Electric Cart, Remote vs No Remote? Is it that beneficial?

[smoothie4896]

Getting my first electric cart, want to start walking.  Is a remote that much better?  Looking at MGI Zip series and the remote version are almost double the price.  Thinking about my course its not terrible but has rolling hills and some steep areas, think I would be holding on to it anyways.

 

For anyone that has had both, or just a non remote, is it that much better?

[texasdave]

i just had my first round with an Alphard v2 ewheels and a rovic rv1s cart and i gotta say the remote makes it so easy.

 

it took a few holes to get comfortable with the remote but after a while i was able to send the cart around roped off areas or paths with curbs while i was able to take a more direct route and save some steps..and i'd control it to meet me at my ball. 

 

the course i played has a few steep hills as well and except for one the v2 was able to go up without me holding on, the wheelie bars are a must.

Edited November 23, 2021 by texasdave

[lespaulist]

2 hours ago, texasdave said:

i just had my first round with an Alphard v2 ewheels and a rovic rv1s cart and i gotta say the remote makes it so easy.

 

it took a few holes to get comfortable with the remote but after a while i was able to send the cart around roped off areas or paths with curbs while i was able to take a more direct route and save some steps..and i'd control it to meet me at my ball. 

 

the course i played has a few steep hills as well and except for one the v2 was able to go up without me holding on, the wheelie bars are a must.

 

I have 2 rounds in with my Alphard V2 and in my opinion, the remote is absolutely essential. The remote makes it so easy to walk and the rounds have been more enjoyable. You definelty need to add the wheelie bars or else your cart will top over. 

[BirdieBob]

Remote...No;   FOLLOW MODE......YES!!

[smoothie4896]

Thanks for the replies.  Just bought a Motocaddy M7, they're running a special on Rock bottom at it came out to 1199, thought a good deal.  We'll see how it goes, wont be using it until next spring anyways.  

 

Anyone have experience with the M7 or Motocaddy carts?

[596]

OP... That was fast.  You won't be sorry.  Remote control carts are the best way to play.  Makes walking so much easier.  I have a follow cart.  But I also use the remote sometimes to send it ahead toward the next tee box.  My course is a walk of 9.5 miles for 18 holes and these carts makes it so much more enjoyable.  Good luck! 

Edited November 23, 2021 by 596

[smoothie4896]

Thanks!  They just posted the 20% off again today and went in to buy a MGI Zip Nav.  It was already sold out, thought I better not wait and miss another deal.  Also figured if I can get this one at 1200, the MGI Zip X3 I was looking at was 800, so not a huge difference and all the reviews sound like remote is the way to go.

[caniac6]

I have a remote, but I use the hands on mode around water, and steep hills. I like the remote, but I'd be fine with a manual one, too.

[eric61]

2 hours ago, smoothie4896 said:

Thanks for the replies.  Just bought a Motocaddy M7, they're running a special on Rock bottom at it came out to 1199, thought a good deal.  We'll see how it goes, wont be using it until next spring anyways.  

 

Anyone have experience with the M7 or Motocaddy carts?

Appreciate the heads up on this deal -- I just snagged it too. Been considering buying one of these for a long time; the $300 off was enough to get me to take the leap.

[smoothie4896]

13 minutes ago, eric61 said:

Appreciate the heads up on this deal -- I just snagged it too. Been considering buying one of these for a long time; the $300 off was enough to get me to take the leap.

Excellent.  I had the same thinking, nice discount and the M7 looks like a nice unit.  Enjoy!

[Ripper212]

4 hours ago, smoothie4896 said:

Thanks for the replies.  Just bought a Motocaddy M7, they're running a special on Rock bottom at it came out to 1199, thought a good deal.  We'll see how it goes, wont be using it until next spring anyways.  

 

Anyone have experience with the M7 or Motocaddy carts?

I have a Motocaddy S1 which has been excellent and durable. Only complaint is the crappy cupholder which is basically flimsy netting, but suspect they've changed that by now. I personally think the remote is an unnecessary expense. What's the big deal with resting your hands on the handles?

[texasdave]

Glad to hear you snagged one OP...

 

Like i said i used my v2 for the first time Sunday on a course i've walked at least a 50 times with my old push cart and i can tell you my back was way less stiff when i was done. And this was on a 70* day , i can only imagine how much better it's gonna feel when it's mid 90's and humid in the summer..

[596]

27 minutes ago, Ripper212 said:

I have a Motocaddy S1 which has been excellent and durable. Only complaint is the crappy cupholder which is basically flimsy netting, but suspect they've changed that by now. I personally think the remote is an unnecessary expense. What's the big deal with resting your hands on the handles?

Nothing. But it is really nice having that cart follow you around.  Have both hands free to drink and whatever. Nice to know you can just walk around and it follows you anywhere you want to go.  You stop, turn around and the cart has stopped right behind you.  I use my hand on the handle bar every so often between holes, but I can have as much as a 400yd walk between holes and it's through houses and woods and curvy paths.  Once on the hole, my cart is always in follow mode.  It's a luxury not a necessity.

[Ripper212]

13 hours ago, 596 said:

Nothing. But it is really nice having that cart follow you around.  Have both hands free to drink and whatever. Nice to know you can just walk around and it follows you anywhere you want to go.  You stop, turn around and the cart has stopped right behind you.  I use my hand on the handle bar every so often between holes, but I can have as much as a 400yd walk between holes and it's through houses and woods and curvy paths.  Once on the hole, my cart is always in follow mode.  It's a luxury not a necessity.

