Skycaddie Touch

[Roody]

[quote name='Argonne69' timestamp='1438867476' post='12088814']
What level do you have set for the backlight?
[/quote]
I meant to mention that, I have it set to 20%. If I set it to 0%, it makes it much harder to see on bright sunny days. And it seems like 0 to 20% is an enormous jump for some reason.

I also forgot to mention, and maybe someone has an answer to this. How the heck do you shut off the scoring? I still use the old SG Mobile iPhone app to put in my scores, and I've noticed whenever I connect the Touch to my computer to sync, it uploads a whole bunch of empty rounds to my SkyGolf 360 profile. I then have to go through and manually delete them all.

[LAslicer]

[quote name='Roody' timestamp='1438866049' post='12088666']
Having used the Touch for about 40 rounds now, I will chime in with my thoughts. My previous model was the SG3.

Pros:
- Love the fact that I don't have to pre-load courses.
- Full color display is nice.
- The cord to charge and sync it is FAR improved over the awful one that came with the SG3. Micro USB is so much easier to deal with.

Cons:
- Seems like it takes forever to start up. There have been times I've forgotten to fire it up before we tee off, and I'm sometimes left with no yardages for most of hole 1 because I'm waiting on it to load
- Once in, it seems like every button press is slow to respond. For example, if I want to change the view to get distances to hazards, I press that icon and it takes 8-10 seconds to switch the view most times.
- Battery life is not the best. I can only get about 27 holes out of one charge. I have to bring the portable battery charger with me if I know I'm playing more than 27.

Overall:
- I'm generally happy I upgraded.
[/quote]

Have you checked to make sure your software is up to date? There was an update a few months ago that improved the start up speed and changing views. Mine changes views pretty much immediately when i press the button, so 8-10 seconds seems very unusual. It may also help to calibrate the touch screen.

[Roody]

[quote name='LAslicer' timestamp='1438875952' post='12089718']
Have you checked to make sure your software is up to date? There was an update a few months ago that improved the start up speed and changing views. Mine changes views pretty much immediately when i press the button, so 8-10 seconds seems very unusual. It may also help to calibrate the touch screen.
[/quote]
I last updated within the past couple of months, so I probably don't have the latest greatest. I will definitely do that (right after tomorrow afternoon's round of golf).

[Pepperturbo]

I just measured latest Touch operating system start-up; it took 31 seconds, similar to my laptop with windows 7 pro and start-up apps. Its loading far more data and instructions than older Skycaddies, but once loaded it reacts fast to input requests. I had to laugh when I read a complaint about how long it takes to boot, after "forgetting" to turn it on before getting to the first tee.

Shut off scoring = settings, scoring, prompt score = off

[Roody]

[quote name='Pepperturbo' timestamp='1438885486' post='12090704']
Shut off scoring = settings, scoring, prompt score = off
[/quote]
Hmmm, mine is set already like that, yet it still uploads a bunch of empty rounds to my SG 360 profile. The device does not prompt me for score during my round at all, but as I said whenever I connect it to sync it uploads an empty score for every round I've played with it since the last time I sync'ed.

Likely an issue for SkyCaddie support versus here. Thanks for the info.

[Pepperturbo]

[quote name='Roody' timestamp='1438892866' post='12091554']
[quote name='Pepperturbo' timestamp='1438885486' post='12090704']
Shut off scoring = settings, scoring, prompt score = off
[/quote]
Hmmm, mine is set already like that, yet it still uploads a bunch of empty rounds to my SG 360 profile. The device does not prompt me for score during my round at all, but as I said whenever I connect it to sync it uploads an empty score for every round I've played with it since the last time I sync'ed.

Likely an issue for SkyCaddie support versus here. Thanks for the info.
[/quote]

Delete all the saved rounds on Touch, that's what I do. All I care about is scores and index which Ghin keeps track of for me. SkyGolf functionality is useless.

