Jamie Kennedy
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We live in a world where everything is available via voice. I can talk with my phone to find the nearest golf course or tell me what the weather will be like during my round. I can have my car speak directions to me in order to find the course. And thanks to devices like the Voice Caddie VC300, you can hear distances during your round, whenever you want them.

Truth be told, the VC300 is not the first, not will it be the last, talking GPS device but it is certainly unique. Roughly the size of a poker chip, it has no screen or display. To use it, players simply click or swipe the front of the pebble-looking device and wait for instructions.

Voice Caddie VC300

Having used a lot of GPS devices in recent years, I was intrigued how a device with no display would work when you are on the course.

Preloaded with 30,000 courses, the VC300 is ready to use out of the box and will automatically detect the course and hole you are playing. With more than half of the course library outside of the US, golfers around the world shouldn't be disappointed arriving at their home club.

The device has access to more than 2,500 courses in the UK and it found the two courses I was testing it on.

How Does It Work?

That was the question I asked myself before driving to the course for my first round with the VC300. It is most certainly a device that needs some pre-game homework and a good read of the instruction booklet, included in the box.

Voice Caddie VC300

Having read through the manual and charged the device for around two hours, I powered it on using the hidden button on the back of the device and a clear, female voice said:

"Let's go, enjoy your game with Voice Caddie. The remaining battery is 96%."

Off to the course, I stared down the fairway at my home course and gave it a try for the first time. However, it told me it had not picked up the GPS signal yet, because GPS devices require some level of signal or communication with a satellite. It does sometimes take a second to register your initial location so turn it on a few minutes before you tee off.

Voice Caddie say in the instructions to "allow approximately 2 minutes for device to locate the golf course". Whilst I certainly waited more than 2 minutes, the device did eventually locate the course on the 2nd tee.

"Hole number 2, centre, 442 yards."

And off I went.

Voice Caddie VC300

Features

As well giving me distances to the middle of the green, via one click on the front, the VC300 also gave me front distances by swiping right-to-left, and back distances by swiping left-to-right, much like you would view the next photo on your mobile phone or tablet.

By the end of the round, I found myself using the double-click most often, which prompted the device to tell me yardages to the front and back in one instruction:

"Hole number 15, front, 120 yards, back, 143 yards."

All the distances are measured in a straight line from wherever the device is, so you can be sure you are getting the correct distances.

Whilst the device is supposed to give yardages to holes based on the order you play them, it did get confused as to which hole I was on. My home course is a condensed layout with wayward tee shots often finding other holes and fairways. Unfortunately the first time this happened, I got a yardage to the 16th hole, when I was actually on the 2nd.

The hole can be changed manually, by using the volume buttons, but again this is a little fiddly during your round, especially without a screen to guide you.

Voice Caddie VC300

As well as distances to the hole, the VC300 can also measure individual shots. By pressing and holding the front of the device, I was able start and stop the measurement, which prompted:

"The shot distance is 261 yards. Hole number 8, centre, 119 yards."

I doubt many people will use the distance measurement function, but it is pretty neat and is a good way to get a feel for how far you hit different clubs.

Many people are sceptical about voice GPS devices and worry they make too much noise during the round and could put off fellow golfers. I can attest that the volume coming from the same speaker on the back of the VC300 was just right. I was able to choose from seven volume settings, with the loudest one not audible beyond about 15 or 20 yards.

Accuracy

Whilst features and looks are always welcome in GPS devices, accuracy is the most important quality. Along with a market-leading laser rangefinder and another market-leading GPS device, I compared the VC300's yardages. For the most part, they were all very close. Both GPS devices were typically within 2 yards of each other and within 3 to 4 yards of the laser.

I tend to trust lasers the most, but the Voice Caddie's accuracy seemed good and more than ample for the everyday golfer. Plus, if you behind a tree or hitting a blind shot, a laser isn't much use.

Voice Caddie VC300

For some reason the companies that make these small GPS devices seem to want golfers to attach them to your cap. I found this awkward, off-putting and to be honest, it didn't do much for my street-cred on the course.

I started with the device on my belt, but found that I clicked it accidentally any time I bent over to mark my ball or pick it out of the hole, prompted an unwanted yardage instruction. Having moved it to various locations on belt, I settled for my golf bag. This way, I could arrive at my ball or a tee, click the VC300 and learn what I faced before picking a club.

Whilst the clip is very strong and tight, the VC300 still got knocked off a few times so you will need to experiment with where to locate it best for you, epsecially if you carry a bag and don't wear a hat.

Battery

As for the battery, the VC300 features a rechargeable, lithium battery that can be charged using a USB connection. Power adapters and car chargers are available, but the USB port on my computer charged the device in around two hours, and Voice Caddie say it should last approximately eight hours.

