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Member Since: March 2007
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Tuesday May 28, 2013
Won a Voice Caddie VC200 in a raffle at the Robinson Ranch outing (thanks Johnny!) and have been using it for every round since. Wanted to wait before writing my review to get a feel for it. It's so incredibly easy to use and by far the best GPS device I've used in that it gives me what I want/need.... » More
Won a Voice Caddie VC200 in a raffle at the Robinson Ranch outing (thanks Johnny!) and have been using it for every round since. Wanted to wait before writing my review to get a feel for it. It's so incredibly easy to use and by far the best GPS device I've used in that it gives me what I want/need. Accurate distances (I've compared with several other devices and all are within a yard or two of each other), shot distance measurements, and enough battery for two rounds. And best of all, it's so light that I can't feel it unlike larger bulky devices, watches, or the hassle of laser rangefinders or using your phone and draining it's battery. The only thing I wish it had was distance to hazards and/or to carry trouble. Even front and back of green distances aren't a huge deal as in most cases it's easy to figure out +/- 10 yards from the center of most greens. Saves so much time and guesswork! Get one and see for yourself. Highly recommended! » Close
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Member Since: May 2004
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Wednesday January 9, 2013
This product is very simple to use. I agree with most of the points made by earlier reviewers: it's accurate, but it doesn't give distances to hazards or to the flag, only to the center. I didn't hit any errant shots (that were still playable), but it seems it is useful if you hit a really bad one... » More
This product is very simple to use. I agree with most of the points made by earlier reviewers: it's accurate, but it doesn't give distances to hazards or to the flag, only to the center. I didn't hit any errant shots (that were still playable), but it seems it is useful if you hit a really bad one because you can still get distance to the green that is your target. It's also useful when the course is cartpath only.
Simple is good. I hit the green about half the time from 150 yards, and if I see the flag and can tell whether it's in the front or the back, I can judge how far to hit it well enough with distance to the center of the green. The downside of having more information is that it can distract you from focusing on just making a good stroke. I've only used this once (the other time I tried to use it I accidentally left it on, so the battery was dead), but I suspect that I'll be using this thing all the time. I didn't want to rate on price/value because I won it in a golf tournament, but the system wouldn't let me leave it blank. Anyway, for me it's an excellent value! » Close
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Member Since: October 2012
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Thursday January 3, 2013
Very easy to use. Just charge and use. Golf courses are preloaded and you don't have to register anything. Just turn it on and it tells you the percentage of battery life and you are ready for a round of golf. Battery life was supposed to lasted 7.5 hrs, but I found it to be more like 5 hrs befo... » More
Very easy to use. Just charge and use. Golf courses are preloaded and you don't have to register anything. Just turn it on and it tells you the percentage of battery life and you are ready for a round of golf. Battery life was supposed to lasted 7.5 hrs, but I found it to be more like 5 hrs before the warning message came on. Distance is to the center only and it's very accurate.
For me, the Voice Caddie VC200 was pretty useful, but I prefer the laser as I am not a good putter so I always go for the pin. However, my brother and his buddies loved VC200 because they are beginners and all they want was distance to the center of the green. It was a perfect product for them. So I ended up giving my VC200 to my brother as a gift.
I would recommend this product to beginners with a high HC. It's worth the money if you just want simple product that tells you accurate distance to center of green and not worrying about hazards. » Close
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Member Since: March 2008
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Sunday December 30, 2012
For me, old almost blind, and a little shakey this product is perfect. No need to put on my glasses and try to site in on the flag (or the guy in the red shirt) just walk to my ball and press the button and the voice tells me the yardage to the center of the green. There more features and it comes p... » More
For me, old almost blind, and a little shakey this product is perfect. No need to put on my glasses and try to site in on the flag (or the guy in the red shirt) just walk to my ball and press the button and the voice tells me the yardage to the center of the green. There more features and it comes pre-programed with 33,000 courses, this is so easy to use evenI can make it work. » Close
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Member Since: October 2007
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Tuesday December 11, 2012
Pros: This thing is so quick and easy. You don't have to mess around loading/unloading, starting on the correct hole, correct course, etc. You get to any tee box and press the button and from then on, you're in sync. It will give you distance to the center of the green accurately since we tested... » More
Pros: This thing is so quick and easy. You don't have to mess around loading/unloading, starting on the correct hole, correct course, etc. You get to any tee box and press the button and from then on, you're in sync. It will give you distance to the center of the green accurately since we tested it against the cart gps and bushnell laser. If you like to play quickly and all you need is distance to the center, this is your lucky day.
