2020 Official Member Review: SKYCADDIE SX400 GPS

[SteddyGolf]

When MGS asked for volunteers to test the SC I jumped on it because I’ve always been a pace count type of guy. I felt it would truly be an unbiased test from my perspective.

Yesterday I opened the box and immediately headed out to play nine. I didn’t read the instructions or watch the manufacturers video. I just hit the on button and away I went. I was surprised at the ease of use and how clear the screen was even in direct sunshine. I especially enjoyed how quickly distances updated.

Obviously the full review will be much more detailed but out the gate it impressed.


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[Golfspy_CG2]

On 1/16/2020 at 10:21 AM, JohnSmalls said:

 

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

 

Well, you might have to just take a chance and see. Although, I'm not sure how well a Five Guys--my burger of choice--will travel via UPS.   So one of us will need to make a road trip

[TR1PTIK]

Got my first round with the SX400 booked for Monday. Wish I could get out sooner, but the weather isn’t cooperating.

I’ll be playing a course that’s brand new to me so should be a good test to see if I can avoid trouble.

[JohnSmalls]

Got the Skycaddie out for a quick 9 hole test today. Spoiler, it’s easy to use and accurate. 

[Quigleyd]

Well, I was starting to get nervous as all the other testers were reporting theirs arriving and I had not heard a peep. But!! I got home today and there was a surprise. So obviously this is just first impressions. First off thank you sky caddie. 

First impression. It is smaller than I had pictured in my mind. That is not a bad thing, it is the perfect size. Slightly smaller than my cell phone (iPhone XR). It looks like it will fit perfectly in any type of bag pocket. 

 It feels very very sturdy with a nice weight to it. The screen is super sharp and clear. I am super impressed by the screen and I am looking forward to seeing how it looks outside. 
 

As it is touch screen there is a nice haptic buzz in response to selections being made so you know your selection is being processed. You do not have to mash the screen to get it to work, but you do need to be assertive with you touch. 
 

Setup: of course I had to set it up instantly. This unit has WiFi connectivity and was a breeze to register, create an account, activate, and punch in the code for the year subscription they gave us. I did this all in about 10 min for the unit itself while helping my wife clean the kitchen. 

There are some features such as the “my bag” section where you can set up the clubs In your and yardages for each that it appears at the moment you need to go online to set up. I could be wrong though. 
 

I am looking forward to as soon as the weather cooperates to getting it outside. I will for sure post some more info then!

Edited January 18, 2020 by Quigleyd

[CarlH]

Well, guess I'll be the last one to receive my unit.  Scheduled delivery is Monday, but I'll be out of town until Wednesday.  That's okay.  I'll still have plenty of time to evaluate it and report back.

[TR1PTIK]

Just finished my first round with the SX400. I was playing with one of my wife's co-workers for the first time and didn't focus too much on testing so I could get to know him. However, we both used it and in comparison to the other devices we had on hand, it performed very well. My primary interest in a device like this is being able to see the entire hole and properly navigate it. The SX400 was extremely helpful in this regard. The next several weeks/weekends are going to be a bit abnormal schedule-wise so I'm not exactly sure when I'll get out next, but I plan to go alone when I do so I can spend more time with the device. 

[Quigleyd]

I have a decent stretch of weather the next few days. I am thinking I will get out tomorrow or Thursday. 

[SteddyGolf]

Committed to this review I headed out into the chilly weather.    38 degrees and howling wind I struggled to finish 9 holes before succumbing to my frozen “whimp” glands.    A note for the cold weather golfers in the forum.......... The SkyCaddy’s screen will not respond to the touch of a gloved hand.    I wish my playing partners were Siri and Alexa

[HardcoreLooper]

Further to the "why not use a phone?" questions - I'd love to see some of you guys download phone apps and compare your findings.  I personally have had accuracy issues with apps, especially on my Moto G7 (which I love otherwise).

[Quigleyd]

7 minutes ago, HardcoreLooper said:

Further to the "why not use a phone?" questions - I'd love to see some of you guys download phone apps and compare your findings.  I personally have had accuracy issues with apps, especially on my Moto G7 (which I love otherwise).

I have the Golflogix app on my phone as well as the grint I will compare them soon hopefully.

right now.

 

 

 

 

 

[SteddyGolf]

Further to the "why not use a phone?" questions - I'd love to see some of you guys download phone apps and compare your findings.  I personally have had accuracy issues with apps, especially on my Moto G7 (which I love otherwise).

 

Way to earlier in the testing to really provide you objective feedback but I will tell you the three reason right out the gate for the SC over phone app are:

 

1. It syncs much faster than a phone app given you a good distance reading as soon as you arrive to your ball.

 

2. The graphics are much easier to read especially in direct sunlight.

 

3. It’s much more durable than any phone out there. Phone insurance is a must for me because I’m all boy. The SC is built like a tank.

 

 

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[Will_the_thrill]

My Sky Caddie SX 400 arrived and I had no problem registering, syncing it, and updating the courses I play most frequently.

 

Its all charged and ready for my fairways to dry out a bit here in Northern California.

 

I attached it to the top of my bag via the belt clip and will report back on how easy it is to see from the bag, versus picking up and putting it down for every shot.  I think the “large number” setting could be a good application for when I just want to leave it hooked onto the bag and look down to get a number.  Obviously won’t be as accurate as holding it and selecting a tiny target and getting the number.

 

Going to have fun trying this out in different ways.

 

The main questions I want to answer are:

1)Does this help me shoot a lower number?

