Do I buy the Sonocaddie V300?

[BigHack]

Trying to decide between the v300 and the Upro

I have some questions about the Sonocaddie v300. After a lot of research (including reading every posting on the entire blog site) I think this is the one I am going to buy. However, there are still a couple of questions that have not been answered. These include:

• If I map a new point I assume it must replace a point that was "pre-mapped." If this is correct, will the newly mapped point also show up properly on the hole layout screen?
• How many points are mapped on a hole (I have seen figures between 6 and 11)?
• It shows that you can map both sides of the green but these won't give you distances - what is the intent because without distances I am not sure that they do much good.
• Is the middle yardage to the actually measured or is it just simply the average between the front and back of the green distances. If it is just the average then what happens when there is a funky shaped green?
• The one drawback with this unit appears to be that it has nothing like an intelligreen function (which I first thought was all hype but based on my research it now seems more important). Conversely, the best feature is the hole layout feature. I am wondering if the hole layout feature offsets no intelligreen - any thoughts?
• It appears the Upro is the only other one that has a hole layout mode (better than the v300) but I am not sure that it has an intelligreen feature either - does anyone know?
• Finally, is there any buzz that a new v300 unit is in the cards which would add intelligreen?
  

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

[rtkguy]

I had the SonoCaddie V300 and returned it for a refund. I instead bought the new IGolf Saturn which will be released on monday.

 

SonoCaddie V300 didn't seem to give very good yardage. Sometimes I would map a point and it would say I was 7 to 10 yards away when I went back to the same point.

[BigHack]

Not another one to consider! What is the IGolf Saturn?

[BlackDiamondPar5]

I had the SonoCaddie V300 and returned it for a refund. I instead bought the new IGolf Saturn which will be released on monday.

 

SonoCaddie V300 didn't seem to give very good yardage. Sometimes I would map a point and it would say I was 7 to 10 yards away when I went back to the same point.

 

rtkguy,

When do you expect to have the Saturn shipped?

 

Will you be kind enough to post a review about it for us? Possibly your first impressions and then once you get some time with it?

 

Thanks

[pjccjp]

Based on what they show you on their website it looks very basic. May not be ready to compete with the more established offerings yet.

[Giantbear]

I would hold off on the sono and look at the new garmin

[taylormadegolfdude]

cant go wrong with garmin

[DiamondGCoupe]

I recently purchased a Sonocaddie only to find out my home course wasn't GPS mapped, I guess I assumed since the course showed up it was mapped. My mistake. Sports Authority.com has the SG4 on sale for $199, free shipping I just ordered another one of those. The Sonocaddie looked like it would be a great device unfortunate I won't get a chance to use it. The Garmin unit was a dud, I couldn't get it setup on 4 different computers, when I called customer service they say, and I quote, "the unit's dont work on all computers." Oh really? Well I have 3 laptops and a gaming desktop 3 with Vista one with XP and none would recognize there driver. Returned that asap, hopefully the new one will have improved PC software.

[rcncgolf]

On the Upro - it has the "anypoint" feature - you can determine distance to anypoint on the green (or course for that matter) - but it is available in pro mode only

[BigHack]

I appreciate all of the input but has anyone really tested all of the functionality of the sonocaddie? Is some sort of intelligreen fuctionality critically important because if so then sonocaddie is not the answer. I am a 14 handicap so i am not shooting precise laser shots anyway. Shouldn't knowing F-B-C be enough in terms of the green?

[phil75070]

I recently purchased a Sonocaddie only to find out my home course wasn't GPS mapped, I guess I assumed since the course showed up it was mapped. My mistake. Sports Authority.com has the SG4 on sale for $199, free shipping I just ordered another one of those. The Sonocaddie looked like it would be a great device unfortunate I won't get a chance to use it. The Garmin unit was a dud, I couldn't get it setup on 4 different computers, when I called customer service they say, and I quote, "the unit's dont work on all computers." Oh really? Well I have 3 laptops and a gaming desktop 3 with Vista one with XP and none would recognize there driver. Returned that asap, hopefully the new one will have improved PC software.

 

 

I assume you were referring to the GolfLogix unit that you couldn't get to work? It is not made by Garmin. GolfLogix is a separate company that co-developed this device and uses Garmin GPS technology. Garmin is coming out with one of their own and I would put a lot more faith in that new one directly from them than in the devie from GolfLogix.

 

I have checked almost all of the devices out as far as the course mappings and the only two that have all of the courses in my area (North Texas) mapped are SkyGolf and Golf Guru.

[rcncgolf]

I appreciate all of the input but has anyone really tested all of the functionality of the sonocaddie? Is some sort of intelligreen fuctionality critically important because if so then sonocaddie is not the answer. I am a 14 handicap so i am not shooting precise laser shots anyway. Shouldn't knowing F-B-C be enough in terms of the green?

