Martin Hopley
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The Motocaddy S5 Connect is based on the S3 Pro and therefore comes with all the same features, but with a different handle on things as I reveal later.

Motocaddy S5 Connect Trolley

What you therefore get is the same QuikFold system to quickly and easily pull the trolley up from folded by pushing the button on the frame and lifting it up until it clicks.

Motocaddy S5 Connect Trolley

Motocaddy S5 Connect Trolley

The standard model is powered by a reasonably quiet 200W motor, or there is a DHC Downhill Control version with a 230W motor to moderate the speed of the trolley down slopes for an extra £50 and if you have the spare cash, then this is a worthy upgrade.

Motocaddy S5 Connect Trolley

The speed dial works in the usual way and comes with the Adjustable Distance Control (ADC) to send the trolley 15, 30 or 45 yards before stopping.

Motocaddy S5 Connect Trolley

Most cart bags will fit easily on the S5 Connect, but if you have a Motocaddy bag then you can use the EasiLock system where two screw in studs on the base of the bag clip into the footplate so you don't have to bother with the base strap that can therefore be removed.

Motocaddy S5 Connect Trolley

Also down there is an easy to adjust front wheel to ensure that your trolleys goes as straight and true as one of your drives.

Slip in the standard lithium battery that is light and can be left in place when the trolley is folded and you have everything the S3 Pro offers and the ease of use and performance is just as good.

Motocaddy S5 Connect Trolley

However what makes the S5 Connect unique is in the handle. The soft touch grip is retained, as is the USB charging port, but instead of the previous screen, there is a new set up that includes a lower display bar for the speed information and battery charge that you had before.

Motocaddy S5 Connect Trolley

Above this is a 3.3 by 2.2 cm LCD screen that is easy to read in all light conditions and uses Bluetooth to draw in GPS distance information from the free Motocaddy App on your smartphone.

Motocaddy S5 Connect Trolley

The Motocaddy App is available on iOS and Android phones and turns them into standalone hand held GPS devices by using the iGolf database to provide GPS distances for over 36,000 courses worldwide.

There are various settings you can configure for the app in a simple to use menu to pair the device and manage notifications.

The app quickly locates the course you are on and if you are on a course with a poor phone signal, or abroad without data roaming, then I would recommend doing this over Wi-Fi at home or in the clubhouse before you go out to play.

Motocaddy S5 Connect Trolley

Scrolling between the holes is easy and you can pinch to zoom in and out on the images and then slide the Motocaddy logo around to get distances to hazards and lay up positions.

Motocaddy S5 Connect Trolley

However not everyone needs all that information, especially if you know the course you are playing well, and it will use up a lot of battery power if you look at the maps on every hole, although there is of course the USB charger on the back of the handle for emergencies.

Motocaddy S5 Connect Trolley

Hit the Power Save button and the simple white on black numbers for the front, middle and back distances, hole number and par are shown and if you pair app with the Motocaddy S5 Connect trolley, then these will also show on the handle of the trolley.

Motocaddy S5 Connect Trolley

This is a direct link that updates as you move and you can scroll between the holes using the app or left and right blue buttons below the handle screen and it will sync between the two.

The Power Save mode also has the added benefit of only using 15 to 20% of your phone battery, depending on the age and type of phone, so if this is all you need, or if you want this to combine this data with a laser then the S5 Connect is going to be ideal for you.

Compared to a top end handheld GPS the information from the Motocaddy app does not adjust to take account of the angle you are approaching the green from so all distances are to the front centre and back centre of the green.

It is also depends on the strength and accuracy of your phone's GPS signal which is likely to be less accurate than the equivalent sized handheld GPS, but probably about the same as an average GPS watch.

This is really the market that the S5 Connect is going to attack, as if you want a simple front/middle/back device and don't want to wear a watch, then for £50 extra over the S3 Pro you can literally go hands free and put some money in your pocket too.

If you prefer to use the full screen maps from the app, then maybe getting the S3 Pro trolley and paying £30 for the accessory station and GPS holder to hold your phone could be a cheaper option.

However your phone will then we exposed to the elements and unless it is one of those waterproof ones you can throw in the bath, then your game could sink.

Using the S5 Connect keeps your phone in your bag and helps it stay there if you are waiting for a certain call or message as the app has the option to enable alerts on the handle for missed calls, texts, emails or app notifications from things like WhatsApp and Facebook.

Motocaddy S5 Connect Trolley

It just says you have one and who it is from, so if you want to read it then you have to get the phone out, but it does save you checking all the time and you can dismiss messages from the office or better half quickly by clicking the central blue button to return to the yardage screen.

Once you have paired your phone for the first time, the clock and pace of play timer is set up and then even if you don't use the yardage option, the screen will still give you this information for the next seven years.