Our course leased follow me carts and I personally hated them. Several times a round they didn't pick up the signal. Nothing worse then walking a few hundred yards uphill only to notice your cart back where you started. I want it in front of me where I can see it!

[596]

32 minutes ago, Ripper212 said:

Our course leased follow me carts and I personally hated them. Several times a round they didn't pick up the signal. Nothing worse then walking a few hundred yards uphill only to notice your cart back where you started. I want it in front of me where I can see it!

Do you remember what kind they were?  I've heard the radio signal ones drop out some, as the signal is one directional.  Mine is connected with BT, and picks up 360*.  The only time mine drops is if I'm going through wet deep grass and I walk away from it.  It'll stop on it's own if I get too far ahead. It took a few rounds to get used to it. I don't even think about it now.

[lespaulist]

46 minutes ago, Ripper212 said:

Our course leased follow me carts and I personally hated them. Several times a round they didn't pick up the signal. Nothing worse then walking a few hundred yards uphill only to notice your cart back where you started. I want it in front of me where I can see it!

 

The V2 has a teather which is a magnet that attaches to your belt. The tension is minimal but you can feel if the cart is no longer following you. 

[BirdieBob]

1 hour ago, Ripper212 said:

Our course leased follow me carts and I personally hated them. Several times a round they didn't pick up the signal. Nothing worse then walking a few hundred yards uphill only to notice your cart back where you started. I want it in front of me where I can see it!

Get the Stewart Q!    ....  ***** stars

No such issues....outstanding.

 

Would never have an electric without the Follow Mode.

Edited November 24, 2021 by BirdieBob

[Ripper212]

Don't remember what brand it was. Stewart I'm sure is terrific as it should be for the price. Still don't see any advantage to clubs being behind you.

[scotty_2987]

7 hours ago, Ripper212 said:

Our course leased follow me carts and I personally hated them. Several times a round they didn't pick up the signal. Nothing worse then walking a few hundred yards uphill only to notice your cart back where you started. I want it in front of me where I can see it!

This x 1000! I have the alphard v2 and love it. Only use the remote because I want the cart out in front of me so I can keep an eye on it. I’ve had friends with the follow carts that have lost headcovers from them being behind and not knowing they fell off. Just this last week I was behind a group and one guy had a follow cart of some brand and for the first 3 holes he would start walking and after about 20 feet the cart would turn directly left and start going nuts. He eventually just had to push it the rest of the round. If it was behind me I would consistently be turning around to check on it so for me I would much rather it be out in front. 

[BirdieBob]

7 hours ago, Ripper212 said:

Don't remember what brand it was. Stewart I'm sure is terrific as it should be for the price. Still don't see any advantage to clubs being behind you.

Try walking without having to steer your cart, speed it up/slow it down, control it with a remote and you will be like..

How did I ever do without the follow mode!  Simply amazing fantastic experience not to bother worrying about your cart when it always right there behind you like a dedicated caddie.   

 

Never have another electric without the Follow mode.

Edited November 25, 2021 by BirdieBob

[Ripper212]

13 hours ago, BirdieBob said:

Try walking without having to steer your cart, speed it up/slow it down, control it with a remote and you will be like..

How did I ever do without the follow mode!  Simply amazing fantastic experience not to bother worrying about your cart when it always right there behind you like a dedicated caddie.   

 

Never have another electric without the Follow mode.

True. It was certainly nice when it worked which sadly was only some of the time with the model our club leased, which I believe was pretty high end. To each his own, but I don't find that gently steering a motorized cart requires that much effort. My main concern is that i don't have far enough to walk between shots!!

[KARL M]

Started with a kangaroo non remote for a couple years.  

 

Went with a kangaroo remote version to have the noise of the cart furthur away from me.  It did have the wheelie bar, but the weight of it made it more inclined to want to wheelie.

My home course is hilly and the ground uneven.  There were only a few holes where i could use it remotely.

 

I went with a basic motocaddy non remote this past fall.  The noise factor is a nonissue with this cart, compared to the motocaddy.  

 

The motocaddy is way lighter than the kangaroo, and i can't imagine using it remotely on my home course.

[anth]

Which models have the Follow Mode?

[KParks]

On 12/27/2021 at 6:35 PM, anth said:

Which models have the Follow Mode?

Foresight and Stewart Q Follow are the only ones that I can think of.

[Kball10]

On 11/23/2021 at 9:54 AM, smoothie4896 said:

Getting my first electric cart, want to start walking.  Is a remote that much better?  Looking at MGI Zip series and the remote version are almost double the price.  Thinking about my course its not terrible but has rolling hills and some steep areas, think I would be holding on to it anyways.

 

For anyone that has had both, or just a non remote, is it that much better?

I have MGI ZIP NAVIGATOR - get the remote.  It is a far better experience with the remote.  You will regret it if you do not.  One issue with no remote is the speed may not match your walking pace.  For example - speed 4 is to slow for me and speed 5 is a bit to fast.  I also have a standard Click Gear cart.  

Edited January 4, 2022 by Kball10
Added more content

[596]

On 12/27/2021 at 9:35 PM, anth said:

Which models have the Follow Mode?

Caddytrek also makes a follow cart.  

 

Stewart carts are BT connected.  Caddytrek are radio frequency.  There's a big difference hence the price difference.