Rangefinder for the Blackberry - Toronto Golf Nuts

sellis · Apr 18, 2008, 06:17 PM

I was playing with a guy today at Copetown Woods who was using one of those GPS rangefinders. I don't have one of those things but they seemed pretty useful. I do have a Blackberry 8830 though and its GPS enabled so I did a quick search to see if there were any software packages out there that did the same thing.

Turns out there is something from a company called Itinerant software (http://www.itinerantsoftware.com/products). Cost is $30/year subscription with free course downloads. There is a trial version of the software that allows you to download five courses for free. Murphy's Law would have it that they didn't have any of the courses I played today available so I haven't tried it yet, but they do have some courses in their inventory I play from time to time.

It seems like a pretty cost effective solution (for me anyways since I already have the 8830 with GPS enabled) and saves me the hassle of buying new hardware.

Has anybody tried this out? How does it compare with the GPS rangefinders on the market?

Thanks
-Steve

Frankrul · Apr 18, 2008, 06:25 PM

Not an answer, but if i were in your shoes, i would try to contact them and ask them abotu other local courses, when they tell you they haven't mapped those courses I would offer to do so in return for a free membership/software.

ttimbeck · Apr 19, 2008, 07:48 PM

Hi Steve,

I work for Itinerant Software. We are in the process of adding new courses all the time. You can request courses directly on our website:

http://www.itinerantsoftware.com/products/courseRequest

I will get Copetown Woods marked on Monday.

Thanks,

Trevor

Knockz · Apr 19, 2008, 10:15 PM

Now thats service... my next phone will have gps in it so I've bookmarked this software for when I'm ready.

Onin3 · Apr 19, 2008, 11:43 PM

Jeez, I wish it worked on the 8700.

GiddyG · Apr 20, 2008, 06:59 AM

I will sure give it a try. Great to see its a Canadian company too.

Copetown Woods · Apr 20, 2008, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ttimbeck

Hi Steve,

I work for Itinerant Software. We are in the process of adding new courses all the time. You can request courses directly on our website:

http://www.itinerantsoftware.com/products/courseRequest

I will get Copetown Woods marked on Monday.

Thanks,

Trevor

Trevor ... what do you need to do in order to map out my course? Do you need to come out? Call me at 905-627-4653 or email me at bforth@copetownwoods.com to let me know if you need me to do anything for you.

sharkhark · Apr 20, 2008, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Copetown Woods

Trevor ... what do you need to do in order to map out my course? Do you need to come out? Call me at 905-627-4653 or email me at bforth@copetownwoods.com to let me know if you need me to do anything for you.

I am pretty sure that all these companies doing the mapping are using google earth. I think?

Copetown Woods · Apr 20, 2008, 08:11 AM

What kind of data would one round use on a blackberry plan?

ttimbeck · Apr 20, 2008, 09:00 AM

GreenFinder uses about 12-15kb a round to download the course.

Trevor

sellis · Apr 20, 2008, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ttimbeck

Hi Steve,

I work for Itinerant Software. We are in the process of adding new courses all the time. You can request courses directly on our website:

http://www.itinerantsoftware.com/products/courseRequest

I will get Copetown Woods marked on Monday.

Thanks,

Trevor

Thanks for the response. I've requested a few other courses on the site as well. Thanks for saving me a couple hundred bucks!

Smoothie · Apr 20, 2008, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbaker

Jeez, I wish it worked on the 8700.

Would you be able to connect your 8700 to a BT GPS receiver? This works with Intelligolf I believe. It would also be more accurate than the internal GPS found on Blackberry's. There are instructions on the Intelligolf site on how to test the acuracy on your device, for me, it was over 20' I believe.

Onin3 · Apr 20, 2008, 07:10 PM

I am not sure actually what a BT GPS receiver is.
It is Blue Tooth receiver capable though, or so I've just discovered on the internet.Do you use this?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smoothie

Would you be able to connect your 8700 to a BT GPS receiver? This works with Intelligolf I believe. It would also be more accurate than the internal GPS found on Blackberry's. There are instructions on the Intelligolf site on how to test the acuracy on your device, for me, it was over 20' I believe.

Smoothie · Apr 21, 2008, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbaker

I am not sure actually what a BT GPS receiver is.
It is Blue Tooth receiver capable though, or so I've just discovered on the internet.Do you use this?

I don't use this, as I have a seperate Palm with GPS that I use for Intelligolf, but I may get one for my BB Curve.

