Callaway uPro GPS Review

[Pa Jayhawk]

Just an initial review of Callaway uPro GPS, will add after more familiarity

This is an initial review and I plan to play about 4-5 rounds in the next 4-5 days, so I will likely have a more thorough review come Tuesday or Wednesday of next week. I will probably do a lot of comparisons to the iGolf as it was my prior GPS. Will also take some pictures showing them side by side, however because my wife is currently on the course with the iGolf, it will be later.

Opening the box, the first thing I notice is that there is no user guide. I also notice that my home course for which I bought this from had setup the user. At first I was a little concerned, but as my course has always done me well, I was just being paranoid. As part of the contract you get 1 free promode course which is 3 credits. My home course being a 27 hole course either flipped the bill or worked out a deal with Callaway to download all 27 in Promode, which would have been 4 credits.

As far as no user guide, they send a ear bud and a tutorial on the unit. As far as I can tell, the only purpose for the earbud and jack is for the tutorial. They also have thorough documentation via PDF files on the site.

The information is stored on a MicroSD Card, and my first recommendation is to back up the Micro SD card onto your computer harddrive. Will get to this later, but the freak that I am, it was the first thing that I did and very glad that was the case. The website and downloading is fantastic and very user friendly. The course include all but 3-4 of the course I have ever played or could remember out of hundred (1 in Canada, a small 9 hole in Kansas, and one that has been closed for a couple years until recent.), although there is a request option. My first thought was to download every course I have ever played or may play in case they go to a pay option on membership. This was probably not wise on my part. The first reason is it cues everything into your available courses, which while you have option to not load them onto the upro, I see no option to delete them from the list nor is does there seem to be any rhyme or reason to the sort. If you sort by course, it will do so initially but then fill in a bunch in the end. The second reason this was a mistake was that when I tried to download 98 courses of non promode courses onto the unit at once, it seemed to have a problem. Hence the reason the backup paid off immensely, as I was unable to link the unit until I restored the MicroSD Card. I do not really blame Callaway for this, nor did I call them about the issue. Once I restored and did a few, it was fine.

Onto the initial review of the unit. When you select to play golf it automatically sorts the courses by closest course to your location. This is a great function. It further list whether the course is Promode or Standard. My personal thought on how I plan to utilize Promode or standard is how much I intend to play the course. I purchased 20 courses of Promode for $80 and downloaded 5 so far. To me, the basic courses likely provide the same detail as any other GPS currently offers (actually much more than some as it has all the hazard information, more than the iGolf), and they are all free.

Playing the round, the first thing I notice is that the Flyover to me is simply a waste of time unless you are unfamiliar with the course or trying to show someone the layout. I have since disabled the feature. It is very simple to zoom in and out on a hole to see what you need to see, as well as using the promode features to select points. Even the basic functions give immense detail and can be toggled by the button on the side of the unit. One other function that it seem to lack, and may very likely be my unfamiliarity with the unit is that when you select to measure a point, then move to another location (edit - meaning another location on the course - physically) it seems to keep the old location until you cancel measure and select it again. Again, this may be my own unfamiliarity with the product on the few rounds I have played so far.

When you get close to the hole it will ask you if you want to change to the next hole upon the next selection change, this is a great feature but can also be disabled. Although you can further switch holes by using the up and down keys. The unit is very small, yet easy to maneuver with how it is designed.

I played about 2.5 rounds since the last battery charge, and it used ½ the battery. This with the brightness turned up fairly high. I left it turned up because it made it very easy to view even in bright sunlight. I also bought the extra battery, which on the iGolf was one of my keys on buying it in that it used AA Batteries. So I should do well. Would kinda like a battery charger, as you currently have to switch batteries in the unit to charge each. But just a side thought.

I currently have 6 promode course and about 10 others on the unit and it uses less than 10% of the card. You could likely fit several 100 basic course or the indicated 50 in promode on one card. Actually I think the demo videos take up about 5%, which could be deleted. I don’t think space is an issue, although you could buy other cards.

Callaway support was kinda strange. I got the battery 3 weeks ago. in trying to get the unit, it was backordered for several months so I went local. I verified the existing $100 rebate would be valid. I then ordered a cart mount which they e-mailed me would be backordered to an unknown date then shipped the following day should be here tomorrow. Also ordered a protective glove for it on the 10th, which said 3-5 days. Never received any response and the order is indication not yet shipped. Sent an e-mail yesterday and have not heard back. Although I did call them a couple times earlier and their support was fantastic. Just kinda strange.