From a single charge, the battery lasted logn enough for the two rounds I used it for.That is pretty good for a GPS, and will ensure it lasts the course for the avid golfer who plays 36 holes in a day.

Voice Caddie VC300

Overall

My overall opinion is that this is a fun device, but one that ultimately favours form over function. It looks great in your hand, the yardages were accurate and I did eventually get the hang of the device, but the lack of a screen made it a little harder to use and understand that other devices I've used.

It is one of the most affordable GPS devices I've used, available for less than £100, but ultimately it is not something I would use regularly. I could see someone who plays by themselves enjoying this type of GPS, but playing in a group or competition, it wouldn't be ideal.

However, if you are tempted by talking yardage devices and don't fancy spending a lot, it may be right for you. Just be sure to read the instructions before using it...twice.

Golfalot Rating: 3 stars
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Voice Caddie VC300 Golf GPS Rangefinder

Voice Caddie VC300 Golf GPS Rangefinder - Product Details

UK LaunchMarch 2013
UK Launch RRP£109
USA LaunchMarch 2013
Device TypeGPS Handheld
ElevationNo
Shot MeasurementYes
ScoringNo
Power OptionsRechargeable
SubscriptionNo
DimensionsWidth: 45mm, Height: 45mm, Depth: 12mm
Device Weight24 grams
Course Capacity30,000
Manufacturer's WebsiteVoice Caddie Website

User Reviews

SusieQ
May 2018

How do you know when it truly is off? I left mine on when I thought it was off & then the next time I played, I had no battery—bummer!

Frank
December 2017

Just charged it for the first time. Is there a list of courses to reference?

GOLFALOT: Yes, see the www.voicecaddie.com site

JohnD
September 2017

While it worked, it was perfect. Then it just stopped finding courses. Any courses. Even popular courses I can find on the website listed as being available and downloaded. I'm now trying to update the firmware hoping it works.

Ortelio
September 2017

After one year of use it does not work and cannot find the GPS.

mccy111@gmail.com
June 2017

Great assistant. I am severely deaf and yet placed on my cap peak, I get clear information. How do I alter the distance from yards to metres?

May 2017

First unit quit working after six months. Replacement unit will not hold a charge after one year of use.. will not last 18 holes. Only gives distance to front and back. Other functions do not work. Quality is not good. Would not buy again

February 2017

Started using a Voice Caddie two springs ago. It is a great help in knowing how far to the hole and what club to use. My golf buddies are always asking "how far to the hole". I just ordered the VC300 and I can recommend it for anyone that can't tell distances - it really helps.

January 2017

I love my new toy! The voice caddy has helped me on the course, and it's a great little relatable tool. I recommend it to anybody whom like the little extras that can help score lower, especially on a course you've never played before!

September 2016

When it's all said and done, it is hard to see the positives of this product outweighing the drawbacks that it presents. Sure, there is the convenience of the easy-to-use system, but you are only going to get limited information through that interface. The lack of more in-depth data is really the undoing of this unit. Unless you are a casual golfer who is not too concerned with planning your way around specific hazards and obstacles, you will likely want to opt for a unit capable of providing more information. The VC300 by Voice Caddie gets high marks for ingenuity and creativity, but overall there are better rangefinders on the market.

July 2016

Without a shadow of doubt this is a fantastic bit of kit, not a problem when you play in a four-ball, very useful if someone wants the distance you are just a click away. Great if you are practising to measure your shot distance.

June 2016

This is a fantastic device that I cannot recommend highly enough. Unfortunately at the end of last year I had an eye removed, so trying to fumble through my bag every time I wanted to read the screen on my existing GPS was a pain. A simple touch of the VC300 is now all I need to do.

January 2016

Absolutely great! Easy to charge and use. I play in UK, have tried it on 5 courses so far . Going to India with it soon so let's hope it works there too!

December 2015

Voice caddie is a perfect device for me because I hate to bring a handheld from my pocket or belt clip and push buttons to check the yardage to the hole. But With VC 300, you don't have to bring it to your eyes, no pushing buttons, no need to see the device but just click it while you are relaxing your body, arms and legs, checking the course direction, hazards, obstacles, wind, slope and so on by your own eyes on the course.

September 2015

Easy and simple to use, great tool.

August 2015

I love my Voice Carry and use itconstantly. I bought one and my golf buddy had to have one too. His will hold a charge for several days and mine will lose its charge over night if I take it off the charger.

August 2015

A perfect and price worthy tool to help you with distances to the hole when poor info on the course - and certainly when laying in the rough. Together with a 'birdie book' it is all you need.

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