Looking for a GPS with no annual fees.

[Moonlightgrm]

GPS

I owned a Sky Caddie SG4 and had nothing but problems with the device. I frequently would lose the signal. I did not renew my subscription for this season but enjoyed the benefits of the device when it worked properly. I'm looking to purchase a new GPS. I'd like one that requires no annual fees, is reliable, and is not overly laden with too many useless features. Any suggestions? Does a reliable device as I've described exist?

Thanks

[rickpal14]

It's my understanding that the connection problem with the SkyCaddie models such as the SG4 were due to the antenna design. There was no external antenna bud. That is why all the latest models have the antenna bud.

I have had the SG5 for 2 years now and have never had a connectivity issue. I usually play 40-50 rounds a year all over US.

If you want to go another route than SkyCaddie that's fine..... just wanted to let you know that your problems may have more to do with the model design that the overall SG quality...

Good luck!!
Rick

[labillyboy]

I have a Golf Buddy, it works great and has most golf courses pre loaded on it... no hassles with having to constantly down load courses on a unit that only holds 10-20 courses. Also runs on regular batteries if you forget to recharge it...

The courses I play a lot are well mapped and are dead on accurate with my laser...

I have come across some courses that are poorly mapped with readings that are way off. Sky Caddie has better overall mapping based on my comparisons with playing partners using them... I have notified Golf Buddy when I experience a really bad mapping and every time they have issued a new mapping within a few weeks. It seems like it is getting more and more infrequent that I find a bad map these days.

I always carry a laser anyway for approach shots so it is not a big problem when I find a bad map... (I never rely on GPS for to the pin distance inside of 150 yards, since I want a precise number. )

[Chief Illiniwek]

I love my uPro. No annual fee. All courses are free, but you can upgrade courses to "pro mode" which costs a bit...

[bogeys-R-us]

[quote name='Moonlightgrm' timestamp='1281042135' post='2620978']
I owned a Sky Caddie SG4 and had nothing but problems with the device. I frequently would lose the signal. I did not renew my subscription for this season but enjoyed the benefits of the device when it worked properly. I'm looking to purchase a new GPS. I'd like one that requires no annual fees, is reliable, and is not overly laden with too many useless features. Any suggestions? Does a reliable device as I've described exist?

Thanks
[/quote]

I have a Garmin Approach G5 and really like it. I play with some guys who have SkyCaddies and our reading are always within 1-2 yards of each other. Which one is correct? With no more difference than that, I really don't care. The only problem I have had was that some of the courses I play were not mapped by Garmin. I requested those courses and Garmin had them mapped and available for download within a couple of months. Although I don't think Garmin's course availability is on par with SkyGolf, they are adding courses all the time and should be competitive soon. You can go to the Garmin web site and check to see if the courses you want are available before you buy. Hope this helps..........

[Moonlightgrm]

Thanks for the replies. The jury is still out, because I've read both positive and negative reviews about the devises listed. I think that I need to find someone with the units suggested so that I may form my own opinion.

[highergr0und]

Igolf/bushnell neo is a good no frills device..... Any device that uses igolf requires a single "subscription" for $35 that's good for a year and/or 100 course downloads. Once you download a course though, you own it forever, so conceivably you can download any course you play or plan on playing and never worry about it again.

[mlh7933]

I have the Garmin G5 and think its a good one. It is so easy to use and all the courses I would play were on it...just my thoughts..


Mike

[Sabaka]

Another thumbs up for the G5. It does everything I need it to do with a minimum of fiddle factor. There may be other devices with advanced "cool" features, but I have no time for them while playing. I want yardages and the ability to find them with quick, minimal effort. The G5 user interface is excellent.

[brycer]

Another vote for Upro. I have used it at approx. 30 different courses both in Canada and US this year without an issue. I get atleast 2 rounds out of a charge, small, lightweight and easy to use. Played with a stranger who was shooting targets with his laser, never more than 1 yd out compared to Upro.

Good luck finding what you want and need.

[SpinMill75]

Golf Buddy....they are great! No fees, easy to use, courses already downloaded....

[Moonlightgrm]

As I read more and more reviews online, I see most GPS devices require some form of download from a PC. I'm a MAC user. Are these companies offering a MAC program for customers such as myself?

[lobub]

+1 for the G5 Approach. And the reviews about the finger zoom being shaky is off base. The thing works great.

[LDCooke]

My UPro works just fine with my macbook pro.

[Big Ben]

I've used my Garmin G5 all season with zero issues, if you choose to use Lithium's the battery life is fantastic in my opinion, extremely accurate...BB

[misterlau]

I only wanted some very basic info, so I ended up with a upro go. i'm very happy with it, though i'd be willing to bet i'd be happy with the upro or garmin as well.

[pcirelli]

I'm very happy with my Callaway uPro Go. Later!
-Pete

[toddnt]

Another vote for Garmin's G5!

[SwingBlues]

I play with a buddy who has the Garmin G5. Nice unit, bright and pretty good. His G5 and my SG3 was about 4 yard difference in yardages. I think mine is more accurate and he thinks his is more accurate. No laser around to see who is right. However, his satellite is better abliet my SG3 sometimes fades in and out of the 5 bars.

As I came into some cash, I seriously considered the G5 as a non-subscription unit but in the end, I went back to SkyCaddie - namely the SGX. Why? I love the new screen on the SGX, it has all the views I need including HoleVue. Yes, it is back to the subscription but I trust SkyCaddie's measurements. I like the use of the pointer to see the different target yardages as versus using the finger on the G5 (abliet I don't like the SGX pointer physically).

Oh, the sat is a definite improvement in the SGX over the SG3.

Anyway...for a non subscription gps - G5 for sure! And for subscription, SGX.

[JCLJorgenson]

Free Caddie Pro on a Motorola Droid works just fine for me. The GPS is accurate and it downloads Google maps satellite views for the overhead shots.

[thechief16]

Another vote for Garmin (I have a G3).

[doubleagle2]

I have had two Sky Caddies I now have the Garmin G3 go with Garmin

[bob1]

Callaway UPro Go

[Evolved]

Picked up a Upro a month back. I'm happy with it.

[alfie]

Callaway uPro and the uPro Go... 'nuff said...