All in all, this seem like a winner. Will post more details and such come next week. After the $100 rebate and the $100 card my wife won that I used for accessories, I don’t think I could have gone wrong with the unit based on what I have seen.

[Pa Jayhawk]

Just want to add, when you sync the unit, or at least with Vista, it syncs, they reboots then finishes the sync it seems. With Vista it will read the reboot as the new drive coming up and ask if you want to sync. The other sync is still in progress, so just ignore the other questions to sync until it is complete and simply let it run till end or it may lock up.

Also I mentioned in another thread. If you think of ordering direct from Callaway, it indicated 3-4 weeks. However they Backordered it until August. Never found out if the Rebate would still apply in that case. Which runs out the end of July.

[Pa Jayhawk]

Adding another note, and probably the best feature on the Pro Mode.

Being able to select the pin location then drag back on the map to a layup position is simply invaluable for a GPS. You can select exactly where is safe on the hole to the desired length you want and it tells you the distance to the point as well as the distance from that point to the green. In the few rounds I played, it made me look like a course management Genius on a number of occasions. I am not sure I would have seen those options by simply looking at the hole. Being able to see what obstacles may be in the way on the approach. Reminded me of the first time I was really able to see 3 moves ahead when playing Pool or Chess.

[VtDivot]

Originally Posted by Pa Jayhawk

Adding another note, and probably the best feature on the Pro Mode.

Being able to select the pin location then drag back on the map to a layup position is simply invaluable for a GPS. You can select exactly where is safe on the hole to the desired length you want and it tells you the distance to the point as well as the distance from that point to the green.

That is cool - I guess you could easily look at the GPS and see that you had 285 to the pin (the guru allows you to set pin location also) and then subtract your layup distance. Assuming you don't mind doing the math of course.

It is a neat feature tho - sorta like those signs on the tees of the crazy layup holes that say 214 yards to the 150 marker. What other features are on the promode?

My buddy wants a GPS and he was considerinig the UPro - Does the Upro track scores and stats like the guru does? I didn't think that I would use that feature but it only takes a second while I am walking to the next hole to enter a score, FW, putts, GIR. And then when I sync my guru my stats are uploaded to a database online... pretty slick.

[Pa Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by VtDivot

That is cool - I guess you could easily look at the GPS and see that you had 285 to the pin (the guru allows you to set pin location also) and then subtract your layup distance. Assuming you don't mind doing the math of course.

It is a neat feature tho - sorta like those signs on the tees of the crazy layup holes that say 214 yards to the 150 marker. What other features are on the promode?

My buddy wants a GPS and he was considerinig the UPro - Does the Upro track scores and stats like the guru does? I didn't think that I would use that feature but it only takes a second while I am walking to the next hole to enter a score, FW, putts, GIR. And then when I sync my guru my stats are uploaded to a database online... pretty slick.

I doesn't do any sort of tracking, outside of the common one to measure a distance. The promode basically gives an overhead view of the hole, where you can zoom in to any area. You can then measure from where you are to any point or 2 different points. So you could also measure from one are which you are not at to another as well. It is pretty much unlimited, and the map detail is good enough, and you can zoom in and out enough to get pretty precise.

While I had always taken the distance, then subtracted like you said, you would have to guestimate for say crossing a fairway. Or if you are say cutting a dogleg on a layup for say a par 5. It also is very handy if you are obstructed and have to lay out to another point on the course, where say there is a wood line, water, or a bunker on the other side and down the fairway. This is just not something that is real easy to do with a GPS. I usually face these shots a bit as I am not a great ball striker. So would sit there and try to visually pace off 10 yards at a time. Many times I would under estimate and put it into another bad position, or not be confident in the distance and end up messing up the shot. It is also very nice will playing with others or playing cart path only in a cart. If I am waiting for someone who is away to hit, I can actually get my distance by measuring from the pin and doing a layup to where my ball is to get my distance. You don't have to carry it to your ball.

Or because I do distance control shots via Pelz with my short game, I can pull up to the side of the green, measure from the pin to my ball and leave the GPS in the cart. I really like being able to do any of the measurement even when I am not at the ball. Granted it may not be 100%, but there are times like those where I simply would not use the GPS even though I had one.

Ran through the battery today, so I think it lasted around 3-4 rounds.

Edit 1 - while I haven't used it much on my course for this, I think this thing would also be fantastic for Blind shots. I absolutely hate courses with a lot of blind shots. Even on one of the courses I play the most, there are a few holes where if you are playing with someone new you have to pull up and show the distances.

[ejdahl21]

Just checked faq on upro website.

