Shot Scope Users Group

[StrokerAce]

As someone who has used the shotscope v3 on and off the last few years I received the email for the introductory rate of 180 for the v5 and immediately jumped on it.

I wasn't a fan of the size of the v3 and didn't use it too often since I found it somewhat uncomfortable on my wrist. 

I've used Arccos in the past and I disagree with their yearly subscription fees, which led me to the shotscope - similar data with no fees, ever. I also like the fact that they add features and there are occasional firmware updates so you're not 'stuck' with a WYSIWYG watch.

I received it in the mail but it did take what seemed like a long time to ship to MA ~5-7 days.

It was packaged nicely.

The tags were easy to attach to my clubs and clearly identified. 
Critique: I think they need to include a 5w and 7w tag as well since these are becoming more common in players bags.

The charging cord - 
I do not like it. 
It's too proprietary; why can't they use USB-C? What happens if you lose your cord? Or break one of the pins?
I find it difficult to plug in to the back of the watch.

I like the size and the strap. One of the most annoying things I find about my v3 is that the strap will sometimes come loose and I don't notice it until I take a swing and I can feel it. The 2 bands that hold the strap in place are a nice touch. 
Also - a pic comparing my regular watch to the v5 and you can see it's pretty similar in size.

 

.... BUT THEN DISASTER STRUCK.
I used it for a round and it worked like a charm. I was excited for the road ahead but when I got home and took it off I noticed that "UP" button was missing! 

 

I emailed shotscope support (NOTE: This is a separate website and you need a different account) and attached the picture. I received a reply the next day letting me know that I can mail it back, they will reimburse me the shipping and send me a new one.

I sent it back on the 18th and received a reply on the 19th that a new one is in the mail.

 

It took 7 days to receive it (again: why so long?) but I finally got it.

This time though I had a terrible time trying to connect it to my iPhone and update the firmware. I was just about to send it back when I deleted everything off the phone and started again - the app, the watch, etc. 
This time it worked but lost connection halfway through the firmware update and it had to start over. 
I've only been able to use the new one once since I received it and it seemed to work as expected. Hopefully I won't have any further connection issues but it's nice to know that their support team is pretty responsive and accommodating.

Also: I got an email asking me to review it and if I did I would be sent 3 different colored bands!
And it worked! Hopefully they get here soon...

 

Didn't mean to steal any of the thunder from the new v5 testers but wanted to share my impressions with everyone with quick recap of my experience so far.

 

[Northern Monkey]

@StrokerAce Having used the V3 and X5 I can say that ShotScope customer service is excellent. They always respond quickly and are very accomodating

In relation to a 5W and 7W you can always assign one of the other tags to that club. They provide 16 tags and you can only carry 14 clubs so easy enough to sort. I lost my 7 iron tag and just put the X1 tag in and assigned the 7 iron to that

[Golfspy_CG2]

19 hours ago, ToastedSoul said:

My local course has a 6 hole academy (beginners) round, that is mapped in shot scope as a 9 hole round. I play the 6 holes and then select "end round". With this, all my shots make it into the shot scope performance statistics. 

Ah, that's perfect.  Thanks so much for the info. 

3 hours ago, StrokerAce said:

As someone who has used the shotscope v3 on and off the last few years I received the email for the introductory rate of 180 for the v5 and immediately jumped on it.

I wasn't a fan of the size of the v3 and didn't use it too often since I found it somewhat uncomfortable on my wrist. 

I've used Arccos in the past and I disagree with their yearly subscription fees, which led me to the shotscope - similar data with no fees, ever. I also like the fact that they add features and there are occasional firmware updates so you're not 'stuck' with a WYSIWYG watch.

I received it in the mail but it did take what seemed like a long time to ship to MA ~5-7 days.

It was packaged nicely.

The tags were easy to attach to my clubs and clearly identified. 
Critique: I think they need to include a 5w and 7w tag as well since these are becoming more common in players bags.

The charging cord - 
I do not like it. 
It's too proprietary; why can't they use USB-C? What happens if you lose your cord? Or break one of the pins?
I find it difficult to plug in to the back of the watch.

I like the size and the strap. One of the most annoying things I find about my v3 is that the strap will sometimes come loose and I don't notice it until I take a swing and I can feel it. The 2 bands that hold the strap in place are a nice touch. 
Also - a pic comparing my regular watch to the v5 and you can see it's pretty similar in size.