 

 

Here is what i posted back in July on the sonocaddie>

Posted on: Jul 11 2008, 01:10 PM

 

it is a good unit - solid! color is great, you can easily toggle between hole layout view & alternate view where splits into 3 columns for right/center/left yrds & distances on right to hzds traps, etc. It is personalized screen. It held Sats well (10 whole round), but I never put in pocket, has good sturdy belt clip. No auto hole advance - & shot track is pain as you have to remember to hit it (not a single button). The "tracking" feature basically records your position every XX seconds then maps it so you can review, but not sure what you would use it for. "You" the little red figure, moves around hole view in real time, very easy to use.

Basic stats & scoring info are ok. Should show par & handicap on hole view & really needs auto advance like guru & others.

 

For me given price difference - I stuck w/ guru as just could not justify price difference.

 

 

________________________________________________________________________________

_________________-

 

Depends on what you want basic info,etc - & what willing to spend.

I can speak to the units i have or have used:

for basic F/C/B & key hzds (and ability to add custom points) the Igolf Neo is a great unit, couple guys I play with use it & are very happy. (my first GPS was original Igolf unit - loved it it helped me determine alot about my play) med size & cost - $

 

The Golf Guru is an excellent unit, adds in stats, distance table, and green View, etc with ability to map your own course (color or greyscale) med size & $$ or $$$ (color)

 

Upro - goes another step - add's flyover & images of actual course in color U can see where you are on course - anypoint is great, easy to calculate lay up's etc, add'l software coming(stats/scoring) - small size & cost $$$

 

Next unit ??? - suspect all the above & more - cost $$$$

 

I had 0 issues with sat coverage on any of them at the courses I play. All do the basics pretty well, if you want detailed green view & ability to approximate the Pin position - it comes with a cost, as does color(easy to read...)

[milfordj]

I have some questions about the Sonocaddie v300. After a lot of research (including reading every posting on the entire blog site) I think this is the one I am going to buy. However, there are still a couple of questions that have not been answered. These include:

 

• If I map a new point I assume it must replace a point that was "pre-mapped." If this is correct, will the newly mapped point also show up properly on the hole layout screen?
  
• How many points are mapped on a hole (I have seen figures between 6 and 11)?
  
• It shows that you can map both sides of the green but these won't give you distances - what is the intent because without distances I am not sure that they do much good.
  
• Is the middle yardage to the actually measured or is it just simply the average between the front and back of the green distances. If it is just the average then what happens when there is a funky shaped green?
  
• The one drawback with this unit appears to be that it has nothing like an intelligreen function (which I first thought was all hype but based on my research it now seems more important). Conversely, the best feature is the hole layout feature. I am wondering if the hole layout feature offsets no intelligreen - any thoughts?
  
• It appears the Upro is the only other one that has a hole layout mode (better than the v300) but I am not sure that it has an intelligreen feature either - does anyone know?
  
• Finally, is there any buzz that a new v300 unit is in the cards which would add intelligreen?
  

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

Since you've read all the previous posts on these 2 units, I'm sure you've seen some of my previous posts, but I'm sending this one to kinda "update" those posts. Just read where someone else indicated problems with V-300 not consistently giving same yardage to same spot (I assume on F/B of green), or perhaps on a concrete 150yd block (even if incorrect distance, should still give same reading, within 1-2 meters / "yds". I just tried to map a nearby par-3 course, planning to map F&B of each green, plus various water hazards. I wanted to do this in cold weather, so there wouldn't be play on the course. Tried to do it yesterday, but even though unit indicated I was receiving 8 sats, yardages kept varying and unit not functioning properly. I assumed possibly due to too cold temps (about 40*F). Went back today and it was a sunny 50*, and had same problem. I wanted to record 0 yds for spot on front of green, but unit kept indicating between 1-7yds. If I went to B of green, it Still indicated same reading for front of green, despite the fact that I was standing 30 yds Behing the F of green. Came home, called Sonocaddie, and they are emailing me a Ret Auth # for me to send it back for warranty repair. Website indicates, and cust svc confirmed, that V-300 comes with 1 yr warranty, though the warranty that came with my unit just indicated 90 days. Overall, I'm glad that they are being helpful in this regard, though I'm still concerned that others have also had problems with not getting consistent readings. QC issues?? NOW, to respond to your inquiries: 1. I wondered the same thing as you, and then I noticed that on the hole-layout view, the actual points for marking of hazards (like lake on rt side of Fway) actually consists of the hazard superimposed over the edge of the lake, so it really looks no different for hazards you Add, compared to hazards pre-mapped. 2. Each hole can contain a total of 6 markings short of the green (picture 3 vert columns (L/R/Ctr) and 6 ROWS Short of Green, PLUS F/B/Ctr of green. When you map them or add them, be sure to do so in the correct order from tee-to-green, per directions or you'll have closer yardages appearing at a spot farther from green than other yardages. No problem to replace though, if you do it wrong the first time. 3. I agree 100% and wouldn't think of indicating any hazards BESIDE the green. THIS would be the advantage of intelligreen / Green-sense, as those units should show the distance to carry a bunker IF you were well right or left of green (not that any of us would be in such a dastardly position, of course). 4. Ctr or Middle of Green is just the average of the 2 SPOTS measured as F and B of green. You can remap the F and/or B of green to meet your own preferences, as to recall that F of 13th green represents CARRY distance over back edge of front/left greenside bunker. I've done this on several holes, to include measuring B of one green as being just short of front edge of rear greenside bunker. It's still helkpful to know Dtr of green distance, even on funky-shaped greens, though you can "weigh" your distance based on front or back pin placement that particular day. 5. Hole-layout view is tremendously helpful for courses you are not familiar with -- never played before, or not often enough to recall details. Even with the hole layout view though, I still frequently have to go to the "hazard view" just because my vision is so poor and this view is much easier to read. 6. I've read that the U-Pro Pro-mode view is very difficult to see; therefore, it would be worthless to me, unfortunately. That is my TOP PRIORITY in Any GPS. If it's difficult to read, it's worthless. 7. Have heard Nada about ANY updates to V-300. Before you write off all other GPS units, though, I'm still holding out hopes for the On Par, and keep checking regularly to see if they have ANY courses listed (NONE YET). At least according to their website it looks VERY EASY to SEE, AND ability to TOUCH SCREEN for distance From ANY POINT on Fairway to Green. IF this is TRUE AND it has automatic hole-advance (plus NO FEEs), consider me On-Board. (U-Pro had hardly ANY of the courses I regularly play in western NC mapped). Best of luck in your decision; appologize once more for another "Book" posting.