[Roody]

[quote name='Pepperturbo' timestamp='1438900373' post='12092192']
Delete all the saved rounds on Touch, that's what I do. All I care about is scores and index which Ghin keeps track of for me. SkyGolf functionality is useless.
[/quote]
Ahh there we go, now I see where to get rid of them. Thanks for the tip!

[Argonne69]

I hate to say it, but I'm beginning to prefer the press/hold/swipe function on the HoleVue to the tap mode on the Intelligreen. Maybe it's because I have fat fingers, but I find it difficult to position the pin on the green with a single tap. The screen is calibrated, and the touch test is fairly accurate, but in actual operation the touch point is generally left of my intended point.

With the HoleView, one can swipe to move the target point, so the initial touch point is not critical.

I played on a cloudy day yesterday, and I had to bump the backlight to 50%, as the screen was difficult to read with the backlight set to 25%. I got through the round with no issues, but I did wind up buying an external battery pack to charge the device when I play 2 rounds in a single day. Of course, I'm sure the battery pack will be dead when I need it. 'Tired of having to charge to many gadgets.

[LAslicer]

[quote name='Argonne69' timestamp='1439219714' post='12110024']
I hate to say it, but I'm beginning to prefer the press/hold/swipe function on the HoleVue to the tap mode on the Intelligreen. Maybe it's because I have fat fingers, but I find it difficult to position the pin on the green with a single tap. The screen is calibrated, and the touch test is fairly accurate, but in actual operation the touch point is generally left of my intended point.

With the HoleView, one can swipe to move the target point, so the initial touch point is not critical.

I played on a cloudy day yesterday, and I had to bump the backlight to 50%, as the screen was difficult to read with the backlight set to 25%. I got through the round with no issues, but I did wind up buying an external battery pack to charge the device when I play 2 rounds in a single day. Of course, I'm sure the battery pack will be dead when I need it. 'Tired of having to charge to many gadgets.
[/quote]

I use a golf tee to set the cursor on the green and it works great. The screen responds very well to the tee.

[Pepperturbo]

[quote name='LAslicer' timestamp='1439227623' post='12110916']
[quote name='Argonne69' timestamp='1439219714' post='12110024']
I hate to say it, but I'm beginning to prefer the press/hold/swipe function on the HoleVue to the tap mode on the Intelligreen. Maybe it's because I have fat fingers, but I find it difficult to position the pin on the green with a single tap. The screen is calibrated, and the touch test is fairly accurate, but in actual operation the touch point is generally left of my intended point.

With the HoleView, one can swipe to move the target point, so the initial touch point is not critical.

I played on a cloudy day yesterday, and I had to bump the backlight to 50%, as the screen was difficult to read with the backlight set to 25%. I got through the round with no issues, but I did wind up buying an external battery pack to charge the device when I play 2 rounds in a single day. Of course, I'm sure the battery pack will be dead when I need it. 'Tired of having to charge to many gadgets.
[/quote]

I use a golf tee to set the cursor on the green and it works great. The screen responds very well to the tee.
[/quote]

I don't often move the cursor on the green, but never would have though of that trick. Thank you!

[Argonne69]

[quote name='Pepperturbo' timestamp='1439228631' post='12111050']
[quote name='LAslicer' timestamp='1439227623' post='12110916']
[quote name='Argonne69' timestamp='1439219714' post='12110024']
I hate to say it, but I'm beginning to prefer the press/hold/swipe function on the HoleVue to the tap mode on the Intelligreen. Maybe it's because I have fat fingers, but I find it difficult to position the pin on the green with a single tap. The screen is calibrated, and the touch test is fairly accurate, but in actual operation the touch point is generally left of my intended point.

With the HoleView, one can swipe to move the target point, so the initial touch point is not critical.