 

.... BUT THEN DISASTER STRUCK.
I used it for a round and it worked like a charm. I was excited for the road ahead but when I got home and took it off I noticed that "UP" button was missing! 

 

I emailed shotscope support (NOTE: This is a separate website and you need a different account) and attached the picture. I received a reply the next day letting me know that I can mail it back, they will reimburse me the shipping and send me a new one.

I sent it back on the 18th and received a reply on the 19th that a new one is in the mail.

 

It took 7 days to receive it (again: why so long?) but I finally got it.

This time though I had a terrible time trying to connect it to my iPhone and update the firmware. I was just about to send it back when I deleted everything off the phone and started again - the app, the watch, etc. 
This time it worked but lost connection halfway through the firmware update and it had to start over. 
I've only been able to use the new one once since I received it and it seemed to work as expected. Hopefully I won't have any further connection issues but it's nice to know that their support team is pretty responsive and accommodating.

Also: I got an email asking me to review it and if I did I would be sent 3 different colored bands!
And it worked! Hopefully they get here soon...

 

Didn't mean to steal any of the thunder from the new v5 testers but wanted to share my impressions with everyone with quick recap of my experience so far.

 

Jason, I agree with you on the charging cable.  I got mine yesterday and when I went to attach it, I was like WTF!  and it doesn't feel like it's 100% secure, but it did charge to 100% so I'm almost ready to go.  Gotta set up the tags.

Man that sucks on the missing button, but glad they got a replacement out to you relatively soon. 

[PhilM75072]

13 minutes ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

I agree with you on the charging cable.  I got mine yesterday and when I went to attach it, I was like WTF!  and it doesn't feel like it's 100% secure, but it did charge to 100% so I'm almost ready to go.  Gotta set up the tags

The use of the proprietary charging cable is to keep the device small (cost may also play a part). If it feels "insecure", especially when new, if oriented properly it requires some pressure to get it to "snap" into its socket. As you use it over time, less pressure will be required. That is what I have found with the X5.

[bbrodigan]

Can anyone tell me how to get out of the pin collect view once it has been entered. If I have to walk over or around the green to hit a chip it always places me in the putting and pin collect mode and I cant get out of it. 

 

[Northern Monkey]

11 minutes ago, bbrodigan said:

Can anyone tell me how to get out of the pin collect view once it has been entered. If I have to walk over or around the green to hit a chip it always places me in the putting and pin collect mode and I cant get out of it. 

 

You don’t need to exit it. The watch will automatically pick up a tag is you chip around the green so although you may not see it at the time it will register 

[ToastedSoul]

57 minutes ago, Northern Monkey said:

You don’t need to exit it. The watch will automatically pick up a tag is you chip around the green so although you may not see it at the time it will register 

I'm not sure about that. In my last round the watch did not pick up some of my chips, maybe that was related to me walking over the green and chipping back onto it? Not sure. But at least it was easy to detect the missing shots cause I also enabled the score tracking. 

Still, my idea with the watch recording every 15 seconds the GPS coordinates no matter what would greatly help in such a scenario in after round edit mode (on phone/pc) to find and add the missing shots (and if you stay longer on the same spot, a heat map style color coding could indicate that you took a shot from there...)

[Northern Monkey]

16 minutes ago, ToastedSoul said:

I'm not sure about that. In my last round the watch did not pick up some of my chips, maybe that was related to me walking over the green and chipping back onto it? Not sure. But at least it was easy to detect the missing shots cause I also enabled the score tracking. 

Still, my idea with the watch recording every 15 seconds the GPS coordinates no matter what would greatly help in such a scenario in after round edit mode (on phone/pc) to find and add the missing shots (and if you stay longer on the same spot, a heat map style color coding could indicate that you took a shot from there...)

According to ShotScope that’s what should happen. I know there have been instances where chips get missed but this is often when I choke down on the club. If you take a couple of practice swings with the club held normally before hand it usually picks them up. 
I do like your idea about regular gps tagging tho

[MattF]

15 hours ago, bbrodigan said:

Can anyone tell me how to get out of the pin collect view once it has been entered. If I have to walk over or around the green to hit a chip it always places me in the putting and pin collect mode and I cant get out of it. 

 

With the X5, press the bottom right button and you should get a menu with Exit showing as the bottom option.

