Skycaddie SG4 – The Good And The Bad Of This GPS Rangefinder
One of the new toys for the big boys specifically golfers are the GPS range finders. Basically, you use the handheld device to pinpoint your position on the built-in map of the golf course. This allows you to calculate distances to any defined target on the course. The Skycaddie SG4 is one of the better GPS rangefinders in the market today. Although there are demerits with the system, the merits are sufficient to make one favorably consider it.
Reasons To Love
Since the primary function of a GPS rangefinder like SG4 is to calculate distances, you will love that it can do so for up to 40 targets from a single hole. You will receive results, which will include distances to fairway targets, hazards and lay-ups, in less than a second. Of course, you have to subscribe to a plan for this purpose.
The Skycaddie SG4 only displays the hazards in front of your target while hazards behind it will be automatically removed from the map. This way, you can concentrate on the next shot instead of being fed with useless information.
These benefits are possible with the patented Intelligreen software that comes with every product bearing the Skycaddie name. In many ways, you can see the course in 3D instead of as a flat plane, which all golf courses are not anyway. Thus, you are able to see the shape of the green, its depth and the distance to your target hole, all of which allows the golfer to just concentrate on the swing. There goes your 6,7 and 8s on your scorecard.
The Skycaddie SG4 also boasts of the human-mapped data system. Basically, instead of relying wholly on the GPS satellite system, individuals walk every hole and then map everything in and around it, and double checks just to be sure. Supposedly, this makes for a more accurate map although we could not tell the difference with other golf rangefinders using only the GPS satellites.
The software is oftentimes only as good as the case. You should look for casing that can withstand the test of time, use and abuse. Fortunately, the SG4 comes in a small but durable case that seems able to withstand dropping to the hard ground.
And don’t try to drop the Skycaddie SG4 in water either – it may be water-resistant but it is definitely not waterproof. We discovered that when one of our visiting nephews thought it would be fun to use the toy in the bathtub.
Some Things To Be Aware Of
Unfortunately, my friend discovered that the SG4 software can be difficult to install on the home computer and on the unit itself. You have to contend with the fact that it only works on the Windows Vista operating system, which is a hassle when one is on Mac.
Still, if you can install the software, then the Skycaddie SG4 may be worth the money. Thus, we only designate it as just one of the better rangefinders, not one of the best.