu courses, but I have not requested an AerVu course to be mapped so I can't confirm that.

[ChoppingBrocolli]

[quote name='phil75070' post='1882248' date='Aug 12 2009, 06:28 AM']For example, someone else plays the same course that you have downloaded, and requests a re-mapping to correct an error. Once that correction has been made, the next time you synch the corrected version will be downloaded.[/quote]

I recently played a course in PA (using my G2) and noticed that the Par scoring for 2 holes were switched. The holes were mapped okay. I will send it in for a correction and see how that is handled.

[jwknow]

[quote name='Howie' post='1881928' date='Aug 12 2009, 12:05 AM'][quote name='ChoppingBrocolli' post='1881739' date='Aug 11 2009, 10:38 PM']Back to the blue buttons...an X means they are not going to map it or it is not available on your model.[/quote]

So if one has an older model (e.g., GG2) and is curious if certain courses are available in the AerVu format, is there a way to make this determination?

Thanks,
[/quote]

I emailed them yesterday with that exact question. Didn't want to order the G4 only to find out they aren't going to have any AerVu maps in my area. I'll post when I get a reply from them.

JW

[phil75070]

Last March when I first got my G002, they had a little over 5300 maps. Today, that number is closer to 21,000, most mapped based on requests received. There is no charge for requesting a course(s). Just like with the standard maps, they are going to respond to specific requests first.

[Rickochet]

I had my first round today with the G4 with the new software update. Everything seems to be as promised. The distances change when you move the pin around on the green and it is actually much more useful than I thought it would be. The battery indicator still had two bars left after a four hour round. Before it would go red on the 17th tee.

[dmartin1976]

[quote name='ChoppingBrocolli' post='1882368' date='Aug 12 2009, 09:02 AM'][quote name='phil75070' post='1882248' date='Aug 12 2009, 06:28 AM']For example, someone else plays the same course that you have downloaded, and requests a re-mapping to correct an error. Once that correction has been made, the next time you synch the corrected version will be downloaded.[/quote]

I recently played a course in PA (using my G2) and noticed that the Par scoring for 2 holes were switched. The holes were mapped okay. I will send it in for a correction and see how that is handled.

[/quote]

I had them adjust a par on my home course and they did it within 3 days, I am pretty sure they emailed me, but not positive

[Howie]

Have any G2 owners decided to go with the G4? I typically keep the G2 in my front pocket and it sounds as if that is not practical with the G4?

[brewmaster]

I have the Guru 4 and it would be a bit bulky for a front pocket.

[Rickochet]

[quote name='Howie' post='1884351' date='Aug 12 2009, 10:33 PM']Have any G2 owners decided to go with the G4? I typically keep the G2 in my front pocket and it sounds as if that is not practical with the G4?[/quote]

The G4 is 3" x 4" x 1" thick and weighs 6.1 oz.. I use mine in a cart mount and it works very well in that application. I carry it to the cart in my front pants pocket and it is a bit bulky for me. Take a scrap piece of wood 3" x 4" and tape 34 US nickels to it and you will have something close to demo in your pocket.

Rick

[Rickochet]

I got a shipment confirmation email from GG on the Nav package today. Another good sign from Golf Guru.

[Zlim]

What are the dimensions of the GG4?
in mm or inches

[Zlim]

Wow, take that back I need to learn how to scroll up every now and then

[hacker1]

[quote name='Rickochet' post='1884845' date='Aug 13 2009, 07:09 AM'][quote name='Howie' post='1884351' date='Aug 12 2009, 10:33 PM']Have any G2 owners decided to go with the G4? I typically keep the G2 in my front pocket and it sounds as if that is not practical with the G4?[/quote]

The G4 is 3" x 4" x 1" thick and weighs 6.1 oz.. I use mine in a cart mount and it works very well in that application. I carry it to the cart in my front pants pocket and it is a bit bulky for me. Take a scrap piece of wood 3" x 4" and tape 34 US nickels to it and you will have something close to demo in your pocket.

Rick
[/quote] Hilarious, Rick!

