Shot Scope’s popular V3 watch, introduced almost three years ago, has proven to be immensely popular with its combination of GPS and automatic shot tracking. Building off that success, the company is introducing the all-new Shot Scope X5.
How do you improve on a product like the V3 watch? While you’ll find detractors for any product, the overwhelming amount of positive feedback on the THP forums could almost suggest that there isn’t much room for improvement, but Shot Scope didn’t see it that way. In addition to an all-new look, the X5 has a number of new and exciting features that may entice V3 owners to consider an upgrade.
Aesthetic Changes
While it wasn’t unattractive by any means, the V3 is showing its age. The X5 doesn’t just improve on the V3’s looks, but instead is a completely revamped design. The rectangular face has been replaced by one that is round and surrounded by a ceramic bezel. Ceramic is the same material you’ll see in many premium watch’s bezels, and is known for being lightweight, resistant to scratching, and holding up well to color fading from repeated exposure to sunlight.
Like the V3, the X5’s face is a hardened mineral glass with a bright and clear display, but Shot Scope took a major step forward with its function. Unlike the V3’s user interface, which required pushing buttons on the side, the X5’s 1.2” face is a touchscreen that works in conjunction with the multi-function buttons on the crown. This will undoubtedly be appreciated by users, as it will make navigating the interface much quicker and more intuitive for anybody that has used a smartphone or smartwatch. The X5 is offered in seven base colors and it’s possible to switch out straps (sold separately) to further customize its looks. The straps themselves are dust resistant with a metal clip for a stable and comfortable fit.
Before we dive into the on-course features offered by the X5, it should be noted that Shot Scope designed it to be worn anywhere, and the aesthetic upgrades certainly make that a reasonable scenario. To take customization features even further, users can select from 5 different clock face designs. In addition, a built-in step counter can be used both on and off the course. While the X5 doesn’t have a full suite of fitness-based apps like a dedicated smartwatch, this addition should come in handy for anybody tracking their activity level.
On Course
With over 36,000 preloaded courses (and not requiring a subscription), the X5 will cover almost every golfer’s needs without requiring any additional financial commitment. The watch will instantly provide accurate distances to the front, middle, and back of the green, and front and carry distances for hazards. From any location on the course, green view displays the shape of the green and allows you to drag and drop the flag to the correct pin position. Speaking from personal experience, and playing regularly on a hilly course, this feature will come in very handy.
While GPS features are integral to the X5, they are only a tiny portion of what the watch is capable of. Those familiar with any of Shot Scope’s performance tracking capabilities will find this old news, but it’s worth going over them.
Each X5 comes with 16 2nd-generation RFID shot tracking tags that have embedded GPS chips and screw into the grip end of a golf club. After pairing the tags to specific clubs in the app, every swing can be recorded by the watch. Well, not every swing, but we’ll get back to that. Shot Scope’s Power Sense technology, which is built into the strap, detects swings as they happen at a specific location, marking both the fact that a shot occurred, and which club was used.
The AI technology in the strap is impressive. Shot Scope explains, “As the engine of X5, Shot Scope’s Power-Sense AI strap technology works automatically in the background to continuously scan the golfer’s swing settings to optimize performance tracking. The technology creates an ever-increasing volume and accuracy of data collected from the golfer during play, leading to more insights and statistics that help the player, or a coach, understand their game better, improve on-course strategy and shoot lower scores. The more rounds the golfer plays with X5 the smarter the AI technology becomes, eventually producing highly refined settings that are personal to that individual.”
After taking a swing, the watch’s display indicates a shot has taken place, leaving out any doubt that the device detected it. That’s all there is to it. There isn’t a need to carry a phone around or remember to tag the club to a device. This is one of the most attractive elements of the X5, as it drastically reduces the number situations where you’re thinking more about the shot tracking process than playing golf. To avoid inadvertently tracking practice swings, users can engage the pause round feature until they are ready to take their shot.
Once on the green, PinCollect technology allows user to mark the exact location of the hole, which gives Shot Scope the ability to provide incredibly accurate stats on approach shots, short game, and putting. After holing out, the X5 offers the ability to record and edit scores during your round, making penciling in a score unnecessary, if one so desires.
Performance Tracking and Shot Scope Academy Integration
Speaking of statistics, the list of what Shot Scope tracks is immense. After finishing a round, a simple upload to the free iOS or Android app syncs all the day’s data from the X5. The dashboard itself offers an aerial view of the course and gives a visual representation of every shot. In addition, those players looking for in-depth statistics have access to “over 100 performance statistics including club distances, approaches, short game, putting, strokes gained and handicap benchmarking.”
While the sheer number of statistics Shot Scope tracks may be overwhelming to some golfers, they can offer meaningful insight into a player’s strengths and weaknesses and offer direction on where he or she can pick up strokes on the course. After the Data Experience in 2022, a THP event held in Hammock Beach, representatives from Shot Scope showed their software’s full capabilities by providing detailed breakdowns to each of the participants. The breadth of available information is fascinating and it’s well worth the time to review the forum threads to get an idea of what can be done with the X5.
In early 2023, THP covered the introduction of Shot Scope Academy. This service allows users to connect their personal Shot Scope performance tracking with their instructor or coach. After a round using the X5, all the data can be uploaded to an instructor’s dashboard, giving them the ability to analyze on-course performance and formulate lesson plans based around each player’s needs.
Details
What’s included:
- 1 x Shot Scope X5 watch
- 16 x 2nd generation shot tracking tags
- 1 x USB charger
- Free iOS / Android app
- Statistics Platform with Strokes Gained and Handicap Benchmarking
Technical Specifications:
- Lens Material: Hardened Mineral Glass
- Strap Material: Silicone with UV dust resistant coating
- Watch Head / Housing Material: ABS
- Navigation: touchscreen, crown, back button
- Weight: 50 grams
- Battery Life: GPS Mode: 2+ rounds of golf
- Display Resolution: 240 x 240 pixels 64 colors
- Display Type: 1.2” Daylight readable MIP (memory in pixel) with backlight
- Color Display: Yes
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5
- GNSS Tracking: GPS L1, Galileo E1, Glonass L1
- Connected Smartphone Apps: Android and iOS
- GPS Distance Measurement: Yards or Meters
Price:
- $299.99 US / €349.99 EU / $399.99 CAD/£279.99 UK
For more information, check out their website at www.shotscope.com.