I played on a cloudy day yesterday, and I had to bump the backlight to 50%, as the screen was difficult to read with the backlight set to 25%. I got through the round with no issues, but I did wind up buying an external battery pack to charge the device when I play 2 rounds in a single day. Of course, I'm sure the battery pack will be dead when I need it. 'Tired of having to charge to many gadgets.
[/quote]

I use a golf tee to set the cursor on the green and it works great. The screen responds very well to the tee.
[/quote]

I don't often move the cursor on the green, but never would have though of that trick. Thank you!
[/quote]

Really? That's one of the major selling points of IntelliGreen, especially when one has an odd shaped green. Knowing the depth of the green on various lines allows one to pick the "right" line, which is almost certainly not at the flag. Even if one does fire at the flag, knowing the distance to the front of the green on that line is the basis for club selection.

That said, having to fish out a tee out of my pocket on every approach shot would be annoying. I wear the Touch on my left hip, and can grab it and work it with one hand.

[Roody]

The tee tip is good to know! Thank you.

[quote name='Argonne69' timestamp='1439219714' post='12110024']
I got through the round with no issues, but I did wind up buying an external battery pack to charge the device when I play 2 rounds in a single day. Of course, I'm sure the battery pack will be dead when I need it. 'Tired of having to charge to many gadgets.
[/quote]
Yeah, I have a portable battery charger as well. I'm playing 36 on Friday, and I know I will need it. It's really too bad they couldn't put in a battery that lasts longer. My old SG3 used to get me 2 and a half rounds on one charge. The Touch only gets me about 27-30 holes.

[Pepperturbo]

[quote name='Argonne69' timestamp='1439230884' post='12111254']
[quote name='Pepperturbo' timestamp='1439228631' post='12111050']
[quote name='LAslicer' timestamp='1439227623' post='12110916']
[quote name='Argonne69' timestamp='1439219714' post='12110024']
I hate to say it, but I'm beginning to prefer the press/hold/swipe function on the HoleVue to the tap mode on the Intelligreen. Maybe it's because I have fat fingers, but I find it difficult to position the pin on the green with a single tap. The screen is calibrated, and the touch test is fairly accurate, but in actual operation the touch point is generally left of my intended point.

With the HoleView, one can swipe to move the target point, so the initial touch point is not critical.

I played on a cloudy day yesterday, and I had to bump the backlight to 50%, as the screen was difficult to read with the backlight set to 25%. I got through the round with no issues, but I did wind up buying an external battery pack to charge the device when I play 2 rounds in a single day. Of course, I'm sure the battery pack will be dead when I need it. 'Tired of having to charge to many gadgets.
[/quote]

I use a golf tee to set the cursor on the green and it works great. The screen responds very well to the tee.
[/quote]

I don't often move the cursor on the green, but never would have though of that trick. Thank you!
[/quote]

Really? That's one of the major selling points of IntelliGreen, especially when one has an odd shaped green. Knowing the depth of the green on various lines allows one to pick the "right" line, which is almost certainly not at the flag. Even if one does fire at the flag, knowing the distance to the front of the green on that line is the basis for club selection.

That said, having to fish out a tee out of my pocket on every approach shot would be annoying. I wear the Touch on my left hip, and can grab it and work it with one hand.
[/quote]

All I care about is yardage to cover front, back edge and width yardage of green, none of which are influenced by where the X hair is. I was on the greens committee at my last club. Golf courses that use GPS in their carts and many that don't, divide the green into seven quadrants and every day place the pin in the quadrant tied to that given day; where its actually put though is a crap shoot, plus none of us are "that" good, even "+" amateurs. When you look at a cart GPS yardage to the pin, it's really to the middle of that quadrant; not the pin, as the pin might be 10-12 ft to the right, left, back or front of quadrant center, depends on green size and how the greens committee. We had some big greens. I have watched others take the time to move the cross hair, only to miss so far off line, the time it took to approximate where the cross hair was and then place it there wasted time. IMO.

Though I am a good golfer, I am not good enough to eye ball the pin from 150+ and place the "x" exactly where it actually is on the green. Moving the "X" is a crap shoot. I value Intelligent green for contours and the yardages mentioned earlier. All I care about his hitting to a quadrant or close. Attempting to target too close is a recipe for trouble, least that is how I see it.