Its a GPS receiver that connects to your BB via Bluetooth. An example of one is here.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/NEW-GlobalSat-BT-...QQcmdZViewItem

ttimbeck · Apr 21, 2008, 09:53 AM

Steve,

We have marked Copetown Woods and it is now available in GreenFinder:

http://www.itinerantsoftware.com/pro...ovince=Ontario

In regards to using an external bluetooth GPS receiver, it does work, but you need to make sure your BlackBerry is running OS version 4.2.1 or later.

Trevor

jayda · Apr 21, 2008, 01:33 PM

this is great news!

Now let me try on my 8130...

focal · Jul 12, 2008, 09:17 AM

It's been a few months now, anymore feedback on this? I just downloaded the demo (5 demo rounds). Looks solid and is a great deal at $30/year.

I hit the links Sunday to try it out and will sure to pay the annual fee if it's as good as it says it is.

I am a feel player, and usually get a good feel for yardage as long as I walk by markers every so often. On a new course in carts, I'm pretty lost, this should help a lot.

laxgolf · Jul 12, 2008, 09:38 AM

Is this like the Golflogix GPS? I'm deinitely intrigued.

sellis · Jul 12, 2008, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by focal

It's been a few months now, anymore feedback on this? I just downloaded the demo (5 demo rounds). Looks solid and is a great deal at $30/year.

I hit the links Sunday to try it out and will sure to pay the annual fee if it's as good as it says it is.

I am a feel player, and usually get a good feel for yardage as long as I walk by markers every so often. On a new course in carts, I'm pretty lost, this should help a lot.

I found that the built-in GPS module for the Blackberry is kind of crappy and not very accurate. This product would probably work well if you bought a better GPS adapter for the Blackberry (which are available) but I went with a different solution.

Onin3 · Jul 12, 2008, 10:12 AM

HI there Steve, I was trying to sell my buddy on it. He has a Bell BB- 8703, will it work on that. Is Brampton Golf Club in it?

Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by ttimbeck

Hi Steve,

I work for Itinerant Software. We are in the process of adding new courses all the time. You can request courses directly on our website:

http://www.itinerantsoftware.com/products/courseRequest

I will get Copetown Woods marked on Monday.

Thanks,

Trevor

Hi Trevor, sorry for calling you Steve

Do you need to have a constant web connection on the Blackberry to run it while using the GPS, meaning a connection to the web while out on the course? The guy at the pro shop told me he thought you did, that didnt make sense to me.
I'm out of luck as I have the 8700 but my buddy has a GPS on his BB.

Thanks,.

RB

Quote:

Originally Posted by ttimbeck

Steve,

We have marked Copetown Woods and it is now available in GreenFinder:

http://www.itinerantsoftware.com/pro...ovince=Ontario

In regards to using an external bluetooth GPS receiver, it does work, but you need to make sure your BlackBerry is running OS version 4.2.1 or later.

Trevor

Hombre Lefty · Jul 12, 2008, 11:31 AM

a technical question though, the difference between the gps hardware on a blackberry and that on a dedicated gps golf receiver is that the gps receiver looks at more satellites (12 i believe) than the BB (which looks at 4 i think)... so this makes me suspect the accuracy of a blackberry's GPS will be nowhere near as accurate as a dedicated golf gps, and that's something the golf gps software can't fix because it's part of the bb hardware (or so i suspect). Maybe the gentleman from itinerant can comment on that and (hopefully) tell me i'm wrong in thinking that? I have a Blackberry now, and my gps on google maps is only accurate up to 200 meters which is ok for driving but not golfing....

focal · Jul 12, 2008, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hombre Lefty

a technical question though, the difference between the gps hardware on a blackberry and that on a dedicated gps golf receiver is that the gps receiver looks at more satellites (12 i believe) than the BB (which looks at 4 i think)... so this makes me suspect the accuracy of a blackberry's GPS will be nowhere near as accurate as a dedicated golf gps, and that's something the golf gps software can't fix because it's part of the bb hardware (or so i suspect). Maybe the gentleman from itinerant can comment on that and (hopefully) tell me i'm wrong in thinking that? I have a Blackberry now, and my gps on google maps is only accurate up to 200 meters which is ok for driving but not golfing....

I'm playing my home course Sunday which is pretty well marked. I'll have a lot of comparisons to check out the accuracy.

ttimbeck · Jul 12, 2008, 01:21 PM

You do not need a constant web connection. You only use the data connection to download the course at the beginning. After that you are just using GPS. It doesn't work on the 8703 because the GPS isn't accurate enough. You need a 8800, 8820, 8830, 8310, 8330, 8110 or 8130.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbaker

HI there Steve, I was trying to sell my buddy on it. He has a Bell BB- 8703, will it work on that. Is Brampton Golf Club in it?

