SkyCaddie SGX GPS 2010 Review

Tested: December 2010
Testing panel:
David Connor, Today’s Golfer equipment editor (10HCP)
Peter Morgan (9HCP)
Ian Whittle (12HCP)
Terry Dell (18HCP)

The UK’s best-selling GPS brand showed exactly why by impressing our testers with the brand new model and grabbing top spot in our test.

The panel felt it was the device with the most functionality and options on test but was also equally adept at providing immediate at-a-glance yardages to hazards and targets.

Ian, Peter and Terry were huge fans of the toggle system because they could all operate it with one hand while pushing a trolley with the other. Terry commented particularly on how the graphics gave an accurate and realistic representation of the hole in front of you while he said it was also surprisingly light for being one of the bigger devices on test.

Ian was also a huge fan and loved the intricately detailed close-up views of the greens, including slopes so that you could more accurately predict the pin position.

The downside that all testers commented on was the high initial cost and then the annual subscription charges on top. They felt this could be a barrier to purchasing it, particularly with competitors offering free downloads. That said, both Ian and Terry said it was the one they would go for if money was no option while David and Peter rated it highly across the board.

RATINGS (out of five):
Ease of use: 4.7
Functions: 5.0
Styling: 4.1
Value: 3.6
Overall: 4.5 stars

SkyCaddie were the first to launch a golf-specific GPS device and are the market leaders in the industry. The reason for this, say SkyCaddie, is their commitment to walking every course just like a Tour caddy does for a professional golfer, recording critical target information as they go. The SGX is the latest SkyCaddie device to hit the market and features a high-resolution 3in screen so it can be easily viewed even in bright sunlight. It comes pre-loaded with up to 30,000 courses with basic green information and can store 50 courses with full hole information with, although a yearly membership is required to access this. Unlike some rivals the SGX is not a touch-screen device, instead relying upon a toggle button so it can be operated with one hand while you walk. The device also allows you to track your score and stats such as greens in regulation, as well as measuring the yardages of each individual shot you have hit. Another impressive function is what SkyCaddie call Intelligreen, which rotates the green to match your angle of approach as well as adding yardages to key distances on the green such as a major contour or false front.

◗ www.skycaddie.co.uk or 0800 883 0505
◗ Download costs: From £29.95 a year