[Argonne69]

I hate to say it, but I'm beginning to prefer the press/hold/swipe function on the HoleVue to the tap mode on the Intelligreen. Maybe it's because I have fat fingers, but I find it difficult to position the pin on the green with a single tap. The screen is calibrated, and the touch test is fairly accurate, but in actual operation the touch point is generally left of my intended point.

 

With the HoleView, one can swipe to move the target point, so the initial touch point is not critical.

 

I played on a cloudy day yesterday, and I had to bump the backlight to 50%, as the screen was difficult to read with the backlight set to 25%. I got through the round with no issues, but I did wind up buying an external battery pack to charge the device when I play 2 rounds in a single day. Of course, I'm sure the battery pack will be dead when I need it. 'Tired of having to charge to many gadgets.

 

I use a golf tee to set the cursor on the green and it works great. The screen responds very well to the tee.

 

I don't often move the cursor on the green, but never would have though of that trick. Thank you!

 

Really? That's one of the major selling points of IntelliGreen, especially when one has an odd shaped green. Knowing the depth of the green on various lines allows one to pick the "right" line, which is almost certainly not at the flag. Even if one does fire at the flag, knowing the distance to the front of the green on that line is the basis for club selection.

 

That said, having to fish out a tee out of my pocket on every approach shot would be annoying. I wear the Touch on my left hip, and can grab it and work it with one hand.

 

All I care about is yardage to cover front, back edge and width yardage of green, none of which are influenced by where the X hair is. I was on the greens committee at my last club. Golf courses that use GPS in their carts and many that don't, divide the green into seven quadrants and every day place the pin in the quadrant tied to that given day; where its actually put though is a crap shoot, plus none of us are "that" good, even "+" amateurs. When you look at a cart GPS yardage to the pin, it's really to the middle of that quadrant; not the pin, as the pin might be 10-12 ft to the right, left, back or front of quadrant center, depends on green size and how the greens committee. We had some big greens. I have watched others take the time to move the cross hair, only to miss so far off line, the time it took to approximate where the cross hair was and then place it there wasted time. IMO.

 

Though I am a good golfer, I am not good enough to eye ball the pin from 150+ and place the "x" exactly where it actually is on the green. Moving the "X" is a crap shoot. I value Intelligent green for contours and the yardages mentioned earlier. All I care about his hitting to a quadrant or close. Attempting to target too close is a recipe for trouble, least that is how I see it.

 

It's not so much the exact pin position, as the line through the pin. On an odd shaped green, the depth of the green through the flag is going to vary. Moving the aimpoint ot the approximate location of the hole changes the front and back distances. It may be 165 yards to the front of the green on a line through the green's middle, but it may be 170 yards to carry the bunker when the pin if set off to one side on an odd shaped green. For example, if the pin is located to the far left of the green below, you're looking at more than 124 yards to reach the green, and the depth is much less than 148 yards.

 

[Pepperturbo]

It's not so much the exact pin position, as the line through the pin. On an odd shaped green, the depth of the green through the flag is going to vary. Moving the aimpoint ot the approximate location of the hole changes the front and back distances. It may be 165 yards to the front of the green on a line through the green's middle, but it may be 170 yards to carry the bunker when the pin if set off to one side on an odd shaped green. For example, if the pin is located to the far left of the green below, you're looking at more than 124 yards to reach the green, and the depth is much less than 148 yards.

 

 

Thank you, I know. Still, moving the cursor is too much effort. Besides, using your image, I am not likely to go at a pin in the far left green quadrant. I'd target the middle because the trouble front left and back left tells me to miss right. If I am playing for $$$ I use Bushnell Pro Laser. But that's me.

