The SkyCaddie SGX: SkyGolf’s Revolutionary New Golf GPS

You won’t get your hands on one of these until April 2010, but SkyCaddie has released some details about the features of its latest golf GPS rangefinder, the SkyCaddie SGX, a device that SkyGolf claims is revolutionary and will usher in the “next generation” of rangefinders.

At first glance (judging only from the few teasing screenshots on its main website), it appears that SkyGolf has mimicked the look, feel, and functionality of touchscreen golf GPS devices like OnPar, or smartphone/iPhone apps like the very popular GolfShot. It has full colored maps of the entire hole, for instance, and it can determine the distance to any point on the course. It will have the backing of SkyGolf’s superior “on the ground” mapping process and SkyGolf’s TruePoint Precision Positioning Technology for unparalleled GPS acquisition and accuracy. But will it be truly “revolutionary” ?

Screen

There is nothing particularly revolutionary about its 3”, transflective LCD screen that is visible in the brightest sunlight (although it is certainly an improvement on the 2.2 inch screen on the SG5).

HoleVue

HoleVue, which displays a vivid color image of the entire hole and allows you to easily determine the distance to any spot the course, is available on its earlier models. With HoleVue Zoom you can zoom in close to any area for a better view. Again, nothing revolutionary here: many golf GPS devices or smartphone apps offer the same image and zoom options.

IntelliGreen

It will come equipped with SkyCaddie’s patented IntelliGreen technology that gives the exact outline of the green and rotates so that it is always aligned to the direction of the approaching golfer. While other golf GPS devices have technology similar to IntelliGreen, none of them has anything like IntelliGreen Pro, which shows the actual contours of the green with false fronts clearly marked. Satellite imagery is simply not good enough to provide such details on the green; only SkyCaddie has done the ground mapping necessary to accurately mark the contours on the greens.

Statistical Analysis

A digital scorecard and stat tracking option to track key game statistics would seem to be mandatory on a golf GPS device these days, and the SGX has them. You can track fairways hit, greens in regulation, driving accuracy and distance, and total putts.

SGX SmartClub

SmartClub Technology might just be revolutionary though, and could be defining feature of the SGX. You will be able to place SmartClub Tags on the butt end of your club grips and SkyCaddie will communicate directly with your clubs. After each shot, SkyCaddie will automatically track the club used, the exact location of the shot, and the distance the shot traveled. Wow! That will eliminate the hassle of manually marking and entering shot data. SmartClub will even remind you if you leave a club behind on the course. (Note: SmartClub Technology will not be available until June, 2010.)

SkyCaddie SGX will retail for about $399, with SmartClub Technology and SmartClub Tags costing extra.