Bag Drop: SkyCaddie Adding Three New Models

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By Jack Wadell via TheSandTrap.com

The current most popular GPS-based rangefinder is growing into a full-fledged product line to give golfers more choices in price, capability, and size.

As a SkyCaddie owner and user this season, I've come to both love and hate my little black box and all that goes with it. Based on my own experience, the detailed review Erik did on the device back in May 2005 is dead on. It's great, but not without its frustrations.



Some of the niggles that irk me are being addressed as SkyGolf makes a big leap forward introducing not one, but three new models. The result is a product lineup with a lot more options and a lot more affordable range of prices.



The new models won't be officially launched until the PGA Merchandise Show in January. However, SkyGolf will begin shipping limited quantities to retailers around November 1, presumably to take advantage of some holiday sales. So here's an exclusive first look at what's in store…

The SG1
Ever wonder why SkyGolf's first product was labeled a "2"? Neither did I. But now we know because the company has filled in the missing model number with the SG1. It's basically a dumbed-down version of the original SG2. Think of it as "SkyCaddie Lite."



The SG1 is identical in appearance to the SG2, except that it's grey instead of black. It thus shares all the same hardware attributes like the display, battery, and belt clip.



There is one hardware difference and it's a definite plus. The SG1 will come standard with a USB cable to connect to your computer instead of that archaic serial cable that shipped with the early batches of SkyCaddies.







But what truly makes it different is the software. Instead of being able to display all the yardage options available on courses that have been professionally mapped, the SG1 will only reveal yardage to the front, center and back of the green.



The trade off is price. SkyGolf's entry-level unit will launch with a suggested retail price of $249.95 and a MAP (minimum advertised price) of $229.95. At discount, that's about $120 less than the original price for the SG2.



The new pricing scheme is going to impact the original SG2. The price is likely to drop from its current $349.95 to a MAP of $279.95 after November 1. Strangely, though, it looks like it's still going to carry a MSRP of $349.95.



The SG3 and SG4
The SG3 and SG4 represent a total redesign of the SkyCaddie. Both feature a larger screen that will show more targets and menu items in four levels of grey at 122x160 resolution. The screen is supposed to be easier to see in bright sunshine and will include a backlight for low-light conditions.



SkyGolf has also added a couple of new buttons. One is a "help" button to provide additional information on a screen or feature. The other is an "info" button that will display more data on a course or hole. And both are fully functional to display all available yardage data.



The biggest improvement I see, however, is the case itself. While bigger than the original SG2 (3.5" x 2.2" x 1.1" vs. 4.7" x 2.2" x 1.3"), it's advertised as impact-resistant and water-resistant. That's a huge plus as you'll no longer have to pop for their $24.99 waterproof case or fuss with a Ziplock bag as I do.







Both new units also will come with USB drivers on a CD as well as a USB cable that will plug into a water-resistant USB connector on the case.



Another improvement is the battery scheme, and this is what begins to differentiate the SG3 from the SG4.



The SG3 (solid black, to oppose the silver/grey color scheme of the SG4) is powered by two AA batteries that are supposed to last up to 12 hours instead of the 10 listed for the SG1 and SG2. This might be handy if you travel a lot since you won't have to lug around a charger. Plus you can always reload batteries during a round if the power dies.



The SG4, on the other hand, comes with a built-in lithium-ion battery also good for up to about 12 hours after a full charge.



While all four models have enough memory to hold 10 courses at a time, the SG4 has an SD card slot so you can boost the memory to a degree that would presumably allow you to carry around as many courses as you want.



I'm guessing that because they're bigger and heavier (4.8 ounces vs. 5.8 and 5.4), SkyGolf has chosen to make a belt clip an optional accessory.



As you might expect, these two new models are going to be pricier. The SG3 will carry a MSRP of $329 and a MAP of $299.95. The SG4 will go at a MSRP of $379.95 and a MAP of $349.95.



In the End…
Once the USGA approved use of distance measuring devices subject to a local rule permitting them, it seems the golfing world immediately divided itself into two warring camps pitting laser users against GPS users.



While I find my SkyCaddie more than adequate for my needs, I can appreciate the several advantages laser range finders deliver. Still, three or four times this season I played with different range finder users who, by the end of the round, gave up on their device and were using my SkyCaddie.



Hopefully, we'll have detailed review of these new units in the future. But in the meantime, we can also hope that this new product line will mean the end of that annoying and over-used Peter Jacobsen/Natalie Gulbis infomercial.



When these products hit, you can find them at Golf Gods .com

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