[Rickochet]

[quote name='hacker1' post='1886286' date='Aug 13 2009, 07:28 PM'] [quote name='Rickochet' post='1884845' date='Aug 13 2009, 07:09 AM'][quote name='Howie' post='1884351' date='Aug 12 2009, 10:33 PM']Have any G2 owners decided to go with the G4? I typically keep the G2 in my front pocket and it sounds as if that is not practical with the G4?[/quote]

The G4 is 3" x 4" x 1" thick and weighs 6.1 oz.. I use mine in a cart mount and it works very well in that application. I carry it to the cart in my front pants pocket and it is a bit bulky for me. Take a scrap piece of wood 3" x 4" and tape 34 US nickels to it and you will have something close to demo in your pocket.
Rick
[/quote] Hilarious, Rick!
[/quote]

Actually it was meant to be helpful, not funny just to check for size and weight in a pocket, not functionality. A US nickel weighs 5 grams. 34 nickels weigh 170 grams. The G4 on my scale weighs 171 grams. I also build golf clubs and RC airplanes and weighing small stuff in both hobbies is very helpful.

[pflogger]

[quote]I got a shipment confirmation email from GG on the Nav package today. Another good sign from Golf Guru.[/quote]

I too got an email confirmation on the (Production) nav package shipment today, but I've had a couple of beta versions from them for sometime now. Really didn't know which one they were leaning toward until recently. I run the Guru side by side with my Son's Garmin Nuvi, and since the Guru 4 software is based off of Navteq data, it gets lost in the same spots as the Garmin unit (actually only 1, but it's funny they both don't recognize one of the streets I drive to work on everyday).

I talked to a support rep in more detail about the battery issues too, as I noticed that when the battery indicator goes red on the main screen, I get about 3-4 more hours of use out of it before it starts chirping and powers down. Was told that this was probabaly due to a bad algorithm in the manufacturer's software, and may not be calibrated to the 3500 mAh battery. Moral of the story...if you see red, keep on trucking, cuz you've got a ways to go.

It looks like 4.02 took care of quite a few of the issues such as the map editing, and the distance not changing when moving the pin on the green view. I haven't seen much in the way of issues since using 4.02. Like the new version of utility software, which now only downloads new courses you add to your web account, or maps they have edited since your lasy sync process. I've played around quite a bit with the scoring and stats, and these look to be much improved. I don't use them for my own play, but I can see where the issues were in the previous version. Love being able to turn the Shot Plan feature off, as I just like to watch my track on the AerVu while driving down the course. I personally think the default should be off, and you have to turn it on.

Since I play mainly on my home course, and mainly out of a cart, I just put the Guru 4 in a cup holder and sometimes put the G002 on the strut mount I purchased before they quit selling them. My home course still has older E-Z GOs with the smaller roof struts. I put the Guru 4 on the AerVu, and put the G002 on the green view. Best of both worlds. I don't look at these threads as much as I used to, but I do quite a bit of beta testing for Golf Guru, so feel free to try and pick my brain. It might take me a day or two, but I'll keep checking.

[dmartin1976]

I got the confirmation as well, I spoke with someone there and was told that the odysee and garmin use the same maps and the other one they were looking at, which they still may release later on had a lot more updates and more accurate streets. He gave an example of one street both garmin and oddysee didn't name/have and this other one did. He also said the other one (not sure which program) is allowing them to customize it more, not sure what that means. I was wondering why they went with this one, but I suspect it was because they could roll it out quicker. Hopefully when the other one comes out they have a deal like this one, although if this one works well I probably wouldn't bother getting the other one. Another great thing regarding customer service, I wanted to switch to get both us and canadian maps because it was only 8 dollars more (I ordered over the phone and didn't see the candian option) their system was down so instead of having me wait he just upgraded it for me at no cost (we'll see for sure when I get the package) I am just so impressed with this company, they really do have great customer service!!

[PlaneMaker]

So I am out trying to find some information about the Nav software and I did a google on the company name and went to their website. The website did not say how up to date their maps were and it seemed very out of date. I also went to their discussion board to gather some more information and it looks like it has been hijacked by some kind of pornography spam.

If you do a google for Infogation Odyssey 2009 you get lots of download sites.

So, how do we know if we are getting up to date maps? Has anybody actually used this software?

Like I said before I very interested in the Guru 4 for the multi function capability (especially navigation). But, I am a bit concerned.

[Rickochet]

I played another round with the G4 today and now have a dozen or more rounds with it. Something I noticed today during my round was that since I have decided to keep it and after the firmware upgrade and having shipping confirmation on the Nav package I found myself enjoying the G4 for what is does and not busy nit picking over what it might not be doing. I think when the AerVu maps start rolling in this is going to an even nicer unit and as good as anything out and the product support seems to keep hanging in there under the current pressure also.