2020 Official Member Review: SKYCADDIE SX400 GPS

[sirchunksalot]

Congratulations guys! This should be a great thread and I'm looking forward to the reviews and discussion.

Sent from my SM-N975U using MyGolfSpy mobile app

[gobama84]

On 1/10/2020 at 1:07 PM, sirchunksalot said:

Congratulations guys! This should be a great thread and I'm looking forward to the reviews and discussion.

Sent from my SM-N975U using MyGolfSpy mobile app
 

Love your screen name.  I resemble it.

[sirchunksalot]

Love your screen name.  I resemble it.

Thank you! I find the chunk is also the most repeatable shot that I have in my bag.

Sent from my SM-G955U using MyGolfSpy mobile app

[JohnSmalls]

Guys be thinking of questions for us or specific scenarios you would like to be reviewed!

[Golfspy_CG2]

I'd like to see how it works on Compass Pointe Golf course in Maryland.   Bring it on up, Greens Fees and burgers on me

[Wedgie]

I’d like to know if there is an annual subscription to use the device and if it has shot tracking. If so do you sync it to sensors or do you have to tag each shot.


Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

[edingc]

One of my questions -

In an era where everyone has a cell phone, and a lot of golfers have shot tracking devices with GPS capabilities, why would I want to purchase a completely standalone product?

[tony@CIC]

One of my questions -
In an era where everyone has a cell phone, and a lot of golfers have shot tracking devices with GPS capabilities, why would I want to purchase a completely standalone product?

Great question - my answer would be I don't need it. I use iGolf GPS app for my phone which gives me everything I need especially since I use it in conjunction with a LRF.




Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

[Wedgie]

Thought of another question. Since none of you currently use a measuring device how will you test accuracy of the unit?


Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

[dbdors]

Posted in wrong section

[gregh729]

36 minutes ago, Wedgie said:

Thought of another question. Since none of you currently use a measuring device how will you test accuracy of the unit?

Mine is supposed come tomorrow. Just in time for the snow on Saturday.  Hopeful to get out soon. Maybe head over to where Golfspy_CG2 hangs out to try it out as well
Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

I am going to borrow a friends scope and also go to my home course which has gps in it's carts to compare. I am not a big fan of scopes (eyes have problems with them). 

 

[TR1PTIK]

1 hour ago, Wedgie said:

I’d like to know if there is an annual subscription to use the device and if it has shot tracking. If so do you sync it to sensors or do you have to tag each shot.

Just received the SX400 today, got it setup, and played around with it in demo mode. I won't say anything about initial impressions, but I can at least answer your questions.

Yes, there is a subscription required and there are multiple options to bundle the subscription or you can purchase the device by itself (for current subscribers simply making an upgrade).

Yes, the SX400 does provide shot tracking, but you have to tag each shot. Based on what I've seen so far (again just playing with demo mode), it doesn't look like tracked shots will be stored like they would with Arccos, ShotScope, or any number of phone apps. I'll be sure to update if I discover otherwise once I get this out on the course.

27 minutes ago, Wedgie said:

Since none of you currently use a measuring device how will you test accuracy of the unit?

I do have a laser rangefinder available to me via friend so I can test accuracy, but I think the better comparison will be to download a small handful of phone apps and run them side-by-side. I've used a number of different apps in the past and always found them to be clunky. I'll be interested in finding out if my experience with the SX400 is any better.

1 hour ago, edingc said:

In an era where everyone has a cell phone, and a lot of golfers have shot tracking devices with GPS capabilities, why would I want to purchase a completely standalone product?

I am extremely interested in doing everything I can to answer this question. There are a lot of options available when looking to spend $300.

[TR1PTIK]

Just a quick teaser for you guys. Here's everything that came in today:

[gobama84]

1 hour ago, TR1PTIK said:

Just a quick teaser for you guys. Here's everything that came in today:

I only looked in my box for about 10 seconds (had an obligation to attend to) but I saw a belt clip too.

[TR1PTIK]

10 hours ago, gobama84 said:

I only looked in my box for about 10 seconds (had an obligation to attend to) but I saw a belt clip too.

Yeah that’s on the far right. Not sure if I’ll actually use it or not, but it is a nice inclusion. I’m curious to look on their website and see if there’s an additional cost for that or if it would be included with any purchase.

EDIT:

I'll be including this in my final review as well, but just to give everyone a heads up that may be looking... I dug around the SkyGolf website and learned that the belt clip is sold separately ($29.95 - https://shop.skygolf.com/p-2536-sx400-black-silicone-skin-w-beltclip.aspx). It's a nice addition for us reviewers, but if you're looking to make a purchase the only items included with the SX400 are the USB-C charging cable and wall charger. I would also like to add a quick note about how awesome I think it is for them to include an actual wall charger. I've purchased several electronics over the past year or two that only include a cable requiring the end user to provide something to actually plug it into.

