Golf Buddy Platinum White Battery Replacement

[jmbernt]

I've been trying to find some information on how to get at the battery in the Golf Buddy Platinum (white) model. All indication are that you have to send it back to golf buddy to get it changed and all indications are that it is very expensive to get done. I have run out of warranty some time ago so I thought that perhaps someone has successfully replaced it by themselves. There is no battery door on the back of the unit to remove. It appears that the only was to get at the battery is to remove four tiny hex key screws which are located on each side of the unit. i have a hex key that fits the tiny screws but I would like to know what to expect when these screws are removed. Also I'm getting mixed information on whether or not the battery has just contacts or a small harness attached to which which plugs into a receptacle. Any information that anyone might have would be greatly appreciated. Here is the Model number etc from the back of the unit:

 

Golf Buddy Platinum (white)

Model No. DSC-GB300

Rating 5V~500mA

DECA System Inc.

Serial Number: D572151CAC02A4

[parforme]

I took mine to two local battery replacement shops and they both took the back off and handed it back to me and said they couldn't help me. I gave up on it and bought a Garmin. YMMV.

[jmbernt]

Thanks for your response. I couldn't find any information on replacing the battery on the Golf Buddy II Platinum (white) so I took it upon myself to take the back off and remove the battery. The battery is proprietary which of course means there aren't any battery's out there that you can buy from a battery store to fit this GPS, the only place to get a battery for it is from Golf Buddy itself. I called Golf Buddy at 1-888-251-6058 and got a hold of the customer service department. They told me that the battery couldn't be changed by the owner and that since the unit was no longer supported that they weren't able to replace it for me, however, if I could find a repair facility that was willing to try to replace it that they could sell me a replacement battery for $35 plus shipping. I told them that I had already removed the back and the battery and would like to purchase the replacement battery. They in turn shipped me the new battery and I have installed it in the unit and the unit is up, fully charged and running. I did a very thorough test of the GPS and everything is working perfectly. A word on the battery. It is a one of a kind item that is designed to fit into a very specific space, it has a three wire harness and connector that plugs into a receptacle in the back of a circuit board. If there is an identical battery out there in the world of batteries, I certainly couldn't find it. Anyway it is replaceable but how long Golf Buddy will be stocking the battery is anybody's guess.. I hope this helps anyone who is considering trying to repair their unit..

[jmbernt]

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[Putterhead94402]

Do you know where you were able to purchase a battery?

[ray9898]

Glad you figured it out. My battery is still holding up good so far but it has only been a year.

[Gava]

Great write up jm, I am hoping this will be massively helpful.

 

I'm getting stonewalled by Golf Buddy in Australia - they are interstate & won't even look at mine without proof of purchase (from nearly 4 years ago). Said on the phone that they can't get a replacement battery anyway, best they can do is a discount on a new model but only with proof of purchase.

 

I sent a couple of pleading emails to Golf Buddy global in the US and they have been non responsive as well, aside from the placatory auto acknowledgement.

 

For the price you pay for a premium product, I expected better, much better. Platinum product maybe...rubbish service!

 

Whatever the outcome it will be a Garmin next. Edit...provided I even get another GPS or just go for a range finder

[jmbernt]

I just saw your post this morning. Once the screws have been removed, use a jewelers screwdriver to gently pry around the joint between the case and back cover and it will easily pop open. Just a further note to this post, after getting the GPS up and running again, it lasted for approx 2 months before it stopped picking up satellites, the battery was still going strong. I bit the bullet and bought the Garmin G6 and took it out for a test run this morning and I like how it performs. It has most of the features of the Golf Buddy and I like it's scoring a bit better. All in all I think it is a fantastic replacement and if you were to take the $35 that the battery will cost you and put that toward a G6 it will cost you another $100 or so but you will have a unit with a year warranty..Just my thoughts........hope this helps

 

Jim

[Gava]

Good on you Jim, that does help a lot. It makes this thread a great 'how to' for a battery change as well as a very balanced opinion on an alternative without an angry rant.

 

I think I might be flogging the proverbial dead horse with trying to resurrect my Platinum II as well. Golf Buddy...stay away.

 

Only consternation just now is whether I want to replace it or go laser range finder. Plenty of threads/comments to peruse on that...

[Rickochet]

Most consumer devices that use lithium batteries have a built in protection board to keep them from overcharging and exploding and catching fire. That is why the company doesn't want the consumer tinkering with it. If you don't properly install the proper batteries you might have issues. I am surprised that GB even sold you the battery.

[Gava]

Good point Rickochet but didn't sound like it was an impossible mission based on Jim's experience.

 

I think I'm done with Golf Buddy anyway. Still ignoring my emails.

[Gava]

Update on my gripe with Golf Buddy.

 

Don't know if someone there is on golfwrx but someone from their global support team finally contacted me about the replacement battery.

 

They said they would be happy to inspect my unit and replace the battery with one of the few they have left.

 

So it was $50 for them to inspect/replace and all shipping cost there & back would be mine as well.

 

I'm just going to buy a compact Garmin or Sureshot or anything but Golf Buddy. Once bitten...