Has anyone used both GolfLogix and SkyCaddie?

[geekboy]

My mother has dropped a number of hints that she would like to start using a GPS unit when she plays. I have looked through the docs of both brands and see plusses and minuses for both. Has anyone used both brands? Her birthday is coming up, and I am thinking that the only way to stop her from going on and on about the damn things is to get her one.

So - any experience you have with either or (preferrably) both would be much appreciated here.

[just123123]

My mother has dropped a number of hints that she would like to start using a GPS unit when she plays. I have looked through the docs of both brands and see plusses and minuses for both. Has anyone used both brands? Her birthday is coming up, and I am thinking that the only way to stop her from going on and on about the damn things is to get her one.

So - any experience you have with either or (preferrably) both would be much appreciated here.

I have the skycaddie, the bushnell laser and have heard and seen the golflogix unit.

The skycaddie is great, however I found myself stopping far too often to toggle through the options that are available to determine shot selection. I'm sure if I used it more the functions would become second nature. (I found myself (usually after 5 or 6 holes) just grabbing the bushnell and "tagging" the flag; bunkers etc, to determine club selection.) There is also a yearly satellite access fee with the skycaddie.

I've heard the golflogix gps was a little simpler with a few less options. (not sure if there is an annual fee)
In my opinion, it would determine what level your game is and or where you want it to go. For me I prefer the laser. Click on whatever you want whenever you want.
Remember, the gps units do not give you pin locations, the lasers will.

[geekboy]

There is also a yearly satellite access fee with the skycaddie.

I've heard the golflogix gps was a little simpler with a few less options. (not sure if there is an annual fee)

Actually, it never costs anything to access GPS data from satellites - it is open and unencrypted (you are playing in MY sandbox now). However, both companies make you pay a yearly fee to download the MAPS. I dont know if you can keep any downloaded maps after you stop paying the fee, though - that is one of the things i want to find out.

The reason my mom wants one over a laser is that there are a lot of blind approaches at the courses in their area - hard to get a tag on a flag when you cant see it. It doesnt help that she is short :)

[Cybergolfer]

Actually, it never costs anything to access GPS data from satellites - it is open and unencrypted (you are playing in MY sandbox now). However, both companies make you pay a yearly fee to download the MAPS. I dont know if you can keep any downloaded maps after you stop paying the fee, though - that is one of the things i want to find out.

The reason my mom wants one over a laser is that there are a lot of blind approaches at the courses in their area - hard to get a tag on a flag when you cant see it. It doesnt help that she is short :)

Get the new GolfLogix if buy a GolfLogix one . They allow you keep one course of free charge.

[just123123]

Actually, it never costs anything to access GPS data from satellites - it is open and unencrypted (you are playing in MY sandbox now). However, both companies make you pay a yearly fee to download the MAPS. I dont know if you can keep any downloaded maps after you stop paying the fee, though - that is one of the things i want to find out.

The reason my mom wants one over a laser is that there are a lot of blind approaches at the courses in their area - hard to get a tag on a flag when you cant see it. It doesnt help that she is short :)

hmmmm interesting....skycaddie allows you to hold (i think it's 10 courses) at any given time. If what you say is true and I kept my 10 favourites in the unit, i wonder if I could avoid the yearly fee.
OK, you're the expert....so they can't lock out the unit from receiving satellite info?

p.s.
visit their website

[geekboy]

hmmmm interesting....skycaddie allows you to hold (i think it's 10 courses) at any given time. If what you say is true and I kept my 10 favourites in the unit, i wonder if I could avoid the yearly fee.
OK, you're the expert....so they can't lock out the unit from receiving satellite info?

Definitely not - GPS broadcasts, like all broadcasts, are open to all and the reception thereof may not be restricted. However, they CAN restrict the addition of the data that makes SENSE of those broadcasts - getting the GPS signal with nothing to tell you what it means is just as effective as blocking the signals

However, there is no clear answer on their web site as to what happens if you STOP paying your yearly subscription for the course data. Does it just stay in your unit and you cant load any more? or does it wipe? That is the question

[sharkhark]

The guys on a thread in golfwrx a little while back said you do keep the save information on the golflogix. That you do not lose anything by stopping a subscription after one year.
I do not just mean the 20 that fit on the latest unit, but all courses you download to your pc.
They only said you cannot self map courses so if you play something new you are out of luck unless you pony up the subscription again.
I would suggest emailing golflogix and just say. The current hesitation I have on buying your product over the others is a commitment to annual fees. Do I get to keep what I have downloaded if I decide to stop paying annual fee after first year?
Its also a good way to test their customer service. People claim online that golflogix is very good in that area. SUpposedly if a course you play is not on the download list a quick email request will sometimes get it online in 3-5 days.


UPDATE!
So I just posted the blah blah blah above and should have just taken the two seconds to go to golflogix and peruse their FAQ section. It goes against what the guys on golfwrx said. Here are a couple things:

How many courses can I load on GolfLogix at one time?

The GolfLogix unit can hold the distance information for up to 20 courses. You receive one free course with every GolfLogix purchase. With the unlimited membership of $29.95 annually, you can download an unlimited amount of courses to your computer that will be accessible for one year. You can then select and load courses from your computer to your GolfLogix unit, up to 20 at a time. At anytime you can change the selection of courses on the unit, provided your membership is active. After one year, if membership is not renewed, you will only have access to the first free course.

UPDATE: SKYCADDIE you must buy an annual membership that gives up to 10 courses and 10 playlists and the cost is $35/yr for canada, if you want canada and US it is $55 and if you want world it is $65 (even 65 bucks allows you a maximum of a hundred courses, odd?). This appears to be a small benefit to golflogix which charges just a flat $30 for the world. Not a benefit though if like most golfers you only play in your country or region.

[just123123]

Thanks guys....we should have known....nothing is free...and these companies know that the more confusing they make it or the smaller the print, or the more difficult the search for information is, the less likely you will.

All praise the NUTTY bunch! ;)

[sharkhark]

Read my thread Golf Buddy GPS? Holy grail? (http://www.torontogolfnuts.com/showthread.php?t=25788)

apparently some things in life are free....1000 of them (courses)