Cons: It only gives the distance to the center. You do not know the front or the back of the green. Nor does it give you any of the hazard distance. My friend really wanted one so I ended up giving it to him since I already had a full screen GPS and laser.
Battery lasted about 7.5 hrs before low batter warning voice came on. I think this is perfect for people who want to play quick round without messing with all the "luxury" options on GPS. » Close
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Member Since: October 2003
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Saturday November 17, 2012
I've been testing out the Voice Caddie for a couple months now. With all the driving around I do, I wanted to put it to the test and see how it works on a number of different courses.
Ironically, it didn't seem to find the course on the first place I played (Cottonwood-Ivanhoe in El Cajon),... » More
I've been testing out the Voice Caddie for a couple months now. With all the driving around I do, I wanted to put it to the test and see how it works on a number of different courses.
Ironically, it didn't seem to find the course on the first place I played (Cottonwood-Ivanhoe in El Cajon), but has worked perfectly on every course since (Salt Creek, Yucaipa Valley, Calimesa, Summerly, Pechanga, Saticoy, Olivas, Los Amigos, Bayonet and Quail Lodge). When courses already have GPS in the carts, I didn't find much use for the VC other than just to test its accuracy. It was accurate to GPS measurements, sprinkler heads, etc. everywhere I went. In some cases, it will get confused as to which hole you are on (especially on a tight course layout where holes are closer together), but it's easy to manually adjust the hole.
On some courses, it comes in very handy. Beats stomping around in search of a sprinkler head or guessing how far you are in between the 100-150-200 posts on the edge of a fairway. I don't really like clipping it to my hat, so I have it clipped to my bag and it works fine for walking or riding. The voice on it is a little silly and I've gotten a few funny looks, so I've learned to be kind of discreet with it when playing with strangers.
It does what it claims to do, which is measure to the center of the green. Usually, that's all I'll really need and I can make my adjustments accordingly based on flag position, wind, etc. I'm not too anal about distances. Some more hardcore golfers who want exact yardage may be left wanting more from the Voice Caddie.
Otherwise, the main disadvantage of the Voice Caddie compared to a visually based GPS system is that it won't show you how far you have to a bunker or a hazard if you are deciding to lay-up, choose a place to aim off the tee or need to know how much to clear a trouble area. It has it's main function and it works well for that, but not much more. I haven't tried any of the trainer/tempo functions on it, but I don't think it could keep up with my swing anyway.
It's much better than nothing (especially on poorly marked courses), but does have its limitations compared to more detailed visual GPS devices. I am using it much more than I thought I would, so that's a plus. » Close
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Member Since: March 2004
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Thursday October 18, 2012
First let me say, I love simple. So much so when something like this comes along I can only say, "It's about time." I am partial to my range finder but I have found shortcomings to my range finder as well. For starters further than 120 yards it's very difficult to find a target to detect the rang... » More
First let me say, I love simple. So much so when something like this comes along I can only say, "It's about time." I am partial to my range finder but I have found shortcomings to my range finder as well. For starters further than 120 yards it's very difficult to find a target to detect the range. There are tricks to figuring out the yardage but what if those tricks are unavailable? This is where the Voice Caddy excels.
With the push of a single button you get distance to the center of the green. Folks say they need to know the front, middle, and back distances as well but for the majority I can honestly say that if you are 200+ or even 150+ out does it really matter to the bogey golfer? Most of the time they find themselves with a second shot the green because they missed their target only slightly. That is my skill level so knowing how far to go gives me confidence to choose the right stick for the job and worry about getting it close to the hole without being bothered by the minutia of where the pin is until my short game comes into play.
I have tried the Voice Caddy on several courses. Namely Alondra Park, Recreation Park and Monarch Dunes since getting this little gem. And the VC's overall performance was stellar. There were some shortcomings namely the par 3 at Rec Park - Hole 5 with the two greens in opposite directions. Still have to figure out how that option to alter the hole location works on the VC. Other than that the VC's performance was impeccable. Tried to trick it by playing 9 holes on the back 9 and it found out the hole location and distance once I approached the Tee box. Hit an errant shot and it keeps track of your hole location up to a degree so really errant shots may give you incorrect readings. You can adjust your hole location with a simple combination of button pushes. Distance reading is pretty accurate.
