Thanks to technology, we are in an era where we are both information driven and also driven to get that information as quickly as possible. That has expanded well into the realm of golf, and as technology improves so too does the ability to take it and learn about one’s own golf game. Voice Caddie is bringing a new device to the golf market that aims to take advantage of all of the technology out there in what they are calling their “portable launch monitor” – the Swing Caddie SC100.
Information from Voice Caddie on their new Swing Caddie SC100:
The Swing Caddie SC100 is a standalone portable golf launch monitor designed to help golfers visualize their swings. It provides instant visual feedback and stores stats for each club, without any separate device or smart phone application, and its remote control makes it effortless to use. Swing Caddie is ideal for both practice and play, and creates a fresh new experience for golfers of all levels.
The Swing Caddie SC100:
- Standalone device (no phone app needed)
- Instant feedback via LCD display
- Measures:
- Carry Distance
- Swing Speed
- Ball Speed
- Smash Factor
- 3 modes
- Practice Mode
- Target Mode
- Random Mode
- Stats for each club
- Average stats
- Shot count and time display
- Compact size and weight
- Easy use with remote control
- Available in white or black versions
Contents and Initial Setup
The SC100 comes enclosed in a nice two-piece box and upon opening it is displayed prominently to show off the overall build of the device. As far as overall contents go there really isn’t much to it. Enclosed are the four AAA batteries the SC100 needs to operate, a drawstring pouch for easier storage than the display box, and also a slim external remote control.
Preparing the SC100 for use is simple. It is literally just a matter of inserting the batteries, turning on the device, selecting the desired mode, and setting it up 1 to 1.5 meters (about 3 to 5 feet) behind the ball. The remote control also offers the ability to change the modes without picking up the device multiple times during use, and because it is so thin it isn’t even noticed when in pocket. For a device that is so technologically impressive, it being so simple to get up and running is impressive.
Ease of Use
Actual use of the Swing Caddie, whether it is on the range or tinkering on the course, is just as simple as the setup of the device. After selecting the required mode by hand or remote and setting the SC100 up behind the ball, all you have to do is ensure you have the club listed on the screen and start hitting golf balls – no muss and no fuss. Since there is no additional smart phone app necessary and the SC100 itself allows you to recall prior information right there (100 swings will record and can be scrolled through by club and you can also look at the current day), things are incredibly streamlined as it pertains to the information. The orange tinted screen over the LCD seemed to aid in making the SC100 easy to read as well no matter the angle of the sunlight. Obviously mileage will vary there while practicing based on the users eyesight, but it handled it well in this tester’s time with the device. While it would admittedly be a nice bonus to be able to upload that information somewhere for long term tracking, you can still learn a lot about your numbers with the 100 recorded swings. That isn’t a knock on the device, but it would be nice to see that option down the line in future devices.
Modes, Information Displayed, and Accuracy
According to Voice Caddie, the Swing Caddie provides the various data through use of the built in Doppler radar system, which lends to it a level of accuracy which they are quite proud of. The SC100 gives information on swing speed, the carry distance, ball speeds, and also the smash factor. Additionally it has three different modes that can be utilized – practice mode, target mode, and random mode.
Practice mode is likely to be the most commonly used setting with the SC100, as this is the base mode which will provide swing-by-swing information on the four measurable pieces of data which the device focuses on. After setting the Swing Caddie to practice mode via the mode button or the remote the only other thing left to do is to make sure the proper club is also selected. From an accuracy standpoint the numbers seen during testing were much more impressive than initially expected, especially as far as swing and ball speeds were concerned. With multiple clubs the read outs given were impressively accurate with at the most +/- 1 to 2 MPH “variance” on speed numbers and the carry numbers compared to lasers shot to landing areas were right in that +/- 1 to 2 wheelhouse as well. Smash factor proved more applicable than expected on the SC100 as the readouts consistently changed based on center strikes and misses across the face.
Target and random modes proved to be much more fun than initially thought, as each brought a new twist into practice time. In target mode the user can select the distance which they want to “target” (40 to 200) and also the club with which they want to do it. From here you have 10 shots (one round) to swing away and work on achieving that number. Random mode is essentially target mode, but the SC100 actually picks the distance for you (40 to 100) and you have 10 shots (one round) to hit that number. To add some depth to these modes each round of 10 is scored. A perfect score is 100 and you can actually get bonus points for hitting the number on the dot. During review this proved to be a lot of fun, especially as a golfer who is working hard on the scoring zone with those 100-120 yard shots. Battling it out to hit the number and score well became almost an obsession to the point that it didn’t feel like practice.