Thanks

Hi Trevor, sorry for calling you Steve

Do you need to have a constant web connection on the Blackberry to run it while using the GPS, meaning a connection to the web while out on the course? The guy at the pro shop told me he thought you did, that didnt make sense to me.
I'm out of luck as I have the 8700 but my buddy has a GPS on his BB.

Thanks,.

RB

It depends on the model of BlackBerry, but with the 8800, 8820, 8310 and 8110 the accuracy is usually 1-3 yards. There is a review of GreenFinder in the July/August issue of Golf For Women, and in their testing they said the accuracy was always under 4 yards.

Google maps can use GPS but it can also use the location of the nearest cell tower, which obviously doesn't provide very good accuracy.

But the only way to know for sure is to try it out. You can sign up for a 5 round free trial on our website:

http://www.GreenFinderGPS.com

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hombre Lefty

a technical question though, the difference between the gps hardware on a blackberry and that on a dedicated gps golf receiver is that the gps receiver looks at more satellites (12 i believe) than the BB (which looks at 4 i think)... so this makes me suspect the accuracy of a blackberry's GPS will be nowhere near as accurate as a dedicated golf gps, and that's something the golf gps software can't fix because it's part of the bb hardware (or so i suspect). Maybe the gentleman from itinerant can comment on that and (hopefully) tell me i'm wrong in thinking that? I have a Blackberry now, and my gps on google maps is only accurate up to 200 meters which is ok for driving but not golfing....

ondadl · Jul 12, 2008, 03:36 PM

Just got the 8330, and, depending whether gps actually works or not, will give this a go at Royal Woodbine tomorrow and report back.

Haps · Jul 12, 2008, 05:06 PM

Hmm getting close to replacing my phone. This may sway me towards a BB. Although I'm on bell and that new Samsung phone looks interesting.

ttimbeck anyway you can swing us a special discount for TGN members?

Apr 18, 2008, 06:17 PM	#1
sellis Toronto Ryder Cup Member Join Date: Apr 8, 2008 Location: Burlington Posts: 368	Rangefinder for the Blackberry I was playing with a guy today at Copetown Woods who was using one of those GPS rangefinders. I don't have one of those things but they seemed pretty useful. I do have a Blackberry 8830 though and its GPS enabled so I did a quick search to see if there were any software packages out there that did the same thing. Turns out there is something from a company called Itinerant software (http://www.itinerantsoftware.com/products). Cost is $30/year subscription with free course downloads. There is a trial version of the software that allows you to download five courses for free. Murphy's Law would have it that they didn't have any of the courses I played today available so I haven't tried it yet, but they do have some courses in their inventory I play from time to time. It seems like a pretty cost effective solution (for me anyways since I already have the 8830 with GPS enabled) and saves me the hassle of buying new hardware. Has anybody tried this out? How does it compare with the GPS rangefinders on the market? Thanks -Steve

Apr 18, 2008, 06:25 PM	#2
Frankrul Low Handicapper Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Mississauga Posts: 142	Re: Rangefinder for the Blackberry Not an answer, but if i were in your shoes, i would try to contact them and ask them abotu other local courses, when they tell you they haven't mapped those courses I would offer to do so in return for a free membership/software.

Apr 19, 2008, 07:48 PM	#3
ttimbeck Duffer Join Date: Apr 19, 2008 Posts: 10	Re: Rangefinder for the Blackberry Hi Steve, I work for Itinerant Software. We are in the process of adding new courses all the time. You can request courses directly on our website: http://www.itinerantsoftware.com/products/courseRequest I will get Copetown Woods marked on Monday. Thanks, Trevor

Apr 19, 2008, 10:15 PM	#4
Knockz Low Handicapper Join Date: Sep 26, 2007 Location: Brampton Posts: 106	Re: Rangefinder for the Blackberry Now thats service... my next phone will have gps in it so I've bookmarked this software for when I'm ready. __________________ Status: Still a Beginner (2 year) Driver: Nike Sasquatch Sumo2 5900 Woods: Nike Sasquatch 3/5 Hybrid: Nike Slingshot 2/3 Hybrid Irons: Nike Slingshot OSS 3-AW Wedge: Nike SV Tour Wedge (52/56/60 degrees) Putter: Nike Unitized Techno Putter (Love it!) Shoes: Nike SP-8 TW Tour (White) Ball: Guess. http://www.gavincampbellonline.com

Apr 19, 2008, 11:43 PM	#5
Onin3 Tour Pro Join Date: Dec 23, 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 4,593	Re: Rangefinder for the Blackberry Jeez, I wish it worked on the 8700.

