Here is the product website. Hope this helps you decide.

...and a cool video~

I've used SkyCaddie for several years and highly recommend it. It's the best of all the various golf GPS units. I have this particular model and this is a great price. The SGX has several features not available on older models. One of the best is as you move around the green, the screen shows it (the green) from your current perspective, and gives proper yardages from that point. You can also keep score and track fairways hit, GIRs and putts for each hole. Then, upload to the website and generate statistics and charts for performance tracking. If you have an older model, it's worth the upgrade.

Managed to dig up the User Manual for you guys.

I'm also going to repeat this in case some people have trouble navigating woot 4.0:

After 30 days, Basic Green information as well as Advanced Green and Course features require one of several nominally-priced Annual Membership Plans. CLICK HERE!

Would you recommend a GPS unit like this versus a rangefinder like the Bushnell radar-based units?

I was very close to buying one of these... but downloaded an app for my android phone.

Wont mention name, but it is incredible.

Why would I carry another device, my smartphone is already in my pocket.

Yes, you must buy a yearly membership to use the skycaddie. Just be aware of this if you buy one. I bought one and I will be gone next year.

geoschiss wrote:Yes, you must buy a yearly membership to use the skycaddie. Just be aware of this if you buy one. I bought one and I will be gone next year.

Some courses already come loaded, correct? Do you still need the membership to view the already loaded courses?

I have been using the color SG5 model for some years and like it a lot. Hell, I love it. A battery charge lasts about 3-4 rounds depending on the outdoor temp, and the info is presented clearly. Takes all the guesswork out of choosing a club. The SGX is next-gen with a slightly bigger screen and some more features. Not worth upgrading for me, but if you aren't using one of these yet, this is a great woot.

I have used one for 3 years and to have to pay the annual fee is rediculus. There are better options out there.

bigbranz wrote:Would you recommend a GPS unit like this versus a rangefinder like the Bushnell radar-based units?

I'm assuming you're talking about the Bushnell range-finder units -- I don't know if those are based on radar -- that simply provide distance measurements to fixed targets that retail around $399.

The primary difference is information provided. The Bushnell will give you distance to an object or point (approximately), but that's it. The SkyCaddie provides significantly more information that could benefit a player during a round, paricularly distances to carry specific hazards and contours of the green. I've used both and don't have a consistent-enough game to think that I need either device. For example, I care if I'm at the top of a slope on the green, but am probably not good enough to avoid landing on that spot even if I know it's there.

Say you have a typical ~130 yard approach shot. The Bushnell will be more useful if you're hitting to a flag on a green you already know and the difference between a 125 yard shot and a 128 yard shot is something you care a lot about. The SkyCaddie will give you better information if it's a course you're not familiar, you can't see the green to know if there are major slopes, or if the pin is tucked behind a bunker and you want to know how far you have to hit to guarantee you carry it.

I'll point out that the Bushnell range-finder and the SkyCaddie are illegal for use in tournament play under USGA rules unless local rules make a specific exception to allow such devices.

The Natalie Gulbis demo that Woot! linked has some good examples. You also get to watch Natalie Gulbis. Need I say more?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3c_hx8hb15I

Hmm, $149 or I continue to use my $5 app on my droid which does the exact same thing. Tough call.

Thanks, great info.

bigbranz wrote:Some courses already come loaded, correct? Do you still need the membership to view the already loaded courses?

Yes, you need the membership. But I don't consider $29 for a year that big a deal (that's to get all the courses in your state, I think the whole US is about $59/yr).

bigshtank wrote:Hmm, $149 or I continue to use my $5 app on my droid which does the exact same thing. Tough call.

I had the same thought...my phone is already with me, charged, and I don't have to pay an annual fee to use the app.

GPS devices (golf and driving) are on the rapid path to extinction, especially with Apple coming out with turn-by-turn mapping software in the fall...

If you need a GPS to avoid getting lost on the links, perhaps you should stick to watching golf on TV.

bigshtank wrote:Hmm, $149 or I continue to use my $5 app on my droid which does the exact same thing. Tough call.

Actually, it's $149 PLUS an annual fee, or use your $5 app that does the same thing. Makes it an even tougher call. ;-)

Being a college golfer, I still think that having a laser range finder is the best option. The only time that the sky caddie has the upper hand is if you have elevated greens in which you can't shoot it. That said, it doesn't happen very often.

bolligra wrote:Yes, you need the membership. But I don't consider $29 for a year that big a deal (that's to get all the courses in your state, I think the whole US is about $59/yr).

The $59.95 plan is for the entire world. You can get the entire U.S. for $49.95.

The way I see it, the Eagle Membership ($49.95) is about the price of a dozen Pro V1 or Pro V1x golf balls. And with a SkyCaddie, you'll know your distances so you won't lose as many Pro V1s, which should save you some money!

madfire09 wrote:Being a college golfer, I still think that having a laser range finder is the best option. The only time that the sky caddie has the upper hand is if you have elevated greens in which you can't shoot it. That said, it doesn't happen very often.

The advantage of the laser range finder is you can get exact yardages. As a college golfer, you need that more than a 15 handicapper like myself. My problem with those is holding them still enough for the laser to get a fix on the pin. I find it difficult, but I'm a little older than you!

mustang6560 wrote:The $59.95 plan is for the entire world. You can get the entire U.S. for $49.95.

The way I see it, the Eagle Membership ($49.95) is about the price of a dozen Pro V1 or Pro V1x golf balls. And with a SkyCaddie, you'll know your distances so you won't lose as many Pro V1s, which should save you some money!

Not to mention they save you time by not having to walk around looking for a sprinkler head!

I stopped carrying my SkyCaddie 3 years ago after comparing yardages with a laser I purchased. Made the move after we had 3 golfers with sky caddies on the same fairway. All three had different yardages when standing next to each other. The variance was 12yds which is a whole club difference. As far as the sky caddie giving more info, maybe green depth but that's about it. I can shoot a laser to a trap or the bank of a hazard to get that distance. I'll stick with the laser.

umzy wrote:I stopped carrying my SkyCaddie 3 years ago after comparing yardages with a laser I purchased. Made the move after we had 3 golfers with sky caddies on the same fairway. All three had different yardages when standing next to each other. The variance was 12yds which is a whole club difference. As far as the sky caddie giving more info, maybe green depth but that's about it. I can shoot a laser to a trap or the bank of a hazard to get that distance. I'll stick with the laser.

The problem with a laser though is you can't be confident that what your aiming at is what your hitting.