Parting Thoughts
The path at which technology in golf has traveled recently is nothing short of amazing. A few short years ago no one would have considered something like the Swing Caddie a possibility for providing a variety of information so easily. Will it be as spot on as a Trackman? No, but it isn’t trying to be a Trackman. What it is trying to be is a valuable tool for golfers across the gamut, from range rats to those just wanting to compare their numbers with their buddies. The Swing Caddie will come with a retail price of $289.00, which could be a tough pill for some to swallow, but compared to other options out there and the all-around usefulness of the target and random modes, it could be well worth a hard look for many.
For and more information on the Swing Caddie SC100 from Voice Caddie, as well as more on where you can locate it, be sure to visit their website at www.voicecaddie.com.
Great write up
That is an impressive piece of equipment and one that would be an asset to be able to practice with, especially in target mode. Having something like that on the range would be an absolute blast.
Wow. Perfect timing as I have been curious about these types of tools but not overly impressed with the current offerings out there. I can’t wait, and hope to, hear much more on this device.
Nice writeup Jman. I want this thing pretty badly.
Great to hear how accurate it was.
Great review, James. This product really does intrigue me, as it seems like distances on a given club, and especially swing speeds with a given club would be very good to know (and track), and the target modes seem like a whole lot of fun. Would be nice to see spin numbers for each club, but I understand there is some give and take for a unit in this price range, and what it does offer seems to be a great value as is.
Thanks James!! That sounds pretty awesome. Did you have a chance to compare numbers to any other LM to see if they are comparable?
Cool device and solid review, James. With this coming out, it has me excited about the future of tech gadgets that could follow in it’s footsteps!
hmm, lot of pondering to do. Great write up Jman
Awesome review James, this is atop my ponder list for sure, looks like a ton of features packed into a small package!
Nice review, James!!
I remember when this type of tech was only available at built-in range stalls. It seems we are only a short time away from portable Trackman-like systems. Well done review.
This device seems very useful and accurate. Thanks for sharing your thoughts James. Looking forward to giving this a go next week.
Wow, this is great. I had no idea this little device even existed and I think it’s a great way to dial in yardages and also to mix up practice some. Granted, I was hoping to see a $150 price tag but you typically get what you pay for when it comes to electronics.
Hoping to see this next week! 🙂
Nice looking device right there. This could be very interesting to use with practice. It is amazing how this tech is coming along. Thank you for the great review James!
Jman, do you think this is a definite buy considering the cost or would you think waiting another generation for some additional features is the way to go?
I really like this product. I’ll probably try to pick one up off ebay in a year or two when the price comes down. Sounds like a great product to me.
Great write up. Really cool product. Well done.
Just now seeing this review and as always very good job James. This actually seems to be a very nice unit for the price, I agree that it would be nice to be able to upload the data to a computer but 100 swings is a pretty good base to work with too.
I could see myself using one of these quite often.
Great write up Jman. Missed this when it first came out, but have seen some chatter on the forum so wanted to read the front page review. Looks like a great tool to use while practicing. Need to check one of these out.
Does anyone have comments or comparisons between the SC100 and the new ES14 which is more bucks. The ES14 appears to provide more ability to store and compare your time on the range via the app but hey I gave not used either unit.
Would appreciate comments
I just purchased this device and Im rather anxious to try it out.
Hi James,
Been thinking of buying this product. Can it be hooked up to a computer and used as a golf simulator to play on a golf course.
regards,
Bill
Can you hit balls into a net with this or do you need to be on a range? I have a net and I hit balls often if this would work with my net I would hit balls every day all day
Great write up … I am hooked!
Very disappointing! The carry distances are a total joke and consistently average about 30 yards short of accurate. For example, my 7 iron distance consistently registers between 104-108 yards on the Swing Caddie SC100 but in reality I carry the ball between 135-140 all day long. With my wedge, I knock down the 100 yard marker at my driving range but the Swing Caddie shows a carry distance of 70-75 yards. To add more misery, my darn remote did not work at all; dead battery I presume.
All in all, this device is a waste of time and money. I’m returning it to Revolution Golf and will purchase the Earnest Sports ES12 for about the same money and give it a try.
Same here. It worked once or twice and was totally inaccurate. Now it doesn’t really work. Maybe once in 30 shots it might register something. Total waste