"Skycaddie SX500"

Bought recently (£280). This is my second Skycaddie; the first one (about 8 years ago) was a nightmare because it wouldn’t connect to my computer to sync etc so it was sent back and I bought a Garmin G6. Thankfully the sync glitch is sorted now.

The new SX500 is great and works well with excellent detail. Especially helpful is having clear course features shown and the distances to them.

At first disappointed the touch screen didn’t work when wearing a glove (unlike my old Garmin) which is why a star was lost. Fitted Brotect screen protector and that solved the problem!

"Given the chance again I wouldn’t!"

Summary: was ok, went bad then very bad. Things started to get better and we’re now definitely on an upward curve. The detail ... Previously keen single handicapper returning to golf after a ten year health layoff and my experience? Dodgy, temperamental technology; poor customer service (though extensive); great if you like to be distracted during your round and spend a lot of time on the computer online help; customer services phone line doesn’t answer; don’t use it if there’s even light rain; £30pa subscription for the privilege. There are good sides to the SX500 handheld device and you can find those details on their website; earns the extra star cos it’s good when it works. The site also gives the impression it’s ok in rain, with a picture of a wet device .. Hmm! I’ve been advised by online chat not to use it if there’s any rain around; ie use it like your smartphone but you have to make sure it has a clear view of the sky at all times for satellite connectivity. Screen started freezing during rounds, a problem that’s improved but not totally cured after an update. I started having syncing problems with an error message after only playing nine holes practice the other day, ie an incomplete round. Several hours later and what I found to be impatient help from the support team and after failing to contact customer support through the supplied helpline number I was given an email address, which has been answered and I was finally offered a free service to send the device to their tech team. They still won’t speak to you though :-(. The device is now on its way. I want a refund but can’t get one because I’m over 30 days in (3months) even though the device is in ‘as new’ condition. Don’t think I’m getting close to value for money. Bottom line is I expect the device works well if you play in climates like sunny Florida but not so well if you’re in cloudy, wet UK? Interested to see what I get back. Will edit accordingly when I get the returned device
Update: The good news is the device has been replaced with new because the fault couldn’t be repaired and it’s still under warranty. I received a whole new pack minus the bag clasp. The bad news is: (1) I had to make a lot of noise to get this level of attention; (2) I returned my original clasp because it was broken. It’s not great quality tbh and I wondered if they’d see it’s broken and give a new one. No! Instead they took the new one out of the new device pack and sent me my old broken one back; (3) I now need to buy a new screen protector. Discussions were the technician couldn’t reapply it to my new device very well, saying it’s full of air bubbles and they asked I buy a new one. A request for them to supply one FOC, given the need for a replacement is clearly their fault, fell of deaf ears. On opening the box I could see not only air bubbles but crumbs between the protector and screen and when I took the protector off the screen was covered with finger prints. (4) I had a courtesy call from them to discuss my issues because I’d thumb downed their online help sessions. The caller led me to believe they’d call me again during the week to update me. No call received and I had to make contact to see if (a) the device had been received and (b) what was happening. Summary? My opinion hasn’t changed and given the chance again I wouldn’t. There are lots of options out there and I’ll be thinking hard before renewing my subscription. No more problems between now and then will be a minimum requirement. Customer service by technical people rarely works well and it totally failed in this instance and gets no stars, the device four stars, which I’ve weighted to a two star review.
Further update: Latest interaction with help to correct some sync issues that maybe/probably could have been done before sending my replacement device out have been positive. Online chat wasn’t conclusive but one guy tried hard to fix the issues. The next day I called the helpline and got through quickly. I was first connected to a lady who was advising and looking into how to resolve issues but we lost connection. I called back and was connected to a guy who was very helpful and whilst he was looking stuff up I did what the lady suggested, which fixed one of the problems. The advisor gave me confidence my other issues could be fixed - auto jumping/missing holes - though an update had been sent to my device. Unfortunately Covid lockdown means I can’t use it for a month but can say I found the help available reassuring. If they keep this up I’ll look to upgrade my review score.

"Great Web chat…"

I have just been helping a friend update her skycaddie watch and the help and service received was excellent.

"Renewal of membership - quite disgusted!"

So I've just renewed my membership for another year on the 19th of May - my previous membership expired on the 27th of March.

So - we've been in lock-down for the past couple of months - so why bother renewing when we couldn't even play, right?

So I was a little miffed that when I synced my sky caddie (to update my membership) - to find that my membership will expire on the 27th of March 2021. I would've thought that it would renew a year from the date I renewed i.e. 19th of May 2021.

What a cheek - and I think it's a rip-off. I've been a member since 2010 - and I think this will be my last year of membership. There are plenty of other devices on the market which stand up against SkyCaddie. I strongly believe in loyalty - but expect the same from the company I am loyal to. Shame on you SkyCaddie for not catering for golfers when we can't even play golf.