Motocaddy S5 Connect Trolley

Yes, 5 hours 40 for a round is ridiculous, but there were a lot of lakes on the sprawling, but lovely, modern championship course I used for this rigorous test, including a not very half-way house that we passed five times on a hot day. All for you dear reader, of course.

Motocaddy has put a lot of thought into this set up and it is reasonably future proof too, as any course updates are handled through the app and you can make update requests through it too.

The module that operates the screen in the trolley can also be updated remotely by Motocaddy through the app, so performance improvements and new features can be added easily without having to plug the trolley directly into a computer or any other device with a cable.

Motocaddy S5 Connect Trolley

With a reasonable cost for adding the GPS capability to the standard trolley and the flexibility of use and update then I think the Motocaddy approach is the start of things to come.

Adjusting the green yardage for angle of attack would be one of those worthy upgrades and if I was being harsh then getting the hazard information on the screen would be good. However most small screen devices struggle with this so maybe pulling out the phone is a better option anyway.

It probably depends on whether you are a potential trolley buyer and front/middle/back yardage player as if that is all you need, then for ease of use the S5 Connect carries and shows these distances quickly and easily. And if you want more then the Motocaddy App gives you it all for free.

Either way, the S5 Connect will carry you home.

Golfalot Rating: 5 stars
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Motocaddy S5 Connect Golf Trolley - Product Details

UK Launch30 June 2017
UK Launch RRP£549.99
European Launch30 June 2017
GolferMens, Women
Trolley TypeElectric
Wheels3
Wheelbase59.5 cm
Motor Power200 Watt
MaterialAluminium
Dimensions FoldedWidth: 59.5cm, Height: 35.5cm, Depth: 85cm
Weight Without Battery9kg
Colour Options: Black, White
Manufacturer's WebsiteMotocaddy Website

User Reviews

Padge
September 2018

My screen cracked on the S5 whilst pushing it along. Has anybody else had this as MotoCaddy are unsure why this happens. Personally I think it was over-tightened.

Rmk
September 2018

Just purchased one, the only issue i am having is with the connection dropping when my phone goes to rest mode, other apps still work. I have Samsung phone running android 8.

Anyone have any suggesstions to how to stop this happening?

Cheers

Lee
August 2018

The trolley itself is great. Very easy to put up and down and the battery lasts for ages. The problem I have is with the app connectivity.

I have a Huawei P20 Pro mobile and on first connection I was advised that a firmware update was available. Problem was it wouldn't let me perform the update. fortunately I also have an iPhone which once connected performed the firmware update without a hitch. Now when I use my Huawei handset I have to input the 6 digit verification code every time. I also don't get any of the call or text notifications on the trolley. I didn't notice this before buying the trolley but it does state in the manual that it is designed for either Apple or Samsung devices.

When I get my phone linked up to the trolley I find that the distances are spot on on my course but after a few hours the distances stop updating. I need to take the phone out and go to the app and everything works again. I presume this is my handset turning the GPS off in the background because of the high battery usage.

I believe all of the above problems are fixable with updates to the app and hopefully these will come further down the line. My advice to anyone looking at this trolley who doesn't have an iPhone or Samsung handset is to give it a really good test first. Also, I expect my trolley to last well over 5 years. Will I have the same phone for 5 years? I doubt it.

gilbert bouillon (belgium)
July 2018

The GPS is not accurate at all. Compared to my former (still in use) Garmin watch Approach and also other players and marks on the fair way, I can see between 10 and 25 meters difference. No body from Motocaddy can explain the reason. Thus no use of this "gadget".

GOLFALOT: Hi Gilbert. The difference will either be the accuracy of one or both mapping providers, which for Motocaddy is provided by iGolf, or the accuracy of the GPS on your phone for the app, which may not be as good as a dedicated GPS device. Or it could be both :>

Ger van Kempen
March 2018

There is a difference of between 5 and 10% in distances shown on the S5 connect and my Garmin S2 watch. Also comparing with the distance poles gave the same deviation. I am waiting for an update of the app , for me it is of no use now. The trolley and battery are excellent, but please update the app !!!!

Tim R
August 2017

The standard battery was still showing as green on the indicator after 27 holes carrying a large, full cart bag. The course was very hilly. I even topped up my phone via the USB port on the back. Now thats impressive! The readings were accurate and the notifications were easy to manage. The trolley and battery are light compared my Freeway Sport and non lithium battery. To open and close and trolley was simple.

All in all I'm over the moon with the S5 Connect and I can highly recommend it to you.

Stu
July 2017

Only had 2 rounds with it, but as the article says, very good trolley that saves me having to remember to charge my GPS watch, very pleased.

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