Just to clarify,

I was promised a refund from Golfplus, the UK distributors of the Sureshot, when I first made them aware of the problem. However some 5 weeks later, they were still finding reasons not to process the refund. At that point, I contacted TLC Electrical, from whom I initially purchased the unit and explained the situation. Their service could not be faulted! They told me to bring the unit in and they would refund me in full there and then..and they were as good as their word.

Do I expect a deluge of returned units to Sureshot?? Probably not. Firstly, a user has to be aware of the problem. Secondly, they have to be prepared to arrange the refund. Lastly, Sureshot were still prominently selling these units at the London Golf Show, indicating they do not expect this to be perceived as a serious problem or they don't give a monkey's!

Either way, I didn't want to take any chances that a piece of kit costing £250-ish was going to cause me compliance issues in the future!

Hi John, which unit do you now use, do you still have the Skycaddie, is this ok to use in competition?

I think this is a real shame if its just due to the club suggestion part.

Tiger and co have a caddy to wonder around measuring exact distances and suggesting clubs, this is basically discrimination against amateurs.

I don't own one and our club hasnt opened the local rules up to allow its use in competition anyway, so it makes no difference to me, but its still a debatable rule.

Its still a useful tool for practice though.

Have many clubs created the local rule to allow use in comps?

Renny,

Yes I am using the Skycaddie SG3, which when turned on, proclaims in large letters R&A and USGA Approved!

Lee, I tend to agree, but much like the Motocaddy S3 temperature gauge...a bit of a schoolboy error!

You would think that *any* company developing products to be used in competition golf, would check with the R&A pre-production to ensure that nothing was going to fall foul of regulations..or at least peruse the rule book to see if any of the more anal rules *might* apply..and then consult the R&A.

As I have stated in other places..We might all think these type of rules are absolutely ludicrous..and personally, I do. However the rules are the rules. Some clubs police them with something bordering religious fervour..some clubs not at all. If your club is like the latter, then you would be unlikely to encounter any problems. If the former, you're knackered. My own club falls somewhere in the middle and I just didn't want to take the chance!

All of these things have the "extras" to give themselves the edge on the competition, in this case it would seem that they have shot themselves in the foot!

obviously these products are not manufactured by firms that have a good knowlege of golf and the rules, so I wonder how accurate they are??

Is there a unit that does conform and is accurate ?

Been reading all the threads on GPS devices. Very interesting, just ordered the SkyCaddie SG3 from uk suppliers, they are very helpful can't wait to see how my course "measures up"
Any tips for a new user.

bEST TIP I CAN GIVE IS, GO WITH IT NO MATTER WHAT, MOST 150 MARKERS ARE INACCURATE AND YOUR PESEPTION OF DISTANCE IS ALSO GUESS WORK, WHEN YOU STAND OVER THE BALL CHECK THE SKYCADDIE TAKE A LOOK AT THE TARGET SELECT THE CLUB AND .............NICE SHOT !
WELL AT LEAST YOU WILL HAVE THE DISTANCE RIGHT, DIRECTION IS UP TO YOU.
YOU WILL ENJOY YOUR GOLF WITH THE SKYCADDIE, I GOT MINE AND NOW WONT PLAY A COURSE I CANT USE IT ON.
AND I FOUND THE GUYS AT THERE UK OFFICE REALLY HELPFUL AND FRIENDLY

Thanks Renny
Playing tomorrow in society meeting on a mapped course, looking forward to it.

I have a number of the SG3 Skycaddies available for purchase, all still in the box, for only 165 GBP which includes shipping. If interested, please email me at deuce55744@yahoo.com, can get them in the mail ASAP.

Blimey Derek,

I know you are providing a service in supplying the US Skycaddie units to the UK, but I just checked and you have posted 10 times in this thread alone... advertising your wares at prices ranging from £229 to £165

A little bit of overkill don't you think?? ;)

Advertising an overkill? Not a marketing major are we. Products dont jump off the shelves themselves. If consumers want to pay retail for products, by all means go ahead, I just offer the same product for a % cheaper. As the demand increases, so does the price, simple economics. You seem too involved in others business. I have sold dozens of Skycaddies overseas and have never had a dissatisified customer, not to mention the many clubs people ask me to buy them on ebay and send them over as a "cheap gift" which I dont mind doing. Does this make it 11 posts now on this topic. Skycaddies SG3 165, shipping included.

Not sure if I've mentioned before but I've bought one of these units from Derek and he's a good bloke.

You'd pay £240 for one of these SG3's in this country, so I reckon £165 including shipping is a deal worth repeating.

Just received my Skycaddie SG3 registered and loaded with requested courses by uk supplier, PROBLEM it "don't" work, when switched on the screen is blank. I can connect to web sight and check downloaded courses but nothing else, any ideas anyone, Its getting returned Friday NOT IMPRESSED

You need to have a satalite signal, and I hope you have checked the batteries, I am sure you have but I have never had a problem with mine, call the rep, he should help you.

Derek
Tried several sets of batteries, you only need a sat signal to play not to switch it on and set it up, you don't take your computer outside to download courses!
Phoned the supplier and went thru setup with him, he couldn't understand why sreen was blank, only thing that works is the backlight!!

Maybe you got a bad egg...i am not a techy, so I couldnt be more help.

Derek
Thanks anyway, as I said it is going back to UK supplier on Friday, they are supplying me with an SG4 until they sort out the problem, also they promised some freebies as way of apology, just frustrating. Let this be a warning to buying from accross the pond!

So why didnt you buy from the UK office, the guys there are just great, they will help you with anything and will try and get courses mapped that you request, the phone is always answered by a nice human, no automatic crap!!

Saving a little by buying abroad is all well and good but when anything goes wrong which with the best will in the world does happen, who do you turn to?

Renny,

I was faced with the same concern when I was considering buying a unit from Derek. What clinched it for me, was the fact that Skycaddie UK said they would not undertake any warranty work on units purchased from the US!!

Not sure if this actually contravenes any sort of warranty "law"..but they seemed very sure of their position!

Renny
I did buy from the UK office and the service is first class. My "accross the pond" comment highlighted the potential long return timescale and long distance communication problems that I may have encountered.