Compared to the Range Finder I would say they are about equal for a reasonably average golfer. Use the VC in conjunction with a range finder you would find a nice blend of distance and convenience that I think most golfers would find useful.
The real question is would I recommend the Voice Caddy. The short answer. "Yes." And at this price point and no registration fee? In a heartbeat. It's a deal. » Close
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Member Since: August 2010
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Thursday October 18, 2012
Used the Voice Caddie for the first time last Saturday at Coyote Hills and I'm happy to say that I loved it. As a high handicapper, knowing distance to only the center of green is fine with me. Coyote Hills has GPS carts so I was able to see how accurate the Voice Caddie was and it was spot on eve... » More
Used the Voice Caddie for the first time last Saturday at Coyote Hills and I'm happy to say that I loved it. As a high handicapper, knowing distance to only the center of green is fine with me. Coyote Hills has GPS carts so I was able to see how accurate the Voice Caddie was and it was spot on every time. I will definitely get some great use out of this gadget and would recommend it to anyone looking for something basic. » Close
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Member Since: October 2003
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Monday October 15, 2012
Used it once (10 index), had my wife play with it (23 index, hits it straight), and had a friend play with it(18 index).
Pros:
-very accurate: compared to my sky caddie, which i trust, and it was exactly the same yardages.
-easy to use. just charge and use. courses preloaded, tak... » More
Used it once (10 index), had my wife play with it (23 index, hits it straight), and had a friend play with it(18 index).
Pros:
-very accurate: compared to my sky caddie, which i trust, and it was exactly the same yardages.
-easy to use. just charge and use. courses preloaded, takes a minute to find the course. when you turn it on, it tells you the percentage of battery life left
-appropriate volume. sounds loud to you, but no one else can hear it more than 5yards away
however:
yardages only to center of green. now for me, this is not good enough. I am very partial to my sky caddy, and I value yardages to hazards and landmarks, especially on a new course. I also value yardages to the front and back of the green, as I like to know if i should miss long or short.
My 18 index friend initially said the same thing.. however by the end of the round, he found it very very useful... he ultimately found knowing the yardage to the center immediately much more preferable to looking for a sprinkler head. I personally think it's good enough for him. He does not use any gps or rangefinder. He stated he would gladly use it if someone bought it for him, and use it all of the time, but only as a gift.
My wife loves it. She definitely doesn't need any more than the yardage to the center.. and just knowing if the pin was front/middle/back combined with the center yardage was more than sufficient. She is going to use it full time, while I stick to my sky caddy.
Bottom line:
Well worth the money, makes a perfect gift for the golfer who doesn't use any form of yardage tool, or is the type of golfer that doesn't care about hazards, whether it's because of skill or they are a shorter hitter. Any golfer who currently uses a gps or rangefinder might find this a downgrade, so purchase accordingly. » Close
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Member Since: August 2010
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Monday October 8, 2012
Used the device for the first time Sunday at Dos Logos. The device clips on to your hat and is very lightweight. I compared its readings with that of my rangefinder and found it to be quite accurate. I liked the fact that I could very easily measure shots. It is certainly easier to defer to the VC20... » More
Used the device for the first time Sunday at Dos Logos. The device clips on to your hat and is very lightweight. I compared its readings with that of my rangefinder and found it to be quite accurate. I liked the fact that I could very easily measure shots. It is certainly easier to defer to the VC200 out in the middle of the fairway compared to searching for a sprinkler head for yardage. I found myself however questioning if I would consistently use this project or not. For example, on a par 4/5 - do I really care how far it is from the tee box to the center of the green? No, but I do care how far it is to that fairway bunker out on the left. The VC200 isn't going to tell you that. Then when I am on the par 3's, I am very interested in knowing exactly how far it is to the flag and not just to the center of the green. I believe I am more likely going to defer to my range finder.
I would like to see options for changing the voice that comes with the VC200.
That being said, I think perhaps it is a product I would use IN CONJUNCTION with another product such as a range finder. I believe this product would be well suited for the high handlicapper who does not have the budget for the more expensive solutions. » Close
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