50 Words or Less
The SkyCaddie Pro 5X is a technology-rich handheld GPS rangefinder with an impressive LCD touchscreen. Super accurate and easy to use.
Introduction
Well known to many golfers, SkyCaddie is the brand name for GPS units, both handhelds and watches, from SkyGolf. And while SkyGolf may not be a household name, their mission statement is a gem:
“SkyGolf’s mission is to develop world-class technology to increase participation and grow the game of golf by improving pace-of-play and enhancing golfer enjoyment while respecting the long-standing traditions and values of the game. In short, we help golfers play better, play smarter, play faster and have more FUN!”
I like every aspect of that statement. Does the SkyCaddie Pro 5X fulfill the mission? Let’s find out.
Setup & Ease of Use
Opening the SkyCaddie Pro 5X box, I was pleased to find the handheld unit up front and seemingly ready to go as pictured above. The simple guidance on the peel off layer set the stage for jumping right in – so I did. I found an unmarked button on the left side, and +/- and power buttons on the right. Holding the power button, the Pro 5X gave me a jolt alert like on a laser rangefinder, and the screen came alive. The screen went through a few gyrations including the one below. In about 20 seconds, it came to the main screen that includes Play Golf, Demo Course, Scores & Stats, and Sync. I selected Demo Course and felt proficient using the unit within a couple minutes. The SkyCaddie Pro 5X is very intuitive to use, and the large 5.5” LCD touchscreen made navigation simple.
I did run into an error wall registering my unit and the 360 Double Eagle plan (I’ll tell you more about the plans in the Value section), but an online chat resolved everything in about 2 minutes. I can’t say enough good things about SkyGolf customer service – truly an outstanding experience.
Accuracy & Performance
Similar to other GPS golf devices, the SkyCaddie Pro 5X displayed a lists of closest courses, and I was off and golfing with technology. I was impressed with the accuracy of the display in terms of matching what my eyes could see. The hole above is a Redan-style par 3, made even more difficult by a significant drop off left, and steep runoff right. The Pro 5X replicated all the details perfectly. The photo on the right captures the SkyCaddie IntelliGreen technology that rotates to match your approach position. I’m standing down by the lake to the left of the green, and even though I can’t see the putting surface, the Pro 5X offered me the details of what’s there.
The SkyCaddie Pro 5X has that same orientation feature active along the length of the hole with Dynamic HoleVue. I found this a great feature when I ventured off the fairway and couldn’t see the green. With the Pro 5X I could see the direction to play and tinker with distances and their implications.
The photos above capture the beauty of what Skygolf calls IntelliPath, which lets you simply move the target to see updated distances in real time. The arcs are from the Dynamic Rangeview setting that offers a quick way to see where tee shots may land – and hopefully to make smart decisions. In this example, if you hit your driver 260, you better go down the right. You can also set up that display to reflect your actual clubs by adding your distances in My Bag.
In terms of accuracy, the SkyCaddie Pro 5X was precise. Spot checking various sprinkler heads, I found up to 2 yards variation, and my trust is more with the Pro 5X. When I was able to shoot a true target with my trusted Nikon COOLSHOT PROII STABILIZED [full review HERE], the two units were always within a yard of each other. SkyGolf states their GPS engine has “more than double the error correction capabilities of typical GPS.”
Value
The SkyCaddie Pro 5X retails for $399.95 and includes a 360 Double Eagle plan that otherwise goes for $59.95. That annual membership plan includes over 35,000 golf courses worldwide. SkyGolf also has a $49.95 Eagle plan that covers courses in the U.S.A., and a $29.95 Birdie plan that covers one state. If you don’t purchase a plan, the 5X will still provide “limited front, center, back information.” And before moving on to comparisons, it’s worth noting the SkyCaddie Pro 5X also includes shot tracking, scoring, stats, and a host of Intelligent Automation features like auto-hole advance and auto-zoom.
I mention those features because to me, the SkyCaddie Pro 5X seemed like a big screen version of the Garmin Approach S70 watch that I tested last year [full review HERE]. The S70 retails for $650, which makes the Pro 5X a decent value – ignoring all the smart watch features. Yet the S70 has something I truly wish the Pro 5X had – true green contour mapping. To me, that would make the Pro 5X a standout and an easy buying choice.
That said, the $250 SkyCaddie LX5 watch seems like the more comparable wrist version, which makes you truly consider whether bigger is better. And I have to recognize that there are numerous smart phone apps that provide a ton of interactive distance data – often for free.
Bottom line, the SkyCaddie Pro 5X falls into a niche market spot. You can make it either hard or easy to justify from a cost perspective. It comes down to evaluating which features and formats you prefer, and what your upfront and annual cost acceptance is.
Conclusion
The large LCD touchscreen of the SkyCaddie Pro 5X made the data easy to read and the course easy to navigate. Although thin, I didn’t like keeping the Pro 5X in my back pocket, but the rugged construction made it easy to keep handy in my golf cart or pushcart. I ended up getting a cart mount so the display was always at my fingertips – and easy for my playing mates to see.
As you consider your choices for a golf GPS device, it’s worth noting this from SkyCaddie: “Only SkyCaddie walks each course to ground verify their course maps with sub-meter precision. You deserve the most complete course maps in golf, that is why we record thousands of points on each course. To play better you need to trust your distance so you can trust the club on each shot.”
Visit SkyGolf HERE
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One Comment
Great review. I have had skycaddies from day one. Currently the SX400 which does pretty much all the same stuff as your review. I have the Nikon range finder also, it’s spens the season in my bag. Lots more Information from my skycaddie than a range finder.