[tgolfer]

Milfordj

 

Any chance of the odd paragraph in your posts - would make them a lot easier to read?

 

Just pressing the 'Enter' button a couple of times after 2 or 3 sentences will be a good start.

 

I think the points you make are lost because the posts are so difficult to read. Just a well meant suggestion - hope you don't take it any other way

 

TG - UK

[Captain Nimrod]

I have not tried the Sonocaddie, but I can attest that the uPro rocks. It shows you distances to all hazards; front, middle and back of green; distances from green; and allows you to check yardage from any point on the course to any other, for example, to lay up in the fairway from in the trees. The hole flyover is great if you are unfamiliar with the course. No subscription fees, and couse downloads are free in basic mode and average about $3-6 per course in Pro mode. Very easy to use, very readable. I highly recommend it.

[BigHack]

Thanks for all of the input (especially Milfordj). I am still not sure what to do so i may wait it out a little until golfing season gets closer and see if any of the new unit igolf Saturn get good reviews. BH

[rtkguy]

I had the SonoCaddie V300 and returned it for a refund. I instead bought the new IGolf Saturn which will be released on monday.

 

SonoCaddie V300 didn't seem to give very good yardage. Sometimes I would map a point and it would say I was 7 to 10 yards away when I went back to the same point.

 

rtkguy,

When do you expect to have the Saturn shipped?

 

Will you be kind enough to post a review about it for us? Possibly your first impressions and then once you get some time with it?

 

Thanks

 

I'll be glad to post a review of the igolf Saturn when it arrives. It is supposed to ship on Monday Jan 12, 2009. I presently have the igolf neo and it is a great unit (although very basic). The SonoCaddie V300 is a very pretty unit, but pretty don't get it when the V300 says I am 157 out when I know for sure it is more like 147.

 

What sold me on the igolf Saturn is the accuracy of the igolf neo. Everytime I have used the neo, the distances are spot-on. The Saturn is also color, holds around 100 courses, gives a overhead view of the hole, can move cross-hairs for distance to anywhere on the fairway or green, shows the realistic outline of the green, keeps score, provides statistics, user mapping, replaceable rechargable battery, every golf course in my area is mapped, can edit pre-mapped courses and others.

 

It seems to be very close to the SonoCaddie V300 graphics wise and a LOT more accurate.

 

igolf also has live support chat. I chatted with a CS rep that started answering my questions within a minute of me logging in.

 

They are very responsive.

 

John

[BigHack]

I have now seen the future and it is the garmin approach g5. It is expensive but no additional fees (plus it has the accuracy of a garmin). Not yet available but it seems very very cool on the website. It seems to have the best of everything and is even a touch screen. I am not sure you can map your own points but that appears to be the only thing missing and with the touchscreen that allows you to point to anywhere on the hole and see the distance then I am not sure you need to map your own points. One other thing, only aa batteries and I wish it was rechargeable. Still, it looks cool. Supposed to be available second quarter this year.

[sharkhark]

I have now seen the future and it is the garmin approach g5. It is expensive but no additional fees (plus it has the accuracy of a garmin). Not yet available but it seems very very cool on the website. It seems to have the best of everything and is even a touch screen. I am not sure you can map your own points but that appears to be the only thing missing and with the touchscreen that allows you to point to anywhere on the hole and see the distance then I am not sure you need to map your own points. One other thing, only aa batteries and I wish it was rechargeable. Still, it looks cool. Supposed to be available second quarter this year.

http://www.gpsmagazine.com/2009/01/garmin_...is_a_golfer.php