SkyCaddie SG5 ReviewAt a discount of nearly 60% at selected online retailers, the SkyCaddie SG5 Golf GPS is a high-end golf gps range finder for the price of considerably less sophisticated models. The SkyCaddie SG5 has a full color LCD screen, a feature normally reserved for the very best golf GPS range finders. In addition, the SkyCaddie SG5 Golf GPS boasts accuracy to less than 2 1/2 yards, and utilizes the same GPS technology as the United States military. Indeed, it would be impossible to describe all the statistics and features of the SG5 in just one paragraph; but rest assured that you get the shot distance, distance to the hole and much, much more.

Full specifications of the SkyCaddie SG5 Golf GPS:

  • Huge, full color LCD with backlight
  • Innovative ‘Intelligreen’ technology providing 3D course details
  • $29.95 annual subscription for 16,000 courses
  • Powered by rechargeable lithium ion battery for 14 hours life maximum
  • Windows compatibility via USB connection
  • Measures 5.4″ x 2.2″ x 1″
  • 5 1/2 oz unit weight
  • A/C Charger included

The list price for the SG5 is $459.95, but you can buy here from amazon for just $199.00! (57% off)

While there are many very favorable golf GPS reviews for the SkyCaddie SG5, the average sentiment from all the SkyCaddie SG5 Golf GPS ratings we have studied is that other golf GPS units from brands such as Garmin and Golf Buddy are preferred. This is not true for every case, for example a reviewer from Albuquerque much prefers the SkyCaddie SG5 to the Garmin GPS he previously had, however admittedly he had not tried any of the high end Garmin units and only bought units for under $200 (the cheaper golf GPS models). The somewhat lower overall satisfaction is reflected by the average star rating on amazon of approximately 3.3 out of 5, while the top rated golf GPS, the Garmin Approach G5 has reached an impressive 4 out of 5 stars.

The number one gripe that I, along with the authors of the golf GPS reviews for this product on Amazon, have with the SkyCaddie SG5 Golf GPS is the annual fees. If you want to have any courses on this unit, you will have to pay anywhere from $29.95 to a substantial $129.95 for a maximum of 16,000 courses. Again, comparing it with the Garmin Approach G5, the Garmin G5 has absolutely no annual fees and has unlimited course memory. Customers are definitely not impressed with the SkyCaddie SG5′s measly 10 course maximum capacity; is that to do with the patented ‘Intelligreen’ technology which might hog loads of data? Who knows. All I can report is, annual fees and a 10 course memory is not very impressive even if you do have other technology that no one else has.

Here are some other points which the Amazon customers’ SkyCaddie SG5 Golf GPS reviews are noting, and which I agree with. Number one, the unit is rather bulky; it’s definitely not so convenient to carry around with you especially when there are modern golf GPS units out there which slip into your pocket like an iphone. Secondly, the course download speed is sloth-like – I have never encountered speeds like this since it was the 90s and we all had 56k modems. The best golf GPS range finders can download courses almost instantaneously, or better yet, they come pre-loaded with courses! The positives are really not stacking in the SkyCaddie’s favor. Sure, SkyCaddie was there at the start when GPS technology was just beginning its use in golf, but that doesn’t give them the license to produce sub-par pieces of GPS equipment and expect us to be okay with it just because it’s SkyCaddie. I guess that’s my final point – and my apologies for the semi-rant. You can go and get the SkyCaddie if you want, but when you try your friend’s Garmin Approach, don’t say we didn’t warn you…

Pros:

Can be bought from amazon at a huge discount
Has 3D ‘Intelligreen’ technology – quite unique and impressive

Cons:

Annual fees charged for courses
Tiny maximum 10 course memory
Slow course download
Bulky unit

Click here for all 71 customer SkyCaddie SG5 Golf GPS reviews, product pictures and more.