Motocaddy S5 Connect Trolley Review
Published: Last updated:
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At a glance
- TG Rating
- Owner Rating
- RRP £549.99
What we say...
Motocaddy could have introduced a GPS golf trolley a few years ago, but the cost of a tracker (like the one used in smart phones) adds significantly to the cost of the trolley.
Review:
So they waited until over 80% of the UK’s public owned a smart phone, allowing them to piggyback on the built in GPS tracker inside them all. It’s a clever bit of thinking and when it means the S5 comes in £200 less than the PowaKaddy, it gives the S5 a competitive edge. We love how Motocaddy has invested in designing a fully bespoke (and free) GPS app, too. Making it available to all golfers for free is a real bonus for both brand and consumer. Initially we were sceptical of using a phone to power the system on the course (it uses Bluetooth to transfer data from phone to trolley, so your phone can be kept in your bag). But this makes a brilliantly simple job of integrating GPS tech into an electric trolley, and if you do want to see the shape of the hole, or any hazards, just grab your phone to view an aerial map on the app.
Details:
Models: S5 Connect £549.99 (standard lithium battery); £599.99 (extended lithium). Downhill Control (DHC) model £599.99 (standard), £649.99 (extended).
Weight: Trolley: 9kg Battery (18-hole lithium): 2.1kg Motor size: 200w
Warranty: Trolley and charger 24 months Battery: Five years Folded size: 850mm x 595mm x 355mm. Compatible with iPhone 4s or newer and Samsung Galaxy S4 or newer.
We love…
Free Motocaddy app so you have access to a full-blown GPS system.
It’s £200 less than the PowaKaddy.
You can take the GPS app (on your phone) to a back tee where you might not be able to take a trolley.
You can get or turn off notifications for texts, email, missed calls etc.
You can use the app during a round even if you don’t take your trolley.
It doesn’t work from your phone signal, so you don’t need network access on the golf course (download the course via wifi before playing to save data usage).
You can buy a cradle to fit your phone on to the trolley handle to access full GPS maps and charge your phone as you play via the built-in USB port.
We didn’t love…
The chassis isn’t quite as appealing as the PowaKaddy. An average round will use about 15 -20% of your phone’s battery. You’ll need the phone in your bag to power the system, which might not be ideal if you’re playing in torrential rain and don’t have a waterproof pocket. It takes a bit more initial setting up to pair your phone to the trolley, but you only do this once.
Bottom line:
Motocaddy has taken a really clever approach to integrating GPS into the world’s first “smart cart” – and we love it. Thanks to the price not being exorbitant it means a trolley and GPS purchase can be combined for far less than buying both independently. It’s a real pleasure to play with. You’ve got to admire the bespoke Motocaddy app; it’s free for anyone to download and works superbly.