Apr 20, 2008, 06:59 AM	#6
GiddyG Duffer Join Date: Mar 23, 2008 Location: Burlington Posts: 9	Re: Rangefinder for the Blackberry I will sure give it a try. Great to see its a Canadian company too.

Apr 20, 2008, 08:11 AM	#9
Copetown Woods Club Pro Join Date: Jun 4, 2005 Location: Dundas Posts: 651	Re: Rangefinder for the Blackberry What kind of data would one round use on a blackberry plan?

Apr 20, 2008, 09:00 AM	#10
ttimbeck Duffer Join Date: Apr 19, 2008 Posts: 10	Re: Rangefinder for the Blackberry GreenFinder uses about 12-15kb a round to download the course. Trevor

Apr 21, 2008, 09:53 AM	#15
ttimbeck Duffer Join Date: Apr 19, 2008 Posts: 10	Re: Rangefinder for the Blackberry Steve, We have marked Copetown Woods and it is now available in GreenFinder: http://www.itinerantsoftware.com/pro...ovince=Ontario In regards to using an external bluetooth GPS receiver, it does work, but you need to make sure your BlackBerry is running OS version 4.2.1 or later. Trevor

Apr 21, 2008, 01:33 PM	#16
jayda Tour Pro Join Date: Mar 27, 2006 Location: Markham Posts: 1,102	Re: Rangefinder for the Blackberry this is great news! Now let me try on my 8130...

Jul 12, 2008, 09:17 AM	#17
focal Tour Pro Join Date: Apr 18, 2005 Location: Richmond Hill Posts: 4,087	Re: Rangefinder for the Blackberry It's been a few months now, anymore feedback on this? I just downloaded the demo (5 demo rounds). Looks solid and is a great deal at $30/year. I hit the links Sunday to try it out and will sure to pay the annual fee if it's as good as it says it is. I am a feel player, and usually get a good feel for yardage as long as I walk by markers every so often. On a new course in carts, I'm pretty lost, this should help a lot.

Jul 12, 2008, 09:38 AM	#18
laxgolf Tour Pro Join Date: Nov 26, 2004 Location: Sunnyvale Trailer Park Posts: 3,114	Re: Rangefinder for the Blackberry Is this like the Golflogix GPS? I'm deinitely intrigued.

Jul 12, 2008, 11:31 AM	#21
Hombre Lefty Toronto Ryder Cup Member Join Date: Jul 2, 2007 Location: in the Steamy Jungle Posts: 1,648	Re: Rangefinder for the Blackberry a technical question though, the difference between the gps hardware on a blackberry and that on a dedicated gps golf receiver is that the gps receiver looks at more satellites (12 i believe) than the BB (which looks at 4 i think)... so this makes me suspect the accuracy of a blackberry's GPS will be nowhere near as accurate as a dedicated golf gps, and that's something the golf gps software can't fix because it's part of the bb hardware (or so i suspect). Maybe the gentleman from itinerant can comment on that and (hopefully) tell me i'm wrong in thinking that? I have a Blackberry now, and my gps on google maps is only accurate up to 200 meters which is ok for driving but not golfing.... __________________ ** I do not claim responsibility for any of the preceding opinions because I am legally insane - Hombre Lefty

Jul 12, 2008, 03:36 PM	#24
ondadl Tour Pro Join Date: Jul 29, 2005 Location: North York Posts: 1,296	Re: Rangefinder for the Blackberry Just got the 8330, and, depending whether gps actually works or not, will give this a go at Royal Woodbine tomorrow and report back. __________________ Dans le BAG... Callaway X-20 TOUR 3-PW w/Project X 6.5 Callaway X Forged Vintage 50/54/60MD Scotty Cameron Newport Beach 1.5

Jul 12, 2008, 05:06 PM	#25
Haps Low Handicapper Join Date: Jun 22, 2006 Posts: 109	Re: Rangefinder for the Blackberry Hmm getting close to replacing my phone. This may sway me towards a BB. Although I'm on bell and that new Samsung phone looks interesting. ttimbeck anyway you can swing us a special discount for TGN members? __________________ Driver - Callaway Ti 454 Irons - Big Bertha 2002 4-10, PW(50)SW(55)LW(60) Wedge - Vokey SM 56 Degree Hybrid - Titliest 503.H 22 Degree Putter - Odyssey White Steel 2-Ball SRT(love it)