[Argonne69]

[quote name='Pepperturbo' timestamp='1439246529' post='12112916']

Thank you, I know. Still, moving the cursor is too much effort. Besides, using your image, I am not likely to go at a pin in the far left green quadrant. I'd target the middle because the trouble front left and back left tells me to miss right. If I am playing for $$$ I use Bushnell Pro Laser. But that's me.
[/quote]

Lol. Trust me, I don't fire at those pin locations either. Seeing the numbers on the IntelliGreen view reminds me why.

[ED68]

Anyone experiencing charging issues with their touch? I have probably used my touch for about 20 rounds. When I plug my wall charging cord into the touch I have to play around "jiggling the cord" pushed all the way in or backing it out somewhat to allow me to see the blinking red light for charging. To compound this issue after it has been charging for 2-3 hours or more the red light is still blinking. Once I push the cord all the way in does it stop blinking. This issue started about 2 months ago. Any advice short of returning it to Skygolf for repair/replacement? Thanks

[Argonne69]

I think my Touch has lost its mind. I've played 3 rounds with it over the past few days, and it was off anywhere from 10 yards to 100 yards. I finally noticed that it was displaying meters, and not yards. Given that I haven't been on the Settings menu in a while, I have no idea how it switched to meters.

After I corrected that, there were still a few holes where it was way off. On one 518 yard par 5 it was displaying 418 yards. Huh?

I tried resetting the GPS, but it had no effect. I have 2 rounds booked tomorrow, and if continues to act up, I'm going to request a replacement.

To confirm the error, I stood at the 150 stake, and the cart's GPS showed 150, but the Touch was 138.

[Roody]

[quote name='Argonne69' timestamp='1439596333' post='12139590']
I think my Touch has lost its mind. I've played 3 rounds with it over the past few days, and it was off anywhere from 10 yards to 100 yards. I finally noticed that it was displaying meters, and not yards. Given that I haven't been on the Settings menu in a while, I have no idea how it switched to meters.

After I corrected that, there were still a few holes where it was way off. On one 518 yard par 5 it was displaying 418 yards. Huh?

I tried resetting the GPS, but it had no effect. I have 2 rounds booked tomorrow, and if continues to act up, I'm going to request a replacement.

To confirm the error, I stood at the 150 stake, and the cart's GPS showed 150, but the Touch was 138.
[/quote]
Is it a course you've played with the Touch before? If not, I wonder if the guy who mapped that course for SkyCaddie messed up. Probably not likely, but a thought...

[Argonne69]

[quote name='Roody' timestamp='1439813925' post='12153408']
[quote name='Argonne69' timestamp='1439596333' post='12139590']
I think my Touch has lost its mind. I've played 3 rounds with it over the past few days, and it was off anywhere from 10 yards to 100 yards. I finally noticed that it was displaying meters, and not yards. Given that I haven't been on the Settings menu in a while, I have no idea how it switched to meters.

After I corrected that, there were still a few holes where it was way off. On one 518 yard par 5 it was displaying 418 yards. Huh?

I tried resetting the GPS, but it had no effect. I have 2 rounds booked tomorrow, and if continues to act up, I'm going to request a replacement.

To confirm the error, I stood at the 150 stake, and the cart's GPS showed 150, but the Touch was 138.
[/quote]
Is it a course you've played with the Touch before? If not, I wonder if the guy who mapped that course for SkyCaddie messed up. Probably not likely, but a thought...
[/quote]

No additional yardage issues over the past 5 rounds, so I have to assume the courses made some changes, and weren't remapped. I just can't see SG making a 100 yard error.

I played 2 rounds a day on 3 days, and had no issues with the battery life. However, the morning rounds were quick, i.e. <3 hours, so it's not a true test of the battery. I'd still like to see if it could hold up for two 4.5 hour rounds.

[Argonne69]

What is the best method for reporting bugs, and requesting features/changes? Does SG have an email link? I really dislike their forums.

[cjblake09]

I have used mine about 3 times and now can't get it to charge or sync with my computer. I am really wishing now i would have kept my SG5. I am not a fan of this unit right now.