[PhilM75072]

15 hours ago, ToastedSoul said:

I'm not sure about that. In my last round the watch did not pick up some of my chips, maybe that was related to me walking over the green and chipping back onto it? Not sure. But at least it was easy to detect the missing shots cause I also enabled the score tracking. 

Still, my idea with the watch recording every 15 seconds the GPS coordinates no matter what would greatly help in such a scenario in after round edit mode (on phone/pc) to find and add the missing shots (and if you stay longer on the same spot, a heat map style color coding could indicate that you took a shot from there...)

I have specifically tested this for both methods of putting, Manual and Auto. As long as you haven't choked down too far, as long as the club you are chipping with has been recognized, the chip shot will be recorded properly even if the Pin Collect screen is showing.

What I have found is more of a "hit and miss" situation, is using Manaul putting while still having a putter tag installed and expecting the use of the putter to be recorded with a yardage screen showing. Theoretically, it should be recognized, but not always. In Manual mode, it appears the only foolproof way to record the use of the putter, even from off the green, is to use the Pin Collecs screen, which you can get to through the Game Menu.

[Emmitsburg]

After two rounds with the V5 I am very impressed with the watch. This after several Garmins and 10+ years of their dismal reporting. The question I have is on the locking of the watch. I assume this is a holdover from the X5 as it was necessary for a watch that utilized swiping. However, with the V5, you need to use one of the 4 buttons. I just find it an extra step to always unlocking the device.

[cksurfdude]

On 4/29/2024 at 4:49 PM, Golfspy_CG2 said:

Hey. No apology needed. We dont know for sure.  The link Cnosil provoded just said it will work.  But that is open to interpretation.   Guess we’ll find out soon. 

Just remember later to edit / sign off on the partial round -- note that most users prefer to use the web interface on a larger screen, vs trying to do it via the app on your phone.

[cksurfdude]

1 hour ago, Emmitsburg said:

However, with the V5, you need to use one of the 4 buttons. I just find it an extra step to always unlocking the device.

You can change your preferences in Settings.

[Hacker60521]

On 4/29/2024 at 8:28 AM, Prodigal Duffer said:

Anyone had trouble lately with locking on to satellites? Yesterday, I stood on the first tee for about six minutes (no one behind or in front of me) waiting. I ended up teeing off and the watch finally locked when I got to the green. It had taken almost ten minutes.

I’ve noticed that generally my X5 takes a lot longer than my Garmin S60 did at the same course. So now I turn on the watch and GPS stuff when I’m warming up so it has time to find satellites 

@Prodigal Duffer were you able to track your shots from before your watch synced up with the GPS?

[Golfspy_CG2]

Well. I did a “guy” thing today. Tried to use the X5 during league without reading any of the online user guide.   Figured it couldnt be too difficult to figure out.  Boy was i wrong.  
 

League is a 9hole shotgun start. Most gps i use “find you” on the course on e you select the course.  It defaulted to 1 we started on 18.   No easy way to change holes that i could find.  After about 4 or 5 holes of not beong able to figure that out. I gsve up on it for the round.   Its not very intuitive at all.   Msybe i will have time to check out some manual before my round in the morning.  
But i think im beginning to remember why i gave up on shotscope when i tried the V3 a couple yesrs ago. 

[Northern Monkey]

1 hour ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

Well. I did a “guy” thing today. Tried to use the X5 during league without reading any of the online user guide.   Figured it couldnt be too difficult to figure out.  Boy was i wrong.  
 

League is a 9hole shotgun start. Most gps i use “find you” on the course on e you select the course.  It defaulted to 1 we started on 18.   No easy way to change holes that i could find.  After about 4 or 5 holes of not beong able to figure that out. I gsve up on it for the round.   Its not very intuitive at all.   Msybe i will have time to check out some manual before my round in the morning.  
But i think im beginning to remember why i gave up on shotscope when i tried the V3 a couple yesrs ago. 

It’s actually pretty simple, it must be as I can use it

Just keep swiping right, I think it’s 4 times, until you see the menu option in green at the bottom of the screen. Press this and then scroll down and the option to change hole is there

[MattF]

5 hours ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

Well. I did a “guy” thing today. Tried to use the X5 during league without reading any of the online user guide.   Figured it couldnt be too difficult to figure out.  Boy was i wrong.  
 