[Quigleyd]

13 hours ago, edingc said:

One of my questions -

In an era where everyone has a cell phone, and a lot of golfers have shot tracking devices with GPS capabilities, why would I want to purchase a completely standalone product?

While I have yet to receive mine. I have tried a number of the golf GPS apps and found them all wanting. They drain your battery, the screen is hard to see in the day light, They tend to lag and be glichy and crash all the time due to the amount of data required and if your in a spot where service is spotty or none existent they don't work at all. Of all the apps that I have tried,  golflogix was the best and head the best features, but even that was not as accurate as I would hoped.

Looking at the features online for skycaddie there are a few things I am excited for. An easy to see and read screen, the ability to plug in your club distances to get recommendations, plus, I like the idea of the skycaddie course maps having been ground verified for yardages. I like that it is a stand alone unit so I do not have to rely on my phone. 

[JohnSmalls]

13 hours ago, Wedgie said:

I’d like to know if there is an annual subscription to use the device and if it has shot tracking. If so do you sync it to sensors or do you have to tag each shot.


Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

There is an annual subscription that boils down to 3 annual plans.  Statewide ($30), countrywide ($50), or worldwide access ($60), with incentives for buying multiyear subscriptions.  Since I live on the border of two states and I play golf in both, I would lean towards the countrywide subscription.  Skycaddie was very generous to provide us with a worldwide subscription for this test.  If you guys know some people who know some people, I will be HAPPY to test out the traveling option in other countries. 

SkyGolf (parent company) claims on the website that this device will track stats, I haven't dug in to figure out how detailed or the nature of the stat collection.  I will find out and report on that during this review.

13 hours ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

I'd like to see how it works on Compass Pointe Golf course in Maryland.   Bring it on up, Greens Fees and burgers on me

If only Maryland were a little closer the Carolinas....if I ship my Skycaddie to you, will you send it back with a burger?

13 hours ago, edingc said:

One of my questions -

In an era where everyone has a cell phone, and a lot of golfers have shot tracking devices with GPS capabilities, why would I want to purchase a completely standalone product?

Well the Skycaddie doesn't accept phone calls nor text messages, so that's a start?   I think that by the end of this test the accuracy and ease of use will be key.  I have used a number of phone apps, especially when I started swinging the sticks 4 years ago, and I gravitated away from using phone apps.

12 hours ago, Wedgie said:

Thought of another question. Since none of you currently use a measuring device how will you test accuracy of the unit?


Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

I am planning on having a direct head-to-head using what the course gives us.  Physical markers, sprinkler heads, scorecard measurements etc. While doing that I will take note of the markers, as well as scorecard measurements to judge for accuracy.  If I can get the okay--I've got an additional plan to judge for accuracy.

[TxRedMan]

I received mine yesterday. I’m going to be a bit redundant, but it is a critical point.

 I caddie/coach/play and fit. My exposure to technology in Golf has brought me to a cynical beginning perspective. There was a time when I thought Trackman was the greatest thing since Titleist introduced the Professional. Nowadays I’m much more “it’s going to have to make the game better/faster on a $1=$1 basis”. In other words, I would spend my hard earned money with Arccos, I am impressed with Mizuno’s shaft optimizer, and I would invest in the company that is going to bring non-conforming equipment to the general golfer I meet that swings it 80 mph. 

 

 I’m testing this against the whole arsenal. Bushnell, the best app’s on my iPhone, and Strackaline pin sheets in addition to yardages that are on sprinkler heads. It’s going to have to do a whole lot for me to say “go spend $300 and buy a yearly membership”.

 

 

[SteddyGolf]

On 1/15/2020 at 9:21 PM, Wedgie said:

Thought of another question. Since none of you currently use a measuring device how will you test accuracy of the unit?


Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

There are a number of ways to test accuracy.   Playing on a familiar golf course helps.   I walk and my gate and pace count is usually dead on the money.    

[SteddyGolf]

On 1/15/2020 at 8:26 PM, edingc said:

One of my questions -

In an era where everyone has a cell phone, and a lot of golfers have shot tracking devices with GPS capabilities, why would I want to purchase a completely standalone product?

Why do you need Nike when Foot joy sells golf shoes too?   The answer is one size doesn’t fit all.   What I hope to provide is a comprehensive review that will help the reader make an informed decision.    An example of why the SC over my smart phone app is graphic display and durability.    I use 3.0 reading glasses.   I cannot read my smart phone without them.   As a matter of fact I can’t read a Laser without them either.   I used the SC yesterday and found the screen to be very clear without my glasses.   I hate taking them on and off during a round of Golf so for me the SC is a much better fit.   The durability of the S.C. far exceeds that of any smart phone.   A new iPhone 11 costs about a grand so exposing it to the elements is not the smartest move in the world.  
 

 

Edited January 17, 2020 by SteddyGolf