2)Does this help me have more fun?

 

Will report back after my first round, soon!

 

Edited January 22, 2020 by Will_the_thrill

[JohnSmalls]

14 hours ago, HardcoreLooper said:

Further to the "why not use a phone?" questions - I'd love to see some of you guys download phone apps and compare your findings.  I personally have had accuracy issues with apps, especially on my Moto G7 (which I love otherwise).

Your wish will be granted.  Stay tuned.

[TxRedMan]

Tested this product for the first time yesterday.

 

 I think the following is important: it was between 39-42*, it was either a pitter patter rain or mist the entire time, and the wind was gusting. 

I cant count the amount of times that the device was stuck on a screen that was not working. I had it clipped to my pocket, and by the 15’th hole, it had toggled between scorecard, resume round, had me on the wrong hole, was displaying the wrong number- I put it away. I had my bushnell with me as well, and given the importance of having a number to the pin, e.g., I know that it’s better than nothing to have front and middle numbers that the Skycaddie accurately gave when it was cooperating, but when a green is 70 yards deep, or 60 yards wide, I need the number to the pin, so I relied on my Bushnell.

 

My initial impression is that the user interface requires too much effort in soggy conditions, and there isn’t a calibration on the device. In other words, the device acted as though I was touching it all the time and I would have to stop what I was doing, back out of the current displayed information and, I feel like in this day and age of touchscreen devices, a level of calibration to touch is needed for this product to work. 

 

In my initial test, I was very frustrated. 

 

Im going to assume some level of responsibility for the debacle, and go back at it again and again. It’s important to note that I was caddying a course I’ve looped+played > 100 times in the last four months. I’d like to think that the misty conditions were what really made this difficult, but I had no problems checking my email while I was walking to the turn.

 

Round two coming up Manana~

 

 

[HardcoreLooper]

On 1/23/2020 at 1:19 PM, TxRedMan said:

My initial impression is that the user interface requires too much effort in soggy conditions, and there isn’t a calibration on the device. In other words, the device acted as though I was touching it all the time and I would have to stop what I was doing, back out of the current displayed information and, I feel like in this day and age of touchscreen devices, a level of calibration to touch is needed for this product to work. 

That's really surprising/disappointing.  I had an older SkyCaddie (the 2.5, I think) that I bought used and used for about four years before it finally gave up the ghost.  No touchscreen, though.  All buttons.  

Is this screen capacitive or resistive?  Do they even make resistive screens anymore?

[SteddyGolf]

Tested this product for the first time yesterday.
 
 I think the following is important: it was between 39-42*, it was either a pitter patter rain or mist the entire time, and the wind was gusting. 
I cant count the amount of times that the device was stuck on a screen that was not working. I had it clipped to my pocket, and by the 15’th hole, it had toggled between scorecard, resume round, had me on the wrong hole, was displaying the wrong number- I put it away. I had my bushnell with me as well, and given the importance of having a number to the pin, e.g., I know that it’s better than nothing to have front and middle numbers that the Skycaddie accurately gave when it was cooperating, but when a green is 70 yards deep, or 60 yards wide, I need the number to the pin, so I relied on my Bushnell.
 
My initial impression is that the user interface requires too much effort in soggy conditions, and there isn’t a calibration on the device. In other words, the device acted as though I was touching it all the time and I would have to stop what I was doing, back out of the current displayed information and, I feel like in this day and age of touchscreen devices, a level of calibration to touch is needed for this product to work. 
 
In my initial test, I was very frustrated. 
 
Im going to assume some level of responsibility for the debacle, and go back at it again and again. It’s important to note that I was caddying a course I’ve looped+played > 100 times in the last four months. I’d like to think that the misty conditions were what really made this difficult, but I had no problems checking my email while I was walking to the turn.
 
Round two coming up Manana~
 
 

I agree with your assessment. Just one thing to add....... I ‘ve experienced the same behavior in dry conditions as well.


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[TR1PTIK]

21 hours ago, HardcoreLooper said:

Is this screen capacitive or resistive?  Do they even make resistive screens anymore?

I haven’t seen any information about this, but based on a Google search about the two technologies I’d argue that it’s probably resistive. The touch feedback motor seems pretty low grade too. Reminds me of much older touch screen phones. It’s not like it’s unusable, but going between a modern smartphone and the SkyCaddie presents a fairly stark contrast. Keeping in mind the price point and technological focus of this device, I’m not surprised. Better for them to focus on accuracy and usability.

[HardcoreLooper]

25 minutes ago, TR1PTIK said:

I haven’t seen any information about this, but based on a Google search about the two technologies I’d argue that it’s probably resistive. The touch feedback motor seems pretty low grade too. Reminds me of much older touch screen phones. It’s not like it’s unusable, but going between a modern smartphone and the SkyCaddie presents a fairly stark contrast. Keeping in mind the price point and technological focus of this device, I’m not surprised. Better for them to focus on accuracy and usability.

Positives and negatives to resistive.  It should be more rugged, and you can use it with your gloved hand.  But I haven't touched a resistive screen in 10 years or so.  I just wonder if they're advancing the technology at all these days.

[TR1PTIK]

28 minutes ago, HardcoreLooper said:

Positives and negatives to resistive.  It should be more rugged, and you can use it with your gloved hand.  But I haven't touched a resistive screen in 10 years or so.  I just wonder if they're advancing the technology at all these days.

Yeah, and it makes perfect sense from a durability viewpoint. I just can’t quite recall the last time I messed with a screen that felt like this. Probably about 10 years like you.