League is a 9hole shotgun start. Most gps i use “find you” on the course on e you select the course.  It defaulted to 1 we started on 18.   No easy way to change holes that i could find.  After about 4 or 5 holes of not beong able to figure that out. I gsve up on it for the round.   Its not very intuitive at all.   Msybe i will have time to check out some manual before my round in the morning.  
But i think im beginning to remember why i gave up on shotscope when i tried the V3 a couple yesrs ago. 

On the bottom of the screen you should see the hole and par number. Touch that and you can change to whatever hole you like.

Other than that, yes, read the manual.

[Hacker60521]

8 hours ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

Well. I did a “guy” thing today. Tried to use the X5 during league without reading any of the online user guide.   Figured it couldnt be too difficult to figure out.  Boy was i wrong.  
 

League is a 9hole shotgun start. Most gps i use “find you” on the course on e you select the course.  It defaulted to 1 we started on 18.   No easy way to change holes that i could find.  After about 4 or 5 holes of not beong able to figure that out. I gsve up on it for the round.   Its not very intuitive at all.   Msybe i will have time to check out some manual before my round in the morning.  
But i think im beginning to remember why i gave up on shotscope when i tried the V3 a couple yesrs ago. 

@Golfspy_CG2 I’ve had a X5 for two seasons, and I’d say that it’s not super intuitive except for the most basic functions. I’m also using more and more features as I get more comfortable with the watch. That said, download the user guide and go through it. It’s pretty painless. 

[Golfspy_CG2]

18 hours ago, Northern Monkey said:

It’s actually pretty simple, it must be as I can use it

Just keep swiping right, I think it’s 4 times, until you see the menu option in green at the bottom of the screen. Press this and then scroll down and the option to change hole is there

Hmh? Nothing in rhe online guide i saw said swipe right to get a main menu.  
 

it was a complete disaster agsin  today. Could not get it to chsnge holes even when i tocuhed/tapped and pounded the little icon with the hole number on fhe bottom. 

13 hours ago, MattF said:

On the bottom of the screen you should see the hole and par number. Touch that and you can change to whatever hole you like.

Other than that, yes, read the manual.

See ny comment above.  I tapped it, held it pushed hard and it never changed.   
 

And i’m not a complete neophyte.   I have used garmin, arccos, skycaddie all before and nevsr had navigstion issues like this. 
 

 

[MattF]

10 hours ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

Hmh? Nothing in rhe online guide i saw said swipe right to get a main menu.  
 

it was a complete disaster agsin  today. Could not get it to chsnge holes even when i tocuhed/tapped and pounded the little icon with the hole number on fhe bottom. 

See ny comment above.  I tapped it, held it pushed hard and it never changed.   
 

And i’m not a complete neophyte.   I have used garmin, arccos, skycaddie all before and nevsr had navigstion issues like this. 
 

 

Dumb question Rob, is the screen locked?

[PhilM75072]

10 hours ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

See ny comment above.  I tapped it, held it pushed hard and it never changed.   

Like @MattF asks, is it unlocked? You have to unlock it, using whichever method you choose in settings, to get the watch to respond to anything you do. You can also choose to play with it always unlocked. Once unlocked, you swipe from right to left until you get to a screen that says "Game Menu". You then tap on the bottom where it says "enter" and you get a whole list of options you can scroll through.

[USMCSnyper]

Tomorrow will be my first round with my X5 watch and trackers...fingers crossed!

[PhilM75072]

24 minutes ago, USMCSnyper said:

Tomorrow will be my first round with my X5 watch and trackers...fingers crossed!

Read the manual. Go through all the settings to see what the options are.

[cnosil]

29 minutes ago, USMCSnyper said:

Tomorrow will be my first round with my X5 watch and trackers...fingers crossed!

As @PhilM75072said,  read the manual,  there are lots of subtle things that are important for long term success. 

[Golfspy_CG2]

4 hours ago, MattF said:

Dumb question Rob, is the screen locked?

Not a dumb question at all! You might be on to something. 

3 hours ago, PhilM75072 said:

Like @MattF asks, is it unlocked? You have to unlock it, using whichever method you choose in settings, to get the watch to respond to anything you do. You can also choose to play with it always unlocked. Once unlocked, you swipe from right to left until you get to a screen that says "Game Menu". You then tap on the bottom where it says "enter" and you get a whole list of options you can scroll through.