The uPro™ will have the ability to keep score and track shots. It will be available as an additional software download Fall 2009 for a small additional fee.

[Pa Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by ejdahl21

Just checked faq on upro website.

The uPro™ will have the ability to keep score and track shots. It will be available as an additional software download Fall 2009 for a small additional fee.

That will be sweet. I looked briefly at the Sure Shot GPS for that reason. Roughly the cost of the uPro. Although with the $100 Mail in Rebate and $100 gift card it made the uPro a no brainer. Just got the cart mount from UPS about 30 minutes ago. Will see how it works for the weekend rounds. Has a nice locking swivel. The GPS Pops on and off really easy. Never had one for the iGolf and would stick it in the drink holder. Not always convenient as I drink beer on the course, and having beer and water, I would have to put it in the dash and would take a while to register accurate yardage.

BTW, the batteries do take a bit of time to charge from dead to full. Seemed like about 4-5 hours, but that was the first time. I imagine it will be less next time. Probably not out of the ordinary, am just used to using AA's that charge in 1 hour.

edit 1- Also on the battery, part may have to do with how you charge it. If you plug the adapter into the wall then into the GPS, the white backlight will come on. If you do it the other way around, it will not. I actually really hope they come out with a battery charger. I would guess charging this way will take a small toll on the life of the GPS (kinda like what you see with iPods. Seems logical that since it has a removable battery, they would come out with a charger. No biggy, but would be nice.

[Pa Jayhawk]

Just a quick update prior to doing a more in depth update later in the week. Have found with a bit of certainty that the lifespan of the battery is only right about 2 rounds. I must have recharged it to get what I mentioned prior???

Not that it would be a deal killer, but makes me think I may get a 3rd battery as I get pretty lazy and it took about 3 hours for the battery to recharge. Basically Played 3 rounds, 2 which were a little quicker than normal, 1 was fairly long, on 1 1/2 batteries.

One normal round (3.5 hours), and one lengthy (5 hours) ran the battery out with 2 holes to go. So you can get about 8 hours on one battery with the backlight adjust down from 60% to 50% which was quite sufficient in bright sunlight, and the power settings to Maximum battery.

All quite sufficient if not more than what you need. .... and just so there is no mistaking, IMO this is still the Real Deal if you have the money to spend, and not much more with the rebates.

[Pa Jayhawk]

Not sure I can really add more on a more thorough review so far outside of what I have mentioned. This thing really offers everything I could want in a GPS. Battery life is likely the only downside I see, and because you can buy multiple replacable batteries, I do not see this as a big issue with exception to maybe liking a battery charger seperate from the unit.

Will update over time as I go along.

The Cart mount works great. Really works well because I can mount the device, and if the other person in the cart only needs to hit the red button to get a reading without any familiarity with the device, assuming you leave it on front, back and center for them. Still waiting on the protective boot from Callaway, and while their support seemed good, their shipping and availability of their own product would lead me to look elsewhere to purchase accessories or the device.

Since I am not really doing a more thorough review, I am certainly open to any questions anyone may have.

[Augster]

Jayhawk,

How about an update? You've had a good run with it now, assuming you've played a bit in the 5 weeks since you last posted.

Is it still the cat's pajamas? Anything worse than you would have expected? Anything better, or something you use the GPS for that you wouldn't have expected?

What are the yearly fees, if any, and how simple is it to download/load/keep the courses? Adding custom points? etc. etc. etc.

Thanks much!

[Pa Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by Augster

Jayhawk,

How about an update? You've had a good run with it now, assuming you've played a bit in the 5 weeks since you last posted.

Is it still the cat's pajamas? Anything worse than you would have expected? Anything better, or something you use the GPS for that you wouldn't have expected?

What are the yearly fees, if any, and how simple is it to download/load/keep the courses? Adding custom points? etc. etc. etc.

Thanks much!

This thing is MONEY as far as a GPS. As mentioned earlier, the battery life is probably the biggest flaw, and would like to have a separate battery charger.

There are no yearly fees. You do pay for the ProMode courses. The standard and free courses likely provide more detail than any courses that you will pay for on any other GPS. The Promode courses are ones you would do on courses you frequent. I did go with more courses on the Promode, but have only use a few on that.

Download is simple, but as mentioned earlier, just don't get carried away on the free courses from the start.

Real simple. If you can afford it, it is the way to go.

edit 1 - I also do keep checking back for the stat tracking software for a nominal fee, and have seen nothing yet.

Have used my iGolf, a friends Skycaddie, and a a Garmin Golflogix on a rental up in Niagara Falls. The uPro is far superior for "Ease of Use"