[Argonne69]

[quote name='cjblake09' timestamp='1440249336' post='12188382']
I have used mine about 3 times and now can't get it to charge or sync with my computer. I am really wishing now i would have kept my SG5. I am not a fan of this unit right now.
[/quote]

How do you get three rounds out of it if it won't charge? The battery is only good for 2 rounds. Do you mean charge off you computer when plugged into the USB port? There's no reason it shouldn't charge from the USB port on your computer if it'll charge from a wall adapter. Do you have a faulty USB port on your computer?

[TM_HOYER]

[quote name='cjblake09' timestamp='1440249336' post='12188382']
I have used mine about 3 times and now can't get it to charge or sync with my computer. I am really wishing now i would have kept my SG5. I am not a fan of this unit right now.
[/quote]

Have you tried another micro USB cable?

[BCham454]

Most of the courses I play, desiginate the pin position, by different color flags, or a smaller colored flag on pole beneath it. Ex: red-front, white-middle, and blue-back. I look at the distance arcs on the intelliagreen screen, and just estimate where the colored flag probably is. Ex: red-front flag =distance between arc closer to center, and the arc, closer to front. I've found this is usually pretty close. My buddy uses a laser and I will make a call, faster than he can get his laser out to use it. Most of the time he winds up just confirming my call. The only time there is a real difference, is if they have not used the right colored flag, that pertains to the actual location on the green. So basically what I am saying is, you really don't need to mess with moving the target on the green. Even if you can clearly see exactly where the pin is. You can get the distance by just using the yardage arcs and visualizing the pin between them.

[BCham454]

Also, remember. The intelligreen screen always shows you the green from, the direction you are approaching it. This still works, because the range arcs also adjust from your approach, so no matter where the pin is, you can still make an accurate determination. My attitude is to read it and move on. I don't want to stand there playing with it to much. A round is long enough as it is.

[cjblake09]

I played two 9 hole rounds and one 18. After further evaluation the port where you connect the USB was broken. The are sending me a replacement but i am still not that happy with the unit. Maybe more time with it will change my mind.

[78Staff]

[quote name='cjblake09' timestamp='1440337666' post='12193200']
I played two 9 hole rounds and one 18. After further evaluation the port where you connect the USB was broken. The are sending me a replacement but i am still not that happy with the unit. Maybe more time with it will change my mind.
[/quote]

That happened to me as well. The USB connection seems to be a weak point, if you jam the plug in with any force you can dislodge the receptacle from the circuit board. But, they are good about replacing them, they replaced mine outside of the warranty period. Other than the USB port, I've had no issues and have been pleased with the unit.

[Argonne69]

The Touch wouldn't be the first SG device to have issues with the USB connector. One needs to be gentle with it, and never force the plug into it. I have to admit, the design of the rubber flap does make connecting it a bit of a pain. Maybe the Touch+ will offer wireless charging.

[RickK]

I traded in my SGX for the Touch a couple of months ago. I like the fact that the Touch finds the courses near you, usually the one I am on. But, there are some other things I just do not really like about it. For one, when you turn it sideways to get the front/center/back yardages, most times I get the scorecard looking deal and that sort of irritates me. Have not found a way to prevent that yet.
But, what I really wanted to comment on actually is Skycaddie service. My Touch met an untimely demise yesterday. The screen looks like an abstract painting and the unit is toast. I spent an inordinate amount of time on the "chat" feature to no avail and finally just said give me a number to call. I called and in less than 5 minutes they told me they were shipping me a new unit and all I had to pay for was the shipping. I asked if they could send it 2 day air as I am leaving for MB to play in a tournament on Friday. Cost me total of $24 and I had a tracking number in less than 2 hours.
I had the SG1 for years, then the SGX and now the Touch. I have had a few computer software issues and hardware issues but never once did I have an issue with their customer service. That is the one reason I have stuck with them.
Now, when the new Touch arrives, I MUST figure out how to get the deal of turning it sideways to work properly the FIRST TIME.