Yeah, like Matt said above, that could very well be it.  I was aware of the lock and unlock thing, but I think I may have missed or skipped over the part where it would relock itself.  So once I unlocked, and didn't' really pay attention to the lock symbol on the screen.  knowing now from what you guys have said and what the manual says, I understand.   I'm just not used to having to unlock a device multiple times during a round, seems totally unnecessary.  I will definitely look for the always unlock option. 

But after I blame myself for a Homer Simpson moment.  I will still blast them for not being out of the box user intuitive, like Garmin and others are.  As mentioned I use several other GPS devices and don't know of any off the top of my head that will lock themselves like that.  or at least if it is going to lock it self, it should be a prominent icon display on the screen that blocks everything where you can't help but notice.  Where you can just click the main button to unlock. 

Again, I want to really like Shotscope, but have had so much aggravation with it in the previous experience, and this 2nd attempt didn't' get of to a good start.   It really makes me wonder if they have ever heard of beta testing or user group testing before releasing a product.   

Oh well hope all goes well now that I may have "unlocked" the problem...And yes, I still claim I am not a complete Neophyte, maybe just a small percentage one

 

[Northern Monkey]

When it’s locked my X5 displays a prominent orange line vertically on the centre of the screen to prompt you to slide up to unlock it. I’m not sure if this is only if you’ve opted to use the slide unlock feature or not. To be fair the auto lock is quite handy as it stops you catching any of the buttons/screen. 
I guess it’s just a typical man thing that we have a natural aversion to reading instructions

[Golfspy_CG2]

54 minutes ago, Northern Monkey said:

When it’s locked my X5 displays a prominent orange line vertically on the centre of the screen to prompt you to slide up to unlock it. I’m not sure if this is only if you’ve opted to use the slide unlock feature or not. To be fair the auto lock is quite handy as it stops you catching any of the buttons/screen. 
I guess it’s just a typical man thing that we have a natural aversion to reading instructions

Instructions?  We don't need no stinkin Instructions   

I did figure out the permanent unlock feature, we'll see how that goes.  I'm sure I'll find something else to bitch about...errr I mean suggest an improvement on next time out !! 

[PhilM75072]

59 minutes ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

Not a dumb question at all! You might be on to something. 

Yeah, like Matt said above, that could very well be it.  I was aware of the lock and unlock thing, but I think I may have missed or skipped over the part where it would relock itself.  So once I unlocked, and didn't' really pay attention to the lock symbol on the screen.  knowing now from what you guys have said and what the manual says, I understand.   I'm just not used to having to unlock a device multiple times during a round, seems totally unnecessary.  I will definitely look for the always unlock option. 

But after I blame myself for a Homer Simpson moment.  I will still blast them for not being out of the box user intuitive, like Garmin and others are.  As mentioned I use several other GPS devices and don't know of any off the top of my head that will lock themselves like that.  or at least if it is going to lock it self, it should be a prominent icon display on the screen that blocks everything where you can't help but notice.  Where you can just click the main button to unlock. 

Again, I want to really like Shotscope, but have had so much aggravation with it in the previous experience, and this 2nd attempt didn't' get of to a good start.   It really makes me wonder if they have ever heard of beta testing or user group testing before releasing a product.   

Oh well hope all goes well now that I may have "unlocked" the problem...And yes, I still claim I am not a complete Neophyte, maybe just a small percentage one

 

Why would anyone assume that a device for a different manufacturer would work the same as someone else's? Blame the manufacturer for your not reading the manual or trying some other way to become familiar with a device before using it!

[Golfspy_CG2]

2 minutes ago, PhilM75072 said:

Why would anyone assume that a device for a different manufacturer would work the same as someone else's? Blame the manufacturer for your not reading the manual or trying some other way to become familiar with a device before using it!

Simply because over the years, I've tested, reviewed and used many GPS devices and as I have mentioned several times, ALL but Shotscope have been very intuitive.  Blame me if you want--although others here have mentioned the samething--and  I'm just stating something that others companies are able to do, that Shotscope either chooses not to or doesn't have the ability to understand what an average golfer is going to do and take that into its's design consideration.   

 

[Northern Monkey]

1 hour ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

Shotscope either chooses not to or doesn't have the ability to understand what an average golfer is going to do and take that into its's design consideration.   

 

Don’t knock yourself, you’re anything but average